RV arrival guide · California
Arriving in Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway), CA with a rented RV
Sourced to municipal code and operator pages · 5 sources listed below
Arrival briefing · CA
What we know about arriving in Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway)
The rule that bites
Recreational vehicles regulated by NPS Yosemite rules; Tioga Pass restrictions for vehicles over 45 ft
NPS Yosemite vehicle rules
Where the rig sleeps
Yosemite National Park — Upper Pines
1 mi out · No hookups; potable water at host station · rigs to 35 ft
Where you dump
Upper Pines Campground
No fee · potable water on site
Where you refill
Yosemite Village Mercantile Propane
Propane refill, RV onboard tanks
Check before you drive it
Tioga Road (CA-120) Scenic Drive
Seasonal closures apply — confirm it is open on your dates.
Two surrounding open spaces frame the cultural footprint: Yosemite National Park and Sequoia National Park (south). Two scenic routes that pair well with regional culture-trip planning: Tioga Road (CA-120) Scenic Drive and Glacier Point Road (CA-41). Tank dumping at Upper Pines Campground; propane at Yosemite Village Mercantile Propane on 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389.
The recurring mistake renters arriving for cultural events make is showing up to yosemite in-park camping without a 5-month-ahead reservation — recreation.gov releases sites 5 months out at 7:00 a.m. pt; summer dates gone in minutes. Best stays land in Mid-May through September and October; avoid November through April. Every fact above traces to the primary-source list at the bottom of this guide; dates marked lastUpdated.
California scenery
Timing your trip
When should I plan my trip to Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway)?
Best season to come
Mid-May through September and October — Yosemite green season and Hetch Hetchy access window.
Season to skip
November through April — Tioga Pass closed; Half Dome cables down; many roads chains-required.
Read before you park
Parking ordinances that bite RVs
Recreational vehicles regulated by NPS Yosemite rules; Tioga Pass restrictions for vehicles over 45 ft
Citation: NPS Yosemite vehicle rules
Tanks + water
Where can I dump tanks in Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway)?
Upper Pines Campground
Curry Village, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
Fuel + propane
Where do I top up propane and diesel?
Yosemite Village Mercantile Propane
9035 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389
Offers: Propane refill, RV onboard tanks
Where to sleep
Which campgrounds actually take RVs?
Yosemite National Park — Upper Pines
NPS
No hookups; potable water at host station
Operator sitePublic-land hubs near this city
State parks, National Forests, and NPS units around the city are the anchors for an RV or boat trip — check each unit's official site for current access, fees, and seasonal rules before you go.
On the road in California
Plan around the crowds
Which local events will move Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway) RV supply?
Yosemite Half Dome cable season
All in-park camping books out 5 months ahead at midnight Pacific
Event sourceThe mistake renters make
Avoid this trap
Showing up to Yosemite in-park camping without a 5-month-ahead reservation
Recreation.gov releases sites 5 months out at 7:00 a.m. PT; summer dates gone in minutes
Read the sourceReady to roll
See what's available in Yosemite Village
Make it a trip
Rent an RV in California
The rigs here are owned by local hosts. Browse what fits your Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway) trip, or reach California owners directly.
Browse California rigsWhat fits this trip
Editorial sourcing
How we know — the sources we checked
- Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway) Municipal Code(opens in new tab)
- California State Parks(opens in new tab)
- NPS(opens in new tab)
- Yosemite Half Dome cable season official(opens in new tab)
- NWS forecast office(opens in new tab)
Guide compiled 2026-06-04. Every figure above traces to one of these sources — where a source is silent, this guide is too.
For RV owners in Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway)
List your RV in California
Set your own base price and keep control of pricing, availability, and which renters you accept — the full fee schedule is spelled out before you publish a listing.
Find your Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway) rig
PickRV is live across California. Browse available rigs and plan your Yosemite Village (Mariposa gateway) trip.
Or browse every rig in California: California state guide
More in this state
Nearby cities in California
If your trip crosses California, these neighbouring city guides cover the parking, dump, propane, and campground details you'll need.
RV arrival guide
San Francisco, CA
Best: September-October
Read guideRV arrival guide
Los Angeles, CA
Best: March through May and October through November
Read guideRV arrival guide
San Diego, CA
Best: March through June and October through November
Read guideRV arrival guide
Monterey, CA
Best: April through June and September through October
Read guideKeep exploring
Continue in California
Before you arrive
California state guide
OpenWhat's happening
California events calendar
OpenStay legal
California RV laws
OpenCalifornia rules · last verified 2026-05-10
- State rental tax
- 9.75% · not collected by PickRV
- Min driver age
- 21+ std · 25+ Class A
- Gravel roads
- Permit required
- Generator quiet
- 22:00-06:00
Was this guide helpful?