Warning
GeneralLower Pines will be closed from June 9 through June 19, 2026 for internal campground road construction.
Featured amenities
Pet Friendly
About Lower Pines Campground
Number of accommodations: 74
Seasonal information
2026 Season availability
Campground Amenities
Most popular amenities
Pet friendly
Pets and Policies
- Pet friendly
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Rates, Sites & Availability
74 Sites Available
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Site Details
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74 Sites Available
No available sites
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Reviews (1180)
What Guests Are Saying
Lower Pines Campground offers a beautiful location with scenic views, especially near the Merced River, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Guests frequently praise the friendly and accommodating campground hosts, along with the clean facilities. Although some sites may have issues with privacy or nearby pedestrian traffic, the overall experience is highly positive, with many campers eager to return.
What Guests Are Saying
Lower Pines Campground offers a beautiful location with scenic views, especially near the Merced River, making it ideal for hiking and outdoor activities. Guests frequently praise the friendly and accommodating campground hosts, along with the clean facilities. Although some sites may have issues with privacy or nearby pedestrian traffic, the overall experience is highly positive, with many campers eager to return.
Review Summary
Jenna L
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 069, Loop: Lower Pines
So lucky to have been able to snag a campsite here - have been try to for 2 years! Bathrooms were clean and the campsites had a view of Half Dome and were walkable to the river. Can you ask for anything better!?
Jenna L
VerifiedOctober 5, 2020 • Stayed at: 069, Loop: Lower Pines
So lucky to have been able to snag a campsite here - have been try to for 2 years! Bathrooms were clean and the campsites had a view of Half Dome and were walkable to the river. Can you ask for anything better!?
Elizabeth S
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Lower Pines
Amazing place. Tks for all.
Veronica J
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: Lower Pines
An absolutely stunning campground, we were right off the river at the end of August and would definitely recommend. Signage wasn't great though, and we did have more trouble than I have had at other campgrounds with navigating after dark. We arrived in full dark and something about the layout made it hard to figure out where we were in relation to the map. During our stay we also had a couple of different people wander into our site asking for directions/help because they'd gotten turned around as well. I really suggest arriving in daylight so you can get your bearings.
Elizabeth S
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 015, Loop: Lower Pines
Amazing place. Tks for all.
Veronica J
VerifiedFebruary 27, 2020 • Stayed at: 043, Loop: Lower Pines
An absolutely stunning campground, we were right off the river at the end of August and would definitely recommend. Signage wasn't great though, and we did have more trouble than I have had at other campgrounds with navigating after dark. We arrived in full dark and something about the layout made it hard to figure out where we were in relation to the map. During our stay we also had a couple of different people wander into our site asking for directions/help because they'd gotten turned around as well. I really suggest arriving in daylight so you can get your bearings.
Annette C
VerifiedFebruary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: DBL3, Loop: Lower Pines
We loved Lower Pines! Just wish they would have rangers regularly making rounds at the start of quiet time to ask patrons to quiet down.. it's a campground and everyone can hear everything.
Annette C
VerifiedFebruary 17, 2020 • Stayed at: DBL3, Loop: Lower Pines
We loved Lower Pines! Just wish they would have rangers regularly making rounds at the start of quiet time to ask patrons to quiet down.. it's a campground and everyone can hear everything.
