The Best Yosemite Lodging

Our Local Expert Says:

A true classic national park lodging experience, the Ahwahnee is the top lodging option in Yosemite and one of the best in the West.

Description:

The Ahwahnee is one of the classic grand lodges of the Mountain West. Opened in 1927, the Ahwahnee is situated off by itself in the east end of Yosemite Valley at the base of Royal Arch Cascades. Impressive in scale both inside and out, the lobby leads to the Great Lounge and the Dining Room. Both have towering ceilings and tall windows that show off Glacier Point and Yosemite Falls. Huge fireplaces in the lounge generate warmth to counteract the Sierra winter outdoors.
The Dining Room has a top-notch menu and wine list, and many selections that attend to sustainability concerns. Sunday brunch is a royal feast every week.
The hotel tapers up to 6 stories, and includes suites occupied by JFK, Queen Elizabeth and many other dignitaries. Adjacent Cottages add more space. The Ahwahnee is full all year so plan ahead to get a room here for a special occasion.

Our Local Expert Says:

Some consider Tuolumne Meadows the best part of Yosemite and the whole Sierra (if not the universe!) A gorgeous high country gem.

Description:

This large campground lies at 8,600 feet along Tioga Road in Tuolumne Meadows approximately 55 miles from Yosemite Valley. The facility consists of 314 campsites that can accommodate tents and RVs up to 35 feet. Group campsites are available at Tuolumne Meadows. Half of the sites at this facility are available through the National Park Service reservation system and half are available on a first come, first served basis. The amenities available at this site include drinking water, flush toilets, and dump station, with nearby groceries, laundry and showers. Each campsite at Tuolumne Meadows includes a picnic table and fire pit. This facility is open from mid June through late September, depending on weather conditions. Campers at this site will enjoy easy access to hiking, fishing, backpacking and horseback riding.

Our Local Expert Says:

A valued historic structure, the Wawona Hotel is a place worth coming back to over and over.

Description:

The southern charm of Wawona Hotel is appreciated immediately upon sighting this grand old hotel from its driveway. Wawona is a charming little mountain community in the south end of Yosemite NP, and this hotel is its crown jewel. A tall white main facade, a stone fountain encircled by the entry drive, long verandas lined with white columns, a complex of white outlying buildings and a broad green lawn provide a historic landscape.

Rooms come with or without bathrooms, a pianist/historian plays in the lobby lounge, and the small dining room serves great fare for mountain travelers. The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is nearby, over one of California's few covered bridges, where a horse-drawn stage cycles through the day in summer. The hotel closes for much of the winter.

Our Local Expert Says:

Tall trees and a great location make Crane Flat Campground worth a look. Sequoias, the Tioga Road, a fire lookout and Yosemite Valley are close by.

Description:

Crane Flat is a fine, central location for a Yosemite basecamp. It's reasonably close to Yosemite Valley but away from the bustle. It's also at the access point to the high country along Tioga Road. It has its own attractions right there: the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is a short walk away, as is the fire lookout and helibase on a prominent hilltop.
It's location at 6200' means it's summertime only, and that days are pleasantly cool. As with the rest of the NPS campgrounds there are no RV hookups or showers. Make your reservations months ahead of time though sites can be had on short notice at times.

Our Local Expert Says:

A favorite with international travelers and dining here is a treat for the locals.

Description:

Part of Hostelling International, this lovely wooded compound is located about 25 miles from Yosemite Park. There are co-ed, single-gender and group cabins. The beds are of good quality, and fresh linens are provided. The compound includes a bistro, lounge, restaurant and bookstore.

Our Local Expert Says:

An easy hike to Mirror Lake from here, just cross the footbridge over Tenaya Creek.

Description:

Located right on the Merced River on the eastern edge of the valley at about 4,000 feet of elevation, this campground is perfect if you want to fish or just explore along the banks and maybe wade a bit. The sound of the river is wonderful, too. Both tents and recreational vehicles are allowed here, but there are no RV hookups. Your site will have a firepit and water. Reservations are required. The maximum stay is seven days, and no pets are allowed. The campground is open April to October.

Our Local Expert Says:

A tasty backcountry treat for winter hounds, the lodge was built in the early '30's specifically for skiers.

Description:

The Yosemite Conservancy operates this historic ski hut with the National Park Service (yosemiteconservancy.org). Weekend reservations all fill by advance lottery in November, but weekday reservations are almost always available (and cheaper) through the mid-December to early-April season. There are 25 bunks in two big rooms, a toasty woodstove, lots of drying lines, and there's plenty of icy lake water in the comfortable kitchen. Perhaps too rustic for some, Ostrander is cherished by many for what's outside: miles of white Wilderness and a fantastic glacial cirque for skiing. The ten-mile trek in is only for fit and experienced snowshoers or skiers who can carry all their overnight supplies.