May Lake High Sierra Camp is just one of the Yosemite High Sierra camps that comprise a glorious loop of 7 tent cabin compounds situated within the bounds of Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. This amazing nest of camps, spaced 6 to 10 miles apart, all have something fabulous to offer in terms of challenge, charm and views. Once a high Sierra lovers hiking secret, they are now are so very popular and getting a reservation requires some serious perseverance. It’s tricky, but worth every bit of effort. More on that below!
Missing out on REAL backpacking in my youth (living on the flat plains of Texas), I’m a lot dubious about my ability to carry everything a backpacker must, and still be able to stand upright the next day, let alone hike another 8 miles or so and actually have fun. So, Yosemite High Sierra Camps! Some might call it “glamping”, I’m going to say no, its not that. It is an amazing option if you can put in the time and effort to hike, but love a wonderful meal, a toilet and a dry tent cabin to sleep in at the end of your efforts!
May lake is the most accessible of all the camps with an uphill, exposed 1.2 mile hike up from the May Lake parking lot (Located off the 120 just past Olmstead Point, coming from the east). I’ve been there 3 times, I’ll go again – exactly because of its accessibility. You get the real backcountry vibe without actually having to hike into backcountry. Each time I go, it’s a unique and difference experience. Great for High Sierra newbies, adventure sharing with friends, families with smaller children and those that just aren’t up to 7 or 8 miles of trekking.
The May Lake parking lot is small and can fill early. If you miss that option, you’re parking along the road leading in/out. Shuttle options can be researched, are available during the camp season and can be a convenient option. The parking lot bear boxes seem to fill early, but I’ve always managed to find room. Make sure to leave anything that smells – not in your car. Lots of folks do this destination as a day hike and with a backpacker’s camp close by, you will see people coming and going. Not a lot of solitude here. One great option if your staying at the camp is to hike up early, drop some of your gear at the mess tent, then continue around the lake and up onto Mt. Hoffman. There you’ll lose the crowds!
May Lake HSC is comprised of 36 tent cabins and a mess tent all set along the shore of May Lake. After checking in, you can peruse the area, get set up in your tent cabin and relax around the lake. The views are spectacular! DO NOT miss going up onto the ridge behind camp. They mention it at dinner, but if, for example, you go in September, it will be too dark to mention it at dinner – so know before you go. I made this mistake last time, thinking that the light in early September was the same as the light, say, in early August. No. Should have gone to the ridge BEFORE dinner. Ask one of the camp personnel and they can direct you. Just a bit of effort up a short, steep incline presents epic sunset views that are not to be missed. Half Dome and Mt. Conte in the distance, not to mention Mt Hoffman silhouetted in the orang blaze of sunset ~ these are the vistas you will never forget. Incredible photo ops.
May lake HSC is tightly run and a lot more family oriented than some of the others. (again accessibility). Dinner (and breakfast) is called on a conch shell, very cool! Dinner kicks off with warm drinks, occasionally, some impromptu camp music played by staff on guitars and washboards (you get the idea). The food is amazing – always. You can note ahead of time if you have dietary restrictions. They are good at gluten-free and vegetarian. Paleo/Keto – not so much! ? But no worries. If you can’t find something to eat here, you’ve got issues. Sack lunches available upon request for extra fee. Best part is the staff created artwork on each bag!
The tent cabins have cots, usually 4 per cabin with mattresses and wool blankets. I usually bring my own sleeping bag because, well, I’m in love with it and I’ve been glad I did. Not that you’ll totally freeze your ass off – there are little stoves that you can light up to warm up your digs also. I’ve often used my wool blanket to even out some of my cot sloping. That works well. They WILL bunk you with randoms if the size of your party is less than the amount of beds in the tent ~ but only if they need to. Once myself and my girlfriend where bunked with another female solo hiker. Totally fine. Earplugs available in the mess tent if you’re a light sleeper. Snores can be heard from several tents over – depending.
You can recharge electronics in the mess tent but expect a crowd and you may have to wait. Good to bring your own battery back-up. This worked out well for me last time when I used my iPhone for photos. Although this camp touts a shower, you won’t’ be using it unless you really need to, as I’ve never experienced hot water. Toilets are basic, they flush, be prepared to follow the “If it’s yellow, let it mellow” rule of thumb.
In the morning don’t sleep in and miss the amazing alpine glow on Mt. Hoffman. This, my friends, is the coupe de gras! Breakfast follows and it’s a short hike back and down to the trailhead. Nice.
Ahhhh – the tricky part! Getting a freaking reservation! Reservations are available by entering a Lottery in the fall (see link below). I’ve entered for the last 9 years and got a reservation this way – once. During the Lottery, you can apply for independent hikes or do all the camps on an epic ranger led lollapalooza. You can also go on an all camp horseback fest (or maybe mules?) But, if you’re like most of us, you won’t get the Lottery. Yeah! – if you do! Jump around and feel REALLY good about yourself. You got lucky! Otherwise, you’ll have to check the website to find out on which date in the spring they will release the “leftover” reservation dates. On this day, they’ll post a spread sheet of camps and availability. This date varies and can prove to be especially elusive information. In recent years the park has dealt with a concessionaire change and that coupled with 2017’s and 2019’s loss of season due to heavy snow pack, you get the feeling they are trying, but scrambling in the background, figuring out the best way to process things and be fair, meanwhile making the process pretty much ambiguous.
On “left-over release day” you need to be ready and have your shit together. You need your calendar in front of you and you need to know what dates from mid-July to early September your co-hikers can and cannot do. You pretty much need to wing out there, grab the camp/s and best dates that work for your group – praying that your gang has provided you with accurate information.
Look at a map in advance! I love this one below. It’s not on the website now, they have a lovely GPS-y one, but I like the simplicity of old school here. You can easily see where each camp is located in relation to each other. You can find elevation and trail information in the link below. There are pro’s and cons of hiking clock-wise or counter-clock-wise if you are doing several camps. Note: You’ll probably not be able to hike to Merced Lake in one day (that’s why there is more availability there), as it needs to be done, in part, with one of the other camps enroute. Once you get a general idea of what is available and what you are interested in, make the call and get your name and number in the queqe. Sometimes I’ve been luck enough to get someone “live” but that’s rare and often it takes a few days to get a return call. But you do get a return call, often at the most inconvenient time. While you’re driving, in the bathroom, yes, you get the idea. When they do call, the dates you had in mind are often no longer available, that’s why you need to pretty much take what they offer and cancel later if you really can’t make it happen. I’ve had to quickly rethink my dates, take what was available and rearrange my personal life accordingly. One thing I can say for sure – all this effort is worth it!
A note about elevation: In my opinion, it’s best to stay at least a 7,000ft elevation the night prior to a visit to any of the High Sierra Camps. May Lake sits at 9,270ft and if you can snag a night or two at Tuolumne Meadows (8,600ft) prior to your HSC stay, you’ve really scored a coup. There are not a lot of options for this if you don’t want to camp, but we found a spot in June Lake that worked just fine. I can get an “altitude headache” the first night in. Nothing serious, but enough to notice. Be aware.
More info on other camps later.
Yosemite High Sierra Camp Info:
https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/high-sierra-camps/
Trip Preparation:
https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/high-sierra-camps/trip-preparation/
FAQ’s:
https://www.travelyosemite.com/lodging/high-sierra-camps/faqs/
May Lake and Mt. Hoffman info from Yosemite Hikes:
https://www.yosemitehikes.com/tioga-road/may-lake/may-lake.htm
