Best places to stay in Yosemite
Have you been to Yosemite National Park? If not, you really should go one day. It’s breath-taking beautiful. The park is located in California, USA and is a premier tourist spot. There are plenty of things to do in the park like hiking, biking and boating. Yosemite has many hotels and campgrounds available for guests to stay at, but what places are the best?
Going further, this article will enlighten you on: best Areas in & Around Yosemite, best places to stay in yosemite for families, autocamp yosemite and yosemite hotel
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Located in the High Sierra Mountain range in the central-eastern part of California, the majestic Yosemite National Park is one of the most famous and most visited parks in the United States. Every year the breathtaking landscapes of Yosemite and Mariposa County, in general, are visited by many nature lovers, hikers, climbers, campers, tourists, and travelers from all around the world!
Regardless of age or ability level, there are so many outdoor activities for travelers all year round. Peak season for Yosemite is spring, as it is the best season to see the waterfalls. Summer is best for hiking, and autumn is lovely for photography to capture the changing colors of nature. You can go skiing or snowboarding in the mountains in winter (just keep in mind that Highway 120 that climbs above Yosemite Valley from the East is usually closed in winter between November and May). For that reason, you can choose any season according to your preference!
Yosemite National Park has 5 entrances, and this map will help you to visualize the regions. Here are the 5 convenient areas I will be giving information about in this post which are all great places to start discovering Yosemite
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
for first-timers
OAKHURST
best location
GROVELAND
for history lovers
JAMESTOWN
for budget travelers
MAMMOTH LAKES
for winter sports
1. YOSEMITE VALLEY & INSIDE YOSEMITE PARK – WHERE TO STAY FOR THE FIRST TIME
Even though there are many breathtaking places around Yosemite Park, Yosemite Valley is the most popular area preferred by travelers. Yosemite Valley is a 7- mile long canyon surrounded by granite walls and waterfalls right at the heart of the national park that is home to many famous hikes and cliffs that you might recognize, like Half Dome. There are very few accommodation options inside the valley itself, all of them are owned by the national park and are very basic.
Thankfully, there are many more privately owned options inside the national park, which are still close to Yosemite Valley. These places generally have better facilities and more services, and since the whole national park is super majestic, it doesn’t really matter which part of the park you stay in. So if you are looking for better facilities, choose one of these places that I will mention below.
If you are visiting Yosemite for the first time, to be at the heart of nature and feel the atmosphere, Yosemite Valley must be your first choice.
Let’s have a look at perfect lodging in this area:
LUXURY HOTEL
Offering full-service Tenaya Lodge is just 5 minutes to the entrance of Yosemite National Park. This is the best lodging option that combines luxury and comfort for travelers. Tenaya Lodge features modern facilities, a spa, and a gourmet restaurant. You can rent a bike from the hotel and discover surrounding areas. Also, Yosemite Ski Area is just an hour’s drive from the lodge
2. OAKHURST – THE BEST LOCATION OUTSIDE OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Located at the intersection point of Highway 41 and 49, Oakhurst is one of the closest towns to Yosemite. In the Sierra Nevada Mountain foothills, Oakhurst is just 16 miles away from the southern entrance of Yosemite and 47 miles to Yosemite Valley. Oakhurst is a gateway city to Yosemite by having a wide variety of restaurants, shops, and outdoor activities. By staying here, you will find relatively cheaper accommodation options than inside Yosemite park and will have the comfort of staying in a town.
To plan your Yosemite trip, you can easily go to Yosemite Madera County Visitor Center and get information about the surrounding site and road conditions. Their front desk will be happy to answer your questions. You can also collect some maps and brochures about Yosemite from there. If you are looking for a stay not far from the city but also close to Yosemite, Oakhurst is a perfect choice! There are many cabins and lodging options to stay from luxury to budget in Oakhurst.
