The Tuolumne Meadows Campground will reopen to visitors on Aug. 1. The famed campsite has been closed due to a three-year, $26 million renovation.
One of the largest campgrounds in the national parks system will reopen next month after a three year renovation.
Yosemite National Park’s famed Tuolumne Meadows Campground, which can accommodate as many as 2,200 visitors, will reopen on Aug. 1, according to the National Park Service (NPS). The opening follows a $26 million renovation that first began in 2022.
Visitors to the California park’s campground will enjoy brand-new and upgraded restrooms (including a new winter camping vault toilet), new picnic tables, fire pits, and even food lockers to safely keep wildlife away. In addition, there are 29 new hike-in camping sites, and upgrades to the infrastructure, including replacing the water distribution system.
The campsite is also home to the Dana Campfire Circle amphitheater, which is used for ranger-led evening programs and has similarly been renovated with new accessible routes and companion seating.
“Tuolumne Meadows is a treasured destination for families, backpackers, equestrians, and nature lovers from around the world,” Yosemite’s Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden said in a statement, adding the NPS has “been able to revitalize this beloved campground in a way that honors its past, protects its environment, and prepares it for future generations of visitors.”
Reservations for the campground are required and can be made on recreation.gov. Base reservations cost $36 per night. As of the time of publication, reservations were completely sold out through Aug. 5.
Popular among outdoor enthusiasts, the campsite offers access to hiking, rock climbing, backpacking, and fishing. Travelers should take caution due to the presence of bears, and keep in mind the campsite does not feature electric hook-ups. The campsite also sits at a higher elevation, which may cause breathing difficulties.
Officials added travelers who do plan a visit to the campground should “be mindful of young plants and shrubs by keeping all wheels on parking pads and camping equipment within established campsites.”
Spanning about 140 acres, the Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds is the largest in Yosemite. The campground is located 90 minutes from Yosemite Valley, but boasts a small store, grill, and post office nearby.
In addition to Tuolumne Meadows Campgrounds, the NPS also opened two more sites in Yosemite earlier this month: the Porcupine Flat and the Bridalveil Creek campgrounds. The former is a “more primitive” option near Porcupine Creek (the only water source available), while the latter is located just 7 miles west of Glacier Point and features several hiking trails along Glacier Point Road.
https://www.travelandleisure.com/tuolumne-meadows-campground-yosemite-reopening-11781258