Upper Pines Campground in Yosemite National Park has been ranked the second-best place to camp on the West Coast, according to The Dyrt’s newly released 2025 Best Places to Camp in the Pacific Region list.
The ranking, based on user reviews and ratings, aims to highlight top camping destinations with unique natural features across the region.
Located in the heart of Yosemite Valley near Curry Village and the Merced River, Upper Pines is the largest of the park’s campgrounds, offering more than 230 sites for tents, RVs and trailers.
Each campsite includes a picnic table, fire ring and bear-proof food storage locker.
According to an article published by The Fresno Bee on July 9, Yosemite National Park, which spans more than 748,000 acres in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, is widely recognized for its waterfalls, granite cliffs, meadows and giant sequoias. The Dyrt described it as one of the most sought-after destinations for campers.
“True to its name, the campground here sits under a towering canopy of pine trees,” The Dyrt noted in its announcement.
The campground’s proximity to popular trails and scenic vistas contributes to its reputation among outdoor enthusiasts.
“You are in the middle of these grand rocks, you can hear waterfalls in the background, and you can walk to some fantastic trails,” Dyrt user Alix F. wrote in a review. Another reviewer, Cecil K., called the site a “wonderful place to camp” with “beautiful” views.
The top spot on The Dyrt’s Pacific Region list went to Alabama Hills Recreation Area near Lone Pine, California.
The site was praised for its striking desert scenery and popularity among campers seeking solitude and dramatic landscapes.
“This place is absolutely amazing,” reviewer Fabiola T. wrote about Alabama Hills, referring to the Inyo County destination as “heaven on earth.”
The area is known for its rock formations and views of the eastern Sierra.
Other California sites in the top 10 include Jumbo Rocks Campground in Joshua Tree National Park, ranked fourth; Sawtooth Canyon Campground near Barstow, ranked seventh; and Morro Bay State Park in San Luis Obispo County, which placed tenth.