Best Places To Stay Near Yosemite
Once you leave Yosemite national park boundary, you can book rooms in hotels, cabins, tents or anything else you can find using traditional methods.
If you plan to spend a night before and / or after visiting Yosemite in a hotel, this section is where you will find the best hotels in all of the most popular areas near the park.
You can choose to stay outside the park for your entire visit to Yosemite to save money, just be aware you will have to drive in and out of the park each day.
In truth, if you book late or want to visit in peak season, you might not have a choice but to stay outside the park in one of the areas below.
Nearby vacation homes, yurts and cabins can be unjustifiably expensive for what you are getting, so our advice is to use our recommendations, research and find the best price vs convenience ratio.
Were going to walk you through some excellent hotel options near each entrance to Yosemite. Each accommodation will include a guest rating out of 10 as per Booking.com.
You might be interested in reading our 15 ways to save money on hotel bookings guide next.
Where Should I Stay In Yosemite For The First Time
The best place to stay for a first-time Yosemite visitor depends on what your situation is. Naturally, it is convenient to be able to stay in Yosemite Valley where the parks most iconic cliffs are literally right outside your door. However these options tend to be expensive and/or hard to reserve due to the high demand. Broaden your search to include quieter regions of the park like Wawona, Yosemite West, Foresta or Tuolumne. Or opt for nearby communities just outside the park boundary that tends to have better internet speeds, and access to charming small-town services like restaurants or live music.
Charming Bed & Breakfast In Mariposa: Yosemite Bed & Breakfast
This four-star bed and breakfast is a little more affordable than our Oakhurst pick but dont worry, it still comes with welcoming staff and beautiful scenery. Guest numbers are limited, so youll get to enjoy an intimate vibe while staying here. Theres also a huge deck outside, providing the perfect setting for soaking up the idyllic forest.
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Yosemites Big Oak Flat Entrance
The Big Oak Flat Entrance sits on Yosemites west side along Highway 120, and is one of the entrances thats easily accessible from the Bay Area via Modesto. From the Big Oak Flat Entrance, its about a 25 mile drive to Yosemite Valley.
Driving into the park from this entrance will take you past the trailhead for the Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias before meeting the junction with Tioga Road.
In the summer, you can take Tioga Road all the way up through the park into Tuolumne Meadows, a high-elevation meadow with miles and miles of glorious alpine trails on the far eastern side of the park. The drive is stunning, but leave yourself plenty of time to drive back down again!
Heading the other direction at the junction on Big Oak Flat Road, youll converge with other roads near the entrance to Yosemite Valley full of incredible views, park highlights, and of course, crowds.
Here are our recommendations for where to stay near Yosemites Big Oak Flat entrance:
- Rush Creek Lodge:This is our #1 pick for where to stay near Yosemite National Park, just minutes from the park entrance. The lodge itself is stunning, with amenities like a pool and hot tub, unlimited smores, a gorgeous spa, and tours in and out of the park. Plus, the lodge is a Social Enterprise and certified B-Corporation with a social mission and a program that provides jobs to urban youth we LOVE supporting them. Weve included a full review below gushing about why we love this lodge scroll down to take a look.
Rising Sun Retreat An Upscale Vacation Home That Features A Childrens Playground Ideal For Families
Just 2 miles from the Yosemite North Gateway in Groveland, Rising Sun Retreat is a beautiful holiday home with 4 bedrooms, featuring a lovely deck area and stunning mountain views.
Perfect for vacation with a larger group, it has a fully fitted kitchen, plenty of space and quality furnishings both indoors and out on the deck for comfortable, spacious living.
Surrounded by majestic trees and lush slopes, you have wonderful cycling and hiking trails to explore on the doorstep, while the barbeque is perfect for eating under the stars after a day of adventure. A beautiful place to stay, and a beautiful place to be.
- To book, check prices or availability for Rising Sun Retreat
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Where To Stay In Yosemite: Lodging Inside The Park
Staying in Yosemite can be a great idea, as long as you book well in advance and are willing to spend a significant amountof money. The hotels to consider are the following:
- Founded in 1920, the historic Ahwahnee Hotel is the pride and joy of the park. Located in the heart of the valley, this beautiful hotel nestled in the woods is built in a rustic style. The charm of the hotel is found in the fascinating exterior design built in wood, stone and iron, in the attention to detail of the rooms and in the interior design of the common areas. Besides the aesthetics, the excellent strategic position inside the park is certainly ideal for visiting the main attractions. There are various types of accommodations, from traditional rooms to suites, even cottages. Open all year round.
