Need Advice: What to bring camping in Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks?
We have decided to go way outside of our comfort zone for our vacation this summer, and go CAMPING!
We will be spending about five days later this month in two of the greatest national parks in the United States: Sequoia and Yosemite.
You know we are not an outdoorsy kind of family. We love road trips and are good for day hikes but then generally end up back in a comfortable hotel. It’s the sleeping outside part and sharing a public bath house that I find difficult.
You’ll remember our first and only camping trip with the Cub Scouts to Stone Mountain where we slept on granite and had to have help to get our tent up. We were very happy to be home 20 hours later so I am definitely concerned about how we are going to do roughing it for close to a week. (I’m going to go back and read the advice from that entry.)
However, we are very excited to experience the grandeur of these national parks and to be off the grid — internet and cell phones generally don’t work in the parks.
We will hit Sequoia first and will be staying in a cabin. It’s a bare-bones cabin — no bathroom or kitchen. It’s essentially just a room with beds in it. The meals are provided at the lodge as are snacks and drinks throughout the day. So my only worry there is making sure the cabin, beds and communal bathroom are clean. This is a link to where we are staying in Sequoia.
In Yosemite we are staying in a big tent that they provide. They provide beds and linens. (I am afraid of their linens.) You are not allowed to cook by campfire in Yosemite because of the bears. There is a cafeteria close by that I think we will use for most meals. I am sure I will want to have drinks and snacks on hand and in the bear locker!
Things I am concerned about:
1. Bathroom and the provided tent/cabin not being clean, carrying shower stuff in and out for the kids, towels and clean clothes not hitting the floor. We will bring some sheets, sleeping bags and pillows but I am also wondering about bringing some down comforters just in case it’s chilly to us. We’re used to pretty hot weather.
2. Temperature swings from day to night – being cold at night in the tent. (The highs will be in the 70s and the lows in the low 40s/high 30s. So it is quite a swing.)
3. Bears!! (Both park websites keep talking about bear danger. They have very specific instructions about using bear storage boxes to keep them out of your stuff (anything that smells, not just food). If a box is not available you are supposed to hide your cooler in the car because the bears know that a cooler means food! Bears!!!
4. Keeping food cold for the beginning and end of our trip. We won’t need food in Sequoia but will for Yosemite so I guess I bring a little for the drive and then we stop at a grocery store between the two parks to re-stock?
So overall I am feeling overwhelmed about packing what we need and not bringing too much but not forgetting essential things. I found these lists online of things to bring but I definitely want your advice.
What are essentials for camping and hiking? What do I need in my first-aid kit? What kind of foods are great for the trail? What do I do to keep it cold? (Keep buying ice?) What do I do to keep that crazy bears away? What do you pack to stay warm at night?
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39 comments Add your comment
Don
July 5th, 2012
3:16 am
I see from the link you provided that when you’re in Yosemite, you’ll be staying in the tent cabins at Curry Village, so STOP WORRYING! I’ve stayed in a few of those tents as well as most other sleeping possibilities in Yosemite. The bed linens are just as clean as the ones in the $80 a night motel rooms across the valley at Yosemite Lodge, though the bathrooms are a bit more, how shall I say this, rustic is the word I’m looking for. Still, they’re kept clean.
As to food, there’s a convenience store in the middle of Curry Village and a SUPERMARKET at Yosemite Village, 5 minutes away by shuttle bus (they run every 15 or 20 minutes).
Bears can find an ice chest even hidden in a car. In fact, my wife tried that once, insisting it was okay. They ripped our Dodge van open. Our insurance agent just smiled when I told him.
Don
July 5th, 2012
3:21 am
Curry Village, where the tent cabins are located in Yosemite Valley, has a convenience store and there’s a supermarket in Yosemite Village, 10 minutes away by shuttle bus (they run every 15 – 20 minutes).
Use the bear boxes. Don’t hide your ice chest in the car. I lost the door of a Dodge van that way.
