I spent several days visiting every Yosemite gateway town and all the main hotels inside the park so that I could find the BEST place for you to stay when visiting Yosemite.
My name is Matt, and I do research like this so that you can have a great trip to the American West.
In this article, I’ll show you what each Yosemite lodging area is like, what kind of lodging you’ll find there, and give you the pros and cons of each. And I’ll provide some personal recommendations for each kind of traveler.
Let’s start with the map overview. This is REALLY important.
Yosemite National Park is huge, but the most popular section of it is Yosemite Valley, which is only 7 miles long. Notice that on this map, all roads lead to Yosemite Valley, the heart of the park. The valley has towering cliffs, amazing waterfalls, green meadows, and fun hikes.
Think of Yosemite like a wagon wheel with Yosemite Valley as the hub of the park, with all roads serving as spokes. There are other areas to visit in the park, of course, but since the valley is the main draw, you’ll want to plan your lodging with visiting Yosemite Valley in mind.
CHECK OUT: What is the Best Entrance to Yosemite? Yosemite’s 5 Entrances
There are two main options for where to stay when visiting Yosemite:
This is the most convenient, but it’s also the most expensive and hardest to book. There are three options inside Yosemite Valley, which I’ll discuss in a moment. There are also a few other options in other areas of the park, which I’ll discuss later.
There are three main gateway towns: Oakhurst, Mariposa, and Groveland. Each is located about an hour away from Yosemite Valley, and each is located on a main highway leading to the Valley. The three main highways are Highway 140, Highway 41, and Highway 120.
Since all these routes basically converge in Yosemite Valley, it’s important to understand the routes, because as you leave the Valley, signs will point to the routes, and you need to know which one you’re on so you don’t drive far in the wrong direction.
Each of the highways provides a pretty drive to the park. They are all a little different, but generally provide canyon views and forested hills. They are also all very winding roads, which can get old if you’re driving an hour in and an hour out of the park several days in a row. This can be especially problematic if you get car sick easily.
Each of these highways has hotels located along the highway, so it is possible to stay closer to the park than the gateway towns. Note, however, that each highway has little to no services. In fact, most hotels located along the highways will have their own hotels or grocery stores because services are so far away. Also, cell service is available in the towns, but is non-existent along the highways.
IMPORTANT PRO TIP: Notice that each highway has its own entrance to the park, and that each entrance is located some distance away from Yosemite Valley. Many hotels will advertise they are only a 30-minute drive to the park, but that’s just to the entrance. You’ll still need to drive 30-60 minutes to the valley. So don’t be deceived.
-BEST OVERALL: Yosemite Valley Lodge
-BEST CHARMING SMALL TOWN: Groveland
-BEST FOR FAMILIES: Oakhurst & Highway 41 Corridor (several options)
-BEST FAMILY RESORTS: Tenaya Lodge & Rush Creek Lodge
-BEST BLEND OF PRICE, OPTIONS, & PROXIMITY: Mariposa
& Highway 140 (several options)
-BEST BUDGET OPTION: Curry Village (tents), Yosemite Bug, Oakhurst (many options)
-BEST BACKUP OPTION (close to the valley): Yosemite View Lodge or Yosemite West
-BEST FOR HISTORY BUFFS (historic hotels): Wawona, Ahwahnee, and Hotel Charlotte
-BEST FOR LAST-MINUTE BOOKING: Curry Village (tents), Oakhurst, or Mariposa
-BEST FOR TRAVLERS WITH PETS: Yosemite View Lodge
-BEST GLAMPING: AutoCamp (airstreams)
Make your trip planning EASY, avoid the crowds, and see places most people don’t know about
Inside the guide:
*Step-by-step plan that will take you to the best hikes, viewpoints, drives, and must-do stops
*Exact time-frames and star-ratings so you can make the best use of your time and money
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
*Stay in the right spot with our area recommendations to reduce time driving and waiting in entrance lines
If you can afford to stay inside Yosemite Valley, and if you can obtain a reservation, DO IT. There’s no substitute for waking up in Yosemite Valley with El Capitan right outside your window. You’ll save time, skip the morning entrance line, and beat the crowds to the most popular trails.
But convenience comes at a price — lodging inside the park is expensive and books up fast. Reservations open 366 days in advance and often fill immediately for peak season.
There are three lodging options inside the valley to serve those with different budgets.
