Camp Irene
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Camp Irene sits at 5,390 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation campground exposed to afternoon wind funnels off the adjacent terrain.
Wind picks up by mid-afternoon, funneling off ridge systems to the west and north. Morning conditions are calmer. Spring and early summer see the strongest gusts; the 30-day average wind is 11 mph with peaks above 25 mph. Temperature swings 30 degrees from day to night at this elevation.
Over the past 30 days, Camp Irene averaged a NoGo Score of 17.0 with temperatures holding at 29 degrees Fahrenheit and winds at 11 mph average. Wind maxed out at 26 mph during afternoon spikes. The week ahead will track similar patterns: plan morning visits to avoid afternoon gusts, and expect crowding to remain light relative to Highway 120 corridor benchmarks.
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About Camp Irene
Camp Irene occupies high-Sierra terrain at 5,390 feet in the Yosemite corridor, roughly 15 miles east of Highway 120 near Groveland. Access is via Highway 120 (the Tioga Road corridor) heading eastbound from the Central Valley; drive times from the Bay Area run 3.5 to 4.5 hours depending on closure status and chain requirements. The campground sits in a conifer forest typical of the mid-Sierra zone, with exposure to wind channels that descend from higher peaks to the north and northwest. Base popularity is low (0.3), making it less crowded than established Yosemite Valley or Tuolumne Meadows campsites.
Weather at Camp Irene is driven by elevation and aspect. The 30-day average temperature of 29 degrees Fahrenheit reflects late spring and early summer conditions; the annual range runs from 13 degrees in midwinter to 43 degrees in peak summer. Wind averages 11 mph over 30 days but regularly spikes to 26 mph or higher in afternoon hours as thermal circulation and ridge flows accelerate. Snow lingers into late spring above 5,000 feet in the Yosemite corridor. Crowding remains low year-round, peaking briefly after Highway 120 opens in late spring. Summer brings the warmest and most stable weather; winter and early spring see the heaviest wind and cold snaps.
Camp Irene suits backpackers, car campers, and day-use visitors seeking access to the high-Sierra wilderness without fighting Yosemite Valley or Tuolumne Meadows crowds. It is best for those comfortable with high-elevation cold, variable wind, and limited services. Head here on calm mornings or windless days; skip midday and afternoon if wind sensitivity matters for your activity. The campground works as a staging point for trips into the Sierra backcountry, especially early and late season when the lower valleys fill. Parking is rarely constrained. Bring a sleeping bag rated for below freezing. Check Highway 120 status before driving; the road closes seasonally and chain requirements are common in spring and fall.
Nearby alternatives in the Yosemite corridor include Tuolumne Meadows campground (higher elevation, more exposed, more crowded), Groveland area BLM lands (lower elevation, warmer, closer to services), and Highway 89 corridor locations near Loon Lake (similar elevation, different wind patterns). Camp Irene's main advantage is its position as a low-profile entry point to high-Sierra terrain without the congestion of signature Yosemite sites. If afternoon wind is a constraint, consider lower-elevation BLM or national forest options closer to the Highway 120/395 junction.