Yosemite National Park

RVing to Yosemite gives you the opportunity to check out Yosemite Falls and other waterfalls, the famous El Capitan and Half Dome cliffs, and beautiful meadows and overlooks. While Yosemite is beautiful any time of the year, it's much more accessible in the late spring, summer, and early fall. That's because snowy weather can sometimes bring travel to a halt in the colder months. You can look for RV rentals near Yosemite in nearby Fresno, Modesto, or Merced, or you could rent one in the Bay Area if you'd like to visit San Jose, Oakland, or San Francisco first. In this RV guide to Yosemite, it's important to point out that you'll need a reservation to drive into the park from mid-April to late October. In the spring and early summer, as well as in the late summer and early fall, you'll need a reservation on weekends and holidays. During the peak of the summer, daily reservations are required for park entry between 5:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Also note that many roads, including Tioga Road and Mariposa Grove Road, are often closed during the winter and part of the spring. Before your trip, check road conditions. Even if roads are open during the winter, you may be asked to put on tire chains to improve traction. You can check with the California Department of Transportation to see what the requirements are during your visit. While most roads within the park are suitable for RVs, there are some exceptions. Glacier Point Road has a maximum vehicle length of 30 feet, Mariposa Grove Road has a maximum vehicle length of 25 feet, and Hetch Hetchy Road has a maximum vehicle length of 25 feet and a maximum vehicle width of 8 feet. During the busy season, try to snag RV parking in Yosemite early as spots may fill up by late morning. RV parking is available at Curry Village, Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Village, and Yosemite Valley Lodge, and the park runs a shuttle service that makes frequent stops throughout the park. You could also think about parking your RV outside of Yosemite's borders and taking the YARTS shuttle into the park. While there are five entrances to Yosemite, the most popular ones are the Big Oak Flat Entrance, the Arch Rock Entrance, and the South Entrance.