The Ahwahnee Hotel is Yosemite’s most iconic and luxurious lodge. Built in 1927, it was designed to be the crown jewel of the National Park system — a place where presidents, queens, and celebrities could stay in elegance. It’s now listed as a National Historic Landmark.
The building itself is beautiful — a blend of rustic stonework and Art Deco design, with Native American, Middle Eastern, and even Gothic influences. It’s not your typical park lodge. The exterior is colorful, and the Great Lounge inside is the hotel’s showpiece — a grand space with towering windows, two massive fireplaces, leather chairs, and views of Half Dome through the glass.
The Ahwahnee also has a formal dining room with 34-foot ceilings and a wall of windows, a bar and lounge area, a gift shop, and a heated outdoor pool. It’s a Four Star Hotel, and rooms range from around $600 to $1,400+ per night, depending on the season and room type.
That said, it’s not for everyone. When I visited, I expected to love the Ahwahnee. I’m a fan of national park lodges in general, and I love how they serve as community hubs. But this one felt different. It’s set apart from the rest of the valley — away from Yosemite Village (15-minute walk) and Curry Village (30-minute walk), which makes it feel quiet and isolated. For some, that’s the appeal. But to me, it felt a bit cold and pretentious, like it was trying to keep the park at arm’s length.
Maybe the full experience is different if you actually stay overnight, but from a visitor’s perspective, it didn’t feel as warm or inviting as I had hoped. I expected to like it as much as Many Glacier Hotel or the Old Faithful Inn, but did not.
Still, there’s no denying the history, elegance, and prime location in the valley. If you want peace, privacy, and the feeling of stepping into another era, this could be for you.
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Yosemite Valley Lodge is located just across the road from Yosemite Falls, so you’re right in the middle of the valley.
This is a more affordable alternative to the Ahwahnee, though it’s still not cheap. Rooms typically start around ~$330 per night, but prices vary by season and availability. Unlike the Ahwahnee, all rooms here are located in motor-lodge-style buildings spread out around the central lodge — they’re simple and functional, with no luxury finishes. Think motel, not mountain resort.
The lodge area has a public parking lot, which makes it more of a hub of activity than the Ahwahnee. It’s often bustling with day visitors using the shuttle stop or grabbing food. That does make it feel less exclusive, but also more practical.
There are several on-site dining options, including the Mountain Room Restaurant (casual sit-down dining with big windows and views), a lounge, a coffee shop, and a grab-and-go cafe. It’s one of the more food-accessible places to stay in the park.
This is a great choice for families — not only because of the location, but also because the lodge offers family-style rooms, some with bunk beds or extra space, and there’s a swimming pool on-site (free for guests, ~$5 for non-guests).
Of all the options in this article, this is my personal pick. The hotels in nearby towns like Mariposa or Oakhurst often aren’t that much cheaper once you factor in seasonal pricing, and staying outside the park adds a lot more driving time and hassle each day.
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Curry Village is the budget option inside Yosemite Valley, and it’s by far the most rustic. It offers a mix of canvas tent cabins, wooden cabins, and a few motel-style rooms, but most will end up in the tents, which are what Curry Village is known for.
The tent cabins have a wooden floor and frame, with canvas walls and a canvas roof. Some are heated, some are not. There’s no insulation or soundproofing, and they are packed closely together, so you’ll almost certainly hear your neighbors talking, walking, or snoring.
Tents start at around ~$174 per night, which makes them easily the most affordable option. Curry Village tents are also the last ones to sell out. They’re sometimes available last-minute.
Expect to use shared bathhouses and communal shower buildings. None of the tents have private bathrooms or electricity, but there is a lounge building where you can charge up devices, if needed.
What struck me the most is how fun Curry Village is. It’s the biggest hub of activity in Yosemite Valley, with several casual food options including pizza, a coffee stand, a bar/lounge, and a grill. There’s also an outdoor amphitheater with nightly ranger programs, and even a swimming pool that’s free for guests (and ~$5 for non-guests).
I was initially turned off by how close the tents are together — and the idea of shared bathrooms — but after spending time enjoying the village, I would consider trying the tents in a future visit. If you’re okay with roughing it a little, this is a great way to stay right in the valley without breaking the bank.
