Yosemite Valley Campers Coalition

Click Here for the Petition to Save Yosemite Valley Campgrounds

Get Involved

Below is a simple list of things you can do to help save Yosemite Valley Campgrounds.

1. Subscribe to the "Yosemite Valley Campers Coalition Newsletter" by clicking the "Mailing List" button above. This will keep you informed about planning developments, public comment periods, public meetings, rallies and events.  Our periodical Newsletter will let you know of ways that you to help to make a difference.

2. Call, write, fax or e-mail your representative and Senators and make them aware that the reduction of campsites in Yosemite Valley is against the wishes of most of the camping public in American, and that ordinary citizens and families are being excluded from experiencing the park as a result. *Tell your congressional representative that you disagree with the use of public and private money (the 1997 Flood Appropriation money) of projects other than what the money was given to the NPS for, which was specifically given for the purpose of the repair and replacement of the flooded campgrounds in Yosemite Valley.  And, that you do not agree with the park's plans to ELIMINATE North Pines Campground in Yosemite Valley. 

• For Yosemite area congressman George Radanovich's contact information, and to send him your comments, Click here.

• For California Senator, Diane Feinstein's contact information, and to send her your comments, Click here.

3. Call the White House comment line at (202) 456-1111 and ask President Bush to halt the planned elimination of the North Pines campground in Yosemite Valley, as is planned for in the Yosemite Valley Plan.  For the White House Contact  Page, Click Here.

4. Write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper explaining the threat to camping families in Yosemite Valley, due to the park's refusal to reopen campgrounds flooded in 1997, which is contrary to what the park said that they would do with the flood recovery money.

• San Francisco Chronicle Letters To Editor Link.

• LA Times Letters To Editor Link.

• Oakland Tribune Letters To Editor Link.

• San Diego Tribune Letters To Editor Link.

• San Jose Mercury Letters To Editor Link.

• Fresno Bee Letters To  Editor Link.

• Sierra Star Newspaper, Oakhurst Editor Link.

• Sacramento Bee Letters to Editor Link.

• A huge list of many more Letter to Editor Links with instructions on how to have more success in getting your letters accepted.

5. Tell your friends and your network to get involved! Help us distribute the Yosemite Valley Campers Coalition Newsletters, handouts and bill board posters (on-line or on paper).

6. Contact us, and volunteer your talents or your time by clicking the Mailing List button on this page and tell of your ideas and ways in which you might be able to contribute.

7. One other thing that supporters can do is comment on the Merced River Plan that the NPS is now redrafting and ask that the number of Valley campsites be increased from 638 to 800.  See this link:

 http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/enews/200703/ 

This plan sets resource limits, so if the 638 total drive-in and walk-in campsites isn't increased in this plan, then all the noise in the world won't do any good. 

8. Also ask to increase campsites in Tuolumne Meadows.  See this link:

 http://www.nps.gov/archive/yose/enews/200704/
 

"As a Tuolumne County Supervisor I have communicated directly to the NPS my belief that they are in violation of Federal law in their plans to eliminate these  campgrounds. They have a moral and ethical obligation to have properly informed and justified to the American people why they chose to violate Congress' and the President's intent to have these campgrounds reinstated after the 1997 flood event.

   If not stopped, the NPS will eventually eliminate most auto based, family friendly camping in Yosemite. Congress must take action, and you, by signing this petition, can help initiate that action to save America's National Parks for America's families."

Thank you.

Mark Thornton, Tuolumne County Supervisor 

_________________________

  "Camping brings the visitor into a closer relationship with park resources, reduces dependence on developed lodgings and dining facilities, and focuses the attention of the visitor away from developed recreational facilities...and more towards the park's natural resources.

   "By reducing visitors' reliance on developed facilities, camping helps fulfill the basic goals of the GMP to reduce development in the Valley, reclaim priceless natural beauty, and promote visitor understanding and enjoyment of park resources."

Click Here for the Petition to

Save Yosemite Valley Campgrounds