Forum Discussion

slay's avatar
slay
Explorer II
Oct 20, 2023

campground near Yosemite

We are planning a west coast trip for spring 2024 that will include a visit to Yosemite the first weekend in May. I have a 35-foot Class A so I do not intend to stay inside the park. Any suggestions on the best campground outside the park to use as a base camp? Also, my wife and I are not wilderness hikers so we intend to see the touristy attractions. Should we drive our car into the park or plan to use the shuttle buses? This is a one-time trip since we live on the east coast and I don't want to mess it up.
  • fyrflie's avatar
    fyrflie
    Explorer III
    Jan 19, 2024

    We have stayed at Yosemite Pines RV Park multiple times to use as an access to Yosemite and the surrounding areas.

    There is public transportation (bus) that picks up in front of Yosemite Pines. There is a cost per person but it drops you off inside the park at the visitor center. From there, you can use the free park shuttle system to access the features of the park.

    https://yarts.com/

    https://yosemitepinesrv.com/

    Good luck and have a great trip.

     

  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 20, 2023
    ALL parking in the park is taken by 9:30. So take the shuttle
  • opnspaces's avatar
    opnspaces
    Navigator II
    Oct 20, 2023
    It depends on the month and day of the week. If you're coming in on a March or early April and on a Tuesday and arriving at parking before 9 I would just drive in. If a weekend I would take the shuttle. Getting closet to May I would say take a shuttle or Yarts.
  • TenOC's avatar
    TenOC
    Nomad
    Oct 20, 2023
    opnspaces wrote:
    It depends on the month and day of the week. If you're coming in on a March or early April and on a Tuesday and arriving at parking before 9 I would just drive in. If a weekend I would take the shuttle. Getting closet to May I would say take a shuttle or Yarts.


    Even after driving in, TAKE THE SHUTTLE to see the different parts of the park.
  • accsys's avatar
    accsys
    Explorer
    Oct 21, 2023
    Back in 2013 we stayed at Yosemite Pines in Groveland, CA and found it to be a very nice stay though it does take about an hour to drive into the park central where the shuttles are available. We also visited in May and found the park very nice and all of the falls flowing profusely. Allow a few days as there is much to see. Don't forget to take a trip to Hetch-Hetchy which is an almost duplicate of Yosemite though it is just a lake providing water to the San Francisco area - a lot of history there!!

    Also be sure to drive up to Tuolumne Meadows on a day trip. It is magnificent in May and there will still be snow in places as well as fantastic views along the the way through Tioga Pass.

    Our write up of that stay is located here on our blog.

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