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Yosemite Valley Lodging. Shuttle Access & Bike Rentals. All three lodging options in Yosemite Valley — The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, and Curry Village — are connected by the free park shuttle system. You can use the shuttle to get to trailheads, visitor centers, and most major sights in the valley without needing your car. There are also bike rental stations at Curry Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge. Yosemite Valley has over 12 miles of paved bike paths – biking is a scenic, fun, and practical way to get around the valley.
Now let’s cover each of the spokes from the hub of Yosemite Valley. In each section, I’ll start with lodging options that are closest to the park and work backwards to the gateway town.
Highway 41 enters Yosemite through the South Entrance and connects several key areas: Yosemite West, Wawona, Fish Camp, and the town of Oakhurst. Yosemite West and Wawona are inside the park boundaries, while Fish Camp and Oakhurst are outside the park.
This area is best for budget travelers and families who want some fun things to do outside the park.
Yosemite West is a residential area located just inside the southern boundary of Yosemite National Park, off Highway 41. It’s made up entirely of privately-owned vacation homes and cabins, many of which are available as short-term rentals through sites like Airbnb, Vrbo, or directly through property managers.
Technically, this is not inside the national park, but it is accessed from inside the national park.
The key advantage of Yosemite West is location: you don’t have to wait in line at an entrance station every day. It’s about 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley, 25 minutes to Glacier Point Road, and 20 minutes to Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
The area is quiet and forested. You won’t find hotels, restaurants, or shops here — it’s purely residential — so you’ll need to bring your own groceries and be prepared to cook or drive for meals. Cell service is spotty, and most rentals don’t have air conditioning (though the elevation helps keep things cooler than the valley in summer).
You’ll find a wide range of properties: from cozy one-bedroom cabins to multi-story homes that sleep 10+ people. Many come with full kitchens, patios or decks, and fireplaces.
Yosemite West is a great option if you want privacy, space, and quick access to multiple parts of the park.
We booked a place in Yosemite West and found it on Booking.com, but it also has its own website: yosemitewest.com for you to check out the offerings. In our experience, these aren’t any cheaper than Yosemite Valley Lodge, but there are more options. NOTE: Get on this early to find the cheapest options!
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DON’T MISS: Driving in Yosemite: 10 Things You Need to Know
The Wawona Hotel is one of the oldest lodges in the entire National Park system. Built in 1876, it originally served stagecoach travelers heading into Yosemite. It’s a designated National Historic Landmark, and it feels like a step back in time.
The hotel has whitewashed Victorian-style buildings, wide verandas with rocking chairs, and a peaceful setting next to a large open meadow. Inside, it’s intentionally kept simple to preserve the 19th-century experience.
Rooms are furnished in a Victorian style, and while some have private bathrooms, many use shared hallway baths. There are no TVs, phones, or in-room Wi-Fi, and most rooms don’t have air conditioning, though ceiling fans are provided. It has wide porches with rocking chairs, a cozy lobby with a fireplace and live piano music on select evenings, and an on-site dining room that serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Nearby, you’ll find a 9-hole golf course, one of only two golf courses inside a US national park. The Pioneer Yosemite History Center is nearby, as are some meadow trails and horseback rides.
Wawona is located near the South Entrance of the park, a few minutes away from the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. However, it’s still about an hour’s drive to Yosemite Valley.
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Just two miles south of the South Entrance to Yosemite, Fish Camp is a tiny mountain community surrounded by forest. It’s much smaller than Oakhurst — you won’t find chain restaurants or big stores here — but it’s closer to the park.
The main attraction is Tenaya at Yosemite (book here), a large resort with a mix of traditional hotel rooms, cabins, and upscale suites. It offers a spa, indoor and outdoor pools, restaurants, and even guided tours into the park. This is one of the most full-service options you’ll find near Yosemite that isn’t actually in the park. It’s very popular with families and couples who want a mountain setting without giving up comfort.
The Narrow Gauge Inn (book here) is located next to the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and has lovely cabins at a fairly affordable rate. I found some around ~$250+ per night, and there are options for larger rooms as well. I checked this out in person and like this option quite a bit.
The Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a historic steam train that offers scenic rides through the forest, great for families and anyone interested in trains or logging.
Bass Lake, about 20 minutes south of Fish Camp, is a popular local getaway with a resort feel, where you can rent kayaks, paddleboards, or pontoon boats and enjoy swimming or lakeside dining in the summer.
