Half Dome Permits
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Half Dome Permits sits at 7,936 feet in Yosemite's high Sierra corridor. This High Country campground perches on the eastern shoulder of the range, exposed to afternoon wind and snow cycles that define its access window.
Wind funnels upslope by mid-afternoon, peaking in spring and early summer. Morning calm prevails from sunrise to mid-day; skip afternoon activities if gusts exceed 15 mph. Snow lingers through late May at this elevation; check road conditions before driving the approach.
The last 30 days averaged 6 mph wind and 39 degrees Fahrenheit, with a NoGo Score of 16. Spring conditions here are marginal; crowding remains low at 12 per rolling window. Watch the week ahead for temperature swings above 58 degrees and wind peaks near 22 mph, both common as the season turns. Permit availability tightens sharply once Highway 120 fully opens.
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About Half Dome Permits
Half Dome Permits is a high-Sierra campground accessed via the Tioga Road (Highway 120) corridor, approximately 2 hours east of Yosemite Valley. The site sits in the rain shadow of the Sierra crest, receiving less precipitation than western slopes but more wind exposure due to its elevation and topographic position. Road access is seasonal; Highway 120 typically opens late May and closes by November. Before driving to Half Dome Permits, confirm Tioga Pass and the approach road are clear, as spring snow and late-winter storms can force sudden closures. The campground sits well above the valley floor, making it cooler and less crowded than lower Yosemite alternatives but also more prone to unpredictable conditions.
Conditions at Half Dome Permits swing dramatically between seasons. The 30-day rolling average of 39 degrees and 6 mph wind reflects late spring reality; temperatures year-round span from 11 degrees in winter to 58 degrees in peak summer. Wind peaks near 22 mph during spring transition and early summer, when afternoon thermal forcing accelerates upslope flow. Crowding averages 12 per rolling window, substantially lower than Yosemite Valley or Tuolumne Meadows. Morning hours offer the best stability; by mid-afternoon, thermal wind becomes predictable and often strong. Snow persists into late May at this elevation, and early September snow is not uncommon. Late June through mid-August represents the most stable and accessible window.
Half Dome Permits suits visitors seeking a quieter, higher-elevation Yosemite experience without the crowds of valley campgrounds. The site works well for backpackers staging into the high country, climbers accessing Half Dome and nearby crags, and campers comfortable with cooler nights and shorter operational seasons. Permit holders should expect morning frost through July, afternoon wind from May through September, and periodic smoke from Sierra wildfire season (typically August through October). Parking fills early on weekends during July and August; arrive before 10 am or plan a weekday trip. The elevation demands acclimatization; day one is often sluggish at 7,936 feet.
Nearby Tuolumne Meadows, 30 miles north on Highway 120, sits at similar elevation but opens later due to higher snow load. Half Dome Permits offers earlier access and less crowding but with comparable wind exposure and cold nights. Visitors unable to secure permits here often redirect to Yosemite Valley (warmer, more services, lower elevation) or Tenaya Lake (more sheltered, quicker access, moderate crowds). The Yosemite corridor corridor as a whole becomes most stable and accessible in late June; before that date, assume conditions are marginal and road access may close without warning.