Upper Pines Campground Yosemite: A Couple's Review (and a Photographer's Frustration)
Yosemite Valley. The name conjures images of towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and the serene beauty of the Sierra Nevada. For Maria, a budding landscape photographer, and David, a craft beer aficionado and homebrewer, it was the perfect place to celebrate Maria landing her dream job. We chose Upper Pines Campground (37.7313° N, 119.5711° W) as our basecamp. Little did we know, securing a spot at Upper Pines would feel like winning the lottery – or perhaps, surviving the Hunger Games. Get ready for our honest review, bear safety tips, and some marital… adjustments.
The Hunger Games of Campground Reservations
Reserving a campsite at Upper Pines is not for the faint of heart. The demand is insane. We're talking refreshing Recreation.gov daily, setting alarms for when new spots become available (usually five months in advance), and battling hundreds of other hopeful campers. It’s a digital free-for-all. We must have tried for weeks, each attempt ending in disappointment and the dreaded "no availability" message. The frustration was real!
Then, one glorious Tuesday morning, it happened. A cancellation! Site #231. I clicked faster than I ever thought possible, entered our information, and held my breath. Confirmation! Relief washed over us, quickly followed by excitement. The planning could officially begin. Pro-tip: Check the website multiple times a day, even after the initial release. Cancellations happen, and that’s your golden ticket.
Setting Up Camp...and Maria's Photo Op
We arrived at Upper Pines, eager to unpack and start our adventure. We had our trusty Marmot Limestone 4P tent, a reliable shelter for our Yosemite escapade. That's when Maria’s photography obsession kicked into high gear.
As soon as the car door opened, Maria grabbed her Sony a7iii and 24-70mm lens, eyes glued to Half Dome. "David, can you get the tent set up? I need to capture the light on Half Dome with the tent in the foreground!" she exclaimed, already framing the shot.
Meanwhile, I was left wrestling with the tent poles, muttering about needing an engineering degree to assemble a four-person tent. Tent pole A looked suspiciously similar to tent pole B, and the instructions were about as clear as mud. A few mosquito bites and a healthy dose of exasperation later, the tent was finally up, albeit slightly crooked. But hey, at least Maria got her shot!
Bear Safety: Not a Joke in Yosemite
Yosemite's beauty comes with a serious responsibility: bear safety. Black bears are common in Yosemite Valley, and they're always on the lookout for an easy meal. Upper Pines Campground has strict rules about food storage, and for good reason.
We invested in a "Bare Boxer Contender Bear Canister," and it was worth every penny. Here's a hypothetical scenario: imagine we hadn't used the canister. A black bear, lured by the enticing aroma of chorizo and cheese, would have likely ripped apart our cooler. Sausages and cheese would be scattered across the campground, attracting even more bears and creating a chaotic scene.
Trust us, properly storing your food is essential. Always keep food, toiletries, and anything with a scent in a bear canister or a bear-resistant food locker. Don't leave anything in your car, and never, ever feed the bears. It's for your safety and theirs. Upper Pines Campground bear safety tips include keeping a clean campsite to prevent unwanted attention from wildlife
Bathroom Blues and Lavender Showers
Let's talk about the less glamorous side of camping: the bathrooms. The early morning lines are a symphony of yawns, rustling tents, and the shuffling of feet. Getting up before sunrise to beat the crowds is a must if you want to avoid a long wait. We quickly learned a trick: the bathrooms are significantly less crowded right after lunchtime.
Since Upper Pines doesn't have showers, we came prepared with a Sea to Summit Pocket Shower and Dr. Bronner's biodegradable soap. It's not quite the same as a hot shower, but it gets the job done. The scent of lavender mixing with the fresh pine air was surprisingly refreshing, creating a mini-spa experience in the middle of the wilderness.
Activities: Hiking, Climbing, and Craft Beer
Yosemite offers endless opportunities for adventure.
Hiking to Lower Yosemite Fall
One of our first hikes was to Lower Yosemite Fall. The roar of the waterfall is impressive, and the mist creates a cool respite on a hot day. However, Maria's quest for the perfect photo was met with frustration. The crowds were thick, and selfie sticks seemed to be magnetically drawn to her camera lens.
