Accommodation Suggestions in Yosemite National Park
Located in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, Yosemite National Park is truly an icon of the American outdoors. Millions of visitors make the trip to Yosemite every year to experience the giant sequoia trees, diverse wildlife, jaw-dropping granite cliffs, as well as the shops, restaurants, and museums that add to Yosemite's overall charm. With such natural beauty, outdoor activities are always on the agenda, so finding the perfect place to stay is an important first step when planning your trip.
Luckily, there is a wide range of possibilities when it comes to where to stay in Yosemite National Park. Here is a list of beautiful places to stay that are sure to make your trip to Yosemite even more memorable.
The Ahwahnee (Majestic) Yosemite Hotel
The Majestic Yosemite Hotel is the cream of the crop when it comes to places to stay in Yosemite National Park. It is a 123 room, AAA four-diamond luxury hotel known for classic architecture and breathtaking interior design. The Majestic dates back to 1927 and was specifically designed to highlight the surrounding natural beauty of Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and Half Dome. The hotel is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and is designated as a National Historic Landmark. The hotel is open year-round and located at 1 Ahwahnee Drive, Yosemite Valley, just 1.5 miles from Yosemite Village. Prices start at $400-plus per night.
Yosemite Lodge
Open through all four seasons, Yosemite Valley Lodge is a top choice for larger groups and families. The lodge has 241 standard rooms, plus four family rooms. Located on 9006 Yosemite Lodge Drive inside the park, it is close to Yosemite Falls and offers some stunning views for guests. The lodge has a rustic look and feel. It boasts amenities such as handmade furniture, seasonal outdoor pool, steak, and seafood restaurant and an amphitheater. Rates for Yosemite Valley Lodge start at $199 per night.
Half Dome Village
Half Dome Village is a resort located in Mariposa County in Yosemite Valley inside the park. It was formerly called Curry Village and was built back in 1924. In this resort, you'll find standard hotel rooms, wood cabins, and canvas tent cabins, making it ideal for those who want that ‘campground feel' with some modern amenities or those who enjoy roughing it. Half Dome Village is open throughout the year, and you can get rooms starting at around $98 per night. This is a popular place to stay in Yosemite National Park, so it's advised to book up to 10 months in advance.
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Big Trees Lodge
Big Trees Lodge was first opened in 1879 and is open from March to November each year. It is located on 8308 Wawona Rd in Yosemite Valley and has 104 rooms, a golf course, swimming pool, and riding stables. The lodge is situated close to many different outdoor activities and acts as an ideal "home base" for your Yosemite National Park experience. Rates begin at $88 per night, and as one of California's original mountain resorts, you're sure to have a great experience.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Located on Tioga Rd in Yosemite National Park, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is a great place for those of you who love to enjoy great outdoors and want to be as close to nature as possible during your stay. The lodge includes 69 canvas tent cabins, and it is open from early June to mid-September each year. Each tent has a cement platform and metal frame and can accommodate up to four guests. There is no electricity, phones or televisions, but there are showers and restrooms available. The pricing for Tuolumne Meadows Lodge starts at about $144 per night.
White Wolf Lodge
White Wolf Lodge is a remote and peaceful spot to stay in Yosemite National Park. It is located on White Wolf Rd inside the park, around 30 miles from Yosemite Valley. It is open from mid-July to early September and is ideal if you love to hike and spend a lot of time outdoors. The lodge is situated in a meadow filled with wildflowers and is surrounded by pine trees. At White Wolf Lodge, you’ll find 24 canvas tent cabins with wood burning stoves and four wood cabins that have private baths. There is a central dining area where guests meet in the morning and evening to relax and eat together.
Glacier Point Ski Hut
Open from late December until the beginning of April, Glacier Point Ski Hut is the perfect spot if you love to ski and snowboard. It first opened in 1918 and boasts 80 rooms with rustic accommodations that include wood-burning stoves. It is located on Glacier Point Rd in Yosemite Valley. When you settle in, you’ll have a good vantage point to overlook the valley, the Yosemite High Country and Half Dome. While here, you can enjoy guided ski tours of the area that will provide great exercise and help you bond with the natural surroundings.
Housekeeping Camp
If you love the idea of the great outdoors and camping but aren’t interested in setting up a tent, then Housekeeping Camp may be a great place for you to stay in Yosemite National Park. Open from mid-April until early October, Housekeeping Camp is a popular place to stay so reservations should be made early. Each of the 266 units can sleep up to six guests and has two electrical outlets. The camp is located on Southside Dr in Yosemite Valley, and rates start at $108 per night.
High Sierra Camps
The High Sierra Camps consist of nine different lodging facilities; seven of which are in Yosemite National Park. One of the camps is located in Sequoia National Park and one at Giant Sequoia National Monument. These are all in rustic, backcountry locations that are accessible by mule or on foot. They have staffed camps and are typically open from June or July to September. The camps include May Lake, Glen Aulin, Vogelsang, Merced Lake, Sunrise, White Wolf, Tuolumne, Bearpaw, and Sequoia. If you genuinely want to experience nature at its finest and most raw in Yosemite National park, then spending time at one of the High Sierra Camps is the way to go.
RV & Campgrounds
You can visit 13 different campgrounds in Yosemite National Park, and each one is unique in its own way. Whether you’re interested in conventional tent campsites, total wilderness camping or RV camping, there is a site for you in Yosemite National Park. The year-round locations include Wawona, Campground, Upper Pines, Hodgdon Meadow and Camp 4. Some of the seasonal campgrounds include Lower Pines, North Pines, Crane Flat and Tuolumne Meadows. It can be challenging to secure a place as camping is so popular in Yosemite, so it's always best to book far in advance. Rates can range from $12 to $26 per day.
When you are deciding where to stay when in Yosemite National Park, it will likely take you some research and planning to find just the right spot for your needs. With a little work, you're sure to find lodgings that are as ideal as the natural beauty of the park.