Yosemite National Park
We find ourselves going back to this magical place repeatedly. Easily, once a year, with family and to introduce friends. This is our vacation home. We have been around the block, but this is the place we would drive six hours each way to go sleep for a night or two.
We have stayed in all the park’s locations, campgrounds, the fanciest hotels, nice hotels and the “middle class” facilities of Camp Curry and Housekeeping Camp.
Our favorite location, without measure, is Housekeeping Camp. I’m giving away our secrete here. If you love to camp, or just love to have an evening campfire, but still want room in the car for your legs, Housekeeping Camp it is. See below.
At Housekeeping Camp you can enjoy the benefits of a nearby river, evening campfire and a little unit that has room for four to sleep with an additional room (cots) for two more. There is some lighting and electricity, food storage and a picnic table just outside the sleeping quarters and it is semi private. The units are three sided concrete structures that have canvas roofs, privacy curtains and wood fencing. You can embellish your unit as you go back time after time. Stringing lights is popular right now. It’s still a good idea to bring camp chairs for the evening only campfire.
When you check in you get the full spiel about keeping bears safe (pay attention, this is very important…seriously they can walk by any moment and have, and we don’t want any wildlife to be fed accidentally) a shower pass and parking pass.
Then you are off to your location. If you book enough in advance there might be a possibility of a river view (spectacular). Fingers crossed here though. Set up is quick, here’s the trick: NO TENT!!! It’s all there set up for you. Google Housekeeping Camp Yosemite and there are a bazillion pictures worth a million words (or at lease a hundred).
Skip the camp set up and instead store your food and go explore instead!
A very nice walk/hike is to Vernal Falls bridge to get acclimated. Early morning or later in the day is recommended to beat the crowds. Enjoy your stay and remember to keep the animals safe DON”T FEED them. Yes, I mean even the cute little scampering ones. It’s vital for their health, their safety and yours too.
