Backpacker's Campground Yosemite Valley — Hotel in Oakhurst

As far as the campsite it’s self goes it’s 5 stars ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️. The outhouses actually smelled good inside and were extremely clean(like weird clean). The site is especially setup for backpackers with permits either passing thru or staging for there hike. Because it’s not considered a wilderness campsite you are required as a guest to pay a $6 registration fee. Do not get this location confused with the larger campsite that’s attached and that you have to go through to get to this site. The reason I’m giving this a 3 star considering how positive my experience was is because there is NO nearby parking area designated for the backpackers campsite which means if you plan on parking overnight, then the closest park spot is the Half Dome parking lot about .5 miles away. To be fair there is 15min parking area for unloading and loading however you still have a 5 minute hike before you reach the campsite. I guess my complaint is why not take the huge area just on the other side of the 15min unloading area and allow backpackers to park there vehicles here over night using there overnight parking permits you get when you receive your wilderness permits?? Before you think my complaint is frivolous, yes I understand as a hiker having to walk an extra .5 miles to park shouldn’t be an issue for us since walking is kinda our thing to begin with and it wasn’t but what if you forget something in your car? Or if you’re like with us and just between hikes and came down to the Valley to eat and restock and sleep for the night. My feelings are if the park is gonna charge you to stay in a designated area located in the back of another campsite then it’s only fair to offer a nearby area to park at and have access to our vehicles just like every other camper does especially when there’s already plenty of...

There are no signs to lead you to the campsite. We arrived late at night and had trouble finding it. There is only a 15min unloading parking and you have to drive your car elsewhere and then walk back. I'm not sure how this would work for a lone hiker, but we were a couple and managed it in the end, even though it caused us considerable delays. We spent there two nights before and after our three-day hike (August) and both of the nights the camp was full and we had some trouble finding a place to pitch our tent. One of the nights we had to sleep near the toilets which stank to high heaven due to the extremely hot weather. The bear boxes were full as well, we had to share one with someone who was storing his smelly gear there during his hike and wasn't even there at the campground. (It's possible to store your stuff for several nights in the big bear boxes near Half Dome Village Parking.) There is no running water, the nearest is in the North Pines campground. For showering you need to go to the Half Dome Village - fortunately they have free showers there. The price is 6$ per person per night and can be paid even at night into an envelope. A ranger comes every day to check if everyone has paid and is storing their food properly in...

Camping here was much more of a hastle than I was expecting. I'd recommend booking a site at Campsite 4 instead (requires lottery entry 2 weeks in advance). In June the trail from North Pines to the Backpacker's campground was flooded out in multiple spots above ankle depth. Starting out my trip with wet boots wasn't ideal. While you can park within a 5 minute hike to pack in, you have to park for the night at the trail head parking lot about a 20 minute walk away. There is a dry long way around to reach Curry Village but it was a 30+ minute hike. I had planned to stay here after my hike but already wet and tired from 2 nights in the wilderness I didn't have it in me to deal with the flooding and walk to and from the car. I got lucky and snagged a campsite 4 spot that became available around 8 pm, which was far more convenient and comfortable. If you're ok putting up with the cost of entry, the campsite was quiet and beautiful along a river and with incredible views of...