Tuolumne Meadows Campground, gateway to backpacking trips into Yosemite’s backcountry, will be closed for extensive rehabilitation through at least 2024, and possibly into 2025.
The National Park Service said here that no camping will be allowed at Tuolumne Meadows in Yosemite National Park in California during the work. Construction could last until 2025, depending on the weather.
As part of the work the backpackers campground will be moved to the John Muir Trail trailhead; roads will be repaired; restrooms will be updated; campsites will be redesigned with new picnic tables, food boxes, and fire rings; and accessibility will be improved for people with disabilities.
The work is being done at a cost of about $10 million using money from the Great American Outdoors Act, which Congress passed and former President Trump signed in 2020.
The backcountry campground is popular with Yosemite wilderness permit holders who can spend one night there before and after a trip.
The campground was built from 1931-34 by the Civilian Conservation Corps and expanded to its current 140 acres in 1960.
It has 304 drive-in campsites, seven group sites, four horse sites, and 21 backpacker sites. About 141,000 people visit annually.
Featured photo courtesy of National Park Service.