15 Best Hotels in Yosemite National Park (2025 Guide)
Few places in the American West hit you the way Yosemite does. Half Dome looms over the valley floor, Yosemite Falls thunders down granite walls each spring, and giant sequoias in the Mariposa Grove have been standing since before the Roman Empire fell. Finding the best hotel in Yosemite National Park — or the right base just outside it — makes the difference between a trip that feels rushed and one that actually lets you soak the place in.
Rooms inside the park boundary are limited and book out months ahead, especially for summer weekends and the Firefall season in February. That's why this list mixes historic in-park lodges with excellent gateway hotels in Mariposa, El Portal, Fish Camp, and Groveland — all within a short drive of the entrances. Whether you're chasing a luxury weekend, a family-friendly cabin, or a no-frills bunk before a big hike, one of these 15 properties should fit.
A Quick Word on Booking
If you're set on staying inside Yosemite Valley itself, reserve as early as 366 days out through the park's official concessionaire, Aramark, which took over lodging operations from Delaware North in 2016. Gateway towns offer more flexibility and often better value, particularly if you're comfortable with a 15-30 minute drive to the valley floor each day. Either way, check current entrance requirements and any seasonal reservation systems on the National Park Service site before you lock in dates — Yosemite has experimented with timed-entry permits during peak summer months in recent years.
1. The Majestic Yosemite Hotel
Still widely known by its original name, the Ahwahnee, this 1927 landmark remains the single best hotel in Yosemite National Park for anyone who wants to sleep inside the valley in genuine style. The 123 rooms and suites mix Native American-inspired design with modern comforts, and the massive stone fireplaces in the Great Lounge are worth a visit even if you're staying elsewhere. The dining room, with its 34-foot ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows framing the valley, remains one of the most photographed restaurant interiors in the National Park System. Expect nightly rates well into the luxury range — this is the splurge pick, not the budget one.
2. Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Just two miles from the park's South Entrance near Fish Camp, Tenaya Lodge has grown into a full resort with 302 rooms, suites, and cottages spread across a forested property. Recent additions include an upgraded spa, a zipline course, and an explorer center geared toward kids, making it one of the strongest family bases near the park. Winter brings snow tubing and a heated pool that stays open year-round — a nice contrast after a cold day on the trails.
3. Yosemite Valley Lodge
Formerly Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, this 245-room property sits an easy walk from Lower Yosemite Fall and offers some of the most convenient valley-floor access for hikers heading up to the Mist Trail or Half Dome. Rooms were refreshed in recent years with updated bedding and fixtures, and the property's amphitheater still hosts evening ranger programs in summer. It won't compete with the Majestic on ambiance, but for location-to-price value inside the valley, it's hard to beat.
4. Rush Creek Lodge
Opened in 2016 near the Hetch Hetchy and Big Oak Flat entrances, Rush Creek has quickly become one of the better-reviewed properties near the park. The 143 rooms and cabins surround multiple pools, hot tubs, a full-service spa, and a nightly campfire with s'mores. It leans family-friendly without sacrificing polish, and the on-site restaurant, Rush Creek Kitchen, is a legitimate reason to stay in for dinner after a long day.
5. Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite
A cluster of 88 cabins tucked into the Sierra Nevada forest near Hetch Hetchy, Evergreen Lodge blends rustic charm with genuinely comfortable amenities — heated floors in some cabins, a well-stocked general store, and a lively tavern with live music some summer nights. It's one of the more pet-tolerant properties in the area, so travelers researching dog-friendly hotels for a Yosemite road trip should call ahead to check current pet policies and cabin availability.
6. Yosemite View Lodge
Right along the Merced River near the Arch Rock Entrance, Yosemite View Lodge has 335 rooms, many with private balconies overlooking the river or in-room fireplaces. It's a solid mid-range choice for travelers driving in from the west on Highway 140, and its multiple pools and hot tubs make it popular with families in summer. Book a river-view room if you can — the standard rooms are comfortable but far less memorable.
7. White Wolf Lodge
For a quieter, higher-elevation stay, White Wolf Lodge sits along Tioga Road in Yosemite's high country, roughly 8,000 feet up. The historic tent cabins and a handful of standard rooms operate only in summer, once the road clears of snow, and there's no cell service or Wi-Fi — which is exactly the point for hikers looking to disconnect near trailheads for Lukens Lake and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
8. Cedar Lodge
Also along the Merced River near the western entrance, Cedar Lodge (managed under the Rodeway Inn brand in recent years) offers 211 straightforward, well-priced rooms. It won't win design awards, but the location along Highway 140 puts you close to both the valley and the town of Mariposa for groceries, gas, and casual dining.
