The High Sierra Camps in Yosemite National Park have been shut down since 2018, and guess what? They’re staying closed this summer too! Why, you ask? Well, the park officials say it’s because there won’t be any potable water or toilets available. Bummer, right? According to the park’s website, this decision was made in collaboration with the National Park Service, who handles all the utilities needed to keep the camps up and running. So, if you had plans to glamp it up in Yosemite this summer, looks like you’ll have to find somewhere else to stay. Don’t worry though, the impacted guests have been contacted and can book alternate accommodations within the park. Plus, they’ll get first dibs on booking for next year’s lottery. So, there’s that silver lining at least.
Now, let’s talk about what you’re missing out on at these camps. Every year, over 13,000 people flock to Yosemite to stay at these camps. There are five different locations, each offering fancy amenities like high-end meals and access to running water. Fancy, right? And don’t worry about all that waste – it’s recycled and composted. Plus, you have your pick of either flush toilets or solar-powered composting toilets. Showers are even available at May Lake and Sunrise Camps, depending on water availability. But hey, don’t get too sad about missing out this year. The camps did open on a limited basis in 2024, with only three of them welcoming guests. The 56 tent cabins mostly stayed closed due to COVID restrictions and extreme weather. So, maybe it’s not all bad that they’re closed this summer after all.
If you’re itching to get back to the Yosemite camps, you can try your luck in the 2026 lottery. The dates are heavily dependent on the weather, but the camps are usually open from June to September. Visitors can book guided or unguided trips between the cabins. The guided trips last either five or seven days and include a guide along with three meals at each camp. Not really sure why this matters, but the unguided trips are self-guided and only include two meals. You can add sack lunches for an extra fee if you’re feeling peckish. The lottery for the 2026 season opens on November 1st and closes on November 30th. If you’re lucky enough to win, you’ll be notified by email. So, cross your fingers and hope for the best!
