Expert: Steve Summers - 9/8/2009

Question
Hi Steve - strategy ideas needed for camping in Yosemite. Will be there Sept 2010, plan to try online reservations at 9 am first day and assume will not get them. If I do, great. But if not, strategy is to reserve spot for one nite in campground outside park (would reserve any time now a year ahead) and then get up very early next day and go for first come first served campground (Bridalveil) trying Crane Flats first for one of their 50% first come sites. Would be trying for site on a Wednesday.
As to online reservations - if I get in, I assume better to specify only that I need 34 foot long site and not specify site - more likely to get one?
Thanks so much for any info as we are driving 7000 miles round trip with yosemite as focal point and after so much money,planning and time dont' want to not have place to camp that is nice.
Frances

Answer
Hi Frances,

I might offer up this strategy:

On April 15 (May 15 if you arriving after Sept 15), you need to be on the Internet site at 7AM Pacific time. You said 9 AM, which would be the correct time in the central time zone. You need to do your homework, and decide which site you want, since they are all site specific in the valley now. So be prepared with a couple of alternative options. Precisely at 7AM PDT, you need to click on the button that reserves that specific site. This should probably do the trick, since September is not nearly as busy as July and August. As for sites, I personally prefer upper pines campground close to Happy Isles Nature center. It's nice and quiet back there.

I would hedge my bets right now and either reserve a site at Housekeeping Camp or a tent cabin in Curry Village. That way if you're skunked, at least you're in the valley. If you want to try the "standby" strategy you mentioned, try to get as many nights as you can (even one will do) at one of the valley campgrounds, which are MUCH closer to the reservation hut. You can get up early and walk or ride your bike to the hut to get in line. Or you can try to get into the first come, first serve sites at Bridalveil. That would be my strategy.

Good luck!