9. High Sierra Camps
Yosemite's five High Sierra Camps — Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang — remain one of the park's most distinctive lodging experiences, reachable only on foot or horseback along a loop trail through the backcountry. Each camp offers dormitory-style canvas tent cabins and hearty family-style meals. Demand routinely outstrips supply, so reservations are handled through an annual lottery system rather than first-come booking — plan a full year ahead if this is on your list.
10. Big Trees Lodge
Formerly the Wawona Hotel, this 1879 property near the South Entrance and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias is the oldest surviving hotel in the National Park System. The 50 rooms retain a Victorian-era charm, complete with a wraparound porch and a nine-hole golf course on-site. It's seasonal, typically closing in winter, so check operating dates before booking.
11. Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort
A favorite with budget travelers and backpackers, the Yosemite Bug near Midpines mixes private rooms, hostel-style dorms, tent cabins, and yurts on one forested hillside property. There's a genuinely good restaurant on-site, a sauna, and a relaxed, communal vibe that's rare this close to a major national park. It's roughly a 25-minute drive to the valley, which is a fair trade for the savings.
12. Yosemite Westgate Lodge
Small and independently run, this 45-room property near Groveland offers straightforward, clean accommodations with a pool and easy access to the Big Oak Flat Entrance. It's a practical pick for travelers who want a no-fuss base without resort pricing.
13. Yosemite Sierra Inn
Near the South Entrance in Oakhurst, this 24-room inn keeps things simple with updated rooms, a pool, and proximity to restaurants in town. It works well as an overflow option when properties closer to the park are booked out, which happens often in peak season.
14. Redwoods in Yosemite
Inside Wawona, Redwoods in Yosemite manages a large portfolio of privately owned cabins and homes, ranging from cozy one-bedroom units to larger houses that sleep ten or more. It's the best option on this list for families or groups wanting a kitchen, a yard, and some separation from hotel-style logistics.
15. Sierra Sky Ranch
A historic 1875 ranch house near Oakhurst, Sierra Sky Ranch offers a small number of rustic rooms on a quiet property surrounded by pine forest. It's modest compared to the resorts on this list, but the setting and the price point make it worth a look for travelers heading in through the South Entrance.
Choosing Where to Stay: Inside the Park or a Gateway Town?
Staying inside Yosemite Valley — at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel or Yosemite Valley Lodge — saves driving time and lets you catch sunrise and sunset light on Half Dome without fighting entrance traffic. It also costs more and sells out fastest. Gateway towns like Mariposa, Groveland, Fish Camp, and Oakhurst offer better value and more room types, at the cost of a 20-45 minute commute into the valley each day. For a first visit focused on the classic viewpoints — Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls — I'd lean toward splitting a week: two or three nights in the valley, then a few more at a gateway resort with a pool for downtime.
Practical Tips Before You Book
Summer (June through August) is Yosemite's busiest season by a wide margin, and rooms at every property on this list can sell out four to six months ahead. Spring brings the best waterfall flows, thanks to Sierra snowmelt, while fall offers thinner crowds and crisp hiking weather. Winter is quieter still, and it's when the famous "Firefall" glow appears on Horsetail Fall in mid-to-late February, if conditions cooperate.
Pack for big temperature swings — valley floor days can hit 90°F in July while high-country nights drop into the 40s. If you're flying into Fresno or Sacramento before driving in, it's worth double-checking your bag dimensions against current airline carry-on luggage size restrictions so you're not repacking at the gate. And if this is your first national park trip, a quick read through general travel tips covering reservations, permits, and packing basics can save you a few headaches once you're on the ground.
For travelers who care as much about the property itself as the location, it's worth noting that the Majestic Yosemite Hotel regularly shows up on lists of the most beautiful hotels in the world — the Great Lounge and dining hall alone justify a stop even for guests staying elsewhere in the park.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best hotel in Yosemite National Park? For a true in-park stay with historic character, the Majestic Yosemite Hotel is the standout. For families who want more amenities and space, Tenaya Lodge just outside the South Entrance is the stronger overall pick.
Is it cheaper to stay outside Yosemite National Park? Generally yes. Gateway towns like Mariposa, Groveland, and Oakhurst offer lower rates and more availability than in-park lodging, usually in exchange for a short drive to the valley.
How far in advance should I book a Yosemite hotel? For summer travel or a stay inside the valley, book six to twelve months ahead. Gateway properties have more flexibility but still fill up fast on holiday weekends.
Final Take
Yosemite rewards travelers who plan lodging early and match the hotel to what they actually want from the trip — proximity to trailheads, a pool for the kids, or a quiet cabin far from cell signal. Any of these 15 properties will get you close to the granite and the giant sequoias; the right one just depends on how much convenience you're willing to pay for.
