Directions:

 

From Los Angeles:

 

Distance: 313 mi / 504 km. Time: 6 hours. Take I-5 north (or I-405 north to I-5) to Highway 99 north to Highway 41 north (Fresno) into Yosemite National Park.  Once entering the park, continue on Highway 41 into Yosemite Valley.  Proceed in Yosemite Valley to Curry Village.  The campground is on the left approximately 1/2 mile past Curry Village and at the horse stables.  The highway comes to an end near the campground.

 

From San Francisco:

 

Distance: 195 mi / 314 km,  Time: 5 hours.  Take I-580 east to I-205 east to Highway 120 east (Manteca) or Highway 140 east (Merced) into Yosemite National Park.  Once entering the park, continue on Highway 41 into Yosemite Valley.  Proceed in Yosemite Valley to Curry Village.  The campground is on the left approximately 1/2 mile past Curry Village and near the horse stables.  The highway comes to an end near the campground.

North Pines Campground is located in Yosemite Valley near Curry Village.  The campground is open from April through November with 81 RV and tent camp spots.  There are no cabins at this campground.  For tent cabins see Curry Village or Housekeeping.  The campground is DRY camping with restrooms and drinking water available.  There is a dump station nearby at the entrance to Upper Pines Campground.  The campground is within walking distance from Curry Village where there is a pizza shop, market, showers, restaurants, Bar, gear outfitter, and WiFi. North Pines Campground is located in a bueatiful old growth pine forest in a picturesque valley surrounded by astonishing rock walls.  The campground does not have a laundry or showers however, these services are available at Curry Village a short distance away.  The maximum RV length for this campground is 40 feet.  However, Campbase recommends no longer than 35.

 

Note: There is no fuel in Yosemite Valley so fill-up before you enter this area.  Diesel is available at the Crane Flats service station.

 

There is a free shuttle(The Valley Shuttle) that circles Yosemite Valley with 21 stops.  The shuttle stops at all campgrounds, trail heads, lodges, and markets.  Its a wonderful service and is very interesting.  During the summer months the bus arrives at the stop in front of the campground every 15 minutes.  The shuttle does not run outside the valley.

 

North Pines Campground is in Yosemite Valley where there are two markets, Curry Village and Yosemite Village.  The Yosemite Village Market is the larger of the two markets.  The Curry Village market is within walking distance from the campground.

 

Most cell carriers have service from the campground.  Texting also usually works from the campground however there is no data service.  The strongest cell service can be found at Yosemite Village.

 

There is a variety of lodging in Yosemite National Park including The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, Housekeeping, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, White Wolf Lodge, Wawona, and Curry Village.  Curry Village has canvas tent cabins.  Housekeeping is similar to Curry Village.  

 

WiFi is available for purchase at Yosemite Lodge and The Ahwahnee Lodge.  It's also available for free at Curry Village however, there are so many users the network seldom works.

 

Don't forget to bring or rent bikes in Yosemite Valley.  Just park the car and use the bikes.  You are helping the environment and its a ton of fun to bike ride.  The bike paths are excellent and paved.  Bike rental is $32 per day(as of 2014) so, bring one if you can.  Also, in Yosemite Valley, bring or rent float toys.  The stream that runs through the valley in summer is usually warm enough and calm enough for a fun float.  Get out of the stream at the right spot and the bus stop is just 100 yards away.  Deflate your float and jump on the free bus ride back to where you started.  Note, it may be unsafe to go in the water at different times of the year or at different river entry points.  Check with the rangers before you enter the water.

 

Caution: Wherever you stay in Yosemite, watch out for the bears.  They can be found in every campground, every night.  Bears are very stealthy and can be just feet away without you knowing it.  Don't leave food out and don't leave food or gum in your car.  The gum smell attracts them and they will open your car like a can opener.

 

Roads:

Yosemite National Park is open all year however, some roads and campgrounds do close.  There are four entrances into the park.  Each entrance has a unique name.  They are, the South Entrance(on Wawona road and Highway 41), Arch Rock Entrance(highway 140 from the West), Big Oak Flat Entrance( From the West on highway 120), and the Tioga Pass Entrance (From the East on Highway 120).  Most roads in Yosemite are challenging for larger RV's.  The lanes are small, winding, and there are overhangs in spots.  The Tioga Pass entrance is the most difficult with a steep assent into the park followed by rough roads.  For RV's there are numerous pull-outs to allow traffic to pass.

 

Reservations:

Reservations are available on-line at www.reserveamerica.com or by calling (801) 559-4884 or (877) 444-6777.  Reservations sell out to the minute, six months ahead of your visiting month.  If you are going to use the online service, visit the web site first and creat an account.  Practice using the reservation system before the date that you actually need it.  Know what camp ground and site you want to reserve.  You are going to want to select and reserve your site as quickly as possible.  Reservations for campgrounds usually open up at 07:00 six months before the visit month.  Online reservations will sell out within 15 minutes so type quickly.  Visit the NPS.GOV website to see a schedule of "opening" reservation dates.  If you don't get the reservations you want, all is NOT lost.  Some campgrounds are first come first served.  However, the best camping areas do require reservations.  If you didn't get reservations or didn't get all the nights you need, don't let that stop you from going.  The park service sells canceled reservations every day in the park.  Go to the ranger station in the parking lot at Curry Village.  They open at 08:00, be there in line by 07:30.  When the doors open at 08:00 give the ranger your name and they will tell you what number in line your are.  They will also tell you when to come back for the reading of available camp spots.  If you are not there for the campground reading, they move on to the next persons name that was taken in the morning.  If you play your cards right, you will get a spot.  Good luck.