It will NOT be 40 degrees at night in Yosemite Valley in July. It will get down to 50 if you’re lucky. It can get up to 100 in the afternoon if you’re unlucky with the weather that week.
Enjoy!Yosemite is the most beautiful place in the world. I’m going in August, for perhaps the 70th time in my life, so I know.
FCM
July 5th, 2012
8:23 am
Mine go to a sleep away camp in rural GA. For the shower they take a plastic caddy with a handle. It should be pretty easy to find. We got one pink and one green so they would know whose is whose. They keep the soap, shampoo, toothbrush etc in the caddy and walk it over to the bath-house to do their stuff. In fact, they liked it so much they keep it year around under the bathroom cabinet so they have “their” stuffs all together and not all over the bathroom!
They sleep in sleeping bags (on bunks) because linens aren’t available. These sites you are going to are going to be as good (sheet wise) as the holiday inn. You’ll be fine.
FCM
July 5th, 2012
8:25 am
Oh yeah, if your worried the nights will be too cold, pack the sweat suit…not the cute one for the market…the one you don’t want to be caught dead in that is made of sweatshirt material.
Figment
July 5th, 2012
8:28 am
I don’t have much to add as I have never been to either place, though I have been camping before. I would recommend pool shoes or flip flops in the shower so you don’t have to touch the floor. Other than that maybe bring a duffel bag so you can hang up your clothes if you’re worried about them touching the floor.
Doesn’t really sound much like roughing it from what you’ve described. Have fun & relax!
JOD
July 5th, 2012
9:13 am
@Figment – Ditto. It sounds more like Camp Glisson than real camping :o)
I don’t know that I would bother with sheets and sleeping bags? Sounds like a pain and more to carry than is needed. The first aid kit would be the same as for a day hike – can’t think of anything you would need specifically to camp out, but maybe I’m missing something.
Sounds like a blast!
Roberta
July 5th, 2012
9:22 am
You might want to investigate purchasing a small, low cost GPS unit if you’ll be doing a lot of hiking and have concerns about finding your way back to your starting point. You may also want to carry a small air horn or can of bear repellent spray in case you come across a bear whilst hiking.
BRC
July 5th, 2012
9:32 am
A big block of ice will melt more slowly than the little cubes or chunks in bagged ice, so I would recommend rinsing out a gallon container (think milk or orange juice), filling it with water and freezing it. We’ve gone on long weekend camping trips using 2 of these in a 36 quart cooler and the bottles were still 50% ice when we packed up to leave. The bonus was ice cold water to drink as it thawed.
Good outdoor sleeping bags should do just fine, so you shouldn’t have to bring extra comforters or even need to sleep in warm clothing. The ones at Target have temperature ratings sufficient for summer camping. While you’re there, check out the camping aisle for other conveniences. Look for portable hooks for towels and clothes while you’re in the shower. Something like a regular hanger, but with hooks instead. Then you can hang that on the shower curtain bar and your clothes and towels are readily available when you’re done. Or make this before you go, but with bigger hooks: http://www.marthastewart.com/271564/portable-hooks
If you forget something, it’s not like you’re in the middle of the Yukon in freezing weather and the survival of your family depends on that one thing. You’re going to two of the most popular, not to mention populated, national parks. There are amenities available for purchase in both.
You’re not likely to do it, but relax and everything will be fine.
Atlanta Academic
July 5th, 2012
9:36 am
Josh Gates’ Backpack on the Destination Truth website on Syfy.com has an excellent list of gear you may not find on other camping websites. Even if you do not intend to go in search of bigfoot in the Himalayas or ghost hunt in Antarctica you might find some of the suggestions valuable for casual camping. You never know when you will need a SPOT for sending a 911 message to the GEOS International Emergency Response Center for that occasional Grizzly Bear attack.
