A Comprehensive List of Where to Stay in Yosemite

Located about an hour from Yosemite Valley, this luxury glamping site is the perfect stay for anyone who is looking to really feel the outdoors during their stay, without REALLY feeling the outdoors. The camp has luxury tents, cabins, and airstreams available for rent. There is also a small store selling food, wine, and other necessities, a common area for enjoying said necessities, and more. The area it’s situated in is so beautiful, you may end up spending more time here than in the park. Stays range from $400/night to $750/night depending on the type of accommodation you choose. AutoCamp offers and puts you in close proximity to a variety of activities such as onsite yoga, swimming, hiking, horseback riding, fishing, exploring Yosemite, wine tasting, and more.

This accommodation is super family friendly and located only about 30 minutes from the park’s entrance, and about an hour to the bottom of the Valley. There are accommodation types for any kind of stay here including cabins, yurts, RV and tent campsites, trailers, and covered wagon glamping. There is also an onsite pool open in the summer and kids activities such as panning for gold, a petting zoo with alpacas, and hiking trails that leave from the resort site. The prices here aren’t too hefty either, considering how close to the park this spot is. Camping ranges from $26-$64/night depending on the type of campsite. Cabins and yurts range from $89-$440/night depending on the type of accommodation. Wagons and retro trailers range from $140-$309/night depending on the type of accommodation.

The most luxurious way to do Yosemite is to stay at the famous Ahwahnee Hotel. Located at the bottom of Yosemite Valley, this hotel is in the most optimal location to access anything in that section of the park that you’d like to do, while providing ultimate luxury accommodations, a rustic mountain feel, and delicious food in its dining room. It will cost you a pretty penny, but this is any visitor to Yosemite’s bucket list stay. The hotel is registered on the National Register of Historic Places and is a National Historic Landmark, and during your stay you can learn about all of the historically famous visitors who have stayed there, from presidents, to queens. The architecture of the hotel offers a rustic feel and uses the surrounding beauty of Yosemite Valley in its design. Amenities include a heated swimming pool, onsite dining, a gift shop, Wifi (but mountain wifi), free parking, amazing views, and daily afternoon tea. A variety of room options are available ranging in price from $340-$1260/night depending on the season of your stay.

If you’re looking to stay in the Valley, but don’t want to splurge on the Ahwahnee, this is your next best option. Located a short distance from the Ahwahnee, this motel-type accommodations will give you a comfortable place to sleep that’s indoors while also putting you in the best proximity to everything you’ll want to do in the Valley during your stay. It also offers incredible views of Yosemite Falls from many of it’s rooms. Rooms are about $300/night give or take based on the type of room and part of the season.

Located about an hour from Yosemite Valley, but still in Yosemite National Park, near the Mariposa Grove, this hotel offers historic Victorian charm. The hotel was built in 1856 and is a National Historic Landmark. Half of the rooms have private bathrooms, while the other half have shared bathrooms. There is also a hotel dining room serving three meals a day, with a piano where live performances are had most nights after a long day of exploring the park. Seasonally, the swimming pool, golf course, and riding stables are available to guests as well. During your stay, you’ll only be a short distance from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center. On Saturday evenings in the summer, the hotel holds a bbq night. Room prices range from $160/night to $222/night.

Curry Village is the next step down from luxury (though anything can be luxury if you’re in the right mindset) from Yosemite Valley Lodge, in Yosemite Valley. This campground contains cabins, tent cabins, and some standard motel-type rooms. It’s walking distance from the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge, which gives you access to all the nearby dining options. It’s also close to everything in the Valley you may want to do during your stay, and offers glorious views through the trees of the Valley walls. Accommodations range from $250/night to $90/night depending on which type you prefer to stay in. Reservations are required and fill up quickly each season, so it’s a good idea to book far in advance. During your stay, you can enjoy easy access to hikes, sights, the park’s free shuttle bus if you wish to not drive yourself, bicycle and raft rentals, ice cream and other dining options, and either the nearby swimming pool or ice rink, depending on the season.

**Due to Covid-19, Housekeeping Camp will be available for stays at 50% capacity from April 23-October 11 of 2021. This spot is perfect for the camper who isn’t a camper. Located in the same area as the other main accommodations in Yosemite Valley, you’ll have easy access to all the dining and activity options offered nearby. The accommodations here might be called glamping by the more rugged, or a step down from glamping from those who do so regularly. You’ll stay in a three sided structure with bunk beds and privacy curtains. You’ll also enjoy amenities such as electricity and campfire rings. The camp is located alongside the Merced River with sandy riverside beaches that are great for relaxing between explorations of the Valley. Reservation are required for stays in Housekeeping Camp. There are two reservable options - Standard Units and River Units. Both are the same type of accommodation, the River Units are just closer to the river. Sites cost $28-$40/person/night.

