North Pines Campground
North Pines Campground sits in the heart of Yosemite Valley, offering 81 sites tucked among pines along the Merced River with some of the most sought-after real estate in the entire national park system. With stunning views, river access, and proximity to iconic trailheads, it draws campers willing to plan far ahead — 40.4% of August reservations are booked six or more months out. That said, a surprisingly high share of sites open up last-minute, and knowing exactly when to look makes all the difference.
Sold out? Sites at North Pines Campground open up when campers cancel.
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At a Glance
We analyzed 9,529 reservations at North Pines Campground to surface the exact booking windows, cancellation patterns, and monthly demand signals that give you a real edge.
Planning Tips
May is the most accessible month by a wide margin — 62.0% of reservations are booked last-minute, and none in our dataset were planned six or more months ahead. October is the next best option for spontaneous campers, with 31.5% of its 1,803 reservations booked within a week and far less six-month advance pressure than peak summer. Avoid August and July if you don't have a plan: 40.4% and 35.9% of reservations respectively are claimed six or more months before arrival.
Yosemite Valley operates a free shuttle system that stops near all three Pines campgrounds, and private vehicle use within the valley is restricted during peak season — plan to leave your car at camp and use the shuttle for most sightseeing. The campground is within a short walk of the Mirror Lake trailhead and a quick shuttle ride to Yosemite Village, Half Dome Village, and major valley viewpoints. If you're arriving with an RV up to 40 feet, factor in tight turns and limited parking near popular trailheads.
Yosemite National Park charges a $35 per vehicle entrance fee, which is valid for seven consecutive days. Nightly camping fees apply on top of the entrance fee and are collected at reservation — rates vary by season, so confirm current pricing at recreation.gov when booking. The America the Beautiful Annual Pass ($80) covers the entrance fee for the pass holder's vehicle and is well worth it if you plan to visit multiple federal lands in the same year.
North Pines enforces a 7-day maximum stay, so multi-week Yosemite trips will require moving to another campground or leaving the park. The campground is located in Yosemite Valley, which has limited but generally usable cell service — don't rely on it for navigation inside the park. Yosemite Village is the nearest supply hub with a grocery store, gear shop, and deli, located about a 10-minute shuttle ride from the campground.
Location
Address
Yosemite National Park, California
Coordinates
37.7419, -119.5656
Nearby Campgrounds
Lower Pines Campground
Yosemite National Park
Upper Pines Campground
Yosemite National Park
Camp 4
Yosemite National Park
Porcupine Flat Campground
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Creek Campground
Yosemite National Park
Bridalveil Creek Campground
Yosemite National Park
Photos
North Pines Campground FAQ
How far in advance should I book North Pines Campground?
We analyzed 9,529 reservations at North Pines Campground to surface the exact booking windows, cancellation patterns, and monthly demand signals that give you a real edge.
What is the busiest time at North Pines Campground?
The busiest months at North Pines Campground are Jul, Aug. July is the hardest month to book at North Pines — only 27.7% of 1,055 reservations were last-minute, and 35.9% were locked in six or more months ahead.
What are the best months to camp at North Pines Campground?
Summer
Are RV sites available at North Pines Campground?
RV (non-electric) at North Pines Campground have medium availability. RV campers (1,911 reservations) book last-minute 37% of the time and plan six or more months out 13% of the time, showing slightly more opportunistic booking behavior than tent campers.
Are tent sites available at North Pines Campground?
Tent – Standard at North Pines Campground have low availability. Tent campers (3,158 reservations) are the most plan-ahead group, with 17% booking six or more months out and only 32% last-minute — competition for tent sites is meaningfully higher.
Are there campsites available at North Pines Campground right now?
North Pines Campground is currently fully booked for the next 14 days. However, cancellations happen frequently - download the Campsite Tonight app to get instant alerts when sites become available.
What should I know before visiting North Pines Campground?
North Pines enforces a 7-day maximum stay, so multi-week Yosemite trips will require moving to another campground or leaving the park. The campground is located in Yosemite Valley, which has limited but generally usable cell service — don't rely on it for navigation inside the park. Yosemite Village is the nearest supply hub with a grocery store, gear shop, and deli, located about a 10-minute shuttle ride from the campground.
How often is availability checked at North Pines Campground?
Campsite Tonight monitors North Pines Campground for cancellations and new availability as fast as every 12 sec. When a site opens up, users with alerts enabled receive instant notifications so they can book before others.
Can I get a reservation at North Pines Campground?
Yes! 5 campers have recently added North Pines Campground to cart, with stays up to 3 nights. Even when fully booked, cancellations happen regularly. Set up an alert to get notified instantly when a site opens up.
Where is North Pines Campground located?
North Pines Campground is located in Yosemite National Park, near Yosemite National Park, California.
Track Availability at North Pines Campground
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