In addition to these three facilities, there are numerous villages, campgrounds, shelters and more isolated lodges in the park, suitable for all the needs of travelers and hikers. I include two of them below:
- Curry Village: this village offers a large number of accommodation in more spartan structures. There are cottage/motel rooms, cabins with or without bathroom, and heated and unheated tents. The location is fantastic, as it is in the most open area of the valley, and looking up to the sky you can see the majestic granite peaks.
- Find a room on Hotelscombined
Lodging On Highway 120
Visitors coming from San Francisco or other parts of Northern California use Highway 120 to get into the park, passing through the gateway town of Groveland. It’s just over an hour from Groveland to the valley floor by car, but it’s a charming town with several historic hotels, restaurants, a brewery, the oldest still-operating saloon in California, and plenty of nature.
The Groveland Hotel is a boutique bed and breakfast with a history dating back to the California Gold Rush and guestrooms that are cozy and pet-friendly. The Hotel Charlotte across the street isn’t quite as old, but the 1920s Victorian building is still a historic part of the town and the individually decorated rooms feature plush extras like clawfoot bathtubs. The Rush Creek Lodge is further east on Highway 120 and closer to the park. You won’t have the conveniences of Groveland, but staying in this forest lodge among the trees is well worth the sacrifice.
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Glamp In A Classic Avion Trailer
Do you want to relive some of your childhood vacation memories? Yosemite Pines RV Resort will set you up in a mid-century trailer with nostalgic furnishings. You can pick from classic trailers that have been carefully restored, or stay in a brand-new trailer with retro-styling. Youll have all of the fun without having to drive a trailer up Highway 120.
Want to go further back in time? Yosemite Pines has recently added Conestoga Wagons.
For more information:Yosemite Pines RV Resort and Family Lodging209-962-7690
Why We Love Rush Creek Lodge
Its hard to say what our favorite thing about our stay at Rush Creek was, because there was so much to fall in love with.
Maybe our favorite thing was the cozy lodge, filled with board games and books and a crackling fire. We spent one cozy night curled up on one of the couches playing a Carmen Sandiego card game .
Anyway, maybe it was the cozy lodge and game room. But maybe it was the incredible spa services . Jeremy described his Signature Massage as the best massage of his life, with that Im-so-relaxed-right-now voice and droopy eyelid thing you only get after you just fell asleep on someones massage table while they rubbed yummy smelling oils into your skin and placed warm, flat rocks on your back.
Or maybe our favorite thing at Rush Creek was the unlimited smores by the fire every night. Because lets be honest, we are gluttons and its really easy to win us over with food. Imagine this: youve just spent a day snowshoeing or hiking or ice-skating in Yosemite National Park. You come back to your lodge, which is like, 8 feet away from the park entrance. And there is a bottomless, unlimited smore buffet waiting for you, next to a crackling outdoor fire.
UM YES. THIS IS A REAL THING.
Yes, thats right: my husband and I have been competing for years to see who can create the best smore. Because were grown ups and marriage is a very mature and serious thing.
Did I just blow your mind?
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I really felt safe and clean at this location and thought the staff were very friendly and polite..my bed was super comfortable and would stay here again
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Sierra Sky Ranch Ascend Hotel Collection A Stunning Rustic
A boutique hotel nestled among the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountain range, Sierra Sky Ranch takes you back to the glory years of the west, using a converted 140+ year old mountain ranch to create a completely unique themed hotel.
Just 10 miles from Yosemite National Park, enjoy a choice of 28 rooms that offer modern luxury surrounded by historic details, taking you back to the ranching life without compromises.
On-site dining and superb service make staying at this hotel a real pleasure, an experience you will never forget.
- To book, check prices or availability for Sierra Sky Ranch
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Budget Yosemite Winter Lodging: Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
Now this Yosemite winter accommodation option is a bit farther from the park than the ones above , but its the easiest on the wallet and best for those who love a sense of community while traveling. Its also located on a huge beautiful mountain property with a great restaurant and plenty to explore.
Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort is a part of hostelling international in that you can book anything from dorms and big tents to private twin and king rooms and family apartments. They really have it all here, and youll find it tough to spend over $100/night even with a 4 bed private ensuite room. Youll pay under $40 for a dorm bed. And yes, theres heating inside and winter activities outside!
