circle grove campsite
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Circle Grove Campsite sits at 5,210 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A small, low-profile campground with modest crowds and consistent weather, it offers reliable access to the high Sierra without the intensity of valley destinations.
Wind averages 6 mph but can gust to 18 mph, often rising in afternoon hours as thermal circulation picks up. Morning calm gives way to mid-day chop; early departures avoid peak wind. Temperature swings 31 to 58 degrees across the year; pack layers even in summer.
Over the last 30 days, Circle Grove averaged a NoGo Score of 17, with conditions ranging from 9 (ideal) to 38 (marginal). Wind has held at 6 mph average and temperatures at 42 degrees. The week ahead will show whether spring stability persists or afternoon wind returns; plan accordingly and check the hour-by-hour chart below.
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Today's score by factor
About circle grove campsite
Circle Grove Campsite lies in the Yosemite corridor of the Sierra Nevada at 5,210 feet elevation. The campground sits on a small drainage basin with modest infrastructure, making it a quieter alternative to the valley floor. Primary access is via Highway 120 from the west (from Lee Vining or Mono Lake) or via Tioga Road from Yosemite Valley. The site sits roughly 40 miles northeast of Yosemite Valley and benefits from the rain shadow of the Sierra crest; it catches less moisture than the valley and dries faster in spring.
Conditions at Circle Grove are shaped by elevation and exposure to afternoon thermal winds funneling up drainages. The 30-day rolling average wind of 6 mph is moderate for the high Sierra; however, gusts reach 18 mph regularly, especially on clear afternoons when the surrounding ridges heat. Temperature swings from 31 to 58 degrees across the year. Late summer and early fall offer the most stable weather. Crowding averages 12 people per day over rolling 30 days, making it far quieter than Yosemite Valley campgrounds. Spring snowmelt and early-summer wind are the dominant seasonal challenges.
Circle Grove suits backcountry campers, hikers planning multi-day Sierra traverses, and fishing parties targeting high-elevation creeks. Visitors should expect minimal facilities; the site offers no water or services beyond a parking area and tent sites. Wind and afternoon thermal effects are the key planning factors. Arrive by mid-morning if you plan paddling or extended exposure; skip afternoon outings when wind peaks. Parking fills on weekends after Highway 120 opens in late spring. Snow lingers into June; confirm road conditions before driving in May.
Nearby alternatives include Tenaya Lake Campground to the west and Saddlebag Lake to the north. Circle Grove is smaller and more exposed than Tenaya, making it less sheltered but also less crowded. Saddlebag Lake sits slightly higher (10,087 feet) and is significantly windier. The Yosemite corridor as a whole sees lower wind and more stable conditions than the open eastern slopes of the Sierra, making Circle Grove a reasonable middle ground for visitors balancing access and exposure.