In September 2026, Luke and I went on an overnight backpacking trip from Porcupine Creek Trailhead in Tuolumne out to North Dome which overlooks Yosemite Valley. Because we began hiking at Tioga Road and descended to the valley rim, this was a relatively easy Yosemite backpacking trip with only one other group nearby and some of the BEST campsite views I’ve ever seen!
**This backpacking trip is only possible while Tioga Road is open seasonally**
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Why Did I Choose Porcupine Creek Trail?
We had planned a trip to Tahoe for a WFA course and I wanted to get a quick Yosemite backpacking trip in to break up the drive from Los Angeles. Ideally, we wanted a lake or a nice view with relatively little elevation gain and a hike less than six miles. We were very optimistic considering we were less than two weeks out.Â
I began searching available wilderness permits in Yosemite. Many were already sold out, but I found quite a few available for Porcupine Creek Trail.Â
I knew Porcupine Creek trail led to North Dome (epic view), though I’d never done the hike before. I did a little bit of research and found that the trail isn’t super long or difficult and seemed feasible for our 24 hours in the park.
Altogether, the trail all the way out to North Dome is just over eight miles round trip with 1,500 feet of total elevation gain (mostly on the way back to Tioga Road). However, there are plenty of closer options if you didn’t want to hike in as far.
I’ve dropped the location marker on the most popular campsite below.
How We Booked Permits for Our Yosemite Backpacking Trip
Porcupine Creek Trailhead is located on Tioga Road in the Yosemite National Park high country. The first step is to book an available permit for Porcupine Creek at recreation.gov.
Next, you have to physically pick up your permit in person at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center the morning of your trip. I also had to log in to my account one week in advance to request late arrival because we planned to arrive after 11am.Â
The ranger at the Wilderness Center made sure we understood where we were allowed to camp, current fire restrictions, available water to filter (or lack thereof), updated bear canister requirements (the small BV425 is not allowed because bears can pick it up in their mouths), and other important information to ensure we had a safe trip.
Day 1: Backpacking Porcupine Creek Trail
Hiking from Porcupine Creek Trailhead
We arrived at Porcupine Creek Trailhead at 1:30pm and promptly put all of our food and toiletries we didn’t need from the car into one of the many provided bear boxes. After getting organized, we began our Yosemite backpacking trip around 2:00pm where we enjoyed a slow descent for the first mile and a half.
We crossed a couple of seasonal creeks that had enough stagnant water to filter, but we were happy to have packed in a gallon each so we wouldn’t have to rely on it.
We then began the 300-foot climb to the turn off for Indian Arch before continuing our descent to find camp somewhere above North Dome. This last section of trail has spectacular panoramic views!
Follow our Yosemite backpacking trip below!
Finding a Campsite near North Dome
Looking at the topo map, I was a bit concerned that there wouldn’t be much flat area to set up camp, and that everyone would be camping right next to each other. Luckily, there were plenty of flat areas to camp along Porcupine Creek Trail for those interested in searching a little bit.
There is a nice, flat wooded area just before walking out onto North Dome itself, which is where I assume most people camp. However, we managed to find a flat campsite before the last descent to North Dome so we wouldn’t have to carry all of our stuff down then up the last 400 feet in elevation. There are also plenty of available campsites in the Indian Arch area if you didn’t want to hike in as far.
Our Yosemite Backpacking Trip Highlight: Sunset at North Dome
After setting up camp and eating dinner, we hiked just over a mile down to North Dome itself and enjoyed one of the most spectacular sunset views I’ve seen! Backpacking to North Dome is worth it for the sunset alone.
Remarkably, there was only one other group staying the night on trail. I guess midweek in September is a great time to plan a Yosemite backpacking trip!
Day 2: Hiking back to Tioga Road
We awoke to temperatures in the low 40s and the sound of a startled raven when we unzipped the tent. Although we didn’t hike back down to North Dome, we still enjoyed the sunrise over Half Dome from our chosen campsite.
We packed up and left camp around 11am and made it to the car around 2:30pm, even with a stop for lunch. Although we gained about 700 feet in elevation on the hike back to Tioga Road, it didn’t feel much tougher than the way out because the uphill is more gradual in this direction once you pass Indian Arch.Â
Setting up camp a bit higher up also saved us about 40% of the total elevation gain. I could imagine the hike back would be much tougher if we had to carry our packs all the way up from North Dome proper.
Would I Do this Yosemite Backpacking Trip Again?
I would definitely do this Yosemite backpacking trip again!
So far, this has been the easiest backpacking trip I’ve done with easily the most spectacular view from camp. Although I’d recommend carrying water in late season, the hike has relatively little uphill for a backpacking trip in the Sierras, and temperatures are much cooler than Yosemite Valley below.
On a longer trip, I think I’d continue along the rim of Yosemite Valley towards Upper Yosemite Falls or El Capitan, or consider dropping down into the valley and taking a shuttle back up to Tuolumne.
Overall, I think Porcupine Creek Trailhead is a great starting point for a longer backpacking trip through Yosemite high country or the perfect quick + easy overnight stopover on a road trip only an hour from Highway 395!
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