PHR
July 5th, 2012
9:38 am
One time we went to Yellowstone National Park in June and woke up one morning and it was 32 degrees. I was born and raised in Georgia so I had only packed shorts (it was June!). I ended up buying a sweatshirt to have for mornings and evenings. So I suggest packing for chilly mornings and evenings. That makes camping more bearable if you ask me. I HATE camping when it is hot and humid!
There were also a ton of bear warnings at Yellowstone when we went. We only saw one running beside a creek while we were driving by. My husband read a book about bear attacks in US National parks and it scared me to death. I didn’t go to far from the roads or well traveled areas.
Dennis
July 5th, 2012
10:28 am
If the accommodations are less than perfect, plan to spend less time in the tent or cabin! Get out and do something else.
We are traveling to the Pacific Northwest National Parks – Mt Olympic and Mt Rainier – and while we aren’t sure about some of our lodging we plan to be out in the park and not in the lodging for more than the time the sun is down.
missnadine
July 5th, 2012
10:46 am
Are you sure you want to do this? You seem so dramatic already. You have proven time and time again that the stress (mostly made up by you) ruins any vacation you’ve ever had.
seasonedtraveler
July 5th, 2012
11:01 am
If you are staying at Camp Curry in Yosemite, RELAX!!! The onsite pizza joint/bar/cafeteria/small grocery store should be able to take care of meal-times, snack-times and “I-just-need-a-drink” times, no need to worry about storing food unless you just can’t handle the 20 yard walk. If you must have your own food supply, absolutely use the bear boxes. I never saw a bear when I was there, but you never know at night.
As for cleanliness (barring complete, hopeless germaphobes) most find it cleaner than you could possibly imagine in a “tent” environment. Just chill, relax and enjoy the show. It is an amazing place.
pws
July 5th, 2012
11:13 am
Make sure to take the misquito repellant, when we were in Sequoia in June, 2007, the misquitos were really bad. Other than that, it was a beautiful place to be. We still look at our pictures that we took next to the General Sherman tree.
Erin
July 5th, 2012
12:01 pm
First off, RELAX. It’s just camping. Relax about the germs … it’s not like you’re undergoing open-heart surgery or anything. A basic first-aid kit will be fine.
I think the trip you’re going on is going to be amazing … Relax! Enjoy! Unwind! Did I mention relax?
Becky
July 5th, 2012
12:08 pm
Theresa..I have never been camping, so can’t offer suggestions as to what to take..All I can say is relax and enjoy..
Chris
July 5th, 2012
12:47 pm
Doesn’t sound at all like the camping we know, much more plush (but we sure do eat well at our campfire!). If you’d like to go for a “dry run” why don’t you spend a night at the Len Foote Hike Inn at Amicalola State Park. I would recommend that place as a great family weekend getaway. It’s a very pretty hike (can get a little strenuous in parts) and the accommodations and food are very good and welcome after you arrive.
A loud yell will send most bears on their way. Have a great time. It’s one of the prettiest places on Earth.
Mainly, Chris...
July 5th, 2012
1:22 pm
…she can’t take a “dry run” where you suggest since Theresa lives in ARIZONA…you must be new to this blog…
catlady
July 5th, 2012
2:44 pm
Doesn’t sound like much of a camping trip to me, either, Theresa. Beds? Showers? Restaurants? Only 5 days? Go and have fun! Hike, picnic, swim, look at the stars (if you are far enough from the lights.) Cut off all communication with the outside world (it will be there when you get back). Take no electronic games, and power off the cell phones unless you get into trouble. This will be great for your kids!
Sarah
July 5th, 2012
3:26 pm
FYI, this is not actually camping.
I just got back from Yosemite last week, we go just about every year. First off, you seriously need to relax. Curry Village is practically a resort. And to clear up one of the many errors in your article, you are allowed to have campfires in Yosemite, but only in designated fire rings (like at the real campsites, maybe not in Curry Village). You just need to make sure you keep food and trash stored properly (in the bear lockers) when you’re not immediately using it.
