Yosemite National Park Hotels
Being what it is, our definition of Yosemite's best hotels must be extended to include places where visitors can camp out. Most Yosemite visitors come into the park just for the day, but staying overnight is the best way to experience the rich delights of this stimulating landscape. Photography is best early and late in the day, wildlife is most active in early morning, crowds are thinnest before the day visitors arrive and after they leave. If you want to experience Yosemite instead of the highways leading to it, stay in the park.
All park lodgings are managed by DNC (yosemitepark.com) under government regulation and they range from the deluxe Ahwahnee to the simple Housekeeping Camp. The Ahwahnee is a world-class grand park lodge, where royalty, celebrity and political leaders stay. Rooms are very hard to get and are expensive, but they're not large or modern. The setting is top-notch and the dining room is the epitome of rustic opulence. Curry Village has scores of tent cabins and Housekeeping is just a step above camping; both are popular with thousands of families who return year after year.
More overnighters stay in park campgrounds than in hotels and this should be on your list for consideration of best places to stay in Yosemite. The scent of pine smoke, the bright stars overhead and the morning chorus of birdsong are pleasures unknown to those who stay in a motel. The NPS controls all the campgrounds and these are also hard to get, so plan ahead. Camping in Yosemite Valley is most popular, but there are small, isolated campgrounds at White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat and Tamarack Flat that have a quieter charm.
All park lodgings are managed by DNC (yosemitepark.com) under government regulation and they range from the deluxe Ahwahnee to the simple Housekeeping Camp. The Ahwahnee is a world-class grand park lodge, where royalty, celebrity and political leaders stay. Rooms are very hard to get and are expensive, but they're not large or modern. The setting is top-notch and the dining room is the epitome of rustic opulence. Curry Village has scores of tent cabins and Housekeeping is just a step above camping; both are popular with thousands of families who return year after year.
More overnighters stay in park campgrounds than in hotels and this should be on your list for consideration of best places to stay in Yosemite. The scent of pine smoke, the bright stars overhead and the morning chorus of birdsong are pleasures unknown to those who stay in a motel. The NPS controls all the campgrounds and these are also hard to get, so plan ahead. Camping in Yosemite Valley is most popular, but there are small, isolated campgrounds at White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat and Tamarack Flat that have a quieter charm.
Glacier Point Ski Hut
Far end of Glacier Point Road
A 10-mile XC ski on groomed trail to a jaw-dropping view...
Yosemite Pine Arbor Retreat
7229 Yosemite Park Way
Yosemite National Park
Your own home next to the park...
