Are you the owner for this park? Make it a featured listing and be seen in the top search results!
Tamarack Flat Campground
Overview
Overview
Tamarack Flat Campground in Yosemite National Park, CA places travelers directly within the iconic wilderness of the Sierra Nevada. High-altitude mountain terrain, towering conifers, and rugged granite landscapes define this public lands destination. Visitors traveling up from the Central Valley navigate steep mountain grades via Tioga Road to reach this high-country alpine setting.
Location & Surroundings
Approaching via Highway 120, the route takes drivers past deep glacial canyons and dramatic granite domes. The surrounding terrain consists of dense pine forests typical of the high Sierra elevations. Weather patterns here include cool alpine nights and warm summer days, with winter snowpacks closing access routes for significant portions of the year. Nearby geographic reference points include the Tuolumne River watershed and the high-elevation meadows spreading across the park.
Amenities & Park Features
Because formal park infrastructure details for Tamarack Flat Campground are limited, visitors should plan for a rustic experience. Travelers must verify site dimensions, parking configurations, and specific vehicle length limits prior to arrival. Essential features typically involve basic rustic necessities such as vault toilets and drinking water, rather than modern hookups. Direct inquiries regarding generator hours, fire ring availability, and maximum rig sizes are strongly recommended.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
Outdoor recreation centers around high-country trailheads, scenic overlooks, and alpine wilderness exploration. Yosemite Valley lies a scenic drive down the grade, offering access to famous monoliths like El Capitan and Half Dome. Day-trippers frequently explore the alpine waters of Tenaya Lake or hike the granite ridges branching off Tioga Pass toward Tuolumne Meadows.
Who This Park Is Best For
This mountain location suits self-contained road-trippers, wilderness hikers, and photographers prioritizing natural access over luxury amenities. RVers who enjoy dry camping and navigating winding mountain passes find the geography ideal for a true Sierra adventure. Larger motorhomes and long fifth wheels require extra caution due to the steep grades and tight mountain curves.
Reviews
Patrick David
Beautiful calm campground with a remote feeling but a smooth newly-paved single lane road leading to it through the woods. Small stream and many boulders for kids to climb on and explore. Minimal facilities, no potable water, bring your own. Depends on your preference, but compared to the busy Upper Pines Campground I thought this was a real gem. Stayed at site 003.
Ruth Maselli
It completely slipped my mind to reserve camping at Yosemite during my road trip and this was the only campground with openings. There’s a 3 mile mostly downhill, very narrow, but paved road on the way to the campground. Website says RVs are not recommend. I was able to safely maneuver this road with my vintage Class B camper van (pic for reference). It was $27 for the night, and I reserved my spot online just before pulling in. I stayed at spot #7, which was next to spots 5&6 where the camp host stays and In front of bathrooms. I recommend looking at the campsite photos when booking on the site. It was a 20ish minute ride to the park from here.
Dick Tandy
This is a wonderful Campground. although all Campsites are not the same. You have some real stinkers and some very nice ones. I camped at # 51 Some comment on how much space the 51 -54 .Well I guess it depends on your view of space. 51 is not suit for a big tent . a small tent would be fine. Why I gave this a five star the campsite would be at 3 star. The two camp hosts Rust and Bill are wonderful; they run a tight ship. They keep the campground clean and quiet(It's not a party Campground!) And they stay on top of making sure you're keeping your bear box closed and put your campfire out completely. They go around checking that twice a day. They're very friendly and knowledgeable. I will be back next summer but not at 51!!!
WOLF
My wife and I had an unforgettable time car camping at this Yosemite campground. The natural beauty of the park is beyond words, and the convenience of car camping made it even more enjoyable. The guide who accompanied us was amazing, sharing valuable insights about the park's history and pointing out hidden gems. We couldn't have asked for a better experience. We'll cherish these memories forever, and we highly recommend this campground to anyone looking for a Yosemite adventure!
Nicole M
It's reservation ONLY in 2022. Per official reservation email: "Tamarack Flat Campground can only by accessed by a 3 mile long, narrow, single-lane road with many hairpin turns. RVs and Trailers are NOT recommended." The road was well-paved & super clean though, easy to access for sedan at least (see pic). Pit toilets, no shower. Spacious and quiet. The creek running through the camp site still had water in early July. No cell service, but relatively easy to find directions. Just follow the sings pointing to Tuolumne Grove, Tioga Road, and/or Tioga Pass. However, the side road leading to the camp site is so tiny, you really need to watch carefully. Once you turn into the side road, you will soon see the gate and more signs for the camp site. Yosemite valley (where all the popular trails & camping sites are) is ~50-60min away. But the view along the drive was stunning! You can see Half Dome at Yosemite Valley Vista Point along the way. Crane Flat gas station is ~25min away, conveniently located on the way to Yosemite Valley and several Park exists. They sell food, ice, and super basic camping gears. Clean restrooms in case you're sick of the pit toilets. For fist-time visitors like me who want to spend more time in Yosemite Valley, this camp site really ain't in the best location. But it's the only place that wasn't fully booked months in advance when I was planning my trip last minute, so really no complaints lol