Remember: Fish Camp is only a few minutes from the South Entrance, but an hour from Yosemite Valley.
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Oakhurst is the biggest and most developed town near Yosemite (population: 5,000), located about 16 miles from the South Entrance and 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley. It’s often the most practical option — especially if you’re traveling with kids or staying several nights.
What makes Oakhurst stand out is its wide range of services. You’ll find grocery stores, gas stations, a movie theater, pharmacies, fast food, local restaurants, and several national hotel chains — including Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn (book here), Holiday Inn Express (book here), and Fairfield Inn (book here). These hotels are often newer, more spacious, and have amenities like pools, free breakfast, and parking.
There are also vacation rentals and a few boutique inns, like Queen’s Inn by the River (book here), which offers a quieter, wine-country-style stay just outside downtown.
The downside is the loooong drive to Yosemite Valley. While it’s only 20 minutes to the South Entrance, it’s another hour from there to Yosemite Valley — and during peak season, the line at the entrance can slow you down further.
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Highway 140 enters Yosemite through the Arch Rock Entrance (named because you’ll drive through a natural rock arch). This road takes you through El Portal, Midpines, and the historic town of Mariposa. This road rides more in the valley, along the Merced River. It’s a little less forested and has fewer canyon views than the other routes, but it’s still a pretty drive. I liked it as much as the other routes.
This area is the best mix of convenience, affordability, and being close to Yosemite Valley.
El Portal (pronounced el por-TAL) is just 10–15 minutes from Yosemite Valley, making it the closest place to stay outside the park gate. It’s not a town so much as a small cluster of hotels and lodges along the Merced River. You won’t find much in the way of restaurants or shops here, and there is one expensive gas station near the entrance. But if your goal is to get in and out of the park quickly each day, this is one of your best bets.
Yosemite View Lodge (book here) is located in El Portal, just 2 miles from the Arch Rock Entrance and about 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley. This is the closest hotel to the park boundary and one of the most convenient places to stay if you want to maximize your time inside Yosemite without paying in-park hotel rates. This is a major hotel with 335 rooms, so let’s dive into it a bit.
This is a large property that stretches along the Merced River, and many rooms have balconies with river views. The rooms are simple and dated, but they’re spacious and most have kitchenettes.
Some complaints about this place include the name being deceiving and the rooms being dated. The name is technically correct – it has a view of Yosemite because it’s right next to the park. But it’s still 30 minutes from Yosemite Valley. I wasn’t able to look inside a room, but I spoke with some visitors when I was on site, and they said they enjoyed staying there.
It’s so large that it’s like a little community. There are several hotel buildings, and multiple indoor and outdoor pools to serve everyone. It does have a little vibe going on, with people milling around and eating, swimming, hanging out, etc.
It has spacious king and double queen rooms, many of which include kitchenettes with a stovetop, microwave, sink, and mini-fridge — a helpful feature for families or anyone staying multiple nights. Some rooms also come with spa tubs, fireplaces, or balconies overlooking the Merced River. The property has four pools (two indoor, two outdoor) and six hot tubs, along with a small convenience store, a pizza place, and a sit-down restaurant on-site. The hotel is also pet-friendly and provides limited Wi-Fi access, although it can be unreliable due to the remote location. There is a gas station just down the street.
Typical rates range from ~$250 to ~$400 per night, depending on the season, day of the week, and room type. Prices climb in summer and often sell out early, but Yosemite View Lodge still tends to offer more availability than in-park hotels. You’re paying for location and convenience more than luxury.
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Midpines is a small, spread-out area. It’s mostly cabins and lodges tucked into the woods along Highway 140. It has a quiet, forested atmosphere. It’s 30 minutes to Arch Rock Entrance, and an hour to Yosemite Valley.
A few of the top options here include:
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Mariposa is a small and interesting historic town about 1 hour and 10 minutes from Yosemite Valley. It has a real Main Street with shops, museums, saloons, and a few great restaurants. If you want a more affordable and atmospheric base, this is a good option. This is where I stayed on my first visit.
There are many hotels in Mariposa – here are a few options:
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This stretch area gets a little confusing, so let’s break it down.
