Campsite #45 at Upper Pines Campground, Yosemite National Park, CA

Make a Reservation
$36

Campsite #45

14 reviews
Drive-In 6 people
35 ft Back-In
2 fair
45
5/22
6/11
Campsite #45 Features: Drive-In access, Back-In parking, 35ft driveway, Food Storage Locker, Picnic Table, RV Site, Tent Site, Trailer Site, Pets Allowed

Campsite Reviews (14)

5.0 out of 5

5 star
64%
4 star
21%
3 star
0%
2 star
0%
1 star
14%

@JamieS2917031 · Camped on Apr 27, 2025 at Campsite #45
Amazing campsite. Clean and close to all the amenities around. Loved the location. Best spot! Will definitely come back again!
@BrentS514C29A2 · Camped on Dec 14, 2024 at Campsite #45
Winter is the best time to visit, very quiet and no crowds to speak of.This site is great, accommodated my 30ft TT no problem with space left to park the truck sideways. Deep site with ample area to spread out.Very shady.The campground in winter is likewise much more enjoyable, remember though, it's cold in the valley and you only have an hour or two of direct sunlight anywhere in the campground. God was paying attention the day he created Yosemite, enjoy.
@JaneyKD652BA05 · Camped on Oct 31, 2024 at Campsite #45
The campground spaces are close together, but the setting is gorgeous. Bathrooms are close by no matter where you camp. Very helpful and nice hosts.
@MariaB3389571 · Camped on Aug 20, 2024 at Campsite #45
Very crowded and little privacy, but next to beautiful trails and next to shuttle
@MarleeD0AF481A · Camped on May 20, 2024 at Campsite #45
Our stay at upper pines was excellent. It is a great base to explore the park with many hikes accessible from the campground.
@DianeLVCE96274 · Camped on Apr 21, 2024 at Campsite #45
We got married in Yosemite 42 years ago. There have been many changes since then - many of them good, but many of them bad. I like the restrictions via reservations - I think, once people know they need reservations to enter the park, the attendance can be limited in a way that helps both campers and the wildlife. The new road system, however, bottlenecked us on our way in; it took 20 minutes to get from the Curry parking lot to the line for Upper Pines campground. (We've done this on Memorial Weekend with less trouble). Love the new Welcome Center - it looks crisp and clean. Hate the camping reservation system - it's hard for "regular" families to get a res. Aramark has done a less-than-great job of keeping up facilities - especially bathrooms. Checkout time for campers should be 11; our son got bullied by someone coming in BEFORE the noon checkin time, wanting his space at 11 (Didn't the ranger have the info that he hadn't left yet?) There seems to be fewer spots for camping families (even ones eating at the Degnan's deli or pizza) to find spots to eat (fewer tables!) The new visitor's center is nice, but still "meh" for younger kids, though they did like the outside teepees. Bicycle paths are well done, but the campground pavement is uneven, with potholes. Stores seem to have less stock than we've seen before. Camping spots continue to decrease; one would expect RV's to be welcome, as they are self-sufficient and more likely to park and ride the free buses, walk, or bicycle. Regulations need to be enforced equally - I've seen cars parked in between sites and being passed over, while others get ticketed for being 6 inches off of the pavement. I've seen people who have left coolers out when they are gone, while others get a warning for trash that doesn't even belong to them. Generators are kept on a short leash, of sorts, while dogs and music are allowed to bark and blare unencumbered. We love Yosemite Valley - we hate some of the things that have been done
@KristenYF7E381 · Camped on Apr 14, 2024 at Campsite #45
Yosemite is a wonderful place to explore, and is great for all ages. With the shuttles that run through the valley, and great paths for those who like to hike or bike, it's easy to get around. Dogs are welcome too, but only on specified trails. On a recent visit I saw grafitti and carvings in trees this sickens me. Yosemite Valley is a gift, please do not bother to come if you can't respect such a magnificent place.
@CathyL6219650 · Camped on Sep 24, 2023 at Campsite #45
Very smoky. No showers. WiFi exists but the service is so overloaded that I was not able to use it even once during 4 days. This is major problem if you want to access Recreation.gov for campsite reservations. You will not be able to adjust your reservation once you arrive.
@BruceG50B0F276 · Camped on May 9, 2023 at Campsite #45
An excellent experience in a beautiful campground in the most beautiful National Park! Thank you!!!
@LauraE310 · Camped on Aug 7, 2021 at Campsite #45
Snagged a last minute cancelation. The campsite was fine--mostly shaded, near the restrooms (clean), lots of neighbors. Wouldn't be my first site choice, but we were just thrilled to be in the Yosemite Valley, a short walk from some of the most stunning views on the planet. Bring bikes if you have them, or rent--the best way to get around!
@AlexandriaC167 · Camped on Jun 18, 2021 at Campsite #45
We had the best weekend here!! Camping in the valley was magical and the amenities were more than sufficient. I was both surprised and impressed at how clean the bathrooms were. Not to mention our neighbors were very helpful. They offered great suggestions on what to do and where to go. One family even offered us extra food each night we were there! Overall everyone was very respectful and just generally happy to be there. We loved how close the sites were to the trailheads too. No complaints here! I want to try to make a reservation here every summer from here on out.
@AlbertS340 · Camped on Mar 21, 2021 at Campsite #45
The restrooms weren’t open when I checked in at 12pm and my daughter has a stomach/bladder condition. The camp host at the ranger station just told me to drive her around to find an open restroom. That is the most rudeness, inconsiderate thing someone can do to a child. I didn’t even give her my opinion, I just drove away. She didn’t even have the respect to look at me when she told me this, she was too busy writing on something. The snow was plowed and the rear bumper of the pad was up on the snow so I couldn’t fit two vehicles properly.
@JeremiasV186 · Camped on Mar 14, 2021 at Campsite #45
This location is close to all of the best trailheads in Yosemite. Make sure to check the weather and prepare accordingly. While it was sunny, it did snow overnight and we woke up to some fresh snow covering our tent.
@DavidM418 · Camped on Mar 4, 2021 at Campsite #45
Sleeping under the stars while feeling the warmth of a camp fire. What could be better then that? I stayed a few nights at Upper Pines camp site- a lovely spot, Nestled in the hearth of Yosemite valley it’s a good facility in close proximity to the General store. With Covid it was not too busy, I hate to think of the traffic and chaos when it’s peak season. Caught some beautiful evening sunsets from the bridge. The mountains glowed a rusty red and casted a mirror shadow onto the river. Hiked to half done on Saturday, underestimated how hard it would be but the views were absolutely worth it!

Had a great trip! Would recommend to anyone.

Campsite Photos and Videos

Map Settings
Reset
Satellite View
Satellite
Wildfires
Wildfires
National Forests
National Forests
National Parks
National Parks
Air Quality
Air Quality
Bureau of Land Management
BLM
Motor Vehicle Use Maps
OHV MVUM
Love's Travel Stop
Love's
D
Dump Stations
W
Water
LP
Propane
P
RV Parking
Walmart Supercenter
Super Walmart
Cracker Barrel
Cracker Barrel
Bass Pro Shop
Bass Pro Shops
 
Rating:
Price*:
Length:
Amps:
Elev:
feet
Temp:
°F
Down:
Up:
*Earn our Leave No Trace badge to see our free camping sites.