YOSEMITE LODGING OPTIONS CLOSE TO EVERYTHING
WHERE TO STAY NEAR YOSEMITE
Discover the best lodging in Yosemite National Park, plus options just beyond the park border in Mariposa County. With a wide array of hotels, vacation rentals and campgrounds, Yosemite and the surrounding areas have lodging options for any budget and travel style.
Hotels and motels in Yosemite Mariposa County provide full-service housekeeping, convenient dining rooms and more.
Just outside the park, Tenaya at Yosemite offers multiple pools, hot tubs, and plenty of onsite activities including restaurants and a full-service spa. In Mariposa, enjoy the amenities of the Miners Inn, with its outdoor pool and hot tub and spacious rooms. Or, opt for simplicity with the clean comfort of an owner-operated property like River Rock Inn, located close to a rich selection of downtown shops and restaurants.
And of course, we can’t forget to mention in-park hotels in Yosemite such as The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge or Wawona Hotel.
There are hundreds of cabin and vacation home rentals in Yosemite and beyond the park’s borders, from large well-appointed homes to canvas-sided tent cabins.
Book a canvas tent at Curry Village or Housekeeping Camp to be close to attractions like Yosemite Falls and the Merced River. Or explore vacation rentals in the alpine neighborhoods of Wawona and Yosemite West.
Outside of the park, nearby communities like Mariposa, El Portal, Fish Camp and Midpines offer even more outstanding vacations rentals with added of bonus of being within reach of dining, museums, and historic sites.
For a true insider experience while you visit Yosemite, make a reservation at any of the bed and breakfasts in Mariposa County. The area’s bed and breakfasts serve up a cozy, local touch that will make you feel right at home, from the fresh-baked chocolate chip cookies you get every day at the Blackberry Inn Yosemite to the antique furniture and peaceful river views at the Blue Butterfly Inn. You’ll be sure to have time to get to know your host and get a local’s perspective on the best places to go and things to do.
Sometimes the best place to stay is the one closest to nature. Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park are the most in-demand campgrounds in the region, with good reason.
Camping can be difficult to book in Yosemite due to very high demand. Most campgrounds open reservations six months in advance and book up in minutes. A secret is to look at camping options outside of the park where there is less demand.
If you’re heading to Yosemite in an RV, try Indian Flat RV Park in the Wild and Scenic Merced River Canyon. Want to stay in an RV but lack one? AutoCamp Yosemite has Airstream accommodations which are already set up, and awaiting your arrival.
Alternatively, expand your options by upgrading to a tent cabin experience in Curry Village, White Wolf Lodge or Housekeeping Camp.
Experience Mariposa County
Mariposa County is the home of Yosemite National Park, but it offers so much more than iconic landmarks. Known for its beautiful natural sights and its Gold Rush history, Mariposa County constantly offers something new around the corner for you to explore. On your trip to Yosemite, branch outside of the park and discover Mariposa’s unforgettable sights and hidden secrets, from stargazing in the wide expanse of nature to a step back in time to the Wild West. And yes, Mariposa lodging is right outside the gates of Yosemite National Park — literally. Get more answers to the question, “Why Stay in Mariposa County”.
Frequently asked questions About Lodging Near yosemite
When you’re not marveling at the view from Glacier Point, hiking around Yosemite Falls or enjoying a snack by the Merced River, you’ll want a cozy place to kick up your feet and rest your head. Check out answers to some common Yosemite Mariposa County visitor questions below.
The best place to stay for a first-time Yosemite visitor depends on your what your travel goals. Naturally, it is convenient to be able to stay in Yosemite Valley where the park’s most iconic cliffs are literally right outside your door. However these options can 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 or Foresta. 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.
Yosemite National Park has two main lodges in Yosemite Valley plus one in the quiet community of Wawona near the south entrance. In Yosemite Valley, The Ahwahnee is the crown jewel of Yosemite National Park hotels, and has welcomed presidents, queens and celebrities. The Yosemite Valley Lodge, is the heart of activity in Yosemite Valley, just minutes from Yosemite Falls. Alternatively, check out the Wawona Hotel, a historic lodge with a peaceful and welcoming Victorian air close to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
There are many options for people wanting to stay overnight inside Yosemite National Park. In-park accommodations range from grand hotels to tent-cabins and campgrounds, including a variety of vacation rental cabins or bed and breakfast options to choose from. Advance reservations are required, especially for the summer when lodging can fill months in advance. If you’re planning a more spontaneous trip, be sure to check into lodging options just outside the park boundary that are still close to the sights, and tend to cost a little less.
This depends on what you want to do, staying in a town like Buck Meadows, north of Yosemite, provides easy access to the High Country. Just want to see the main sites? Yosemite Valley or El Portal are the nearest to heart of the park. Want a quieter stay near Giant Sequoais? Look no further than Wawona or Fish Camp.
Both are good, but there are significant benefits to both. The answer is up to you. Staying in Yosemite provides the opportunity to be in the middle of the action and potentially just steps from a view of Half Dome or a popular trail. On the other hand, staying outside of the park usually comes with less-expensive options and the opportunity to meet locals and explore small towns with more dining options and night life.