Camping in Yosemite by Jannine Gallant

I’m going to combine two of this month’s themes – Great Outdoors and National Camping Month to show you what I consider to be one of the most incredible locations on earth. Of all the places I’ve camped (and there have been many over the years scattered across a good portion of the country), Yosemite is my favorite. It doesn’t get any more beautiful than this magical park filled with granite peaks and cascading waterfalls. It truly takes your breath away.

I’ve camped in Yosemite off and on since I was a teenager, experiencing its beauty with my parents, friends, my husband, and my daughters over the years. There’s something about the continuity of coming back over and over to a special place that feeds your soul. And the best thing about the great outdoors is it’s always changing, offering something new and different with each season.

We camp the old fashioned way—in a tent. When I was young and a little more energetic, we escaped the crowds with backpacks, heading into the backcountry where we only came across an occasional hiker or bear. With young kids, we settled for camping in the more traditional manner, but we found a way around the hassle of reservations acquired months in advance (when luck was with you.) Camp 4 is a walk-in

campground, no reservations taken. Each site holds up to six people, and it is favored by rock climbers. You leave your car in the lot and haul your gear to the site. Sometimes you share. Everyone is very friendly. Our favorite time to go is mid-week during spring break in April. The waterfalls are raging, trails aren’t as crowded, and campsites are relatively easy to get. It’s cold during the evening, but not too hot during the day.

The only problem – no dogs on the trails! So maybe Yosemite isn’t perfect after all. I hope you’ve enjoyed the photos. For information on my books, visit my website, or purchase them from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other online sites.