Porcupine Flat Campground
The Quick Take
Porcupine Flat is Yosemite's answer to the question: what if you actually wanted to camp instead of glamping in a parking lot? Sitting at over 8,000 feet along the Tioga Road corridor, this primitive campground strips away everything non-essential — no flush toilets, no potable water, no camp store, no cell service. What you get in return is genuine high-country quiet at a fraction of the price and hassle of the Valley's reservation bloodbath. The sites are smaller and tighter than Tuolumne Meadows, and the access road discourages the big-rig crowd, which only adds to the backcountry feel. The Porcupine Creek trailhead sits practically at your tent flap, giving you a head start on one of the best day hikes to North Dome. Choose this campground if you pack your own water, prefer vault toilets to waiting in line, and think the best part of Yosemite is the part most people skip.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 52 sites are reservable.
Book at Yosemite LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
15 ADA-accessible campsites. The following campsites are suitable for wheelchairs and include picnic tables with extended tops. The closest restrooms to these campsites are also wheelchair accessible. These campsites are limited to people with disabilities. Sites 15, 16, 17, and 33 Paved Roads - All vehicles OK
Rules to Know
- Fires:Fires: Wood and charcoal fires are permitted.
- 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:People per site: A maximum of six people (including children) are allowed per campsite.
Pro Tips
Bring every drop of water you need or pack a reliable filter — Porcupine Creek is the only source and it must be treated. Plan on at least a gallon per person per day, more if you're cooking. There's no camp store for miles in either direction.
Use this as a base camp for the Porcupine Creek Trail to North Dome — the trailhead is steps away and the hike delivers a quieter, arguably better view of Half Dome than Glacier Point with a fraction of the foot traffic. Start early to have the overlook to yourself.
Bear canisters or the provided food lockers are mandatory, not optional. Bears along the Tioga corridor are persistent and habituated. Lock up everything scented — including sunscreen, lip balm, and trash — every single time you leave your site or go to sleep.
Photos
NPS Photo
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
The Porcupine Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road 24 miles west from Tioga Pass, the park’s east entrance (35 minutes). From Yosemite Valley, take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road 38 miles (approximately 70 minutes). From Hwy. 120 west/Big Oak Flat Road, take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road 31 miles (45 minutes). You’ll find the campground north of the Tioga Road.
Get directions
