Camp 4
Also known as: Sunnyside Campground
Why it's listed
Camp 4 is a campground of about five to six acres on the floor of Yosemite Valley, north of Northside Drive and just west of Yosemite Lodge. The National Park Service developed it in 1929 as the Valley's first winter campground and picnic area. From 1947 to 1970, it became the home base for the climbers who pioneered big wall climbing on the Valley's granite cliffs. Residents included Royal Robbins, Warren Harding, Yvon Chouinard, Chuck Pratt, and Jim Bridwell. Climbers favored it because it was the only all-season campground in the Valley, received early sunlight, and offered excellent bouldering. It served as a place to plan ascents, share equipment and information, and debate climbing ethics. Several climbing-related businesses grew from this community. The site includes the campground's large boulders, such as Columbia, Wine, Pratt, and Kor Boulders, which serve as landmarks. A comfort station and five search and rescue tent cabins were added after 1970 and do not contribute to its significance.
Significance in brief: The nomination argues Camp 4 was the physical and social center of modern rock climbing from 1947 to 1970, the so-called golden age of Yosemite climbing. Climbers who lived there invented big wall climbing and developed new techniques and equipment. It qualifies under Criterion A in the area of Recreation/Entertainment.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 03000056, listed February 21, 2003. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | Northside Dr., Yosemite National Park, Yosemite |
|---|---|
| County | Mariposa County |
| Listed | February 21, 2003 |
| Reference number | 03000056 |
| Resource type | Site |
| Period of significance | 1947-1970 |
| Criteria |
|
| Areas of significance | Entertainment/Recreation |
| Level of significance | National |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Still a campground and climbers' gathering place; the form notes a deteriorated, non-functioning electrical substation near its southeast corner and post-1970 additions including a comfort station and five search and rescue tent cabins. |
| Acreage | 11 |
| Within district | Yosemite Valley |
| Coordinates | 37.74163, -119.60361 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
Sites (archaeological sites, battlefields, landscapes) are often listed with a restricted address to protect them from looting or disturbance. Listing is honorary for private owners; federal undertakings on or near the site go through Section 106 review, and state laws may protect burials and artefacts regardless of listing.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 03000056.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikipedia article (used for cross-checking only; text not reproduced here)
- Wikidata Q2935203
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.