"Seriously? Can't people just enjoy the view without documenting every single second?" she grumbled, dodging a particularly aggressive selfie stick. Capturing the waterfall's majesty proved challenging amidst the tourist frenzy. Yosemite photography spots near Upper Pines can be difficult to access due to the many other visitors
Rock Climbing on El Capitan
David, on the other hand, found his bliss watching climbers on El Capitan through his Brunton Echo Pocket Scope binoculars. He was enthusiastically trying to identify climbing routes, shouting out names like "The Nose!" and "Dawn Wall."
Craft Beer at the Campsite
No camping trip is complete for David without craft beer. He brought a cooler full of his homebrewed West Coast IPA, brewed with Citra and Mosaic hops. Maria initially protested, claiming it was "too hoppy," but David insisted she try it.
As the sun set, casting a golden glow on the granite cliffs, we responsibly enjoyed the beers at our campsite. The hoppy bitterness balanced perfectly with the smoky flavors of our campfire dinner. Are there craft breweries near Yosemite National Park? Not directly in the park, but in nearby towns, so David came prepared.
Campfire Cooking: Dutch Oven Chili and Cornbread
Campfire cooking is a highlight of any camping trip, and we brought our Lodge Cast Iron Dutch Oven for the occasion. We made a hearty campfire chili with chorizo, poblano peppers, diced tomatoes, black beans, and a generous amount of chili powder. The smoky aroma filled the air, making our mouths water in anticipation.
We paired the chili with cornbread, also baked in the Dutch oven. The cornbread had a slightly smoky flavor, a delicious complement to the spicy chili. Dutch oven camping recipes are a great way to elevate your camping meals, but you need to consider the weight of this cooking method,
Camp Gear Review: BioLite AlpenGlow 500 Lantern
We also put the BioLite AlpenGlow 500 lantern to the test, and it quickly became a campsite favorite. The AlpenGlow 500 isn't just a light; it's an ambiance creator. It has multiple color modes, including a warm white, a cool white, and a vibrant color cycle.
Our favorite setting was the 'firefly' mode, which flickers gently like a real campfire. David even connected it to his phone via Bluetooth to adjust the ambiance with his phone. The soft glow really enhanced the mood for beer drinking and camp stories. BioLite AlpenGlow 500 review: Highly recommended for its versatility and ambiance.
The Perfect Shot vs. The Perfect Moment
Maria's relentless pursuit of "the perfect shot" created some tension. While I appreciated her passion, I also wanted to relax and enjoy the moment without feeling like a photography assistant. It felt like I was never in the vacation, always behind the scenes of it.
The resolution came unexpectedly. I set a timer on Maria's camera, forcing her to be in the photos with me. We embraced the imperfect, spontaneous moments, laughing at silly poses and goofy expressions. Those photos, though not technically perfect, are the ones we'll cherish the most. Camping in Yosemite for couples means finding a balance between individual pursuits and shared experiences.
Viral Video Shot List:
- HOOK (0-3 seconds): Rapid zoom in to a close-up of David's exasperated face covered in mosquito bites as he struggles to set up the tent, overlaid with the caption "Camping with a photographer wife = survival mode."
- SCENE (3-8 seconds): Montage of Maria meticulously setting up her camera gear (tripod, filters, lenses) while David is still struggling with the tent. Time-lapse of Yosemite's changing light on Half Dome in the background.
- TWIST (8-12 seconds): Unexpectedly cut to a shot of Maria covered in dirt, laughing hysterically as she tries to eat chili with a huge piece of cornbread. Zoom in rapidly on her face as chili covers her teeth. Followed by a shot of David looking at her with love in his eyes and a gentle smile. End with them clinking beer bottles.
Final Thoughts
Upper Pines Campground is a fantastic basecamp for exploring Yosemite Valley. Its central location provides easy access to hiking trails, waterfalls, and iconic landmarks. Just be prepared for the reservation battle, follow bear safety guidelines, and embrace the imperfections that come with camping. And remember, sometimes the best moments aren't the ones you capture on camera, but the ones you experience together. Ready to start planning your own Yosemite adventure? Check out Recreation.gov to book your campsite today!