Availability
Unnamed mapped stream or river is mapped at or near the camp-area marker. This is map evidence, not a real-time flow report.
Backpacking camp
Yosemite National Park, California
Cold Canyon is an official itinerary area, permit zone, or source-backed named overnight reference represented by a reachable point on the pinned agency trail network in Yosemite National Park.
The marker is a route-access reference, not a tent pad. Move off the trail only where travel is permitted, remain inside the authorized zone, and choose a legal durable site under every current setback and closure.
Water planning
Unnamed mapped stream or river is mapped at or near the camp-area marker. This is map evidence, not a real-time flow report.
Natural water is not verified potable. Filter and disinfect it or boil it according to the linked land-manager guidance before drinking.
Unnamed mapped stream or river is classified as perennial in USGS hydrography, but current flow still must be confirmed.
Fire planning
This camp is approximately 8,747 ft: within the current 8,000–9,599-ft window where an existing legal wilderness fire ring may be used. Never build a new ring; any allowed fire must be at least 100 feet from water and trail and fully extinguished.
Portable backpacking stoves allowed. Pressurized-gas, liquid-fuel, propane, alcohol, and tablet/cube stoves are allowed. Twig and Sierra stoves follow the campfire rules and are prohibited wherever campfires are prohibited.
Yosemite does not require a separate California Campfire Permit for the portable stoves listed by the park.
Yosemite currently prohibits wood, charcoal, and twig fires below 8,000 feet. Parkwide restrictions may supersede every camp-specific result; check the live page before departure.
Seasonal access
No recurring date-based closure of Cold Canyon is published. The source-connected approach conditions below and temporary emergency orders still control access.
Source-connected approaches: Happy Isles Trailhead, Glacier Point Trailhead, Cathedral Lakes Trailhead, and 8 more. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road usually close for snow from about November into late May or June. Valley, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy access use different road and gate rules.
Road opening and closing dates are condition-driven. Check park conditions and the selected trailhead parking page immediately before travel.
Overnight parking is prohibited on Tioga Road and associated lots, and on Glacier Point Road beyond Badger Pass, beginning October 15 until the applicable road reopens in spring.
Mapped approaches
Each option has a sourced trail route to this camp area. Choose one to open its itinerary builder with this destination in context.