Resort Lodging in Yosemite Mariposa County

Yosemite Mariposa County offers a soaring range of vacation accommodations – literally from the ground up!  Everything from classic Yosemite campgrounds to vacation rentals, motels and hotels are in the mix. 

Within Yosemite’s hotel category, resorts stand out.  Webster’s defines a resort as “a place designed to provide recreation, entertainment, and accommodation, especially to vacationers.”  Yosemite Mariposa County has you covered, both inside the Park and across its charming gateway towns.  Here’s the line-up of Yosemite’s “elevated” resort accommodations, organized by region. 

Central Mariposa County Resorts

Proximity to Yosemite National Park, historic Gold Country legacy, and the Merced River rushing through it, Central Mariposa County is an ideal Yosemite Mariposa County vacation base camp.  The towns of El Portal, Mariposa, Midpines, and Fish Camp each offer a signature set of rousing resort options.

AutoCamp Yosemite

A pod of Airstream trailers reimagined into boutique hotel suites, AutoCamp Yosemite creates a full-service resort experience in Midpines.  Elegantly upcycled, these aluminum cocoons are perfect for romantic getaways.  Equally inviting are luxury safari tents scattered across the property for glamping options.  The cool “campground” vibe extends to indoor and outdoor gathering spaces, hot tub, fire pit, and a central Clubhouse with a rooftop made for stargazing. AutoCamp’s Yosemite Experiences offer a curated set of activity add-ons ranging from on-site Yoga or culinary experiences to full Yosemite tours.

Yosemite Cedar Lodge

Tucked into the jaw-dropping scenery of the Merced River Canyon, Cedar Lodge offers spacious suites with fireplaces, amenities like multiple pools and hot tubs, cozy fire pits, and a private hidden beach, all just eight miles from the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite National Park.  Many of Cedar Lodge’s king and queen suites include spa tubs, kitchenettes, espresso makers, and view decks perfect for wine and cheese huddles.  Further exemplifying the Webster’s resort definition is the Cedar Lodge’s huge game room with such entertaining options as cornhole, ping pong, and on-site Canyon Bar & Grill. 

Tenaya at Yosemite

Simply put, Tenaya at Yosemite is one of the premier mountain resort playgrounds in all of California.  This AAA Four-Diamond oasis of outdoor recreation comes with all-season amenities tucked into the Sierra National Forest. Tenaya at Yosemite offers three distinct guest experiences including the Tenaya Lodge, the Cottages, and the Explorer Cabins at Tenaya. Creature comforts are covered with a trio of delightful on-site restaurants, multiple pools and hot tubs, and the Ascent Spa. Tesla Superchargers, too.

Wildhaven Yosemite

Roughing it and resort living are not mutually exclusive.  Wildhaven Yosemite introduces a new “glamping” option to the Yosemite Mariposa County luxury line-up.  Located near the hip and historic town of Mariposa, Wildhaven Yosemite’s extra-large, safari-style tents come with plush touches like heated mattress pads and high-thread-count sheets.  Large wrap-around decks, gas fire pits, and views of the surrounding Mariposa foothills make it an inside/outside experience. Light-filled glamping cabins with kitchens and full baths offer a new level of “ahhhh”. Guests receive free access to premium classes and events during the summer months including yoga classes, Sierra Cider tastings, and live music from local bands. 

Yosemite View Lodge

With a location that’s pure aquatic burble and bliss, El Portal’s Yosemite View Lodge delivers a one-of-a-kind resort experience on the banks of the Merced River. Every room offers a kitchenette, river-view deck and fireplace, while the on-property River Restaurant and expansive convenience and gift shop add to the allure. Added bonus: the Yosemite View Lodge is the closest hotel to the Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite National Park, only two miles away. 

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

The Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort is tucked into a pine and oak valley in Midpines, just 27 miles downstream from Yosemite Valley on Highway 140.  This retro-resort gem offers accommodations ranging from private vacation cabins with forest-deck views to timber-framed tent cabins.  Dine at the hip and heralded June Bug Café, where the seasonal menu might feature New York steak, pan-seared salmon, Boursin mashed potatoes, or a bespoke Thai curry bowl.   The Yosemite Health Spa offers a yoga studio, massage and treatment rooms, hot rocks sauna, jumbo hot tubs, and aromatic soaking baths steeped in locally-sourced herbs.

Yosemite Valley

Resort lodging in Yosemite Valley comes with storybook scenery and first-in, last-out access to the roaring falls and soaring walls that make Yosemite an outdoor destination of international renown.

The Ahwahnee

The Ahwahnee is Yosemite’s fabled luxury mountain lodge, rolling out an inimitable brand of rustic grandeur. It instantly became one of the National Park Service’s lodging crown jewels when it opened in 1927, an accolade that has only burnished over time. Guest rooms and suites capture the fascinating details of the property’s illustrious past.  Within its massive front doors, majestic public spaces like The Ahwahnee Dining Room and Great Lounge are wonderful places to relax and revel with an “El Capitini” while gazing out at the surrounding natural beauty.  

Yosemite Valley Lodge

The Yosemite Valley Lodge is a perennial Park favorite, and its across-the-street proximity to Yosemite Falls makes it a luxury option on multiple levels.  Rooms provide the comfort of a metropolitan hotel in the heart of Yosemite Valley. For families looking for a luxury getaway, Family Rooms offer upstairs-views outfitted with king beds and bunkbeds.  Tasty dining options on property include the Mountain Room and Base Camp Eatery. Park tours depart directly from the lodge, and the outdoor swimming pool is the perfect place to float after a day exploring the Park. 

Southern Yosemite

Southern Yosemite resort lodging centers on the historic Wawona Hotel, the focal point of the expanse that the Southern Sierra Miwuk called Pallachun, “a good place to stay.” The magnificent Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is just up Wawona Road, where titanic trees await.

Wawona Hotel

Established in 1856 as one of California’s original mountain resort hotels, the luxury of a bygone era is celebrated at Yosemite’s Wawona Hotel.   This National Historic Landmark encompasses a set of six whitewashed Victorian-style buildings housing rooms with authentic era décor and furnishings.  Seasonal amenities include the Wawona Golf Course, swimming pool, and riding stables.  The Wawona Hotel Dining Room is a sweet throwback with seasonal lunch and dinner service.  The property is located just inside the South entrance to Yosemite, approximately 23 miles from Yosemite Valley.