**White Wolf Lodge is closed for the 2021 season due to Covid-19. Check back next year! Located about an hour away from the Valley, White Wolf Lodge is a great place to stay if you’re looking for a bit more remoteness during your Yosemite stay, but still want to be within Park borders, and not sleeping in a regular camping tent. The camp consists of canvas tents and wood cabins and is perfect if you’re hiking to Lukens or Harden Lake - or if you don’t mind driving into the park to visit the Valley. There is a central dining room where guests can gather to meet each other, cook, and eat.

**Tuolomne Meadows Lodge is closed for the 2021 season due to Covid-19, but check back next year for openings. If your ideal stay in Yosemite is away from the crowds of the Valley, and on higher ground up in beautiful Tuolomne Meadows, but you still don’t want to camp camp, then this spot is for you. The site consists of 69 canvas tent cabins with different numbers of beds inside. Bedding, sheets, pillows, towels, lanterns (solar powered), a wood burning stove, and firewood are all included with your stay. There is no electricity or phone service here. Showers and restrooms are available to all guests. Reservations are required for your stay at Tuolomne Meadows Lodge, and they tend to fill up early in the season, so it’s a good idea to book early. Cabins are usually around $120/night. Your stay in Tuolomne Meadows will put you in the best location to explore the northern part of Yosemite, and away (mostly) from the main Valley crowds. You’ll be nearby to trails such as Cathedral Lakes, Mono Pass, Soda Springs, and more. There is a small general store in Tuolomne Meadows that you can grab any last minute necessities at.

There are 5 High Sierra Camps located in Yosemite National Park’s backcountry - Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang. They can be done as a multi-day loop trail, or you can to one of the closer ones and stay for a few nights before hiking out. The closest one to Tuolomne Meadows Lodge is the Glen Aulin Camp, which is 8 miles. Accessibility is by foot, or mule. Reservations for the High Sierra Camps fill up incredibly quickly, and are closed in 2021 due to Covid, but will hopefully reopen next year - so check the Yosemite website to stay up to date on when reservations are opening again. To reserve your stay at any of the High Sierra Camps, or for a guided trip through them, you’ll need to enter the High Sierra Camp lottery. Prices for unguided trips range from $152/night to $159/night for adults, and less for children. Costs for guided trips range depending on the length of your trip. Three meals per day are included in your stay.

Located about 50 minutes from Yosemite Valley, along the Merced River, Wawona Campground has 97 tent and RV sites. Reservations are required from April to early October, and the campground is open year round. Reservations open up for the season in February, and tend to fill up incredibly quickly, so reserve early. Wawona is located along the Merced River in the southern part of Yosemite. You’ll be in close proximity to visiting the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, as well as the Pioneer History Center. There is a visitor center and market close to the campground as well for any information or last minute necessities that you forgot to bring. Reserved sites are $26/night and first-come-first-serve sites are $18/night.

Pines Campground consists of Upper Pines Campground (238 sites), Lower Pines Campground (60 sites), and North Pines Campgournd (81 sites), all with sites for tents and RVs. The Campground is located near Curry Village, putting it in the perfect location for exploring Yosemite Valley. You can go full camping and bring your own food to cook over a fire or on your camping stove here, or indulge in the dining options near the Visitor Center, Ahwahnee, Or Lodge. Each site has its own fire ring, picnic table, and bear safe food locker. There is also a bathroom with drinking water and flush toilets. Sites are $26/night. Reservations are required to stay at any of the Pines campgrounds, and open 5 months in advance. It’s a good idea to book as soon as you can, these sites fill up super quick.

**This site is currently closed due to Covid-19, but stay tuned for reopening in the near future. Located about 40 minutes from Yosemite Valley, this campground is located right near the Big Oak Flat entrance to the Park. It has 105 tent and RV campsites, each with its own fire ring, picnic table, and bear safe food locker. There is a bathroom with drinking water and flush toilets available as well. This is a great option if you’re looking to camp, and don’t mind driving a bit to get to the Valley. This campground is open year round. Reservations are required from mid-April to mid-October for $26/night, and are available on a first-come-first-serve basis from mid-October to mid-April for $18/night. Hogdon Meadow Campground is a great option if you’re looking to spend your visit exploring the Valley and also Tuolomne Meadows. There are a couple of 2.5 to 3-mile trails to the Tuolomne and Merced Giant Sequioia groves.

