STEP FOUR: Book Your Lodging
>> Where should I stay? <<
Alright, you’re more than halfway there. Step Four is a fun one!
Let’s make your lodging reservations. I’m going to help you decide where you want to stay while visiting Yosemite. After this task is complete, it’s official….you’re making your dream trip a reality!
So go ahead and get out the list you made in Step Three….the one that has the points of interest you want to visit divided up by region. Which region has the most activities? You’ll want to book your lodging near that area of the park.
Now, if you plan on being in the park for more than two or three nights, you may decide to book a few nights in one area of the park and then a few nights in another. One of the biggest mistakes people make when visiting Yosemite is not factoring in all the driving — you could end up spending too much time in the car just trying to get from place to place. No fun.
If you can snag a reservation in Yosemite Valley, that is a good, central location for your whole trip. If you are unable to stay in the Valley, you may want to stay a few nights near Wawona/Glacier Point and then a few nights near Crane Flat/Tuolumne Meadows.
Click here to see the lodging options within the park. In-park lodging becomes available 366 days in advance so if there’s no availability, you’ll need to consider options outside of the park near the entrances. Here’s what you can expect at each entrance:
South Entrance (Wawona/Fish Camp)
The South Entrance is a great jumping-off point for seeing the Mariposa Grove’s giant sequoias! From here, you’re about an hour from Yosemite Valley, an hour to Glacier Point, and about 2.5 hours to Tuolumne Meadows.
If you’re coming into the park from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, Los Angeles, or Fresno, this is likely the entrance you’ll use. The towns of Fish Camp, Wawona, and Oakhurst have plenty of amenities, hotels, and things to do while still maintaining a small-town feel.
Highway 41 is open year-round. If you can’t get a reservation at one of the main lodges, try AirBnB (get $40 off by using this link!) and search for properties in Wawona and Yosemite West — that will put you in a great location!
Arch Rock Entrance (El Portal)
If you can’t get a reservation in the park but are still hoping to be near Yosemite Valley, look for something near the Arch Rock Entrance. From here, you’re about 30 minutes to Yosemite Valley, 1 hour to Wawona, and 1.5 hours to Tuolumne Meadows.
The sleepy town of El Portal sits just outside the Arch Rock Entrance and has a few basic amenities, such as a gas station, hotels, restaurants, and campgrounds. A 12-foot 10-inch height restriction is in place to get through the tunnel that leads into the park.
Highway 140 is open year-round.
Big Oak Flat Entrance (Groveland)
The Big Oak Flat Entrance is a popular entrance for people coming into the park from Sacramento or San Francisco. The nearest town to this entrance is Groveland, which is about 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley, 1.5 hours from Tuolumne Meadows, and 2 hours from Wawona.
Groveland is a charming town with lots of fun options for activities, hotels, and restaurants. This town features a small grocery store and the oldest saloon in California!
Staying in Groveland doesn’t get you very close to Yosemite’s main attractions, but it can be a good jumping-off point for exploring the northern section of the park. There are a few hotels and campgrounds closer to the Big Oak Flat Entrance if you don’t want to be right in town (for example, staying at the Rush Creek Lodge will cut off about 45 minutes of drive time into the Valley each way).
Highway 120 from Groveland into Yosemite Valley is open year-round.
Hetch Hetchy Entrance (Mather)
The Hetch Hetchy Entrance brings you to the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in a more remote corner of Yosemite. This section of the park is used more by backpackers and people hoping to access the park’s backcountry, although there is a short scenic drive and a lovely hike to Wapama Falls for day hikers.
Unless you have specific plans to spend time in the Hetch Hetchy area, I don’t recommend staying in Mather or near this entrance. There is a small paved Forest Service Road that connects the town of Mather to the Big Oak Flat Entrance though, so if you do stay here, you can still access the main parts of the park if needed.
This entrance closes down overnight, with hours typically from 7 or 8 a.m. to 7 or 9 p.m.
Tioga Pass Entrance (Lee Vining)
Entering the park through the Tioga Pass Entrance is the most dramatic way to enter Yosemite! Highway 120 from Lee Vining to Tioga Pass is a steep, curvy mountain road that climbs 2500 feet in 8 miles.
After entering the park through this entrance, you’ll be immediately rewarded with views of the incredible Tuolumne Meadows. This section of the park is less-visited than Yosemite Valley but offers fantastic landscapes and exciting hiking trails.
The town of Lee Vining is located along the shores of Mono Lake and has numerous lodging and dining options.
Highway 120 from Lee Vining to Crane Flat is closed during the winter months, and if you plan on entering the park from this side {especially with an RV}, please read these tips for driving up Tioga Pass.
In a large and popular park like Yosemite, finding lodging can be a complex process. Determine what area of the park/entrance you’d like to stay in first, then start digging for the lodging that will best suit your needs. Rooms sure can get snatched up fast so let’s book your lodging!
If you’re interested in my recommendations for places to stay, I’ve included a helpful lodging guide with these Yosemite itineraries.
Alright, it’s time to tie up our loose ends so that you’ll have an awesome Yosemite vacation plan under your belt.
Click NEXT to see Step Five — let’s put it all together!
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