Let me list some of the nicest hotels and cabins with excellent reviews:
LUXURY HOTEL
Just ten minutes drive from Bass Lake, this nice lodge has all the facilities that you need. You can benefit from views of the Sierra Mountains on your patio. The lodge has a private entrance and comes with a full kitchen and a spa bath on site, the perfect place to relax
3. GROVELAND – WHERE TO STAY IN YOSEMITE FOR HISTORY LOVERS
Just outside of Mariposa County and half an hour drive from the western entrance of Yosemite, Groveland is a historically interesting town that will especially make westerns lovers very happy. Imagine yourself stepping back in time as you walk the old-fashioned streets and visit the saloon for a wild wild west vibe. Groveland will make you feel like you are traveling in the country and into the past!
This historic town offers many shops, restaurants, and nice accommodation options. Simply admire the mural-covered walls of the town by going for a stroll, or try some outdoor activities like horse riding, camping, and golfing. And, of course, take day trips into Yosemite National Park! Groveland is a lovely alternative stay option near Yosemite, but as it is a very popular stop, it is a good idea to drive there before or after rush hours to skip the traffic jam.
Let’s have a look at the best accommodations in this lovely town:
LUXURY HOTEL
This nicely decorated lodge is in California gold country and half an hour drive to Yosemite National Park and just 5 miles from Pine Mountain Airport. Private parking is available on the site. Including a balcony with a perfect view, comfortable rooms will fulfill all your needs in this amazing place to stay near the heart of Yosemite
4. JAMESTOWN – FOR BUDGET TRAVELERS
As Yosemite is a very popular place to visit, accommodation prices can be very high. Jamestown is a very good alternative for those who are traveling on a budget. You will be able to find reasonably cheaper places to stay here. From Jamestown to the South Entrance, it will take about a 2 hours drive, but when you compare the accommodation prices with nearby Yosemite towns and Jamestown, you will see that it is worth the extra drive, and the road view is beautifully scenic too!
In 1897 Jamestown became popular with the discovery of the first gold in the county. It is an interesting historic town which is also great for families. There are many preserved buildings and historical sites devoted to steam trains where you can have a fun time with kids discovering these attractions. Of course, outdoor activities such as hiking and fishing are available too.
Jamestown is very ideal for budget travelers who would like to enjoy the comfort of town with a good value of money and still be able to access beautiful nature.
LUXURY HOTEL
This Victorian-style beautiful hotel is just 10 minutes walk from Sonara town center. The rooms are very clean and nicely decorated. You can enjoy a very nice breakfast on the porch overlooking a nice garden. A great place to stay near Yosemite!
5. MAMMOTH LAKES – BEST AREA NEAR YOSEMITE FOR WINTER SPORTS
Although there is a small ski area inside the park itself, if you want to combine your Yosemite trip with a proper ski trip, Mammoth Lake is a great option!
Located in the Eastern Sierra with a high altitude of 7,880 feet, Mammoth Mountain is the biggest ski area close to Yosemite!
The ski season is usually from December to April but note that since Mammoth Lakes is east of Yosemite National Park, the closest entrance is closed in winter due to snowy conditions. This means if you are planning to hit the slopes at Mammoth, as well as see the national park, it’s best to spend a couple of nights in each location due to the fact you will have to take the long way round to enter Yosemite, so you don’t have to rush.
You can still enjoy plenty of other activities in Mammoth Lakes in other seasons, as well as the shorter 45-minute drive to Yosemite. You’ll find amazing, scenic hiking trails, 75 miles (120 kms) of mountain bike trails, and opportunities for kayaking or SUP on Mono Lake. Get ready to discover wildlife, waterfalls, and hot springs!
LUXURY HOTEL
If you want to enjoy the mountain vibe in Yosemite with 5-star comfort, this hotel could be the best place to stay. The hotel is situated at Mammoth Mountain Ski Area with easy access to ski lifts, including a heated outdoor pool, 5 hot tubs, 3 gyms, and a private park. All rooms have a private outside area