Kayla C
VerifiedFebruary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: Lower Pines
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Yosemite Valley. My favorite place to visit. And whenever I get there, it's a dream come true. However, the booking process is an atrocious monstrosity of agonized attempts over insurmountable odds. If you get one site, it's luck. If you're able to get two, God is smiling down on you and angels are singing. Three is out of the question. I was able to get a site at Lower Pines for one night, a different one for the 2nd night, had to book at Housekeeping for the 3rd, and at Upper Pines for the 4th. Needless to say, it wasn't ideal, lugging around camping/hiking/climbing gear each and every day. Not to mention if you want to do a long hike (don't get me started on Half Dome permits), you must check out at your site, store all your stuff in a day use bear locker, and park your car in a day lot, hoping you make it down before dark so you can check in to your next site before the ranger leaves (because it's not like you can do an early check in at your new spot - someone else is 100% staying there the night before). Not to mention the whole "we hold a spot for 24-hours in case the person doesn't show but forgot to cancel" thing. When we were there at the end of September, it was *pouring rain* and Upper Pines was CLEARED OUT. Empty. For 2 days. And the ranger said they still had to hold the spots (which I understand is policy, but come on). I get that Yosemite is iconic and heavenly, but the hoards of people during the months of April-October almost make it not worth going. The hassle of moving from site to site wears you down to the point of frustrated helplessness. Not ideal for those who want to have a relaxing vacation in one of the world's most beautiful hiking/climbing locations. Do yourself a favor, and fork over the extra cash to stay with all your buddies at an AirBnB in Yosemite West, suck it up, and drive 45 minutes into the park every day...so you can stay consecutively. Save yourself some grief in the booking rat race :)
Kayla C
VerifiedFebruary 15, 2020 • Stayed at: 057, Loop: Lower Pines
Don't get me wrong, I absolutely adore Yosemite Valley. My favorite place to visit. And whenever I get there, it's a dream come true. However, the booking process is an atrocious monstrosity of agonized attempts over insurmountable odds. If you get one site, it's luck. If you're able to get two, God is smiling down on you and angels are singing. Three is out of the question. I was able to get a site at Lower Pines for one night, a different one for the 2nd night, had to book at Housekeeping for the 3rd, and at Upper Pines for the 4th. Needless to say, it wasn't ideal, lugging around camping/hiking/climbing gear each and every day. Not to mention if you want to do a long hike (don't get me started on Half Dome permits), you must check out at your site, store all your stuff in a day use bear locker, and park your car in a day lot, hoping you make it down before dark so you can check in to your next site before the ranger leaves (because it's not like you can do an early check in at your new spot - someone else is 100% staying there the night before). Not to mention the whole "we hold a spot for 24-hours in case the person doesn't show but forgot to cancel" thing. When we were there at the end of September, it was *pouring rain* and Upper Pines was CLEARED OUT. Empty. For 2 days. And the ranger said they still had to hold the spots (which I understand is policy, but come on). I get that Yosemite is iconic and heavenly, but the hoards of people during the months of April-October almost make it not worth going. The hassle of moving from site to site wears you down to the point of frustrated helplessness. Not ideal for those who want to have a relaxing vacation in one of the world's most beautiful hiking/climbing locations. Do yourself a favor, and fork over the extra cash to stay with all your buddies at an AirBnB in Yosemite West, suck it up, and drive 45 minutes into the park every day...so you can stay consecutively. Save yourself some grief in the booking rat race :)
Location Lower Pines Campground
Address:
9024 Southside Drive
Yosemite National Park, CA, 95389
United States
Take Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, or Highway 120 east from Manteca into Yosemite National Park. Follow signs to Yosemite Valley and the campgrounds.
The Lower Pines Campground is accessible via Highway 41 north from Fresno, Highway 140 east from Merced, and Highway 120 east from Manteca, all leading into Yosemite National Park.
Latitude & Longitude: 37.7408 / -119.567
Elevation: 1215 feet
Policies & Rules
Arrival & departure
Check in time
7AM
- Ensure to read site alerts and choose a site that fits your equipment.
- Check in at the kiosk upon arrival to avoid cancellation.
- Check road and weather conditions before arriving.
Cancellation policy
- Reservation fees are non-refundable. For campsites, cabins, lookouts, yurts, group sites, and similar stays, we charge a reservation service fee of $8.
- Standard cancellations usually have a $10 cancellation fee. Customers can generally cancel before the check-in date online.
- Late cancellation rules differ by stay type.
- Individual campsites: cancelling after 12:00am local time the day before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- Cabins, lookouts, and yurts: cancelling less than 14 days before arrival usually means a $10 cancellation fee plus forfeiting the first night's fee.
- One-night reservations: a late cancellation usually forfeits the full amount paid, up to the total original reservation cost.
- Modifications are allowed before the cut-off window, but fees depend on the change. Changing to dates completely outside the original reservation dates may trigger a $10 change fee. Extending or shortening a stay that still includes original dates usually has no change fee, though refunds may depend on timing and facility rules. Switching to the same type of campsite for the same dates usually has no change fee, but price differences are charged or refunded.
- Early departures may or may not be refunded. At certain facilities, partial refunds may be possible if staff can mark the site available for other visitors. No refund is given for a night if the early departure is requested after that day's check-out time.
- Security deposits are separate. Security deposits may be refunded to the original payment method if the facility is left in acceptable condition, as determined by the property.
Cancellation policy
- Notify the campground if arriving late to avoid cancellation.
- Do not resell or auction your reservation.
Wildlife & food storage
- Store food and toiletries securely to avoid attracting wildlife.
- Use provided food storage lockers; do not store food in vehicles.
Fires & fuel
- Use local firewood only to protect forests from pests.
Safety & rules
- Minimize waste and recycle to support a Zero Landfill initiative.
Warnings & Advisories
Warning
GeneralLower Pines will be closed from June 9 through June 19, 2026 for internal campground road construction.
Nearby Campgrounds
Nearby destinations
Last updated: June 3, 2026
