Obsidian Campground
Campground · Yosemite corridor
Obsidian Campground sits at 7,867 feet in the Yosemite corridor of California's Sierra Nevada. A high-elevation staging point sheltered from the worst afternoon wind, it draws fewer crowds than the valley floor.
Wind averages 14 mph but funnels unpredictably off nearby slopes, gusting to 37 mph in afternoon hours. Morning calm typically holds through late morning; expect sustained wind by mid-afternoon. The campground's exposure and elevation make it noticeably colder than Yosemite Valley.
Over the last 30 days, Obsidian averaged a NoGo Score of 16 with wind at 14 mph and temperatures around 34 degrees Fahrenheit. The week ahead tracks similar patterns: watch for afternoon wind pulses and crowding spikes tied to weekend arrivals and holiday breaks. The maximum gust recorded in the past month reached 37 mph.
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About Obsidian Campground
Obsidian Campground occupies a high-Sierra location on the eastern approach to Yosemite National Park, accessed via Highway 120 (Tioga Pass route) from the Lee Vining side or via Highways 395 and 120 from the south. The campground sits at 7,867 feet elevation in open coniferous forest with scattered meadows. Primary entry is from Lee Vining, approximately one to two hours' drive north on Highway 395, then west on Highway 120. The location functions as a gateway camp for visitors approaching Yosemite's high country; many use it as an overnight staging point rather than a destination in its own right.
Conditions at Obsidian are shaped entirely by elevation and exposure. The 30-day average temperature of 34 degrees Fahrenheit reflects sustained cold from April into early summer; nights drop below freezing most of the season, and residual snow patches persist into late spring. Average wind runs 14 mph with extreme gusts to 37 mph, primarily driven by afternoon thermal circulation as air rises from lower elevations to the west. Morning hours offer the calmest conditions; skip the afternoon if wind-sensitive. Crowding averages 12 persons per survey window, far lighter than Yosemite Valley, though weekends and the post-reopening surge of Highway 120 bring visible upticks.
Obsidian suits car campers and highway travelers seeking a high-elevation stopping point without the permit hassles or reservation madness of in-park campgrounds. Hikers heading toward Tenaya Lake, Cathedral Lakes, or the High Sierra Pass network use it as a launch pad. The campground works best for visitors with cold-weather tolerance and flexibility around afternoon wind. Experienced Sierra visitors plan early starts to avoid afternoon thermals; late sleepers will find conditions marginal after 11 a.m. Spring snowpack can block some access roads until late May; check Highway 120 corridor conditions before committing.
Tenaya Lake lies roughly a half-hour drive west of Obsidian via Highway 120, offering subalpine water recreation and dramatic granite backdrops. Mono Lake, just east near Lee Vining, provides contrasting high-desert scenery and bird habitat. For those avoiding crowds, Obsidian Campground delivers quieter Sierra access than in-park alternatives while maintaining reliable water, facilities, and proximity to Yosemite's eastern gate. Wind and cold are the trade-offs; they also keep crowds thin.