National park · Yosemite National Park · California
North Pines Campground is one of the three Pines campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, California, tucked between the Merced River and Tenaya Creek near the stables. Our Yosemite guide covers it briefly, but the headline is clear: it is a touch quieter than its neighbors while still fully central, and along with Lower Pines it takes some of the biggest rigs allowed in the Valley. It suits RVers who want to sleep beneath the granite walls in a slightly calmer loop and are prepared to dry camp to do it.
| Hookups | None |
|---|---|
| Sites | ~81 (reservable) |
| Max RV length | 40-ft RV / 35-ft trailer |
| Cost | $36 |
| Fees | No Yosemite campground has hookups; exact site still controls. |
| Reservations | Lottery or 5-month release |
| Dump station | Use nearby Upper Pines |
| Best for | Big rigs wanting a slightly calmer Valley loop |
Source-backed: NPS 2026 campground table (checked 2026-07-18). Rates and site details change — verify with the operator before you book. Compare it with every other park we track in the price index.
North Pines Campground is one of the three Pines campgrounds in Yosemite Valley, California, tucked between the Merced River and Tenaya Creek near the stables. Our Yosemite guide covers it briefly, but the headline is clear: it is a touch quieter than its neighbors while still fully central, and along with Lower Pines it takes some of the biggest rigs allowed in the Valley. It suits RVers who want to sleep beneath the granite walls in a slightly calmer loop and are prepared to dry camp to do it.
Practically, there are about 81 reservable sites, no hookups (nothing in Yosemite has them), a limit of 40-foot motorhomes and 35-foot trailers depending on the site, and a rate of about $36 a night. There is no dump station in the loop; Valley campers use the nearby Upper Pines dump area. Reservations release on Recreation.gov at 7:00 AM Pacific on the 15th of each month for a month roughly five months out, and peak-summer Valley sites go within minutes; some inventory runs through a lottery. Generator hours are restricted to keep the Valley quiet. The trade-off is the booking race and the lack of utilities in exchange for the best address in the park.
Excerpts from the RV Parks Guide articles that cover this campground. Each links to the full guide.
Regional guide
RV Camping in Yosemite National Park: The In-Park Campground GuideNorth Pines is tucked between the Merced and Tenaya Creek near the stables, a touch quieter than its neighbors while still fully central. Like Lower Pines, it takes some of the bigger rigs in the Valley.
Read the guide →Our verdict
Book North Pines if you want a central, slightly calmer Yosemite Valley loop and your rig fits the 40/35-foot limits; skip it if you need hookups or cannot win the reservation race.
No. No Yosemite campground has electric, water or sewer hookups. North Pines is dry camping with shared spigots and generator hours restricted to posted windows.
About $36 per night. Confirm the current fee on Recreation.gov.
Up to 40-foot motorhomes and 35-foot trailers, depending on the site. Read the exact site record, since individual pads vary.
Yes. Sites release on Recreation.gov at 7:00 AM Pacific on the 15th of each month for a month roughly five months out, and some inventory runs through a lottery. Log in early with your account ready.
There is no dump station in North Pines. Use the nearby Upper Pines dump area in summer and carry enough fresh water, since spigots are shared.
For the Valley, yes. Over 35 feet you are essentially looking at Lower Pines and North Pines; at that size, many travelers still find a full-hookup gateway park and day trips more comfortable.
Compare alternatives before you book — or browse the whole California hub.