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Yosemite is huge; frankly, if you’re not spending a few days exploring its wonders, you’re missing out. Sure, you can do a full day’s driving tour of the highlights, but the joy of any national park is getting your boots dirty. Luckily, there are plenty of places in and around the park, including hotels Yosemite National Park that cater to almost any type of traveler—regardless of how outside-averse you are.
A word of warning, though: many of these places sell out weeks in advance, so don’t wait until the last minute to book. Here are the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park.
Campsites and RV Parks
Location: Various Locations in Yosemite National Park
Price: $5 – $40
Vibe: Campfire memories
The rundown: Our conscience would be wracked with guilt if we didn’t put this first. The purest way to experience Yosemite, just like Jon Muir would have done back in the 19th century, is to camp.
Throw your old tent in the trunk, grab a sleeping bag, and get to grips with nature at one of Yosemite’s 13 campgrounds. As you can imagine, these get incredibly busy and often need reservations weeks in advance – especially popular spots like Upper Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4. Some of them are wonderfully close to the big-name spots in the park, making it the best way to beat the crowds and get a real feeling of nature at its best.
The Ahwahnee
Location: Yosemite National Park
Price: From $592
Vibe: Historic centralized comfort
The rundown: The Ahwahnee is a historic landmark. Up there with the best national park lodges, this optio nfor hotels Yosemite National Park is an iconic property built in the twenties to attract well-to-do visitors the world over. While it’s no longer what we could call luxurious in a contemporary sense, it’s packed with character, from the ornate brickwork that mimics the nearby granite cliffs to its grand chandeliers and nature-focused artwork.
Rooms don’t come cheap. But it’s only a short stroll to find staggering views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Yosemite Falls, placing you comfortably in the thick of the action.
Yosemite Valley Lodge
Location: Yosemite National Park
Price: $276
Vibe: Family-geared exploration base
The rundown: An affordable alternative to The Ahwahnee, what it lacks in history, it more than makes up for in convenience and amenities. This option for hotels Yosemite National Park is designed to be a comfortable retreat after a tiring day in the park, you could do far worse than the Valley Lodge.
Kids can splash around in the pool while Mom and Dad enjoy the views of Yosemite Falls from a sun lounger before venturing out again. The bunk rooms are perfect for saving costs on a big group, too.
Curry Village
Location: Yosemite National Park
Price: From $69
Vibe: Camping for dummies
The rundown: The perfect compromise for arguments between the all-too-eager but inexperienced camper and their hotel-loving other half. The tents are already erected, they have beds, and they even have doors.
Guests can choose between heated or unheated tents; if the argument swings towards a hotel, the cabins on site are perfect. These aren’t designed to keep you there. They’re built to offer a platform to explore the park. Go forth.
Evergreen Lodge
Location: 1 Mile from Hetch Hetchy Park Entrance
Price: From $135
Vibe: Summer camp with a bar
The rundown: Moving outside the park, visitors’ horizons can broaden on the accommodation front. Just a mile from the Hetch Hetchy park entrance, Evergreen Lodge’s joyous summer camp vibe makes it one of the most popular spots to set up shop on a Yosemite trip. Guests can stay in their own cabins, giving stays a more private experience, and on-site restaurants make finding food a non-issue.
A long day’s hiking requires a cold one, so grab a beer at the tavern or pool bar and hunker down with your loved ones for the night.
Tenaya Lodge
Location: Fish Camp, CA
Price: From $190
Vibe: High-value mountain luxury
The rundown: Tenaya offers the greatest variety of accommodations on our list. Guests are spoiled for choice, from the simple but comfortable lodge rooms to the fabulously designed explorer cabins and cottage rooms. With a far more resort-like feel, families will reap the most benefits.
The lodge also runs a range of experiences in the park, from guided hikes to private bus tours – little ones can even get initiated as junior rangers.
Chateau du Sureau
Location: Oakhurst
Price: $390
Vibe: French elegance for when hiking is too much
The rundown: When a stripped-back experience isn’t even in consideration, Chateau du Surea is the only option for hotels Yosemite National Park. This dazzling ten-room boutique hotel is set in a French-style castle resort. It’s 16 miles from the park entrance, but with service like this, the short drive will be negligible.
If you feel like splurging, the property’s center-piece villa is available for your use. The stunning 2,000 sq ft villa features a baby grand piano, a wet bar, a private spa, and a fantastic office if you feel like getting some work done (or that naturalist memoir you’ve been inspired to write).