Wawona Campground Review Yosemite National Park

This campground is located 8 miles from the quiet southern entrance
to Yosemite and has a nice
riverside setting and a more
open, less crowded feel
then some of the other
campgrounds in Yosemite
Valley. The sights of the
valley are a 45-minute drive
away. The Mariposa grove
is 10 miles away.

General information:

Located on the south fork of the Merced River, the Wawona campground campground is open all year. From October to April, the sites are first come, first served.
Reservations for campsites can be obtained from May to
September. This campground has 93 sites for tents and RVs, one group site, two horse camps and piped in fresh
water. Each site contains a picnic table, bear food locker and a fire grate. There are campsites for RV’s up to 35 feet long. Check the reservation website for details.

Campground Photos:

Click on the photo below to view the photo gallery.

Bath Facilities:

There are six multi-stalled facilities with flush toilets. Shower are located in Yosemite Valley at the Curry Village or Housekeeping camp. You and the family might want to grab a shower after a day of sightseeing in the valley before heading back to camp.

Pets:

Dogs are permitted with the exception of the group and horse sites. Yosemite has various regulations regarding pets around the park and it is advisable to check them in advance, before staying at the park.

Best sites:

Most people will look to get a spot next to the Merced River. The B and C loops are more forested then the A loop. Some of the sites can be close together. This
is Yosemite, so you can expect some company,
especially in the summer. One thing for sure, the atmosphere is not as crowded as the campgrounds in
Yosemite Valley.

Good Eating:

Not a whole lot of dining choices around in these parts. The Wawona Hotel dining room is close by, but might be a bit fancy for the camping set. The hotel serves a western-style outdoor BBQ on Saturdays in the summer. Contact the hotel directly for the start date and hours of operation (209) 375-1425. The town of Fish camp and Oakhurst are 15 to 25 minutes outside of the campground with a various assortments of restaurants and grocery stores.

Fishing:

While there is fishing available in the south fork of the Merced River at the camp, I have not seen many anglers catch fish. It is my understanding that trout plants do not include Yosemite National Park. If you have caught fish in the Wawona campground area please let me know in the comment section.

Critters:

Yosemite is major bear country and if you do not store your food in a responsible manner, you can
expect a visit from Mr. Black Bear. Please make sure to
read the Yosemite Bears and food storage guide before your trip. Other animals in the park that
could cause some issues are rattlesnakes, squirrels and birds. Proper food storage will take care of the birds and squirrels.

Things to:

There are numerous activities in the southern portion of Yosemite National Park. A few are of these side trips are listed below.

1. Golf
   • Wawona golf course
   • Sierra Meadows (outside the park)
2. Mariposa Grove (Giant Sequoias)
3. Day hikes in Wawona and Mariposa grove
4. Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

Did you know?

The Wawona Hotel is National Historic Landmark with the current building dating back to the late 1800.