Do I Need Reservations?

Do I Need Reservations?

Each year, the hut opens around December 18 and closes in April. Because the hut is so popular, reservations are often needed for the 25 bunks far in advance. For weekends especially, visitors are advised to send in their reservation requests to the Yosemite Association when they begin taking them each fall. (Read: How To Make Reservations) The Ostrander Hut Web site does not take reservations, alas.

So, reservations are a good idea, especially on weekends. During the winter
season, you can call the Yosemite Association at (209) 372-0740 and find out
if there's space available on the dates you want to be there. Mid-week (Monday night through Thursday night), there's usually room in the hut for 1 to 4 people without planning too far ahead—often you can just show up, though it's a really good idea to call YA the day before. We also get a number of cancellations, so keep checking and usually something opens up.

You can also snow camp at Ostrander Lake. However, we get kind of cranky if you snow-camp nearby and use the hut facilities. When the hut is full of paying customers and their gear, it gets really cramped. The addition of the surrounding snow campers overloads the place. You can come in and brew a cup of tea, but kindly don't depend on the kindness of rangers by overdoing it. Thanks!