High Sierra Topix

I understand that both Tuolumne Meadows backpacker camp and Yosemite Creek campground are closed this year. Does anyone have any suggestions of a campsite proximate to TM that we might be able to book prior to our backpacking trip? We are hiking from TM over to Nelson Lake which I would prefer to do after a night somewhere nearby. we are going mid August.
Thanks!

Porcupine Flat in Yosemite is open with a 2 week booking window. Also, the first-come campgrounds in the east side are all open. If you are looking for a campsite on a weekday, one normally is able to get a spot. Sawmill walk-in usually has an open campsite and the various campgrounds on Poole Power Plant Road usually don't fill up though one can end up with a less than great campsite.

For a nearby alternative, consider booking at Porcupine Flat campground. It's close enough to serve as a good base before your hike to Nelson Lake. Just be sure to book early, especially for mid-August. Happy trails!

Tried to get Porcupine for a July 21 and it sold out the moment I tried to add things to cart.

White Wolf is supposed to be bookable starting July 16 I think according to Recreation.gov

I prefer the campgrounds on the 395 side. They're at 7000' and have shade. Of course the walk-in campground just past Tioga pass is lovely too.

If you're coming from the west, another option to consider, free with your wilderness permit, would be the backpacker campsites at White Wolf. From WW, it's ~45 min drive to TM.

MADgenius wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2024 2:39 pm If you're coming from the west, another option to consider, free with your wilderness permit, would be the backpacker campsites at White Wolf. From WW, it's ~45 min drive to TM.

But as noted in another thread, the Park Service just announced that the White Wolf campground will not open at all in 2024. Too bad, it's a nice spot to acclimate for a backpack trip.

to put some perspective on your quandary, in yosemite there are currently 31 available campsites (porcupine flat) on tioga road. normally there are 557 sites (tamarack flat, white wolf, yosemite creek, porcupine flat, tuolumne meadows). I think the walk-ins on the east side in Inyo are your best bet. speaking of bets, if you manage to get a spot at porcupine flat, drop whatever else you're doing and go out and buy a lottery ticket. it's your lucky day.

We've been trying to get a spot in Porcupine Flat the last two mornings. I've been online at 7am and clicking furiously to get a campsite in my cart with no luck. Sites are gone instantly! Somehow, my friend grabbed one a few minutes after 7am (someone must have released it from their cart). The closures of WW and other spots must be partly to blame.

Persistence is the key — just keep checking back and monitoring the site.

wildhiker wrote: ↑Thu Jul 18, 2024 11:12 pm But as noted in another thread, the Park Service just announced that the White Wolf campground will not open at all in 2024. Too bad, it's a nice spot to acclimate for a backpack trip.

Ooof! Thanks for noting, wasn't aware. Well, as far as backpacker sites go, that only leaves Hetch Hetchy and the Valley - slim pickings. As others have astutely noted, options east of TM near Tioga Pass in Inyo NF may be best for our friend.