Yosemite · Backpacking
ON A BUDGET
A free shuttle, a bus that includes park entry, and the most famous cheap campsite in climbing.
Camp 4 and Midpines
Camp 4 is the walk-in climbers' campground, allocated by lottery in the busy months. Outside the park, the Midpines hostel-resort has bunks and a YARTS stop.
What a day costs
About $50–95 a day: campsite $10–36, groceries carried in from Mariposa or Oakhurst, and pizza at Curry Village when resolve fails.
YARTS buses include entry
Regional buses run to the valley from Merced, Mariposa, Fresno and Sonora, and over Tioga Pass in summer. The fare covers park admission, so arriving carless is cheaper.
Free valley shuttle, paid entry
Shuttles loop the valley floor free of charge year-round. Driving in costs about $35 a vehicle for a week, and some summers add a timed entry reservation.
Showers and where travellers meet
Pay showers at Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp are open to anyone. The Camp 4 boulders and the Curry pizza deck are where plans get made.