Yosemite’s River Retreat
Housekeeping Camp offers a unique Yosemite experience for campers seeking simplicity. Nestled along the Merced River, these rustic units provide canvas roofs, privacy curtains, and unmatched views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. Relax on sandy beaches, cook meals over a campfire, and enjoy the natural beauty of Yosemite from your own patio.
- April 11, 2025 - October 12, 2025
- 24 hours
Standard Unit
There are 266 units in the Housekeeping Camp, which can sleep up to six guests. Units feature a bunk bed, a double bed, table, chairs, mirror, electrical lights and outlets. True to the spirit of camping, guests can either bring their own sleeping bags and pillows or rent blankets, sheets and pillow packs per night. Please note there are no telephones or TV's.
ADA Unit Features (available upon request)
- Parking nearby unit
- Close to restroom with wheelchair-accessible toilet
- Paved walkways for path of travel to parking and restroom
- High-sided campfire ring
River Unit
Features all the amenities of a Housekeeping Camp Standard Unit with an emphasis on your proximity to the river for an enhanced camping stay.
Things to Do
Guided Bus Tours
Rangers/ Naturalist Programs
Rock Climbing
Swimming
FAQs
- What To Bring What To Bring What To Bring
What to Bring for your Housekeeping Camp Stay
We recommend bringing the following items with you:
- Flashlight or LED headlamp and extra batteries
- Extra layers including a rain jacket and heavyweight fleece—even in the summer
- Shower shoes for the public community showers and walks to the restroom at night
- Padlock for your food storage locker
- Closeable plastic food containers to store in the locker
- Sleeping bag to stay cozy on the coolest nights
- A book, magazine or fully charged e-reader
- Ear plugs for additional sleeping support
- Water bottle that you can refill
- Hiking shoes and outdoor gear appropriate for whatever activities you'll be doing
You can rent Bed Packs for $15.00 per night (double bed pack) and $9.00 per night (single bed pack) at Housekeeping Camp when you arrive. The double bed pack includes two blankets, two sheets and two pillows. The single bed pack includes one blanket, one sheet and one pillow.
NOTE: Please do not bring space heaters, by doing so you risk the possibility of a power outage in your Housekeeping Unit.
- Guest Services Guest Services Guest Services
Laundry Open 8:00 am - 10:00 pm Local Transportation Hop on the free shuttle bus at Housekeeping Camp to visit various locations in Yosemite Valley.
Restrooms & Showers You'll find the shower house near the registration office and store, which has restrooms and shower facilities with soap and towels. Other restrooms are located throughout the camp.
Shower house is open from 7:00 am - 10:00 pm
- Parking Parking Parking You'll be able to park for free nearby your unit. There's also a small parking lot for the camp store and the laundry room. Please note that sleeping in vehicles including RVs is prohibited throughout the property.
- WiFi Internet Access WiFi Internet Access WiFi Internet Access
Here's where you can get a Wi-Fi signal for checking email or visiting websites:
Yosemite Village:
- Complimentary WiFi is available at Degnan's Kitchen (bandwidth is limited).
- You can also use the Internet at the Mariposa County Library.
Curry Village, Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee:
- Internet access provided to only guests staying at the hotel.
NOTE: WiFi bandwidth is limited in Yosemite National Park. The WiFi is only recommended for checking email or some (very) light web browsing. Don't expect to be able to stream movies or download/upload large files. Enjoy the digital detox!
- Bear Essentials Bear Essentials Bear Essentials
At Yosemite, we work hard to keep bears wild. That means ensuring that they don't get any human food—either by being intentionally fed by park visitors or by taking food that's been left unprotected. You'll find bear-proof storage lockers throughout Yosemite National Park, which must be used to store all scented items. This includes all food, drinks, coolers, toiletries, and trash. Bears have broken into cars—sometimes when only a candy wrapper or closed cooler was in view. If it has any scent at all or is related to food or food preparation in any way, it must be stored in the lockers.
- 33 inches deep x45 inches wide x 18 inches tall
- 17 inches deep x45 inches wide x 17 inches tall
While the units do have electrical outlets, refrigerators are not permitted because bears can (and will) break into them. Failure to comply with food storage policies may result in a $5000 fine and/or your removal from the camp. Cars used for food storage may be impounded.
Food storage guidelines:
- Treat your food storage locker like a refrigerator—never leave it open.
- Place food inside resealable containers and store the containers in the lockers. This includes bear-resistant coolers/ice chests.
- Ensure your food storage locker is fully closed and latched, even when padlocked.
- When you leave, empty your food storage locker.
- Cooking & Food Storage Cooking & Food Storage Cooking & Food Storage
Housekeeping Camp's units are the only accommodations in Yosemite where outdoor cooking is permitted. All units have a campfire ring with a grill grate and a bear-proof food storage locker. All food and food related items (including coolers) and any product with a scent (including soap, toothpaste, chapstick and deodorant) must be stored in the bear-proof lockers. This includes bear-resistant coolers/ice chests.
You can buy firewood at the Housekeeping Camp Registration Office.
- Camp Store Camp Store Camp Store Open 8:00 am - 8:00 pm
- Facilities Facilities Facilities Units are furnished with one double bed and a set of twin bunk beds without linens. Units can accommodate up to six guests with the addition of two cots. Sleeping outside of the units is prohibited. Guests can rent sheets, blankets, pillows, chairs, cribs, and cots for their stay at Housekeeping Camp.
- Fires & Firewood Fires & Firewood Fires & Firewood
To protect Yosemite from invasive species that live inside cut wood, we ask guests to purchase their firewood as close to their camping destination as possible. You can purchase local firewood at most stores in Yosemite. You can learn more at the National Park Service website.
- Wood fires are only allowed from 5:00 pm to 10:00 pm
- Fires must be completely extinguished at 10:00 pm
- Quiet Hours Quiet Hours Quiet Hours We kindly as all visitors to be mindful of their noise level—as respect for their neighbors in Housekeeping Camp and the surrounding wildlife. Quiet Hours are 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, seven days a week. All guests are expected to be respectful of their fellow campers and abide by these hours. Guests who are unable to adhere to this policy may be removed from the camp.
- Cancellation Policy Cancellation Policy Cancellation Policy $10.00 cancellation fee for cancellations made 7 or more days prior to arrival. Refunds on cancellations or changes made less than 7 days in advance will be forfeited.
- Check-In & Check-Out Policy Check-In & Check-Out Policy Check-In & Check-Out Policy
Check-In: 4:00 pm
Check-Out: 11:00 am
- Deposit & Payment Policy Deposit & Payment Policy Deposit & Payment Policy A deposit of 100% of the first night at the time of booking if paid by credit or debit card. Otherwise, 10 days to receive 100% of first night if paid by check or money order.
- Pet Policy Pet Policy Pet Policy
Pets are not permitted on property, with the exception of service animals. Read about pets in Yosemite here.
- Smoking Policy Smoking Policy Smoking Policy Smoking is strictly prohibited at all accommodations and buildings in Yosemite.
- Taxes & Fees Taxes & Fees Taxes & Fees
12% Occupancy Tax
1.5% TBID (Tourism Business Improvement District) Assessment
0.2% California Tourism Assessment Fee