jopeters4 t1_j8la6g4 wrote on February 15, 2023 at 3:19 AM

Reply to comment by rbrutonIII in 2 years later, this is still one of the most incredible evenings of my life | Yosemite National Park, CA, USA | [OC] [3710x5565] by CameronKelsey

This comment makes it sound like you can easily get permits to camp in the valley during winter. Is that true? I've never been to Yosemite but it's on my bucket list...and after doing some reading I've just been conditioned to believe it's a pain in the ass unless you're planning 6 months out. It's a bit intimidating trying to figure out the logistics.

rbrutonIII t1_j8lj3ak wrote on February 15, 2023 at 4:37 AM

Yeah, I haven't gone up in the winter the past few years, but it is night and day from Yosemite in the summer. Apart from a situation like this, there's no big crowds to fight. But, half the "amenities" are closed, and it's cold af.

Even in the summer, there's walk-in camping you can get day of. It'll be crowded but you'll be able to throw a tent down somewhere. There are motels and hotels littered up and down the highway before you get into Yosemite as well. Getting the spot you want in the middle of summer might take 6 months, but don't let that keep you away.

I just checked and you can get a campsite for next month in lower pines

BraxJohnson t1_j8lqiku wrote on February 15, 2023 at 5:56 AM

I had to book my campsite a month and a half in advance