Hello everyone,

I am about to embark on a three-day tent camping trip to Yosemite National Park in mid-September, a first-time experience for me. We have secured a spot in the Lower Pines area. As I prepare for this adventure, I am eager to learn from your experiences. The location is known for bear activity, making me nervous. Could you share your insights on this? Also, apart from the basic camping gear, what other travel essentials should I consider?

Since this is a three-day trip, I can't picture myself without a shower. I am looking into getting a foldable tent. Is it allowed at the camping site?

We are going with my elderly in-law and her two dogs. We will be active and do a lot of walking and hiking, but she will most likely prefer spending time alone with the dogs since she won't be as active as us. What suggestions do you have so she won't be bored? Since we have never been, we are still determining what to expect. There are some trails close by that we can do together.

I appreciate all of your feedback and suggestions. Thank you.