You don’t “need” to bring a lot of gear if you’re staying in cabins or tent cabins. Bring clothes appropriate for various weather (it may be chilly at night, but probably not lower than 50F). Day temps may be anywhere from 75 – 100 (was in the high 70s low 80s last week but you never know when a hot spell will strike). Bring swimsuits for the pool and playing in the river (assuming you are not so freaked out by dirt that you would deprive your kids of the joy of playing in the river). Make sure you have very comfortable walking shoes.
For the showers, definitely bring flip-flops, Curry Village will provide towels. As far as carrying things to and from… um, seriously? A bag perhaps? Why is this even a concern? There are hooks and benches in the shower stalls.
The bears are not interested in you at all. They will be interested in your food and things that smell like food if you don’t store them properly. Keep everything (food and toiletries) in the bear locker when you’re not around and during the night and you’ll be fine. Don’t leave stuff in the car.
Keeping food cool: Buy or make some ice blocks (I use a shoebox sized rubbermaid container to make 3 – 4 blocks in the weeks before our trip) and put them in your ice chest. Blocks last WAY longer than crushed ice because of less surface area. Chill your food before you put it in the chest. You can keep stuff up to a week this way. If you feel you need more ice, you can pick some up at the Curry Village store (hint: they only sell bags of crushed ice, not blocks… just put the whole bag straight in instead of opening it and dumping the ice in your cooler, it will last longer). As others have mentioned, there are several stores in Yosemite Valley if you forget anything or need to resupply.
Definitely bring bug spray, sunscreen, and chapstick (and keep it all in the bear locker at night). And don’t forget your meds which I can only assume you’re on for the OCD/anxiety disorders. Try to have some fun.
Sarah
July 5th, 2012
3:52 pm
A couple more tips on ice chest economics:
1. Keep it out of direct sun light
2. Don’t drain the water out as the ice melts – the ice water helps keep stuff cool and will slow the ice from melting further. If you are worried about food getting wet just put it in zip loc bags.
3. Do not open it more than necessary, do not leave it open longer than necessary, make sure it is closed tightly when you’re done.
missnadine
July 5th, 2012
5:11 pm
You really are getting way too paranoid. It just always seems like you look for the worst possible scenario, and drive yourself nuts thinking of bad things that can happen.
beanster
July 5th, 2012
5:14 pm
Make sure you bring your camera and several 2 GB + memory cards. Yosemite is so breathtaking you will turn into a mini-Ansel Adams while you’re there. That and lots of sunscreen. They tend to gouge tourists on these items at the Valley lodge. Otherwise don’t sweat it too much. You could easily rely on the food served near the lodge.
I would caution you to beware of falling rocks in and around Curry Village. http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/06/yosemite-falling-rocks-closures.html
BRC
July 5th, 2012
5:29 pm
@Sarah – did you swim/play in the river? The Merced is fed by ice melt and I thought it was freezing when I was there last. That was during the summer too. Nice to dip hot, tired feet in, but there was no way I was submerging myself.
beanster
July 5th, 2012
5:37 pm
One other suggestion….not sure how you are getting there but beware of road construction this time of year. There aren’t shoulders on those roads so the only way to repave them is to close one lane. My wife and I drove recently drove from Yosemite to Tahoe and we were stopped for 30+ minutes on 3 separate occasions. If I had to do it again, I would definitely make sure to avoid the construction whenever possible.
shaggy
July 5th, 2012
5:54 pm
Just got back from REAL camping, which sadly, your vacation ain’t. Let’s just say we camped WITH the brown bears…the ones that can and will eat you, not just steal your cook out.
However, it will be fun for you and an adventure for a newbie family, or a better term, a no-bie, or a just plain softie.
