Where to stay in Yosemite?

Staying in Yosemite Park

Staying inside Yosemite is certainly the best way to be close to the park's various points of interest, including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point Road, Tunnel View and Valley View.

It's also the starting point for numerous hikes in the area, so it's sure to be the place where you'll spend most of your time during your stay.

If you want to stay in the heart of Yosemite, you'll find various types of accommodation, including lodges, cabins and campsites, all of which can be booked on the official website.

However, these are the most popular, so they are often fully booked. You'll need to book months in advance if you want to stay there, especially if you're planning to visit during the summer months. And please note that cabins are not open all year round, as they are closed in winter and during snowfalls.

And while this is the best option from a geographical point of view, especially to avoid all the traffic jams at the park entrance in the morning, especially during the high season, prices are considerably higher than outside Yosemite.

As a result, while the location of these accommodations makes them a good option, they don't offer the best value for money, and you'll find many more affordable options at the park's gates.

Finally, in terms of entertainment in this area, at Yosemite Village you'll have access to the Valley Visitor Center, as well as a number of grocery stores and restaurants.

South entrance: accommodation at Oakhurst and Fish Camp

Near the Big Oak Flat Entrance, south of Yosemite, you can stay at Oakhurst and Fish Camp. Ideal for visiting the park, you'll find accommodation here at sometimes more affordable rates.

One of the closest towns to the entrance, Oakhurst is also one of the most densely populated and developed areas in the region. In fact, it's a great place to stay if you're on a road trip from the south.

If you're looking for a place to stay, in addition to being able to reach the Yosemite site quickly, you'll find a wide range of accommodation, from hotels to inns and bed & breakfasts.

But that's not all: Oakhurst is also a lively little town where you can enjoy shops, bars and restaurants.

The second alternative for accommodation at the south entrance is Fish Camp, a picturesque little village just 5km or 6 minutes from the entrance to Yosemite. Although it's further from the valley, it's only 2 steps from the great Mariposa Grove forest. But beware, the supply of accommodation is more limited.

Finally, beyond its access to the park, staying here will enable you to enjoy other attractions such as the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad and the Yosemite Trails Horseback Tour.

Southwest entrance: stay at El Portal, Mariposa and Midpines

The West Entrance is the ideal place to stay for travelers on a road trip from San Francisco. In this case, you'll have the choice of staying in El Portal, Midpines or Mariposa.

Just a few minutes from the park, El Portal is the closest town to the West Gate. Although not a town in the strict sense of the word, it is home to a number of hotels and shops. Nevertheless, with its ideal location, staying here may require a higher budget than in more remote areas.

Midpines, 35 minutes from the entrance, is also a good alternative where to stay if you want to stay close to the park at more attractive rates. So, if there's not much to do there, it's an ideal compromise between a decent budget and a good geographical location. And although there aren't many of them, there are plenty of shops and restaurants in and around the town.

Finally, 50km and almost an hour's drive from Yosemite, Mariposa, a little further afield, is renowned for its authenticity, typical of towns in the American West. If you choose to stay here, you'll benefit from a wide range of accommodation options, as well as shops, bars and restaurants.

East entrance: stay at Lee Vening and June Lake

While most of the entrances are on the western side, there is also one on the eastern side. So, if you want to stay there, you can opt for either Lee Vining or June Lake.

The east entrance is famous for being at one end of Tiago Road, an iconic Yosemite road that crosses the park from east to west. But beware: if you choose to stay at the eastern entrance during the winter season, the road will be closed, so you won't be able to reach the valley.

At 20km and around 17mn drive from the entrance, it's ideal to stay at Lee Vining for those taking a road trip from Death Valley or Las Vegas.

Situated at the foot of the Sierra Nevada, this town is not particularly interesting in terms of things to do, but is an interesting basefor exploring the national park. You'll find plenty of motels and bed & breakfasts at affordable rates.

What's more, if you choose to stay here, you'll have access to a wide range ofexcursion services to help you discover the Yosemite region.

A little further south, June Lake is another interesting place to stay for those wishing to discover Yosemite. In addition to its proximity to the park, June Lake is also a stone's throw from a ski resort: June Mountain.

In terms of accommodation, you'll find a wide range of hotels offering good value for money.

Northwest entry: staying in Groveland

In the north-west, just 30 km from the park entrance, Groveland is a charming, quintessentially American Western town.

Made up of a single road, you'll find plenty of accommodation on it, extending right up to the park entrance. As far as budget is concerned, Groveland doesn't require a large budget, as the various accommodations are generally quite affordable. Note, however, that the closer you get to the entrance, the more they tend to rise.

But that's not all: in addition to its location close to Yosemite, if you choose to stay here, you'll also be able to visit some of the town's most emblematic landmarks, such as the Iroon Door Saloon, the oldest saloon in California, the Rainbow Pool and the Groveland Yosemite Gateway Museum.

In terms of entertainment, you'll find numerous bars and restaurants throughout the city. Finally, for music fans, Groveland hosts many musical events throughout the year, so you won't be disappointed if you choose to stay here.