Rahul Somvanshi
Tejal Somvanshi
Hey nature lovers! Bad news if you’ve been dreaming about that perfectly Instagrammable “glamping” experience in Yosemite’s backcountry this summer. The park’s iconic High Sierra Camps are staying closed—again—for the 2025 season, with both potable water and toilet facilities unavailable.
The five camps—Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Vogelsang, and Merced Lake—have remained offline since 2018, leaving adventure-seekers looking for alternatives to these beloved wilderness havens.
Why Your Backcountry Luxury Dreams Are On Hold (Again)
Yosemite Hospitality (Aramark) and the National Park Service jointly announced that “potable water and toilets… will not be available and the camps will not be operated this summer,” according to official statements from Travel Yosemite.
The extended closure stems from a perfect storm of challenges:
- Deferred maintenance on aging infrastructure
- Persistent supply-chain slowdowns
- Post-pandemic staffing shortages
- Budgetary limitations
- Rising costs of mule-train logistics for remote servicing
Meanwhile, park officials have needed to prioritize valley operations and entrance reservation management, leaving fewer personnel available for backcountry facility maintenance.
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What This Means For Your Reservation
If you scored one of the coveted spots through the lottery system, here’s what happens next:
- Full refunds will be processed within 14 business days
- You’ll automatically receive priority entry in the 2026 lottery (opens November 1, 2025)
- Wilderness permits remain available for DIY backpackers wanting to hike the same routes
For perspective, these closures affect a significant crowd—typically about 13,000 campers stay at the High Sierra Camps annually, with thousands more stopping by for meals. The competition is fierce, with approximately 80,000 applicants vying for roughly 1,000 available spots each season.
Your Plan B Options
Not ready to give up on your Yosemite adventure? Here are your alternatives:
For the Self-Sufficient Backpacker: Apply for wilderness permits up to five months ahead through the park website, or try your luck at the Badger Pass Wilderness Center for day-of permits. Pro tip: July and August typically offer better permit availability.
For Frontcountry Campers: Upper Pines, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds will be open from June 15 to September 14. Snag reservations through Recreation.gov. Just note that White Wolf and Tuolumne Meadows Campground are closed in 2025 due to sewer and road projects.
For Comfort-Seekers: Book Curry Village or The Ahwahnee up to a year in advance through Yosemite Hospitality’s website.
Environmental and Community Impact
The closure isn’t just a bummer for campers—it has ripple effects. Local gateway communities like Lee Vining and Mammoth Lakes will feel the pinch, with regional lodging revenue potentially dropping by about $2 million this season.
On the environmental front, Yosemite Hospitality has been working on sustainable practices at the camps, including solar-powered composting toilets, on-site recycling, and pack-string transport of supplies to minimize ecological impact.
The Tuolumne Meadows region, where several camps are located, sits within ancestral Ahwahneechee territory, historically used for seasonal gatherings and camas root harvests. Discussions about formal co-management agreements with Tribal representatives continue to evolve.
Looking Ahead to 2026
While the 2025 season is a no-go, planning is already underway for potential reopening next year. The 2026 lottery will run from November 1-30, 2025, with this year’s disappointed applicants getting priority status.
Long-term solutions being explored include modular solar-powered water systems and improved composting facilities that would be less dependent on seasonal staffing and mule-supply logistics.
For now, Yosemite’s backcountry awaits those willing to pack in (and pack out) everything they need. The wilderness is still there—just with a bit less comfort than the “million-dollar views with thread-count sheets” experience that the High Sierra Camps have offered since their establishment in 1916.
The High Sierra Camps remain closed for summer 2025. Affected reservation holders will receive refunds and priority in next year’s lottery. Alternative accommodations include wilderness camping with permits, frontcountry campgrounds, and in-park lodging options.
