Because you don't have to carry a tent or most of your food, this trip makes an excellent first backpacking experience. With just 48 tent cabins in total, you'll need a little luck to land a reservation through Yosemite's annual lottery. Nightly rates start at $175 as of this writing, and in some years, not all camps are open and operational (three of the five are open in 2026). If you miss the lottery, you may still be able to join a guided trip due to a cancellation, or even score a full unguided itinerary. Guided 5-day trips start at $1,495 and include the services of a knowledgeable guide from the Yosemite Mountaineering School.