About Porcupine Flat Campground
Overview Porcupine Flat is closed for the winter.Staying at Porcupine Flat Campground requires reservations. No first come, first serve sites are available. The campground typically opens in late-June and closes mid-October. The opening date varies depending on the opening of the Tioga Road and related seasonal facility and road work.Porcupine Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road about 30 minutes west of Tuolumne Meadows and over an hour from Yosemite Valley. RVs and Trailers are not recommended for the narrow roads in this more primitive campground. At an elevation of 8,100 feet (2,500 m) elevation, the campground is near Porcupine Creek, which is the only water source (must be filtered, treated, or boiled). The Porcupine Creek Trailhead is nearby. There are no visitor services close to the campground.For additional park information, call (209)372-0200 or visit www.nps.gov/yose Recreation Yosemite's trails, cliffs, roads and rivers provide endless recreational activities for any kind of visitor. Hiking, biking, rock climbing, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, auto touring, and photography are all very popular activities within the park. The White Wolf area has hiking and backpacking opportunities that begin near the campground, such as Lukens Lake, Harden Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The Crane Flat area, 23 miles west, offers many other hiking opportunities such as Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, both of which require a 2.5 to 3-mile roundtrip hike to view. Tuolumne Meadows and all it's High Sierra wonder lie 25 miles to the east, where many beautiful day and overnight excursions await. The Tioga Road offers a 39-mile scenic drive past forests, meadows, lakes, and granite domes. The road’s elevation ranges from 6,200 feet to just under 10,000 feet. Tuolumne Meadows embodies the high-country of the Sierra Nevada and is a good starting point for countless hikes. There is little to no cell service along the road. Facilities Porcu
How to Get There
The Porcupine Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road 24 miles west from Tioga Pass, the park’s east entrance (35 minutes). From Yosemite Valley, take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road 38 miles (approximately 70 minutes). From Hwy. 120 west/Big Oak Flat Road, take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road 31 miles (45 minutes). You’ll find the campground north of the Tioga Road.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →What to Pack for Your Stay
Tuned to the live forecast for this park.
👔 What to Wear
- 👕
Long-sleeve shirt
Synthetic or merino, sun-protective.
- 🧥
Light shell or windbreaker
Even on warm days, wind can chill (avg wind 0 mph).
- 👖
Hiking pants or convertible
Layer for variable conditions.
- 🥾
Trail runners or low boots
Comfortable, broken in.
🎒 What to Pack
- 💧
Water
Bring at least 1L of water; more in heat.
- 🍫
High-energy snacks
A snack for the trail.
- 🧴
Sun protection
Sunscreen, sunglasses, brimmed hat.
- 🩹
First-aid kit
Blister patches, ibuprofen, tape, antiseptic wipes.
- 🗺
Offline map
Download your route in advance via Gaia, Caltopo, or OSM-based apps.
Recommendations adapt to the current forecast + trail stats. Use them as a starting point — local conditions, your experience, and the time of day you start all matter.
Plan Your Visit to Porcupine Flat Campground
Heading to Porcupine Flat Campground? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Porcupine Flat Campground?
No central reservation system listed for Porcupine Flat Campground. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/10083831) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Porcupine Flat Campground?
The Porcupine Flat Campground is located off the Tioga Road 24 miles west from Tioga Pass, the park’s east entrance (35 minutes). From Yosemite Valley, take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road 38 miles (approximately 70 minutes). From Hwy. 120 west/Big Oak Flat Road, take the Big Oak Flat Road and Tioga Road 31 miles (45 minutes). You’ll find the campground north of the Tioga Road.
How do I contact Porcupine Flat Campground?
You can reach the park at phone: 209-379-2123.
References & Official Resources
