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Choosing where to stay in Yosemite is something I advise doing several months in advance, particularly if you’re planning to visit this National Park in the summer.
This is not only because there are few lodgings within Yosemite National Park, but also because hotel prices in Yosemite escalate when the peak season approaches.
The same applies if you want to camp in Yosemite. Most of the campgrounds inside Yosemite Valley fill up instantly, and booking a camping spot during peak season is about as likely as winning the lottery.
For experiencing the feeling of camping at the historic climbers’ site below the iconic “El Capitan,” we wanted to be as close to nature as possible, deciding to try sleeping at the legendary Camp 4 in Yosemite.
Though traveling in August without prior arrangement, we believed securing sleeping space at a campsite in the heart of Yosemite Valley would prove impossible. However, continue reading and we`ll expose a minor trick for acquiring a spot at the most populated campground in Yosemite.
You’ll find all the necessary information about where to stay in Yosemite in our Yosemite lodging guide:
- Accommodation options inside Yosemite National Park
- Where can one lodge near Yosemite National Park
- Camping possibilities in Yosemite
If you prefer to lodge in hotels during your visit to Yosemite National Park, have no fear. We’ve also assembled a listing of the premier quality hotels positioned near the primary points of interest .
Table of Contents
Where to stay in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in the United States, so accommodation must be booked months in advance.
If your trip is approaching in a few weeks, I recommend directly investigating hotels near Yosemite. Additionally, it will likely be more affordable for you.
Highlighted below are the principal accommodations within Yosemite National Park:
The Ahwahnee, the best hotel in Yosemite
The Ahwahnee, formerly known as The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, is Yosemite’s most luxurious hotel facility. This hotel situated within Yosemite National Park offers the most premium amenities.
The dining room is the visual highlight of this hotel and the location for the hotel’s historic Christmas Party. From its windows, you can see the massive granite walls that have made Yosemite the mecca of rock climbing up close.
We had the breakfast buffet at the Ahwahnee and were pleasantly surprised. Breakfast is served in the lounge, which has historical artwork and an original design that makes it the most stunning lodging option in Yosemite.
If you locate a room available at a reasonable cost, don’t think twice. It’s one of the best hotels where you can stay in Yosemite. Remember to book well in advance, so the prices don’t shoot up abruptly.
Yosemite Valley Lodge, the best place to stay in Yosemite
Yosemite Valley Lodge is a marginally cheaper hotel, but it’s just as in demand as the previous one. It’s also in a strategic location, since it’s one of the few hotels within the Yosemite Valley.
The rooms had been renovated not long before, so they offer more exceptional comforts than the previous option, even though they lack the luxury, style, and history of The Ahwahnee.
Even so, it represents the best option for overnight accommodation in Yosemite for anyone on a mid-range budget, although advance booking is necessary.
Curry Village, another option to sleep in Yosemite
Curry Village is the most popular choice for those who dream of camping in Yosemite but don`t have the needed gear. In this “glamping” lodging, you’ll find wonderful heated tent cabins with all the comforts imaginable.
Since it’s the most inexpensive hotel in Yosemite, it’s usually booked right away, so if you find an available room, don’t hesitate to reserve it. For me, it’s one of the top locations to rest in Yosemite.
APARTMENTS IN YOSEMITE WEST
Another perfect place to stay in Yosemite is in one of the private apartments in Yosemite West, a few minutes from the valley. The rates of these villas and apartments in Yosemite are commonly steep, but if you’re traveling with a group, it can make for an exciting alternative.
A few great options are:
- Yosemite Magic Studio “B”
- Yosemite Small Loft Condominiums – 1BR/1BA
- Yosemite Small Loft Condominiums – 1BR/1BA
CHALETS IN WAWONA
Similar to the previous option, renting cottages in Wawona permits lodging within Yosemite National Park. The costs are not low, but if traveling briefly and everything is reserved, it provides an excellent way to stay as near to Yosemite Valley and the key attractions as possible. Wawona also positions one step from Mariposa Grove.
These represent the greatest accommodations to stay in Yosemite (Wawona):
Should none of the previously mentioned lodgings be available for your selected dates, I recommend examining the subsequent finest places to rest near Yosemite .
Where to sleep near Yosemite National Park
Several reasons could influence staying near but not in Yosemite National Park. Commonly wanting last minute lodging. Another is budget-friendly sleep in Yosemite`s surroundings.
In either case, have no worries! There are excellent accommodation options near Yosemite National Park. You simply need to know which entrance area you want to stay near.
If you’ve previously reviewed our Yosemite travel guide, you’ll know that there are four entrances to the park, three from the west (Big Oak Flat Entrance, Arch Rock Entrance, and South Entrance) and one entrance from the east (Tioga Pass Entrance).
