Camp 4 Campground
The Quick Take
Camp 4 is hallowed ground. This is the campground that launched modern rock climbing — where Royal Robbins, Yvon Chouinard, and the rest of the Yosemite dirtbags camped while pioneering routes on El Capitan and Half Dome in the 1960s. It earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places for exactly that reason. The vibe today is still communal and stripped-down: shared sites, no flush toilets, no showers, and a per-person fee that makes it the cheapest bed in Yosemite Valley by a wide margin. You are sleeping at the base of the Valley's granite walls, a short walk from Yosemite Falls and the Lodge. The trade-off is zero privacy and basic facilities. Choose Camp 4 if you are a climber, a backpacker staging for the wilderness, or anyone who values location and community over comfort.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 61 sites are reservable.
Book at Yosemite LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
No RVs. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
4 ADA-accessible campsites. Camp 4 has two accessible sites. Accessible parking is nearby and an accessible path leads to the two campsites. The restrooms are accessible. Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:<b>Pets:</b> Not permitted <b>Fires:</b> Wood fires are permitted all year, however, from May through September, campfires in Yosemite Valley are only allowed between 5 pm and 10 pm (campfires are allowed at any time from October through April).
- Bear Safety:<b>You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite's bears.</b> Learn more about <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/nature/bears.htm">bears</a>, <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm">proper food storage</a>, and <a href="https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lockers.htm">food lockers</a>.
- Occupancy:<b>People per site:</b> A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite.
Pro Tips
Reservations open exactly one week in advance during peak season and sell out within minutes. Set a phone alarm, have your Recreation.gov account loaded and ready, and do not bother browsing — add Camp 4 to your favorites beforehand so you can book with minimal clicks the instant the window opens.
Camp 4 is the trailhead for the Yosemite Falls Trail and is a short walk to the Columbia Boulder, one of the most famous bouldering spots in the world. Even if you do not climb, watching people work problems at sunset is prime Valley entertainment.
There are no showers or a camp store on site, but Yosemite Valley Lodge is a five-minute walk away with hot food, coffee, and a general store. Bear lockers are provided at every site — use them religiously, because Valley bears are experienced professionals and rangers issue citations without hesitation.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
From Hwy. 140/Arch Rock Entrance, continue driving west on the El Portal Road 8 miles to Yosemite Valley. From Hwy. 41/South Entrance drive 33 miles north (approximately 1 hour) on the Wawona Road to Yosemite Valley. From Hwy. 120 west/Big Oak Flat Entrance, drive 23 miles (approximately 45 minutes) on the Big Oak Flat Road to Yosemite Valley. From Hwy. 120 east/Tioga Pass, the Valley is approximately a two-hour drive. In the Valley follow Southside Drive and signs for Yosemite Valley Lodge and Camp 4.
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