The Lottery That Leads to Adventure!

The High Sierra Camp Lottery is for both Guided and Unguided trip requests. (Please note: Meals Only reservations are not part of the Lottery.)

No, an applicant can submit 1 application for specific Unguided and/ or Guided trips. All camp information is collected on the application.

Payment is due within 7 days of receiving the confirmation email letting you know you were selected for the High Sierra Camp Lottery.

Canceling or changing your reservations more than 30 days in advance of scheduled arrival will result in a $10 service charge per person.

Canceling or changing your reservation 14 to 30 days in advance of scheduled arrival will result in a 70% refund of the total cost of the reservation.

Canceling or changing your reservation less than 14 days in advance of scheduled arrival will result in no refund unless space resells, then it will result in a 10% charge.

High Sierra Camp Lottery winners will be notified by email.

The High Sierra Camp Lottery application will be available on our website only. Click here to fill out your application. If you do need assistance filling out the application, please call our office at 888-413-8869 and select option 4.

Yes, High Sierra Camp reservations are transferable by calling our office. This cannot be done on our website.

The High Sierra Camps operate seasonally from June to September. Season dates are heavy weather dependent.

For Unguided trips, you can start your trip on any day of the week. Guided trips start on specific days of the week.

Unfortunately, Guided trips are 5 or 7 days. There is not an option for a 3-day Guided trip.

For Unguided trips, it is not mandatory to reserve a 5 day or Full loop. We do have the option of Half Loop trips.

For Unguided trips, you can stay in 1 camp for more than 1 night. For Guided trips, it will depend on the trip you select.

To get an idea of the cost of each camp, please review the pricing posted on Guided Trip webpage and our Unguided Trip webpage.

Guided trips include a guide and all 3 meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at each camp. Unguided trips are self-guided and only include 2 meals (breakfast and dinner) at each camp. Sack lunches are available for Unguided guests for an additional cost at each camp.

Guests staying at the High Sierra Camps for their entire stay do not need a wilderness permit. If any part of your stay involves independent camping, you will need to obtain a wilderness permit from NPS.

Check in for unguided hikes is between 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the High Sierra Camp Store. If you arrive after dinner at 6:30 pm, we may not be able to provide a meal for you. Check out is by 9:00 am.

If you are on a guided hiking or saddle trip, you will check in at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge front desk in person the evening before your trip departs. On the night before departure, the guide will present a talk at the lodge and confirm the start time for the hike the next morning. Saddle Trips guests must also check-in at the Tuolumne Meadows Stable before 4:30 pm on the day before their trip.

Because of the High Camps elevations, we recommend an overnight stay at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge or White Wolf, however this is not required.

Check-in is at 4:00 PM

Contact: 209.372.8413

Your unguided reservation includes your sleeping space in the tent, access to restrooms and showers (when available), dinner each night, and breakfast each morning. Guided reservations include everything above, with the addition of your guide or mule service, and lunch every day from the first day of your hike to the last day of your hike. Meals at Tuolumne or additional lodging dates are not included in your reservation.

If lodging is not available, you can check the park campgrounds or lodging outside the park.

Yes, please let us know of the change so we can update the new guest's information.

Parking is available at the Tuolumne Meadows Dog Lake Parking Lot. If you are departing from Tuolumne Meadows Stable, guests can park at the Stable or on the side of the road between Lembert Dome and the Stable. There are also various long-term hiker parking lots available free of charge, please follow posted signage. For more information about parking near your specific trailhead, you can visit the NPS website.

Lunches are available for purchase; we recommend reserving lunches the night before. Each of the five camps accepts cash only.

Lunch Prices

Glen Aulin - Adult: $20 & Child: $10

May Lake - Adult: $20 & Child: $10

Sunrise - Adult: $20 & Child: $10

Breakfast is served at 7:30 AM, dinner is served at 6:30 PM. Lunch orders may be placed at dinner the night before and picked up at breakfast the following morning, no later than 9:00 AM. All meals are set menus, served family style in one of our dining tents. Because it is family style, everyone sits at the beginning of the meals until they're done. If guests are late, they may miss part of the meal. We plan on everyone being at the meal and have limited ability to hold food at the required temperature.

