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Yosemite/Wawona
Overview
Located in the southern portion of Yosemite National Park, Wawona Campground offers a tranquil alternative to the bustling valley. Sitting at an elevation of 4,000 feet, this historic campground provides a scenic riverside experience under a canopy of ponderosa pines and incense cedars. It is one of the few campgrounds in the park that remains open year-round, making it a reliable choice for those exploring the Sierra Nevada during the quiet winter season or the vibrant spring bloom.
Location & Surroundings
The campground is nestled along the South Fork of the Merced River, just a few miles from the park's south entrance. Travelers will find themselves surrounded by dense forests and the soothing sounds of flowing water. This location serves as a primary gateway to the southern high country, providing a cooler, more secluded atmosphere than the lower elevations. It remains conveniently located near the Wawona Meadow Loop, offering easy access to gentle walking trails and wildflowers.
Amenities & Park Features
As a traditional national park facility, Wawona provides a rustic camping experience focused on nature. It is important to note the specific features available to RV travelers:
- There are no utility hookups (water, electric, or sewer) available at the sites.
- The campground can accommodate RVs and trailers up to 35 feet in length, though space is limited.
- Every site is equipped with a bear-proof food locker, a picnic table, and a campfire ring.
While the setting is primitive, the park provides piped water and flush toilets during the peak season to ensure a comfortable stay for self-contained travelers.
Nearby Attractions & Things to Do
A major highlight of staying here is the proximity to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to hundreds of ancient, massive trees. History enthusiasts can visit the nearby Pioneer Yosemite History Center or enjoy a meal at the historic, Victorian-style Wawona Hotel. For those seeking adventure, the trail to Chilnualna Falls offers stunning cascades and granite vistas. The river itself provides opportunities for fishing or wading during the warmer summer months, often just steps from your campsite.
Who This Park Is Best For
This park is ideal for self-contained RV travelers who prefer natural immersion over resort-style amenities. It appeals greatly to families and photographers who want easy access to giant sequoias and historic landmarks without the congestion of Yosemite Valley. If you enjoy boondocking-style camping in a majestic mountain setting with the convenience of a national park location, Wawona offers the perfect balance of accessibility and wilderness charm for your California road trip.
Amenities
- Recreational Facilities
- Policies
- Other Amenities & Services
- Recreation Nearby (within 10 miles)
- Facility
- On-Site Rentals
- Sites
User Reviews
Diya Nalla
Staying at the Wawona Hotel felt like stepping back in time. The historic charm stood out right away — the white Victorian-style building, wraparound porches, and quiet setting made it different from the busier parts of Yosemite. It had a peaceful, old-fashioned atmosphere that made the trip feel more relaxing. Even though it wasn’t my first time in Yosemite, staying here gave me a new experience of the park. The location was convenient for exploring, and it felt special to share the stay with Dad and Mom. After visiting Yosemite Falls, coming back to the calm surroundings of the hotel was the perfect way to end the day.
Pamela Tuck
Closed for remodel but if you go to Yosemite it’s a nice place to go and walk the grounds to see this historical beauty. There is a 9 hole golf course and a 4 mile trail loop surrounded by giant sequoias. You can also visit their general store which also has a great gift shop
Jo Yatzky
The natural surroundings are stunning, and the hotel building is a beautiful historic landmark. The rooms and bathrooms are literally from the 1900s, but everything works perfectly. Just keep in mind the restaurant closes very early and there are no nearby options—they could really extend the hours. Wi-Fi is only available in the lobby, and parking fills up quickly in the well-lit areas, so it’s best to arrive early. The staff was friendly, but none of them spoke Spanish
Fergus Dignan
This lovely Victorian hotel maintains all the character of a late 19th century timber construction, it is in a lovely location, surrounded by the woodlands in Yosemite national park. The Rooms are comfortable and well appointed however some have a shared bathroom. The lounge and bar area is open and homely and the piano player plays and sings to a wide variety of music. Very entertaining.
Savannah Pontiff
We loved our time here at Wawona. It's full of old character/architecture. We booked a room with a private bath and stayed here 2 nights. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served daily along with an open bar. Wifi is limited but can make calls and send text on wifi calling. Make sure to walk around the ground they are beautiful. You do have to pay the National Park Entry prior to arriving at the hotel as well.
abdallah yassine
Location is nice since you don't need to worry much about parking and entering the park itself. This thing was constructed in the 1800s, so the room has no A/C just a ceiling fan and a stand up fan. Did I sleep ok? No. It is what it is. The shared bathroom was nice, and the dinner at the hotel really deserves a 5/5 for the food. Overall, vibes are nice just wish they can renovate these rooms.
SS
Pros: Good location within the Yosemite National Park. Beautiful heritage hotel and well-maintained. Price is reasonable compared to alternatives. Shared bathrooms were very clean and well-lit (see pics). Fountain-facing rooms are quiet, but not street-facing rooms. Has tennis courts and disc golf. Equipment provided free (not for golf) by front desk. Cons: Room was quite tight for four adults. No views of any Yosemite attraction from hotel. Can't even get a coffee until 7 am. Restaurant closes at 9 pm. No shops or restaurants within a 45-minute drive radius. No AC in room (two fans are provided instead). Was quite hot in July although the nights cooled off. Parking is a short walk from rooms and so carrying luggage was a challenge. Older bearded white guy who works at Golf Shop is very rude.
Virginia Dixon
Ended up enjoying our stay more than I'd anticipated. Was in a quiet part of the park, away from crowds, but we didn't have to deal with the gate lines every morning...so worth it! I was nervous about no in-room bathroom, it ended up being fine. There are restroom and shower facilities (separate, but close together). Both were very clean and private. The provided robes were great for bathing/restroom runs. They state no AC, but the windows do open for the cooler evening air and there was a fan in our room. Restaurant was nice, menu limited.
Jane S
First of all, the staff could not be kinder. My room was super clean. And I appreciate that the hotel has done such a special job maintaining the facility’s history. But!!! I picked this spot because it had the most affordable hotel room with private bathroom in the park (which makes sense because it’s so far from the valley), but I was totally disappointed in the value I got for what I paid. I definitely won’t be staying there again. No coffee makers or kettles in the rooms, and no coffee machine in the lobby. So when you want to start your day super early to drive 50 minutes to the valley, you have to do it on no caffeine. For me, a problem. Because the hotel location is so far from all of Yosemite’s other dining establishments, you would think that there would be mini fridges in the rooms — or that you could rely on the hotel’s restaurant. But the restaurant is super limited and the menus online are outdated. The only vegetarian option on the entire menu for dinner was fettuccine Alfredo when I was there. So definitely nothing vegan. Also the bed was extremely lumpy and the walls paper thin. WiFi in the rooms would be nice too but WE NEED COFFEE. WE NEED MINI FRIDGES. THANKS.