Tuolumne Horse Campsites
The Quick Take
This is one of the most specialized campgrounds in the entire national park system -- just a handful of sites reserved exclusively for visitors traveling with horses or stock animals, tucked inside the sprawling Tuolumne Meadows complex at a lung-testing 8,600 feet. The setting is spectacular: high Sierra meadows, granite domes, and the kind of thin mountain air that makes coffee taste better and mornings feel sharper. But make no mistake, this is a working camp, not a luxury retreat. There are no flush toilets, no showers, and a strict daily manure-raking requirement that keeps things civilized. The tradeoff is access to some of the best backcountry horse trails in the Sierra from a base camp that actually has potable water and food lockers. If you're hauling a stock trailer into Yosemite's high country, this is your spot -- everyone else should look at the main Tuolumne Meadows loop instead.
Booking
Reserve Your Campsite
All 4 sites are reservable.
Book at Yosemite LodgesWhat You Get
Sites & Setup
RV Information
RVs allowed. Maximum length: 27 feet. No electrical hookups.
Accessibility
Tuolumne Horse Campsites are not accessible. Unpaved Roads - All vehicles OK in good weather
Rules to Know
- Fires:Stock must be tied so they cannot chew/eat tree bark or leaves of woody vegetation.
- Bear Safety:All other trash must be placed in bearproof dumpsters provided at or near campgrounds.
- Checkout:Check out time is noon on the day of departure.
Pro Tips
With only four sites, this campground books fast once the reservation window opens. Set a calendar reminder for the exact date Recreation.gov releases Tuolumne summer dates -- typically in mid-March -- and book the moment slots go live. Weekday arrivals in August give you the best odds.
Stock feed must be certified weed-free, and Yosemite enforces this. Buy your feed well in advance from a certified supplier rather than scrambling at the last minute -- the nearest reliable source is in the Mammoth Lakes or Groveland area, not inside the park.
The Tioga Road typically opens in late June but horse camp doesn't open until July, and the season can end abruptly in September if early snow hits. Call the Tuolumne Meadows ranger station a few days before your trip to confirm road and camp status, because conditions at 8,600 feet change fast.
Photos
NPS PhotoGetting There
Directions
The Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located along the Tioga Road. From Hwy. 120 east/Tioga Pass, the Tuolumne Meadows Campground is located approximately 17 miles west on the left. From Yosemite Valley take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road to reach Tuolumne Meadows; 54 miles total (approximately 90 minutes). You’ll find the campground on your right.
Get directions