Learn More

We make every attempt to accommodate requests for dietary restrictions. Please advise the High Sierra Camp Reservation Staff of any restrictions no less than 14 days prior to the start of your trip. Requests made within 14 days of arrival may not be accommodated. Please note that our facility cannot be completely sterilized to prevent the presence of gluten. Although we are very careful to follow the local food codes, other gluten products are being prepared in the same kitchen.

Example of Gluten-Free Meal:

• Tossed green salad
• Vegetable bean soup
• Broccoli and cauliflower
• Potatoes or rice
• The entree (protein) prepared without gluten
• Fresh fruit with hand-crafted whipped cream

Example of Vegetarian Meal:

• Vegetarian Lasagna
• Asian noodles
• Vegetarian enchiladas

Food Allergy Form

If you or anyone in your group has food allergies or dietary restrictions, please submit the High Sierra Allergy Form.

Shared bear-proof food storage lockers are available at all High Sierra Camps for your use. Freezer and refrigerator space is not available for guest use.

Purified water is available at each camp. It is important that you do not drink unfiltered water from streams or lakes along the trail. The average person will need up to a gallon of water each day.

All High Sierra Camp lodging consists of a canvas tent cabin with dormitory-style steel frame beds. Wood-burning stoves can heat tent cabins at all camps except Merced Lake. Tents sleep 2-6 guests and are often co-ed. They include a bed with mattress, pillow, three woolen blankets, and a comforter. Guests should bring a sleeping bag or liner and a towel.

It is required to bring a sleeping bag or liner for your stay.

Beds are equipped with three woolen blankets and a comforter. It can get very cold overnight and there can be frost or even snow. Cold nights average around 30 degrees Fahrenheit. Warmer nights average around 50 degrees Fahrenheit.

There is no electricity at any of the camps. It is recommended to purchase a solar charger if you need to charge your devices, or a portable charger that can store multiple charges.

Cell phone service is very spotty at best, it is not recommended to rely on a cell phone for communications.

Walkie talkies will usually work within line of site range, depending on the quality of the device itself. They may be useful for a group but should not be relied upon as a form of communication.

Restroom facilities are available at all camps. Shower facilities are available for guests at May Lake, Sunrise, and Merced Lake, based on the water supply. Wash basins for laundry are available at May Lake, Sunrise, and Merced Lake.

We offer dunnage service to the High Sierra Camps as well as custom pack trips. Click on the Trip Preparation - Packing Services link to learn more.

Guests going on saddle trips are limited to bringing 225 pounds of gear with them -- which includes their body weight, and all items carried.

Please see our Trip Preparation page for details regarding packing lists/what to bring, tips and packing services.

Your trip to the High Sierra Camps will take you into Yosemite Wilderness. If you are injured in the Wilderness, our camp stores are stocked with basic first-aid supplies. Injuries beyond that may need to be attended by the National Park Service Search and Rescue Team. Guests concerned about any medical conditions prior to their hike or saddle trip should contact their doctor.

Hiking can be strenuous in Yosemite's backcountry. The lowest camp is Merced Lake, and its elevation sits at roughly 7300 feet above sea level. The highest camp is Vogelsang at approximately 10,200 feet above sea level. While we certainly provide a comfortable experience in camp, the hiking between camps changes in elevation and can be difficult for people who haven't prepared properly.

Guests are encouraged to prepare for their hike by going for a walk 4 to 5 times a week in the weeks leading up to their trips. The trails are clearly marked, and the distances are 6-10 miles between camps. The views along the trails are beautiful and inspiring, but you really can't over-prepare. Hiking uphill is a challenge even after doing it regularly!

For saddle Trips, we recommend spending a few days at a riding stable learning to handle a horse/mule and preparing your body to spend hours in the saddle. Even though you are not walking, it is still a very physical day riding a horse/mule. You should be in the same physical condition to ride as to hike.