Hotels near Arch Rock Entrance
The Arch Rock entrance is among the locations nearest to Yosemite Valley, so it`s often one of the spots favored for lodging in Yosemite. Staying near this entrance presents the ideal choice if wanting to be just 5 minutes away from famous vistas like the Valley View. The nearby communities are El Portal (20 minutes away) and Mariposa, which is somewhat farther away (1 hour). In these two locales, lodging alternatives near Yosemite can be found, like the following:
- Wet Republic at MGM Grand
- Cedar Lodge
- Miners Inn
- Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station
- Yosemite Inn
- The Monarch
Also, if you plan to rent a recreational vehicle in the USA, there is a parking area for motorhomes.
HOTELS NEAR BIG OAK FLAT ENTRANCE
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Here are my recommendations:
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HOTELS NEAR YOSEMITE SOUTH ENTRANCE
If you visit Yosemite from Los Angeles or Las Vegas (in winter), you’ll enter through the Southern Entrance. This entrance is more distant from the valley, but it’s preferable if touring Mariposa Grove is planned.
Additionally, it`s a fascinating locale to lodge in Yosemite, as there are many accommodation possibilities, particularly in the towns of Fish Camp and Oakhurst. These are some of the best quality hotels:
- Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
- Narrow Gauge Inn
- White Chief Mountain Lodge
- An accommodation option near Yosemite is the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn hotel.
- Yosemite region inn
- Cedar Mountain Lodge
- Sierra Sky Ranch
- Mountain Trail Lodge and Vacation Home Rentals
- Hounds Tooth Inn
HOTELS NEAR TIOGA PASS ENTRANCE
The Tioga Road is solely open during the summer months and shortens the route from Death Valley to Yosemite Valley.
We had the chance to explore it at the end of August, and it was one of those places that amazed me most during our 10-day West Coast trip. In summer, it’s a magical location away from the large crowds of visitors in the valley. Wildlife also abounds here, so if you want to increase your chances of seeing wildlife, such as bears in Yosemite, it’s likely your best choice.
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- Lake View Lodge
- The Yosemite Gateway Motel
- Low-cost option: Nupan Deluxe
- Lake Front Lodges
- Standard option: Laxá Hotel
- Motel 6 Mammoth Lakes
- Best Western Plus High Sierra Hotel
Where to camp in Yosemite
We’ve already discussed the ideal places to lodge in Yosemite, generally hotels and conventional accommodations, so now it’s time to speak about campgrounds.
That marks the end of our guide on methods for obtaining inexpensive hotels! We hope you take advantage of these suggestions and are able to utilize them to get cheaper hotel rooms. Additionally, you can check our 30 top tricks for planning low-cost trips.If our tips are helpful for you, please let us know in the comments below!
The following text covers everything necessary to know about how to camp in Yosemite National Park.
Campsites in Yosemite National Park
There exist thirteen campsites in Yosemite, and only four of them exist within the valley (Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4).
Not all of the campgrounds are open all year round, so I suggest checking opening times and prices here, and seeing if reservations are required or if it operates on a first-come first-served basis.
We remained at Camp 4, which only charged $6 and is the sole one that doesn’t necessitate a previous booking. (Update: it appears that presently in the summer months, a reservation is required).
How to get a spot in Yosemite Camp 4
If you intend to obtain a place at the renowned Yosemite Camp 4, the initial step is to verify if the camp was full the night before and what time that occurred. If it filled up early in the morning and you want to sleep for free in the center of Yosemite Valley, you are able to bivouac (sleep outdoors) at the entrance of the ranger’s hut that will allocate the sites the next morning.
Don’t worry about bears and other animals; if the camp has been full the past few days, there will be other campers who spend the night outdoors to get a spot the next day. In our case, there were more than 30 people who slept in the queue (perhaps, for this reason, it’s now mandatory to book ahead in the summer).
Spending the night at Yosemite’s Camp 4 is inexpensive ($6 per person), and it’s in one of the best areas in Yosemite Valley. Apart from that, camping in Camp 4 is a must if you want to experience the essence of the park and get to know the historic camp where hippie climbers lived at the foot of El Capitan.
Wilderness Permit and High Sierra Camps in Yosemite
If longer hikes over multiple days are of interest, camping in unspoiled nature is an option. For this, a request must be made for a Wilderness Permit detailing the planned route. As an example, a two-day hike ascending Half Dome requires not only a cable permit but a special Wilderness Permit for that area as well. Details on securing one are provided.
Another type of lodging available in Yosemite is the High Sierra Camps, which are five pre-constructed camps located as remotely as if you were using a Wilderness Permit. This type of campground can solely be reached by hiking, and there is no need to carry a tent (although bringing a sleeping bag is highly advised). Additionally, they offer half board or full board for an extra fee, and you can even hire a guided excursion with a ranger. More data is available here.
