Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park
With five park entrances, choosing where to stay near Yosemite National Park can be intimidating. This blog has insights on each area, as well as the best lodging options for every budget.
If you base your trip off our itinerary, you’ll want to prioritize finding lodging near the Arch Rock Entrance. We loved staying near the town of Mariposa for easy access to amenities, and it’s located 45 minutes outside of the park.
Want to skip to the campground recommendations? Click on a link below to jump to campgrounds in that location.
Lodging within Yosemite National Park
Lodging near the Arch Rock Entrance
Lodging near the South Entrance
Lodging within Yosemite National Park
There is no better place to stay near Yosemite National Park than in the park itself. However, if you stay here, plan for crowds, limited parking and gas, as well as crowded amenities. If you’re visiting during high season, lodging reservations double as entrance reservations.
If you reserve lodging in canvas tents, you must store all scented items (food, wrappers, toothpaste, baby wipes, etc.) in the bear vaults provided overnight.
Yosemite Valley
This is the most famous area of the park – where you’ll find stunning views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and the park's most well-known waterfalls. However, with great views, expect large crowds.
To accommodate the masses, this area is more developed than most national parks. It has multiple places to stay and a small variety of restaurants.
Luxury:
This lodge is considered the crown jewel of the national park lodges. It’s known for its elegant dining room – where you can reserve a table whether you’re a guest or not. It’s also on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark.
Mid-range:
This lodge is located near the Yosemite Valley Village, where you’ll find most of the park's museums and shops, as well as trailheads to the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls View. It has more modest accommodations than the Awahnee.
Budget:
In the farthest drivable corner of the Yosemite Valley sits Curry Village. You'll find seasonal amenities, like a skating rink and swimming pool, as well as restaurants and shops in the area. For lodging, you’ll have the choice between heated and unheated canvas tents with shared bathrooms, cabins, and motel rooms.
Availability is limited to weekends in the winter, aside from dates in February coinciding with the Horsetail Falls event in February.
You’ll find the Housekeeping Camp located between Curry Village and the Yosemite Village. Stay here for a bare bones' glamping kind of stay. Tents and beds are provided, but guests have to rent bedding or bring their own sleeping bags and pillows. Bathrooms are shared, and lodging here is seasonal – open between April and October.
South Entrance
Located near Mariposa Grove, you’ll find Yosemite’s largest sequoia grove here. In the summer, you can shuttle to the grove; however, it’s a hike during the winter. This area is an hour drive from Yosemite Valley.
Mid-range:
Another hotel on the list of National Historic Landmarks, the Wawona Hotel was built in 1856 in a Victorian style. It has rooms with private and shared baths, as well as dining options, a seasonal golf course, swimming pool, and riding stables.
Tioga Pass
Open seasonally based on the weather (find historic opening and closure dates here), Tioga Pass connects the east and west sides of the park via California’s highest elevation highway. Stay here for beautiful scenery and great hiking options.
Budget:
You’ll find canvas tents here equipped with bedding, lanterns, and a wood burning stove. There is no electricity, and bathrooms are shared. Each tent sleeps up to four.
Lodge here to stay in a canvas tent with shared bathrooms, or in one of the four cabins with private baths. Although this area is closer to the western side of the park, it still takes 45 to 60 minutes to reach Yosemite Valley from here, and 45 minutes to reach Tuolumne Meadows. This is pertinent information because, to keep the wildlife wild, guests are not permitted to cook in or outside of their lodging here.
Lodging near the Arch Rock Entrance
This is the most popular park entrance because it leads directly into the Yosemite Valley. It’s accessible year-round, with year-round park shuttle pickups along the highway in each town.
El Portal
El Portal is the last town you’ll pass by before entering Yosemite. It has a gas station and restaurant, but the biggest draw here is being ten minutes from the park entrance.
Mid-range:
Rooms here are reasonably priced, and reviews rave about the multiple hot tubs and pools on site. We love that each room comes with a kitchenette, and if you have an electric vehicle, there are Tesla Superchargers as well.
Midpines
Midpines is 40 minutes from Yosemite and ten minutes from Mariposa. It’s a great place to stay to be a tad bit closer to the park, but still within a reasonable distance to restaurants in Mariposa.
Luxury:
Choose between rooms that fit between two and four guests, all with kitchens, soaking tubs, private patios, and great views. On site is a shared swim spa and hot tub.
Mid-range:
We love all the lodging options here! You’ll get to choose between staying in an airstream trailer, a cabin, or canvas tents. They also have a pool, general store, and small restaurant on site.
Mariposa
Although it's an hour from the park entrance, we think Mariposa is the best place to stay along Highway 140 because of proximity to restaurants and stores.
If you follow our winter itinerary, you’ll be heading into the park at sunrise. Get lodging with a kitchen so you can make your own breakfasts if this is your plan.
