Where to Stay at Yosemite: Lodges, Hotels and Campgrounds

Yosemite Valley is one of the most constrained national park destinations in the US. The valley floor covers roughly 7 square miles of flat land hemmed in by 3,000-foot granite walls, and the number of accommodation spots, inside or out, cannot expand to match demand. Planning ahead is not optional here. It is the entire game.

In-Park Lodges

All in-park lodges are managed by Aramark under the brand Yosemite Hospitality, booked at travelyosemite.com. Advance booking windows vary by property.

The Ahwahnee is the crown jewel of Yosemite accommodation, a National Historic Landmark completed in 1927. The stone and timber building sits on the valley floor with full views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls from the Great Lounge. Rooms run from approximately $550 to $850 per night; suites from approximately $1,200 as of 2026. Reservations open 366 days in advance and peak dates book out quickly. The dining room requires reservations as well.

Yosemite Valley Lodge sits near the base of Yosemite Falls and is the most practical all-rounder in the valley. Standard rooms with views run approximately $280 to $450 per night as of 2026. No character to match The Ahwahnee, but solid facilities and excellent valley access.

Housekeeping Camp is a unique semi-permanent tent cabin setup on the Merced River. Each unit has a concrete floor, canvas walls, two double beds, and a fire ring outside. Rates approximately $120 to $155 per night as of 2026. Bring your own bedding or rent it on-site. Popular with families and groups.

Curry Village (Half Dome Village) offers a mix of canvas tent cabins (approximately $135 to $165 per night) and standard motel rooms (approximately $220 to $280 per night) as of 2026. Tent cabins share bathhouse facilities. The atmosphere is lively and the location near the valley’s east end is ideal for hiking.

Wawona Hotel is a Victorian-era historic property near the south entrance, about 26 miles from Yosemite Valley. Rates run approximately $190 to $260 per night as of 2026. Good base for Mariposa Grove and less intense than the valley floor in peak season.

White Wolf Lodge and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge are high-elevation tent cabin properties, open summer only. Rates approximately $130 to $175 per night as of 2026. Both offer remarkable access to the high Sierra and are far less competitive to book than valley lodges.

Gateway Town Hotels

El Portal, California is the closest gateway, about 2 miles from the Arch Rock entrance to Yosemite Valley.

• Cedar Lodge is the main option here, with standard rooms and an on-site restaurant. Rates approximately $170 to $260 per night as of 2026.
• Yosemite View Lodge sits on the Merced River with some rooms facing the water. Rates approximately $200 to $320 per night as of 2026.

Mariposa, California is about 37 miles from the valley floor but significantly cheaper, with a genuine small town to explore.

• Mariposa Lodge is a well-maintained budget motel at approximately $110 to $160 per night as of 2026.
• River Rock Inn is a small B&B with good reviews at approximately $150 to $200 per night as of 2026.

Groveland, California is on the Highway 120 approach (Big Oak Flat entrance), about 45 minutes from the valley.

• Hotel Charlotte is a charming historic property dating to 1921, approximately $150 to $200 per night as of 2026.
• Groveland Hotel is a boutique 1849 Victorian hotel with rooms from approximately $170 to $240 per night as of 2026.

Campgrounds

Yosemite Valley campgrounds are the most in-demand reservable campgrounds in the US national park system. All three valley campgrounds, Upper Pines (238 sites), Lower Pines (60 sites), and North Pines (81 sites), accept reservations on recreation.gov opening 5 months in advance. Sites fill within minutes on the release date at 7am Pacific. Fees run approximately $36 per night as of 2026.

Camp 4 is the legendary walk-in campground associated with Yosemite’s rock climbing culture, at the base of El Capitan. Reservable through recreation.gov. Fees approximately $6 per person per night as of 2026. Maximum 6 people per site, mixed assignment.

Hodgdon Meadow Campground near the Big Oak Flat entrance is a good alternative when valley sites are full. Partially reservable, fees approximately $36 per night as of 2026.

Crane Flat Campground is about 17 miles from the valley, reservable on recreation.gov, fees approximately $36 per night as of 2026.

Wawona Campground near the south entrance has some walk-up sites and is partially reservable. Fees approximately $36 per night as of 2026.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground at 8,600 feet is the largest high-country campground (304 sites), open July to mid-October. Half the sites are reservable, half walk-up. Fees approximately $36 per night as of 2026.

Booking Tips

For in-park lodges: book through travelyosemite.com. The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge open reservations 366 days in advance; other properties vary. Monitor for cancellations in the 2 to 4 weeks before your dates.

For campgrounds: recreation.gov is the only booking platform. Set an alarm for 7am Pacific exactly 5 months before your target arrival date. The first morning of each month at 7am is when the next 5-month window opens.

Yosemite now requires a day-use reservation from May through October for vehicle entry. Check nps.gov/yose for the current reservation calendar.

Best Season to Visit

Spring (April to June) brings peak waterfall flow from snowmelt and some of the finest views in the valley. Half Dome cables go up in late May. Expect some road closures in April on Tioga Road.

Summer (July to August) is peak season. The valley is at capacity, parking fills before 9am, and temperatures are warm. The high country (Tuolumne Meadows) is fully accessible and significantly less crowded.

Fall (September to November) is the hidden gem of Yosemite visits. Waterfalls slow but the granite glows in low-angle light, trails are quieter, and crowds thin dramatically after Labor Day. Tioga Road closes with the first heavy snow, usually October to November.

Winter (December to March) brings snow to the valley floor, frozen waterfalls, and a stark beauty that summer visitors never see. Road chains may be required. Valley campgrounds and most lodges remain open; the high country closes.