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Horse Camping in Yosemite National Park
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The campsite limits are 6 horses per site and two vehicles. Check out time is 12 - noon. According to the regulations, there are no pets allowed in the horse campsites. However, we have seen campers with dogs almost every time. You cannot have your dog accompany you on the trails. Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times. If you are planning on bringing dogs, call before you go. The Yosemite web site does state "no dogs in any horse camp", yet no mention of this on the "Stock Regulations" page listed below.
You absolutely need to bring blankets for your horses. The temperature at night, even in August, can be in the 30's. On highlines, the horses cannot move around freely to stay warm. You may not need blankets, but should have them on hand.
Manure must be bagged and taken to the dumpsters daily. We put the bags in the truck and drive to the dumpster. Others haul the bags in carts. It is too far to the dumpsters to carry by hand.
On the day you leave, if you want to take that one last ride, vacate your site and park elsewhere.
Wawona - 2 campsites. Very nice restroom. Faucet outside of restroom. Bring a splitter and long hose. Grocery, post office, gift shop, and gas station nearby. Also has RV disposal station. The ranger station is also close by. Wawona is a great place for a first time horse camper. There are highlines already in place, but I can't get a consistent answer if you are required to use them. You may, of course, use portable corrals under the highlines. What my meaning is, is can you highline across other trees within the campsite. All the other horse camps have no restrictions and horses are not eating where other horses have eaten (and pee'd) all summer long. Rotating highline areas makes the urine smell much less concentrated than highlining in the same place the whole season. Read the regulations on the Yosemite web site link below and decide for yourself.
Bridalveil - 3 campsites. Restrooms right in camp. Faucet outside of restroom and between camps #1 & #2. No services nearby.
You must ride through the campground to get to the McGurk Meadow trailhead. If your horse leaves a "deposit", please go back and clean it up when you return from your ride. We and the rangers both know that it is not practical to clean it up immediately. It does put the horse campers in a better light if the manure is cleaned up at the earliest convenience.
Tuolumne Meadows - 4 campsites. Restrooms and dumpster for garbage before horse camp. You have a little walk, but they are not that far away. There is a dumpster by campsite #2 for bagged manure. Bring at least 100' - 300' of hose for water, depending on which site you have. They are in the process of running faucets to all four campsites.
There is a grocery/convenience store, gas station and RV disposal station nearby. No diesel.
All trailheads are located near the horse camp. Horses are not allowed in the main campground.
Yosemite Valley - There are no horse camps in the Yosemite Valley.
Stock regulations http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/stock.htm
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