Evergreen Lodge At Yosemite
Rated 9.1 out of 10 on Booking.com
This historic property flawlessly combines rustic charm with modern comfort. Units range from standard rooms to 2-bedroom cottages, and each unit includes an ensuite bathroom, refrigerator, and electric kettle. The property features an on-site restaurant, bar, coffee house, mini-market, pool, hot tub, outdoor fire pit, and more. Situated just one mile from the Hetch Hetchy Yosemite National Park entrance, its also well located.
Rooms start around $150 per night.
Compare rates and book: Expedia | Hotels.com | Booking.com
Fine Print: No minimum stay requirement. Free cancellation up until a specified date. Family-friendly property. Pets are not allowed.
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Peaceful Home In Mariposa: Zen Yosemite
Breathe in, soak up the majestic atmosphere of Yosemite National Park, and breathe out this is the place to stay if youre looking for a relaxing break! The spacious deck gives you what we consider the best sunset in the entire region but thats not all: it also has a super spacious hot tub, with plenty of room for all eight guests.
Start And End Points For Your Trip
Are you visiting Yosemite on a roundtrip from San Francisco? Maybe youre driving a California road trip or even a longer Western US road trip?
Either way, your route will impact on where to stay for most efficiency.
For example, if you start in Las Vegas and visit Death Valley on the way to Yosemite, you can spend a night in a budget hotel just outside the park in Mammoth Lakes.
That way you can spend your first full day visiting North Yosemite and spend your second night in the valley.
Remember, you dont have to book the same hotel, cabin or campground for your whole trip. You could spend 4 nights in different accommodations if it makes sense for your visit.
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Things To See And Do In Yosemite Valley
- Want to hike into the depths of Yosemite Valley but feel a little nervous about going it alone? Explore with a local guide in this epic experience!
- The gorgeous scenery of Yosemite is the perfect place to let your creativity flourish this watercolour journaling experience is a great start for newbies.
- The natural attractions of Yosemite Valley are why the National Park is so famous you cant miss out on Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Tunnel View.
- Wawona and Yosemites South entrance is a short drive away but a must-visit for history buffs thanks to the collection of historic buildings and pioneer exhibitions.
- Ahwahnee Dining Room is a little bit upscale, but certainly a welcome reprieve from the non-stop adventure of Yosemite National Park.
- Take a look at the lives of the Miwok and Paiute people at the village museum of Ahwahnee near Half Dome Village.
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Where To Stay In Yosemite In 202: Best Lodging Cabins And Camping
Lets face it. Figuring out where to stay in Yosemite can be daunting. In fact, finding any form of Yosemite lodging at all can feel like winning the national park lottery depending on the season. Still, even when booking accommodation well ahead of time or during off-peak periods, the options seem endless and the areas wide-reaching. From hotels to cabins to tents to campsites spanning across Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite West, El Portal, and Groveland its tough to narrow down the choices.
The good news is that weve done all the hard work for you and compiled 21 of the best places to stay in and near Yosemite, undoubtedly one of Californias most beautiful national parks. With train, bus, and flight options departing from multiple locations within the state, Yosemite is a great national park option for those visiting with or without a car.
While youre here, check out our guide to the best Yosemite Cabins inside the park. Bringing your pup along? We also have a guide to the top Pet-Friendly Cabins in Yosemite.
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Yosemite Lodge At The Falls
Yosemite Lodge at the Falls is the second-nicest hotel in Yosemite Valley, and its room rates are much easier on the wallet. The hotels 240 rooms start at $250 in peak season and $120 in the off-season.
Yosemite Lodge is also home to the excellent Mountain Room restaurant, a budget-friendly cafeteria, and a bar thats popular with rock climbers. But Yosemite Lodges best feature is its stunning location directly across from Yosemite Falls.
If youre visiting in May or June, youll be treated to incredible views of the thundering waterfall, which at 2,425 feet is the highest waterfall in North America. Yosemite Lodge also serves as a central hub for open-air tram tours and bus tours to Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.
Evergreen Lodge At Yosemite A Sophisticated And Homey Lodge Nestled In The Woods Where Visitors Can Benefit From A Seasonal Pool
Featuring 88 cozy cabins, Evergreen Lodge sits within the lush green woods on the edge of Yosemite National Park, a historic hotel resort that brings stunning views and classic old west style together with fine dining, modern comfort and a raft of professionally led activities to enjoy.
Offering accommodation to railway workers, travelers and explorers since 1921, you have a choice of cabins to suit all tastes and needs, with retro style and modern comfort to enjoy.
Dining is a pleasure, with superb service and fabulous food, while a pool bar and tavern give you options. If you want to head out and see nature this is a fantastic place to start every day.
- To book, check prices or availability for Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite
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