I can’t wait to read about your “challenges” in the wilderness, with all of the waiting in line to get a slurpee at the camp store and such, or the absolute horror of knowing that bears are out there passing gas, after raiding your picnic table that you will undoubtedly leave unattended, because you are a ummm, uhhh, a………….suburbanite: a prolific, but mostly a blind and helpless creature that has very little sense, unless electronic gadgets are available to use.
Take a lot of pictures with the smart phone, and post them on farcebook or pointlesserest for others to gawk at.
Sarah
July 5th, 2012
6:08 pm
@BRC I waded in the river, but its too cold for me to submerge myself too when the temps are only 80 or so. If it gets into the 90s or higher, the icy river is perfect :)
@beanster Don’t freak her out with rock fall comments, she’ll probably make the kids wear hard hats the whole trip.
Atlanta Mom
July 5th, 2012
7:51 pm
A few years back our family stayed at Curry Village. I am NOT a camper. Never before. I would go back. It was fun, clean and easy. The village has quiet hours starting at 10 pm, so that helps.
But and however, I was sick and couldn’t sleep. Our tent neighbors showed up around 2am. There was much conversation about “the bear”. Did you see the bear? As it was 2:00 am, and I was sick, I was sure they were talking about a bear they had seen earlier in the day. NOPE. It was wandering outside our tents. We found the paw prints that morning. OH, and someone notified park rangers. They came by, but the kids had already chased the bear away.
DB
July 5th, 2012
9:27 pm
T, you’ve really got to get over this obsession you have with ‘clean’ if you’re going to go camping, otherwise, you are going to be miserable. Campers get dirty. Deal with it. Grab some flip-flops for the shower and DON’T WORRY ABOUT IT. It’s only a week — we’re not talking about living in a Bangladesh slum, for heaven’s sake.
I’ve stayed at Curry Village, and it was fun. I found it to be a little claustrophobic with other tents close by, but overall, it was definitely a fun family experience. Yes, there are bears — they were there first — but if you take reasonable precautions, it’s nothing to worry about. Put the cooler in the trunk or under a blanket if you’re in a SUV and lock up your perfumed stuff (soap, toothpaste, etc.) where provided and you’re good to go. DO take bug spray, though — we did an early AM photography class, and was almost eaten alive, and bugs generally do NOT like me. Do NOT take down comforters!!!!! You’ll look like an idiot! You’ll have sheets and blankets, if you’re worried about cold, get thermal underwear to use as pajamas. Get some footies to wear on feet to keep ‘em warm, and you’ll be fine.
HAVE FUN! Yosemite is breathtaking, and Sequoia is awe-inspiring!
DB
July 6th, 2012
12:09 am
My husband and son went hiking in Yosemite a few years ago, on a 6-8 mile hike on a fairly quiet trail from the Ahwahnee Hotel up to a campground. My daughter and I dropped them off, went horseback riding, and then went to meet them at the agreed-upon finish point at 4:00. After two hours of no-show, I got a little worried. After three hours, it was rapidly getting dark and I was getting seriously worried, and drove four miles to a phone to call the ranger’s office (no cell phone coverage, remember?) The ranger was pretty laid back, and when we told him the trail they were on, he told us that the trail was still snowed in (IT WAS JULY!) about 3/4’s the way in. Then he asked me, “Are they in pretty good health?” Yes. “Any Scout training or camping experience?” Yes, son is an Eagle. “OK, then, they’ll be ok until morning, maybe just a little uncomfortable — if they haven’t shown up by daylight, we’ll send someone out. Can’t find anyone at night.” DAYLIGHT?!?!?!?!? He suggested that we call back every hour or so until 9:30, then go ahead and check in at Curry Village, “where we’ll know where we can reach you.” I was frantic, but trying to keep calm in order to avoid upsetting my daughter. We waited an hour and called. No news. We waited another hour and called. They had been found! They had had to turn around, so the hike was almost twice as long as they had originally planned. They returned to the Ahwahnee and the girl at the desk, who had been alerted to BOLO for two tall, tired guys, 50-something and late teens, directed them to call the ranger’s office. The ranger’s office was very nice — picked them up from the hotel, and drove 8 miles to meet us, and we hurried to Curry to check in. All the food and store areas were closed. We ended up in a tent on the fringe of the camp because we were the last to check in, and by breakfast, everyone was HUNGRY — we had all missed dinner the evening before. The moral of the story? Check the condition of a trail with the ranger’s station before setting out if it’s not a popular trail, and carry an extra protein bar :-)
Kat
July 6th, 2012
10:08 am
I really have no idea why you would take on a trip like this – you hate it, you know you hate it, your family knows that you hate it, and you are still going? I’ve never been camping, but I know it isn’t my thing and never will be. Since my husband doesn’t want to hear me complain, we plan accordingly.