Luxury:
This is a beautiful Santa Barbara style home, with a pool, hot tub, outdoor kitchen, and sports court, all within walking distance to Mariposa’s restaurants and shops. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sleeps up to eight.
We love this Spanish Colonial home located just one block away from Mariposa’s main street. It has a hot tub, and the outdoor patio will make you want to eat every meal there. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sleeps up to eight.
This home is just a few minutes' drive outside of town. Here you trade the convivence of walking to Mariposa’s shops for grand views, a pool, bocce ball court, game room, and hot tub. It has three bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sleeps up to eight.
Mid-range:
We stayed in this cabin and loved it! It’s ten minutes outside of Mariposa and only 45 minutes to Yosemite. During your visit you’re free to walk the 13 acre property and try your hand at spotting wildlife – we saw a coyote while we were here. It has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sleeps up to four.
This cabin is identical to, and right next to the Bear Paw Cabin. It also has two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and sleeps up to four.
Yosemite Plaisance Bed & Breakfast
We love bed and breakfasts, and reading the reviews for this one will make you hungry! Stay here to indulge in homemade goodies, all while being within walking distance to Mariposa’s shops and restaurants.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station
Located on the south end Mariposa’s main street, this hotel is only a few minutes’ walk from restaurants and shops downtown. We love that its pet-friendly and has a pool too!
Lodging near the South Entrance
The South Entrance is closest to the Mariposa Grove; home to Yosemite’s largest sequoia grove. In the summer months you can shuttle into the grove, but in the winter, you must hike there. From the entrance, it’s another 40 minutes to the Badger Pass Ski Area and an hour to the Yosemite Valley.
Fishcamp
FIshcamp is the closest neighborhood to the South Entrance, just under a ten-minute drive away. You’ll find plenty of cabins for rent here, but only a couple restaurants and small general store.
Luxury:
This beautiful home is fit for a family or friends' getaway. With three bedrooms, it sleeps up to six and has great gathering areas in and out.
This large home has awesome decks, a chef kitchen, pool table, all surrounded by the forest. It has three bedrooms and three bathrooms, sleeping up to six.
If rustic, well stocked cabin is your vibe, this is your place. We love that this cabin has a hot tub, walk-in waterfall shower, and comes with robes. It has one bedroom, two bathrooms, and sleeps up to four.
Mid-range:
This home is on the smaller side, but it’s modern and has everything you could need, including a shared EV charger. It has one bedroom and one bathroom, sleeping up to three.
Sugar Pine
Sugar Pine is another neighborhood full of rental cabins not far down the road from Fishcamp. There is only one restaurant in this area, but you’re not far from Yosemite Forks.
You’ll mainly find large homes for rent here, so because of their size and price points, we’re only sharing home that we’d consider to be on the luxury end of budgets.
Luxury:
You’ll love the expansive views from the living room and deck here! Plus, it has a hot tub and covered parking. It has three bedrooms, four bathrooms, and sleeps up to 12.
This home is modern, has beautiful decks surrounded by forests, but it’s the outdoor fire pit, hammock, and hot tub area that sells this place! It has three bedrooms, and two bathrooms, sleeping up to ten.
This home boasts of four bedrooms, three bathrooms, and sleeps up to ten. Visit with the whole gang to enjoy the hot tub, and game room with ping pong table, and foosball.
This two-bedroom home sleeps up to four. We love its sizable kitchen, deck, and outdoor fireplace.
Yosemite Forks
Yosemite Forks is located about twenty minutes from the South Entrance. It’s on the outskirts of Oakhust, so you’re only a short drive away from all the luxuries a small town has to offer. You’ll find more affordable rental homes here.
Luxury:
As you can deduct from the name of this home, this cabin has an incredible location. Enjoy watching the sun set on the surrounding hills from the home’s hot tub, or from the living room’s large floor-to-ceiling windows. It has two bedrooms, one bathroom, and sleeps up to four.
This home is modern, yet cozy, and comes with a hot tub and outdoor fire pit overlooking the area’s hillside. It has two bedrooms and sleeps up to six.
Mid-range:
You’ll love this home’s remote location. The views of the surrounding hills are beautiful, and the home has a fantastic floor-to-ceiling windows, a great deck, and a huge yard. It has two bedrooms and sleeps up to four.
Budget:
This tiny home is well equipped with a small kitchenette (sans stove), BBQ, and covered outdoor seating. Guest reviews rave about the hosts communication and convenient location to town and the park.
Oakhurst
This is the largest town near the South Entrance. You’ll find plenty of restaurants, groceries, and gas stations here, all a 30-minute drive from Yosemite.
Luxury:
This is a European inspired chateau on nine beautiful acres. Stay in one of their ten rooms, or in a private villa. While you’re here, look into their spa amenities, fine dining, and enjoy the complimentary breakfast.
Mid-range:
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn
Stay here for continental breakfasts included with your stay, two swimming pools (one indoor and one outdoor), and to be within walking distance of a few restaurants.
Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites
Stay here for large rooms, complimentary breakfast, and an outdoor pool.
Budget:
This tiny home is a great place to crash after exploring Yosemite. It’s one room, furnished with a bed, drinking water from a carafe, BBQ, and a separate outhouse.
Lodging near the Big Oak Flat and Hetch Hetchy Entrances
This area is on the most direct route to Yosemite from San Francisco. From the Big Oak Flat Entrance, Yosemite Valley is 20 miles away, and you have great access to Tioga Pass, and the “most peaceful” corner of Yosemite: Hetch Hetchy.
Groveland
Groveland is 25 miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance and 28 from the Hetch Hetchy Entrance. The town has a handful of restaurants, a grocery store, and gas station, but cell service is limited in this area.
Luxury:
Choose between one-, two-, or three-bedroom cabins here. The amenities and plentiful – including a pool, hot tub, complimentary bikes, disc golf course, 300 acres of walking trails, equipment rentals, mini golf, nightly fireside s'mores, and a beach volleyball court. Plus, it’s pet-friendly.
Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite
We love the variety of lodging offered here from single rooms to villas that fit up to six. Reservations are recommended for the spa services and include massages, facials, a steam room, salt block sauna, and more.
Mid-range:
The Evergreen Lodge is located on the stretch of road right between the Hetch Hetchy and Big Oak Flat entrances. When we drove by, we circled through the grounds to check it out and immediately agreed this is where we’d like to stay on our next visit. It’s remote and rustic, with a variety of cabins and glamping tents to choose from.
There is a restaurant on site, as well as a swimming pool, hot tub, hammocks, bocce ball, a small zip line, and outdoor ping pong tables.
Located just a few minutes outside of Groveland and 30 minutes to Yosemite, this bed and breakfast is an ideal place to stay. The rooms are large, with private entrances, and all the reviews rave about the breakfasts served. Ages 12 and up are welcome.
This is a historic hotel with modern, cozy touches. It’s pet-friendly and has great outdoor dining, but we think their “oldest long-standing guest” is of most interest. Request to stay in Lyle’s Room if you’d like to witness paranormal activity.
Lyle, a gold panner staying in the hotel in 1927, is the hotel’s friendly ghost. They say he keeps his activities minimal, but there have been ghost hunters who have seen doors opening and closing, lights turning on and off, and items being pushed off the counter in Lyle’s Room.
Budget:
Built in 1921, this is a historic hotel with history. Its namesake, Charlotte, moved to the area with her family when she was sixteen. Shortly after, her father was killed in a mining accident. This left her as the sole provider to her siblings and mother. She built this 13-room hotel, later purchasing the restaurant next door. Today you’ll find remnants of antique furniture and 1920s charm.
Lodging near the Tioga Pass Entrance
The Tioga Pass Entrance is the only eastern entrance to Yosemite. It’s typically accessible between June and November, but the opening and closing dates vary seasonally. The highway connects to Big Oak Flat and has the highest elevation of all of California's highways.
June Lake
June Lake is 25 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance and has a handful of hotels and restaurants near the lake. The best beach access is located across the lake and it's a great spot to kayak or paddle board with fantastic views.
Luxury:
This resort is a series of cabins near the marina that fit between four and eight people. They have fully stocked kitchens, and offer a variety of boat rentals, including kayaks, plus they’re pet-friendly.
If you’re gathering with a larger group, there are beautiful cabins for rent here as well. This one stands out as a favorite because it has plenty of gathering spaces, a great mud room, and a hot tub. With three bedrooms, it sleeps up to eight.
Mid-range:
The Heidelberg offers one- and two-bedroom stays, with incredible views, and the best amenities in town – a patio with BBQ grills, a game room with ping pong and pool, as well as a hot tub.
These cottages are located conveniently in the middle of town within an easy walk of the area's restaurants. Choose between one-to-three-bedroom cottages, with or without mountain views, fireplaces, and patios. They're also pet-friendly.
Budget:
We love that every cabin comes with a kitchen here. You can choose between one- or two-bedroom cabins, or chalets that fit up to five people. The furnishings are more rustic, but the surroundings are gorgeous.
Willow Springs
Willow Springs is located 30 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance, right between the small towns of Lee Vining and Bridgeport. Aside from the lodging with a restaurant we recommend below, you’ll have to visit either town for restaurants, gas, and groceries.
Budget:
The Virginia Creek Settlement has an awesome variety of lodging. You can choose between a motel room, cabins with kitchenettes, or unheated tents, all that sleep between two and four people. As a bonus, they have a restaurant on site as well!
The Willow Springs Resort offers rooms, units with kitchenettes, and communal amenities like laundry, Starlink WI-FI, outdoor games, hiking trails, and a fishing stream. They also have RV sites available, and plenty of parking for boats and other large outdoor toys.
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