Planning a visit to Yosemite National Park? Don't count on overnighting with your RV. A new report shows that camp sites at the popular treasure are at a premium, and it doesn't appear that new ones will be quick in coming. The situation has some literally weeping. When the Merced River ran out of its banks and through a large areas of the park back in 1997, it took buildings and campgrounds with it in the rampage -- right through the midst of Yosemite Valley, the park's most popular locale. Prior to the flood there were 828 campsites in the valley, and 1,525 rental rooms. Since the flood those numbers have been reduced to just 464 campsites (a bit more than half) and 1,130 rooms.
In an interview with recodnet.com, Brian Ouzounian, the co-founder of Yosemite Valley Campers Coalition, the situation is more than just a nuisance, it's heart-rending. "I get calls from families asking how come they can't get reservations; they are weeping on the phone," says Ouzounian. He and other camping advocates suggest the Park Service may find that rebuilding rooms to rent is more profitable than reconstructing campgrounds.
The Park Service says it's a matter of carefully building campsites where future flooding won't just take them out again. Park officials also cite environmental concerns when putting in campgrounds. They also aptly point out that there are many other campgrounds in areas other than the Yosemite Valley inside the park where folks can camp. Some high country campgrounds are on a first-come first-served basis, unlike campgrounds in the valley. Even so, these can fill up quickly in high season.
Bottom line: If you're making plans for a visit, don't dilly-dally with making reservations.
Bridalveil Falls, courtesy National Park Service
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