catlady
July 6th, 2012
11:36 am
Please, no one else tell her scary stories!
DB
July 6th, 2012
1:04 pm
Aww, catlady — those aren’t scary stories — those are adventure stories! :-)
FCM
July 6th, 2012
4:50 pm
Ok if everyone thinks your going flip out, I suggest a big bottle of burbon. It will keep you warm, you won’t care about bears, and it can take the edge off.
Techmom
July 6th, 2012
5:57 pm
We’re planning our trip out west for this September. CAN’T WAIT for my son to see Yosemite and the huge Sequoia trees- nothing like it until you see them in person. I love to camp and my son does too (working on his Eagle), my husband is a little weary. We’ve gone camping 3 times in the past year or so to get my husband more comfortable with it (yes, I am the Scout leader in our family, not him).
I’m actually glad to hear about some of these camp sites where we don’t have to bring our own equipment as our plan is to fly out and rent a car. We figured if it came to it, we’d purchase a tent out there but it would be nice not to have to.
TWG – one other thing to bring is card games (i.e. non-electronic games)
CF
July 6th, 2012
7:36 pm
Hello Theresa,
We live in Mariposa, next to Yosemite. You will have a wonderful time! The weather will be pretty warm. We like to eat at the Yosemite Lodge cafeteria because it is a la carte pricing. The Curry Village cafeteria is a buffet. Besides hiking trails, there are rafting and bike rentals, ranger programs, art classes, and swimming pools. Don’t miss the neat movie next to the visitor center.
We’ve stayed at the Montecito Lodge two years ago, and I was pleasantly surprised at the excellent quality of food! It was quite an international group, as we had breakfast with a Japanese couple, and dinner with a South American couple. You can go canoeing in their little lake, but most of all do see the Giant Sequoias! Sequoia on the whole is way quieter than Yosemite.
Have a great trip! If you need any restaurant recommendations in the surrounding area, email me.
catlady
July 7th, 2012
2:46 pm
DB, you are right, of course.
Kat, I was about 35 before I admitted that I hate camping! Between the allergies and the previously messed up spine, I hate camping! If God intended me to camp S/He would not have given me this pillowtop mattress!
Observer
July 8th, 2012
9:37 pm
What to take with you….a positive attitude and the knowledge your children will remember the totally most beautiful sights they will ever view….if their mother leaves the OCD, controlling, “I am concerned about a towel or clothes hitting the ground” attitude at home. I grew up going to Yosemite during summer and have pics of myself in playpen at Curry Village. Went many successive years after that. Never had any inclination that my family was neurotic about being there because they weren’t. We all survived and still treasure those times. Got stitches one year there, chasing squirrel, fell on rock, hit head. Survived that too. Relax and have fun.
Scooby
July 9th, 2012
5:46 pm
This isn’t camping. I can’t believe you can’t figure out what to pack without asking for advice. Worried about clothes touching the floor? You’ve chosen to go to a place with bears, but yet you freak out about them? Good grief, just don’t go. You’re going to an amazing place, don’t ruin it for everyone with your neverending paranoia. Have fun with your family and if someone gets a little dirty, oh well.