Highway 120 runs from Groveland to the Big Oak Flat Entrance of Yosemite. Once you pass through the entrance, Highway 120 technically doesn’t go to Yosemite Valley — instead, it turns left and becomes Tioga Road, which heads toward Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass. To get to Yosemite Valley, continue straight, which becomes Big Oak Flat Road. This is not confusing while driving, because signs will point you in the right direction; it’s only slightly confusing on the map.
Outside the park, this corridor is a mix of luxury forest lodges, a few budget or poorly-rated hotels, and the charming town of Groveland, which has some of the best small-town lodging options in the area.
Located just half a mile from the Big Oak Flat Entrance, Rush Creek Lodge (book here) is a polished, family-friendly resort with a modern lodge feel. It has a large pool, hot tubs, a playground, a game room, a restaurant, and guided tours. Rooms and suites are spacious, and there are also hillside cabins. Rates are typically ~$400–700+ per night, depending on the season and room type.
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Of all the gateway towns on this list, Groveland was my favorite. It’s a tiny, historic town located about 30 minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance, and about 1 hour and 15 minutes from Yosemite Valley, depending on traffic.
With a population of around 600, Groveland has a Gold Rush-era Main Street and a handful of restaurants and shops. I just loved the small-town atmosphere. They have a lovely park in town, and they have Movies in the Park throughout the summer.
While smaller than Oakhurst or Mariposa, Groveland offers a surprising range of boutique lodging options, all with a lot of character.
If you’re entering Yosemite from eastern California, perhaps from places like Bishop, Mammoth Lakes, or Lake Tahoe, you’ll come in through Tioga Pass — the highest road entrance to any national park in the U.S. at 9,945 feet. This road is only open in summer and early fall, typically late May through October, depending on snow conditions.
Once you pass through Tioga Pass, you’ll descend along Tioga Road, which technically is still Highway 120, and pass through Tuolumne Meadows before eventually reaching the junction where Big Oak Flat Road leads to Yosemite Valley.
The nearest town to this eastern entrance is Lee Vining, a tiny town on the edge of Mono Lake.
From Lee Vining, it’s about a 20-minute drive to the Tioga Pass Entrance, and a whopping 2 hours to Yosemite Valley. Obviously, this is not a good home base to see the park, but it can be a good transition stop on the way in or out of the park.
Lee Vining is small but practical, with a handful of roadside motels, gas stations, diners, and views of Mono Lake. Lodging here is basic. Typical rates run around ~$120-$250 per night.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is the only in-park lodging option in the Tuolumne Meadows area, offering 69 canvas tent cabins (just like Curry Village) along the Dana Fork of the Tuolumne River. Since this is a very high elevation, it can get cold at night. These tents, though similar to Curry Village, tend to be used more by backcountry hikers. They have a central dining tent that serves guests family-style. There is no electricity, and bathrooms are shared, similar to Curry Village. It’s a more remote, quiet experience, though.
Make your trip planning EASY, avoid the crowds, and see places most people don’t know about
Inside the guide:
*Step-by-step plan that will take you to the best hikes, viewpoints, drives, and must-do stops
*Exact time-frames and star-ratings so you can make the best use of your time and money
*Best Friend Guarantee: love it or get your money back
*Stay in the right spot with our area recommendations to reduce time driving and waiting in entrance lines
There are 4 main places to stay in Yosemite. Yosemite Valley is ideal. The other three main gateway towns and corridors are all fairly equivalent in options, price, and drive times to the valley. Finally, Lee Vining is on the east side and is best as a transition stop on the way in or out of the park.
| Yosemite Valley | Yosemite Valley Highway 140 (Arch Rock Entrance) | Highway 41 (South Entrance) | Highway 120 (Big Flat Oak Entrance) | Lee Vining (Tioga Pass Entrance) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ahwahnee Hotel | El Portal | Yosemite West | Rush Creek Lodge | Tuolumne Meadows |
| Yosemite Valley Lodge | Midpines | Wawona | Groveland | Lee Vining |
| Curry Village | Mariposa | Oakhurts |
YOSEMITE TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Yosemite National Park, check out our Yosemite Homepage.
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Yosemite has to offer, including hiking, things to do in Yosemite Valley, and floating the Merced River.
WHERE TO EAT: Don’t miss the best places to eat in Yosemite National Park
WHERE TO STAY: Learn all you need to know about where to stay inside and outside the park
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out how to get there, the best time to visit, which is the best entrance, and all about driving around Yosemite.
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