We had some amazing adventures while we lived in California, but none were as epic as exploring Yosemite National Park.
There are a few different ways to explore Yosemite. For our first trip, we decided to drive through the park and stop at key points we wanted to see. There are a ton of paths and trails along the roadside to explore, which is a great way to see a lot of the park in limited time. We went during August 2020, so the campsites inside the park were all closed. Luckily, we’re pros, and know that national forest land surrounding national parks is open to campers for free! *Note that because these are in forest land, there are no amenities like bathrooms/water fountains, so make sure you have what you need and take everything back out with you!*
We found some great camping along forest roads near the Southernmost entrance of Yosemite (Mariposa Grove). We were able to pull off the dirt road into a flat area and set up our tent near our car. This was perfect for us, as we were able to get up early and drive ~10 minutes to enter the park before the sun rose. We had Mariposa Grove all to ourselves to explore, and it was particularly magical to walk among the giant trees while the sun came up. We spent the rest of the day driving through Yosemite Valley, then took a right onto Tioga Road to drive to Tuolumne Meadows. After a long day of sightseeing, we turned around and headed back south to our campsite to relax and restore!
Due to the risk of fires, we did not have a campfire, so be sure to check the guidance before you build a fire wherever you camp (especially in California!!). See below for our go-to car camping supplies list!
Car Camping Must-Haves:
- Folding table
- Camp Stove & fuel
- Jetboil
- Camping chairs (lightweight and compact, also great for backpacking)
- Tent, sleeping bag, & sleeping pads (we use straps to tie our sleeping pads together to make more of a bed)
- Headlamps & solar-powered lamp
- Food, water, & cooler (we usually bring instant coffee (Starbucks has a good one!), eggs, cheese, butter, tortillas, salsa, onions, and peppers; be sure to bring versatile ingredients that can be used for multiple meals to save on room!)
- Collapsible bowls (double as plates), mugs, camping sporks (choose the one with a serrated edge on the fork), pocket knife, microfiber towel
- Lighter
- Bug spray/sunscreen
- Activities (Jackson likes to bring his backpacker acoustic guitar, and I usually bring a sketchbook and some watercolor pencils)
This was a great way to see a lot of the park, get our bearings, and plan our next adventure there!
For our next trip, we decided to backpack into the wilderness instead.
We drove out to Yosemite on a Thursday night and stayed at the Yosemite Valley backpackers campground the night before starting our trek. Note that backpackers must get permits from the Big Oak Flat Information Station (which we accessed through the Hodgdon Meadow entrance off of the 120). Permits go quickly so plan ahead! Also, bear canisters are required for food storage in the wilderness.
We did the Ten Lakes trail, which is considered strenuous and was about 8 miles one way to our campsite. The Ten Lakes Trailhead is at Yosemite Creek (you will have to cross the street from the parking lot). This trail is known for, you guessed it, its ten lakes in the High Sierra! First, you hike up to Ten Lakes Pass which overlooks the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and the Sierra Crest. The views here are seriously stunning, with deer frolicking in meadows as you overlook the craziest mountain range you can imagine! *This pass is also particularly special to us because this is where Jackson proposed – can’t recommend this enough if you want a guaranteed yes!! ;)*. After you’ve taken in these jaw-dropping views, prepare yourself, because the hike down to the lakes is not easy.
We went around the big lake and hiked up a steep trail to get a perfect camp spot up on a ridge. This provided some privacy from other backpackers, but still allowed us to access water from the lake easily. Being up on the ridge also helped keep us bug-free due to the wind, and pitching your tent on granite is a great way to stay warm overnight since the stone radiates the heat that it soaked up during the day. We spent the days doing shorter hikes exploring the surrounding lakes, looking for wildlife, and enjoying the gorgeous views! This was a four day trip for us over a long weekend in July and we can’t recommend it enough!
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We hope this helps you plan your travels! Feel free to reach out if you’re planning to get out there!
Summer & Jackson
OutThere Travels
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