Camp 4 is perhaps the most coveted campground in all of Yosemite Valley due to its proximity to all of the main Valley amenities, but it’s being the smallest campground, which offers more privacy - though expect other campers to be friendly. The campground has 36 sites for tents only. Each site has a fire pit, picnic table, and there are shared food lockers. There is also a nearby bathroom with flush toilets and drinking water. This campground will give you easy access to all that the Valley has to offer. It is a favorite among Yosemite climbers, so you most likely will get the opportunity to hear some incredible climbing stories from other campers. If you’re not looking to deal with traffic within the park on your own accord, you can easily catch the park shuttle to different places around the Valley, to enjoy whichever hikes or sights you’d like.

Crane Flat is located about 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley and has 166 tent and RV sites available for reservation only. Each site contains a fire ring, picnic table, and bear safe food locker. There is a nearby bathroom with drinking water and flush toilets. The campground is a great backup if you’re looking to stay in the Valley, but can’t get a first-come-first-serve spot, or reservation. It’s also a great home base if you’re looking to explore both the Valley and Tuolomne Meadows area due to it’s location near the junction of Big Oak Flat Rd. Most of the sites are shaded well by trees, though they can sometimes feel a bit crowded due to their close proximity to each other. The campground is open seasonally, usually July through mid-October. Sites are $26/night.

The main campground in Tuolomne Meadows, this site offers tent and RV sites, each with their own fire ring, picnic table, and food locker. Half of the 304 sites are reservable and the other half are first-come-first-serve. Sites are $26/night. There is a nearby bathroom with drinking water and flush toilets available. This site is only open seasonally, usually July through late September. Your stay in Tuolomne Meadows will put you in the best location to explore the northern part of Yosemite, and away (mostly) from the main Valley crowds. You’ll be nearby to trails such as Cathedral Lakes, Mono Pass, Soda Springs, and more. There is a small general store in Tuolomne Meadows that you can grab any last minute necessities at.

This campground offers 110 first come first serve tent and RV sites. There are 2 group sites available which are by reservation only. Each campsite contains a fire ring, picnic table, and bear safe food locker. There is a nearby bathroom with flush toilets and drinking water available. This site is about 45 minutes south of Yosemite Valley. The campground is open seasonally, usually July through early September depending on snowfall. Sites are $18/night. This campground will have you in the closest proximity to Glacier Point - especially if you’re trying to this famous point early in the morning to beat the crowds. You can take the 4.8 mile trail from here to get down into Yosemite Valley, or drive. Take the Panorama Trail for a close up view of Illilouette Falls. You’ll also be nearby to McGurk Meadow and Mono Meadow where you’ll find beautiful hiking trails and wildflowers in the Spring and Summer.

Located off of Tioga Road, this campground is open seasonally, usually late June through September. It’s about 45 minutes from Yosemite Valley and in an optimal location if you’re looking to explore both the Valley and Tuolomne Meadows during your trip. The campground has 52 tent sites available on a first come first serve basis. Each site has a fire ring, picnic table, and bear safe food locker. There are vault toilets and no potable water. This campground is open seasonally from approximately June through September depending on snowfall. Sites are $12/night. This campground is often overlooked but offers a quiet charm that many larger sites lack. The sites are well-spaced apart so you’ll feel as if you have a bit more privacy. Tamarack Flat is in a great position for exploring Tenaya Lake, which is a great spot for SUPs and kayaks. There are lots of incredible trails you can explore in nearby Tuolomne Meadows as well.

Located about an hour from Yosemite Valley, in the northern side of the park, White Wolf Campground offers 74 first-come-first-serve tent and RV sites. The campground is available seasonally, usually July through early September. Sites are $18/night. Each campsite has its own fire ring, picnic table, and bear safe food locker. There is a nearby bathroom with drinking water and flush toilets. Staying at White WOlf will give you easy access to hikes such as Lukens Lake and May Lake.

If you’re looking for more of a hotel-type experience during your stay in Yosemite, and can’t get reservations at The Ahwahnee, Rush Creek Lodge is a great option. It’s located about 45 minutes from the bottom of Yosemite Valley and offers a number of different lodging options. If you only have 2-4 people with you, you can stay in the lodge in a mini-suite with a small kitchenette. If you have up to 6 people with you, you can stay in one of the Lodge’s Hillside Villas. There are a number of dining options at the hotel, and a large swimming pool surrounded by Redwoods - the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring. There is also a spa on site. The hotel is in good proximity to explore Yosemite on your own, but if you wish, they also offer a number of different guided tours through the park. If you’re feeling more adventurous, take part in one of their white water rafting tours down the Merced River. Or take a day exploring the nearby Central Valley and do some classic California wine tasting. Lodge rooms range from $265-$450/night depending on the season. Lodge Suites range from $305-$550/night, and Hillside Villas range from $345-$645/night depending on the season. It’s a good idea to book pretty far in advance, especially for high season.