Wawona Campground

Quiet riverside camping near Mariposa Grove, away from Valley crowds

(288)

TUOLUMNE MEADOWS, CA

About

Wawona Campground sits along the Merced River in the quieter southern end of Yosemite, a solid alternative when Upper Pines and Lower Pines fill up. Campers consistently rate it 4.6 out of 5 across 286 reviews, praising the riverside sites, relative quiet, and easy access to Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point Road.

What Each Site Offers

Sites come with fire rings and picnic tables, and the campground provides a restroom with drinking water. Bear boxes are large enough to hold food and toiletries, and there's a utility sink for washing dishes at your own site. Restrooms have flush toilets, but there are no showers.

What to Expect

It's a tight campground — river-facing sites see foot traffic from campers heading down to the water
Generally quiet at night, though the road can get noisy as traffic picks up before sunrise
Reviewers recommend a shaded site: days run hot, nights get cold, and mosquitoes are active
The river is a popular spot for a dip, warmest in late afternoon and early evening — conditions shift through the season, so use caution around current and submerged rocks

This area sits farther from the Yosemite Valley floor than the Pines campgrounds, so it suits visitors planning time around Mariposa Grove and the south end of the park rather than day-tripping into the Valley itself. Call (209) 375-9535 for current site and reservation information.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Wawona Campground have showers?

No. Restrooms have flush toilets and drinking water, but there are no showers on site.

Is Wawona Campground close to Yosemite Valley?

No — it sits in the park's southern end, a noticeable drive from the Valley floor, but it's close to Mariposa Grove and makes a convenient base for the Glacier Point Road.

Can you swim in the river at Wawona Campground?

Yes, many campers swim in the river running alongside the campground, with reviewers noting the water is warmest in late afternoon and early evening.

What's provided at each campsite?

Each site includes a fire ring, picnic table, and a bear box large enough for food and toiletries.

Reviews (288)

See all on Google

4.6

288 reviews

Google Reviews

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Tamara

in the last week

Great campground in the southern end of Yosemite near the redwood grove. No showers but flush toilets and running water. The river is very close and nice.

Vicky Gagnon

in the last week

Great place to sleep just outside the park. No showers, just bathrooms but clean. I appreciated my spot, calm even if it’s full.

Anna Kim

a week ago

I booked 3 nights here as it was the only camping spot in Yosemite with availability on a last minute summer trip but was blown away with how special this campground is. There is an essentially lazy river following the 3 campground sections. The river is so clear and stunning. It was magical swimming in the river especially with how hot it was. I stayed at the B loop the first 2 nights and found it to be my favorite. It is quiet, has a great spot to enter the river, and has shade all day. If you are a solo camper or with a small group, this is the best spot. Loop A only had shade for like 2 hours towards the evening and is close enough to the main road where you hear and see cars passing. I did get like 30 mosquito bites over the 3 days I stayed there but it was a small price to pay for paradise.

Henry martinez

3 weeks ago

Very bad service. Personal on the check in dose not provide any information.

Ashley Frey

3 weeks ago

We wanted away from the hustle and bustle of the valley and Wawona campground delivered! We stayed right on the river and it was perfection… Couldn’t have loved this stay more! Side note- it is a tight campground but it’s still quite quiet. If you’re river front be prepared for people to walk through your campsite to the trails to the river.