C Circle
Campground · Yosemite corridor
C Circle sits at 5,669 feet in the high Sierra corridor east of Yosemite Valley. A modest campground in the range's rain shadow, it enjoys steadier conditions than the valley floor below.
Wind averages 7 mph across the 30-day cycle but can gust to 19 mph in afternoon hours. Morning calm is the rule; plan movement before noon. Temperature swings from near freezing to the mid-50s across the year, and smoke from lower valleys can drift in by midsummer.
Over the last 30 days, C Circle averaged a NoGo Score of 17.0 with winds holding near 7 mph and crowding light at 12.0 average visitors. The next week ahead typically follows spring patterns; morning conditions favour movement, and afternoon wind picks up. Water temperature and snowpack state shift dramatically week to week in April and May, so check access gates on Highway 120 before committing.
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About C Circle
C Circle is a high-Sierra campground situated at 5,669 feet along the Yosemite corridor. The site lies east of the main valley, accessed via Highway 120 from the west or CA-395 from the east; Mammoth Lakes and Lee Vining (east side) are the closest service hubs. The camp sits in the range's drier eastern flank, meaning less precipitation than Yosemite Valley and faster snowmelt in spring. Elevation keeps temperatures cool year-round; expect frost or snow even in June and September.
Conditions at C Circle follow a distinct diurnal rhythm tied to the Sierra crest's orientation. The 30-day average wind is 7 mph, with gusts reaching 19 mph when afternoon drainage flows kick in by mid-day. Temperature averages 40 degrees Fahrenheit over the last month, but seasonal swings are sharp: winter lows drop to 28 degrees and summer highs reach 57 degrees. Crowding remains light compared to Yosemite Valley; average occupancy sits at 12.0 visitors across the rolling sample. April and May bring variable snow and rain; late September through October offers the most stable weather. Smoke from lower-elevation wildfires can layer in by late July and August, degrading visibility.
C Circle suits backpackers and car campers seeking high-Sierra access without the Yosemite Valley crush. Visitors typically target early morning or late evening trips to avoid afternoon wind. Spring camping requires snow awareness; trails and passes above 6,500 feet may remain impassable into June depending on the season. Fall (late September onward) is the prime window: stable temperatures, light crowds, and minimal smoke. Parking is first-come, first-served; arrive by mid-morning on weekends or risk overflow.
Nearby alternatives include Tuolumne Meadows campground to the northwest (higher elevation, more exposed wind) and Mono Basin sites to the east (lower elevation, warmer, less snow). Yosemite Valley lies roughly 60 miles west and is far more crowded and susceptible to smoke closure. C Circle serves as a quieter staging ground for Pacific Crest Trail sections and high-Sierra passes that open after spring melt.