Upper Pines Campground packing checklist | Camp Check [Skip to content](#content) [Camp Check](/) [Map](/)[About](/about) Show more details [← Back to map](/) · [Search spots](/#all) Trip details · Upper Pines Campground # Upper Pines Campground packing checklist * Activity**Car camping** * Park**Yosemite National Park, CA** * Nearest**Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, 1.2 mi** Yosemite Valley’s biggest campground, open all year near Happy Isles and the Mist Trail. ## Trip details Elevation 4,000 ft Sites 236 (about 90 in winter) Reservations Year-round, released 5 months ahead on the 15th at 7 am PT Vehicles RVs to 35 ft, trailers to 24 ft Best season September, after the crowds (our pick) ### Source * [NPS Yosemite: campgrounds](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/campgrounds.htm) * [Recreation.gov: Upper Pines](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232447) * [NPS Yosemite: Bears and food storage](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm) "Our pick" seasons are our own call. ## Packing list Reset Ready to go: **0%** · you have 0 of 14 ### Before you go * **Check conditions.** Closures, weather and trail status change. Look at [NPS Yosemite: current conditions](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm) the day you go. * **Tell someone your plan.** Where you’re going, who’s with you and when you’ll be back. [NPS: leave a trip plan](https://www.nps.gov/articles/hiking-safety.htm) * **Know when to turn back.** On hikes from camp, set a turnaround time so you’re back before dark. This list is a starting point, not a guarantee. Conditions change, so adjust it for your trip and your group. We earn from qualifying Amazon purchases. [Details](/about#affiliate) Check off what you already have. For anything you still need, there’s a product suggestion when we have a good match. ### Trip-specific: permits and hazards 1. **Reservation**Sites are released five months ahead on the 15th at 7 am Pacific and go fast.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [Recreation.gov: Upper Pines](https://www.recreation.gov/camping/campgrounds/232447) 2. **Store all food in the bear locker**Yosemite requires proper food storage. Use your site’s food locker.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. Source: [NPS Yosemite: Bears and food storage](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/bears.htm) ### The Ten Essentials [(NPS)](https://www.nps.gov/articles/10essentials.htm) 1. **Water**For hikes from camp, about 1 L per 2 hours.Need itHave it ![Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71x9VbJrhvL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Nalgene Tritan Wide Mouth 32 oz $17.99 on Amazon For hikes from camp, about 1 L per 2 hours. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B001N7V1QG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Source: [NPS Yosemite: hiking safety (1 quart every 2 hours)](https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hikingsafety.htm) 2. **Food and extra food**Pack trail snacks for any hike from camp.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 3. **Navigation: offline map, map and compass**Download an offline map before you lose signal, and carry a paper map and compass as backup.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 4. **Headlamp**For bathroom trips and late returns to camp.Need itHave it ![Petzl Tikka Headlamp](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71sDmxdaMIL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Petzl Tikka Headlamp $34.95 on Amazon For bathroom trips and late returns to camp. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FDLSGR92/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 5. **Sun protection**Valley trails get hot and sunny in summer.Need itHave it ![Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71KsaIMGD7L._SL1000_.jpg) Banana Boat Sport SPF 50 Spray (2-pack) $11.49 on Amazon Valley trails get hot and sunny in summer. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MQXX9US/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 6. **Insulation and rain layer**Valley nights get cold, and spring brings rain.Need itHave it ![FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s)](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/613vT-iXDWL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) FROGG TOGGS Ultra-lite2 Rain Jacket (men’s) $22.74 on Amazon Valley nights get cold, and spring brings rain. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CKCZOZC/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 7. **First aid kit**For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems.Need itHave it ![Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81Tk3JSPj0L._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Adventure Medical Kits Ultralight/Watertight .5 $31.95 on Amazon For blisters, scrapes and sprains, the most common trail problems. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DV6PDY9R/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 8. **Fire starter and emergency shelter**Your car and tent are the shelter here. Carry a lighter and a bivvy on longer walks from camp.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. 9. **Knife or repair kit**For camp chores and gear fixes.Need itHave it No product pick yet. Bring your own or check with the park. ### Nice to have 1. **Lantern**Picnic-table light with no fuel.Need itHave it ![LuminAID PackLite Nova Solar Lantern](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61TVlossveL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) LuminAID PackLite Nova Solar Lantern $32.99 on Amazon Picnic-table light with no fuel. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0716JV1SG/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 2. **Camp chair**For evenings under Half Dome.Need itHave it ![GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71Smakj42EL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) GCI Outdoor Freestyle Rocker Chair $80.00 on Amazon For evenings under Half Dome. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00D4JYR62/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) 3. **Camp stove**For a fast breakfast before the trail.Need itHave it ![Jetboil Flash 1.0L Stove](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81-m9gRLpNL._AC_SL1000_.jpg) Jetboil Flash 1.0L Stove $144.99 on Amazon For a fast breakfast before the trail. [Buy on Amazon (opens in new tab)](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DXQB1JB5/ref=nosim?tag=giftsthatland-20) Prices and stock checked on Amazon on Oct 18, 2026, and may have changed. ## Photos ![Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley](/photos/upper-pines-campground-1.webp) Photo: [Andrew Burnham](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Yosemite_-_Upper_Pines_Campground_-_panoramio.jpg) · [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) · Wikimedia Commons ![A bear-resistant food locker at Upper Pines Campground](/photos/upper-pines-campground-2.webp) Photo: [Mx. Granger](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bear-resistant_container_3.jpg) · [CC0](http://creativecommons.org/publicdomain/zero/1.0/deed.en) · Wikimedia Commons Coordinates **37.7361°N 119.5625°W** Elevation **4,000 ft** Park **Yosemite National Park, CA** Time now **UTC --:--:--** [](/spots/watchman-campground)[](/spots/west-rim-trail)[](/spots/half-dome)[](/spots/mist-trail-vernal-fall)[](/spots/upper-pines-campground) Use two fingers to move the map **Affiliate disclosure:** As an Amazon Associate, Camp Check earns from qualifying purchases. Amazon links are affiliate links and don't change your price. **AI disclosure:** Pages are drafted with AI help and checked by a person against the linked NPS/USFS sources and live Amazon listings. Conditions, prices and stock change, so check before you go and before you buy. **Map data:** Elevation from [Terrain Tiles on AWS](https://registry.opendata.aws/terrain-tiles/) (Mapzen/Tilezen), built from USGS 3DEP and NOAA ETOPO1 data, among others. [About](/about) · [Sitemap](/sitemap.xml)