Campground reservation family transfer

Question

My wife and I planned to share a campsite in Upper Falls with my daughter and her family in mid-May (my daughter made the reservation). My daughter just informed us today that her daughter has a school commitment that can't be missed during the dates of the camping reservation. So they do not want to keep the reservation. Can anyone share ideas where my wife and I can keep the reservation if my daughter doesn't come with us? Any suggestions welcome!

Answer

It’s great that you already have a reservation at Upper Pines, one of Yosemite’s popular campgrounds. Even if your daughter and her family cannot join you, there are still options to keep and use the reservation.

Here are some suggestions:

Go as just the two of you: Yosemite’s campgrounds generally allow fewer people than the maximum capacity, so you can simply use the site with just yourselves. You’ll have more space and privacy, and no need to change the reservation.
Invite friends or extended family: If you want company, you could invite friends or other family members to fill the spot. Ensure the total number of campers does not exceed the reservation limit, which is typically 6 people per site in Upper Pines.
Transfer the reservation: Recreation.gov allows you to transfer certain reservations if you are listed as a participant. You could check if your daughter can update the reservation under your name and allow someone else to use it in her place.
Resell or cancel: If neither of the above works, you could consider canceling for a partial refund or offering the reservation to friends. Some Yosemite campers post on forums or local social media groups for others who may want the site.

Additional tips:

Check the official Recreation.gov policy for Yosemite campgrounds regarding changes or transfers; some changes are possible up to a certain number of days before arrival.
If you go as a couple, consider planning activities like hikes to Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, or Glacier Point, which are easy day hikes and can be enjoyed even without children.
Arriving early gives you a chance to pick a good spot within the campground if there is any flexibility, and it also allows you to enjoy the campsite before peak afternoon activity.

In short, you can absolutely keep the reservation even if your daughter’s family can’t join. Just use the site for yourselves or invite friends, keeping the maximum occupancy in mind. The experience can still be very enjoyable and relaxing.

Campground reservation family transfer

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