B Circle
Campground · Yosemite corridor
B Circle is a 5673-foot campground in the Yosemite corridor's Sierra Nevada, tucked in the lower foothills east of Highway 120. Morning calm typically gives way to afternoon wind funneling off nearby drainages.
B Circle sits exposed to afternoon wind that builds by mid-day and peaks in early evening. Morning hours are noticeably calmer and warmer relative to higher-elevation Yosemite Valley sites. Wind gusts reach 19 mph on active days; stable mornings average 7 mph.
Over the last 30 days, B Circle averaged a NoGo Score of 17.0 with temperatures holding at 40 degrees Fahrenheit and wind at 7 mph. The week ahead follows typical spring patterns: plan morning visits before wind strengthens, and expect moderate crowds as Highway 120 transition routes stabilize. Watch the 7-day trend for afternoon gusts and temperature swings.
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About B Circle
B Circle sits at 5673 feet on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada, positioned in the Yosemite corridor between Highway 120 and the high country. The campground occupies a lower-elevation bench that catches runoff from higher drainages; its aspect and proximity to highway corridors make it a stopping point for visitors transitioning between the Central Valley foothills and Yosemite's valley floor. Access is via Highway 120, the primary east-west gateway to Yosemite. Driving times: roughly 2 hours from Modesto or Stockton via Highway 120, 90 minutes from the Central Valley floor to campground.
B Circle's weather character shifts dramatically between morning and afternoon. The site averages 40 degrees Fahrenheit across the rolling 30-day window, with winter lows near 28 degrees and summer highs around 57 degrees. Wind averages 7 mph but regularly gusts to 19 mph by late afternoon as heating over the valley floor creates pressure gradients funneling through the corridor. The 30-day NoGo Score averages 17.0, reflecting mid-range stability; conditions swing between a best of 9.0 and worst of 36.0 depending on synoptic patterns. Crowding averages 12.0 on the relative scale, making B Circle quieter than Yosemite Valley proper but busier during holiday weekends and after major highway openings.
B Circle suits car-campers, picnickers, and short-day hikers using the Highway 120 corridor. The elevation and slope aspect make it warmer and drier than higher Yosemite sites, ideal for visitors sensitive to altitude or seeking refuge from valley crowds. Parking fills earliest on Friday afternoons and holiday weekends. Experienced visitors skip midday hours (11 a.m. to 6 p.m.) when wind peaks, arriving instead at dawn or after sunset. Spring and early summer see the most variable conditions; late summer stabilizes. Always check Highway 120 pass status and seasonal closures before departing; late-season snowpack or early storms can close the corridor within hours.
B Circle anchors the lower Yosemite corridor; Yosemite Valley proper sits roughly 45 minutes uphill via Highway 120. Visitors often use B Circle as a quieter alternative base for day trips into the park, or as a staging point before pushing higher. The elevation (5673 feet) sits well below the high country snowline, making it accessible weeks earlier in spring and later in fall than alpine sites. For direct Yosemite access without Valley crowds, B Circle's position and moderate conditions reward early-morning planning and midday rest.