Just back from 2 days in Yosemite where we stayed at housekeeping camp. I have camped before and not unused to roughing it a bit but I really think that this was a disappointment. The place was quite dirty and didn't look at all like the pictures. The blankets had holes and the sheets had stains- bring your own if that is an option. The showers were good (powerful and hot) and I didn't queue. There is a shop onsite but no restaurant or bar and you should carry a torch with you at all times in case you are delayed back as there are no street lights in Yosemite. Other things that would be helpful would be chairs that would mean you could sit around the fire. There are picnic benches with every accommodation but they are anchored to the ground and not close to the fire, if you lit one. It is expensive for what you get but then so is everything in Yosemite.

We stayed here in June and found the Yosemite area absolutely beautiful. This campsite however was not good and way overpriced!

The tents we stayed in were canvas and concrete and were very open and quite dirty. The toilets were not the cleanest but the showers were hot and did the job.

Overall Yosemite is beautiful but feel this campsite is ripping off people with how much they charge and for what you get. Would never stay here again.

I was suprised how much I really enjoyed camping at this site since I'm more of primitive type camper. I was a skeptic at first but quickly fell in love with this location. Each campsite comes with a hut style tent which contains a full size bed, bunk beds, and one cot, a picnic table, fire ring, and a double food locker. You must lock up your food due to bears but we had no issues and the staff does a great job keeping the property safe. Each unit has a light in the hut and on the patio so there is no need to worry about lanterns. There is electricity so you can use an electric skillet or hot plate instead of propane. You can also rent many items directly at a very good price so it saves you having to travel with excess equipment. The campsite is surrounded by the river so its great to spend your day beachside and let the kids have fun. Yosemite is beautiful and has a trolly sytem disigned to take visitors to various hiking trails, waterfalls, and multiple villages; we spent one evening out in the Village for Pizza instead of cooking. Our family loved our time there and would definitely visit again and stay at Houskeeping Camp.

This was my first camping trip ever. I'm (or was) the boutique hotel with en-suite only type, but as we were visiting with friends who were hard core campers and my husband who loves outdoors, I relented and agreed to book to stay at Housekeeping Camp. (Imagine Bear Grylls and Monica from Friends). After all how bad could it be? I did however book a big enough car to sleep in as back up! BUT I have to say, having stayed for two nights at this place, I am a complete CONVERT to camping. We had the best time in Housekeeping. Yes, it's dusty (since when did a bit of dust hurt?) and yes, you have to share communal showers (no diff to using them at the gym), but the view was AWESOME and just truly stunning. We had accommodation numbers 507/508, which were river facing, with views of Half Dome and other rock faces (I think El Capitan). Seriously the phrase, View To Die For - totally fitting and appropriate. There is a fire pit for every unit, so every evening was BBQ by the fire with the best open view of Yosemite, just totally amazing. (If Carlsberg did camping views...you get the idea).

The units do not have doors, they have canvas covers which pull across. I did think this was totally inadequate at first (what about all our valuables?? or what about bears?) but you rely on camping etiquette, and we didn't have any problems with dodgy humans or hungry bears. Unit 507/508 had good comfortable clean mattresses which looked new, as did the bedframes. The walls looked newly painted too, so if you're looking for a good unit, I'd highly recommend these two. Do come prepared with all your camping equipment, if you're visting from overseas like we were, hit Walmart (other value supermarkets are available I'm sure) and buy all cheap camping cooking utensils and bedding ($2 for a nice new pillow!). You can hire gas cookers from the site, and there are electrical outlets in the outdoor eating area and in the sleeping area. Lots of reasonably priced everyday products in their shop on site by the reception, with even hot coffee available first thing in the morning. Overnight in May was cold, so you needed winter thickness sleeping bags. Headtorches recommended as open spaces from units to say the toilet block are unlit at night.

Now onto the bears - not sure whether it's right to say disappointly but we disappointly did not see any (surely not all bears are grizzly??! some look cute right?!) The wardens, who do a walkaround the units at night at about 10pm to make sure everyone has quieten down, assured us they do come through camp at night but the bears understand there are 'human' areas so will stay at a safe distance, BUT only if you lock EVERYTHING in the bear lockers outside each unit. When I say everything, I mean everything that could possibly have a scent, so all toiletries, medicine, suncream lotion, down to lip balm have to be stored away as well as every bit of food and drink. Even chewing gum and empty food wrappers/bottles have to removed from your vehicle as bears have stronger noses than bloodhounds (according to the constant replay intro video in reception) - so you've been warned (unless you want to share a room with a bear of course).

The other campers were all really friendly, the river seemed kid friendly, our friend's kids aged 7 and 4 played in the river (which was refridgerator cold despite the hot days) without any issues. There was a lovely bridge to the left of our unit which had a perfect view of higher Yosemite Falls.(yep another photo opportunity view, prepare to obliterate your memory card).

For things to do, you can hire bikes, or travel around using the free buses. Once you're parked up at the camp (parking only a short distance away from the units), you should really leave the car, you see so much more without it. We actually found walking around was the quickest, as opposed to waiting for a bus, which got full quite quick and were generally a five min wait. (also increases your chance to spot a bear!) We did a guided bus tour around the floor of the valley, a little expensive (as all landmark tours are) but very worthwhile.

I would say this was the highlight of our trip, we did a road trip of California, and I would not hesitate to go back - the view as you come out of the tunnel and into the valley, all I can say is get the camera ready! Go, stay and enjoy!