Food Storage

While backpacking in Yosemite's High Country you are required to properly store your food. Food storage lockers are provided at all high camps and most trail heads. If you are planning on being in the wilderness overnight you are required to have a bear resistant canister. Hanging food from a tree is illegal in Yosemite.

 

You can rent a bear resistant canister for $5 (per 2 weeks) with a $65 fully refundable deposit. Canisters can be picked up at any of the following wilderness permit stations, please remember, most are seasonal. Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley, Wawona Information Station, Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center, Big Oak Flat Information Station and Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station. Canisters can be returned any time of day as a drop box is provided after hours.

The chart below provides food storage locker sizes and locations in the park. Keep this in mind while packing your trip as your ice chests and all other food items will need to fit in them.

Curry Village  (1 locker at each unit) 
Small Tent Cabins 35.5"W  x 20.5"D  x   23" H
Large Tent Cabins 47.5"W  x 20.5"D  x   23" H

Housekeeping Camp (2 lockers at each unit, one of each size) 
47.5"W  x   18" D  x   18" H
48"   W  x   36" D  x 22.5”H

All Camp Grounds *Upper Pines exception* (1 locker at each unit)
45"W  x   33" D  x 18"H

Upper Pines Camp Grounds (1 locker at each unit)
**Many sites have upgraded to the larger locker**
Small Locker 45"W  x   33" D  x 18"H
Large Locker 43"W  x   35" D  x 28"H

Camp Four & Nearly all Trail Head Parking Areas
45"W  x   33" D  x 18"H

El Capitan Bridge
Large Locker 43"W  x   35" D  x 28"H

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge & White Wolf Lodge
48.5"W  x   36" D  x 20.5"H

Little Yosemite Valley, High Sierra Camps & Village Day Use Parking Lot
**Village Day Use Lockers should be reserved for those coming back after dark**
49”W x 17”D x by 17”H

For more information on food storage lockers please visit:
http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lockers.htm