Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground to Open as Scheduled, Reversing Previous Closure Decision

In a significant turn of events for wilderness travelers, Yosemite National Park has reversed its recent decision to close the Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground for the 2025 season. The campground, a critical resource for backpackers including those on the John Muir Trail and Pacific Crest Trail, will open and operate as usual, according to confirmation received by the park community this week.

Just days prior, the park had announced that the main backpackers camp would be temporarily relocated to a limited number of sites within Camp 4, drastically reducing capacity from its usual space to accommodate only around 36 individuals per night. This planned closure and relocation had prompted considerable concern among the hiking community, particularly impacting those who rely on the facility for required overnight stays before validating wilderness permits, resupplying, or after completing multi-day treks through the park, such as the JMT.

The shift was expected to create significant logistical challenges, potentially forcing hikers to seek scarce and costly alternative lodging outside the valley or alter their itineraries entirely.

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However, confirmation obtained through direct communication from the park service stated the previous announcement had been changed. An email shared within the park community explicitly declared, “The park’s goal is to ensure Yosemite is open and accessible for all visitors,” adding, “We are happy to inform you Backpackers Campground has opened for the season and is operating normally. This is a change from our previous announcement temporarily moving the backpackers camp to Camp 4.”

This reversal alleviates the immediate capacity crisis previously anticipated for the main Yosemite Valley access point. JMT and PCT thru-hikers can now proceed with original plans that factored in using the backpackers campground for their crucial pre-permit night or post-hike recovery stay without facing the severe capacity limitations of the temporary Camp 4 setup. The facility is expected to operate through its usual seasonal dates, typically from mid-April through early October, mirroring the North Pines Campground schedule.

The location of the Backpacker’s Camp within the campground. Photo

While this is welcome news for those accessing Yosemite Valley, prospective wilderness visitors should note that other backpacker facilities in the park face separate issues in 2025. The White Wolf Campground, including its backpackers camp, is expected to remain closed for the entire season due to utility problems, and the Tuolumne Meadows Campground, along with its backpackers camp, has a tentative delayed opening projected for sometime in August 2025 following extensive rehabilitation work.

Nevertheless, the decision to keep the primary Yosemite Valley Backpackers Campground open as usual significantly simplifies planning for a large group of wilderness permit holders. Hikers are encouraged to continue checking the official Yosemite National Park website for the most current operating status and specific dates for all park facilities.