After a three-year, $26 million overhaul, Yosemite National Park will reopen the Tuolumne Meadows Campground on August 1, marking a major milestone in the park’s effort to modernize aging infrastructure and protect critical ecological resources.
The long-anticipated reopening follows extensive upgrades funded by the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA)—a landmark federal investment in public lands—and will restore access to one of the most beloved high-country campgrounds in the National Park System. The campground has been closed since 2022.
“Tuolumne Meadows is a treasured destination for families, backpackers, equestrians, and nature lovers from around the world,” said Yosemite Acting Superintendent Ray McPadden. “Thanks to the Great American Outdoors Act, we’ve been able to revitalize this beloved campground in a way that honors its past, protects its environment, and prepares it for future generations of visitors.”
A Modernized Gateway to Yosemite’s High Country
Originally constructed in the 1930s, Tuolumne Meadows Campground accommodates up to 2,200 visitors nightly across 336 sites, including standard drive-in, hike-in, backpacker, group, and horse camps. It serves as a vital basecamp for visitors exploring Yosemite’s wilderness and supports management of roughly 500,000 annual visitors to the Tuolumne Meadows area.
The rehabilitation project addressed more than $11 million in deferred maintenance, bringing sweeping improvements:
- Restroom Upgrades: Ten newly constructed or upgraded restrooms meet full accessibility standards, along with a new vault toilet for winter camping.
- Campsite Enhancements: New furnishings include picnic tables, food lockers, and fire rings. Twenty-nine new hike-in sites were added.
- Utility Overhaul: Outdated water and sewer systems were replaced.
- Accessibility Improvements: The Dana Campfire Circle amphitheater was upgraded with accessible routes and seating.
- Ecological Restoration: As part of the Tuolumne River Plan, Loop A was realigned to provide a 150-foot buffer from the Tuolumne River. Twenty-one campsites within sensitive riparian zones were relocated to protect the Wild and Scenic River corridor.
Additional Campgrounds Reopening
Two other high-country campgrounds—Porcupine Flat and Bridalveil Creek—will reopen on July 15. Reservations for all three sites, including Tuolumne Meadows, will be available starting July 1 via Recreation.gov.
A Landmark Investment in National Parks
The Tuolumne Meadows project is one of many across the country funded by the Great American Outdoors Act, which provides up to $1.3 billion annually for five years to address decades of underinvestment in national park infrastructure. Much of the National Park Service’s existing facilities date back to the 1930s and 1950s, and growing visitation has strained outdated systems.
According to the National Park Service, every dollar invested in national parks yields more than $10 in economic benefits, supporting tourism, local economies, and preservation of natural and cultural resources.
With its reopening, Tuolumne Meadows Campground promises a safer, more sustainable, and more accessible visitor experience for generations to come.
