Parking in Yosemite Valley

There are large public parking areas near the visitor center.  Those have been my best bet…and take the shuttle anywhere you need to go.

I think the parking near the village is day use only. Overnight parking would be in trailhead parking, Curry/HD village parking, or the other trailheads from which you can obtain a permit — ie, Upper Yosemite Falls you park in the Camp 4 parking lot. For Rockslides you park in the pullout near the gate.

We usually park in the Apple Orchard, ie Curry Village, lot so we can go use the flush toilets and wash up then get pizza without having to move the car or hike all the way back to trailhead parking.

They issue parking permits to those staying at the lodge – I park and eat there, but I bet they patrol at night. Unless you get permission from a camper to leave the car in their site there isn’t any parking at any of the campgrounds. Extra cars for campers over and above the two per campsite limit have to be moved to trailhead parking or curry.

Yeah, the wilderness lot by Happy Isles. At least there you’re legal and can leave your car for days. I’ve always managed to find a spot there first time in…but then, I’m only there in early season (sometimes the week before labor day though) and don’t go in on the weekends.

I used to park on the grass at Curry Village years ago when that served as the wilderness parking area; but was told to use the wilderness lot near Happy Isles for any extended backpacking trips once that opened up. After that, I never really found out if there’s a time limit for parking at Curry.

the thing is, it’s great to get a sandwich and something to drink on the drive home at Curry after a trip, so parking in that lot made sense.

You can still park in the Curry lot — I’ve seen cars there with several layers of dust and pollen without tickets. It has the advantage of having plenty of people coming and going all day, reducing the likelihood of the car-breaking bears coming through and breaking in for a forgotten gum wrapper.

Wait…you can park at the camp4 lot?

I can’t tell you how many times I parked at curry village and then took a bus to the yosemite falls trail.  All for nothing?

Bringing this thread back to life.  I heard there was an overflow dirt parking lot near Yosemite Lodge where overnight parking is allowed.   However I’m having a hard time finding this on google….anyone have any info on this?

This link shows where overnight parking is allowed: Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking

However, I’m not sure how well this is enforced.  I’ve noticed that cars in the lot at Yosemite Village typically have passes in the windows that show they’re guests for the night.

Just an update.  Yosemite will now allow you to RESERVE a parking on two upcoming weekends….

might want to check that out if you have plans to go there…