Here are some of our favorite spots to stay when visiting Yosemite. These properties offer everything from activities for the kids to swimming pools, ziplines and nightly s’mores.
Under Canvas Yosemite (New for 2025) – Groveland
If glamping is your jam, you likely know about Under Canvas and their properties near national parks all over the United States. This new outpost brings safari-style glamping tents to its 85-acre property just outside the Big Oak Flat entrance, with a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) bus stop nearby. You can sleep in real beds under the stars and enjoy days filled with guided hikes, scavenger hunts and movie nights. $399 and up /night.
undercanvas.com/camps/yosemite
Wildhaven Yosemite – Mariposa
This property opened in 2024 after years of dazzling families with its Healdsburg location. From the prime location near the quaint town of Mariposa to the live music, wine tasting events and yoga, families love staying at Wildhaven.
Choose a glamping tent for more of a traditional camping experience or go for the glamping cabins that have heat/AC, a full bathroom with a shower, and a kitchenette with a mini fridge. The tents share a high-end bathhouse, with hot showers (indoors and outdoors) and restrooms. Barbecues, dish-washing sinks, and complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate make it that much easier for families. Check out the on-site hiking trails, or head into the park via the YARTS shuttle (a stop is just one mile away). $149 and up/night.
Evergreen Lodge – Groveland
This family-friendly property near Yosemite offers tons of activities to keep the kids and adults busy. There are a variety of play areas with ziplines, climbing structures and giant chess sets.
Families can choose from cabins, safari-style tents and larger homes. There’s a pool for cooling off, a general store full of snacks and two restaurants so you can get out of cooking and doing the dishes. Yoga classes and massages make it a relaxing experience for parents. Plus, you can easily access the park via the less-busy Hetch Hetchy entrance. $275 and up/night.
Rush Creek Lodge & Spa – Groveland
This sister property to Evergreen Lodge is just a short drive away, closest to the Big Oak Flat entrance. Here, you’ll get more of an upscale hotel experience, with lodge rooms and villas ideal for families. While the large swimming pool might be the early favorite, kids will soon discover the oversized games, giant slide and ziplines.
A full-service spa is the cherry on top for parents, with saunas, warm waterfall coves and a sensory room for relaxing after a day on the trails. Dine at the restaurant or the tavern or get your fill of trail mix and ice cream at the general store. The kids might not want to leave when they learn there are all sorts of activities, from geodes to terrarium crafts. $485 and up/night.
Tenaya at Yosemite – Fish Camp
If you prefer to stay near Yosemite’s South Entrance, Tenaya Lodge is your best bet. Families will love the Explorer Cabins that sleep up to six and include a microwave, coffee maker and mini-fridge, or you can book a room at the lodge to stay closer to the pool and restaurants. Head to the archery range to test your skills or go on a guided mountain bike ride through the lodge’s trails. The best way to celebrate a day in the great outdoors is dinner at the Gold Rush BBQ, a summer favorite. $305 and up/night.
Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort – Midpines
Families love the laid-back vibe that comes with a stay at this quirky property near Mariposa and Yosemite’s El Portal entrance. There are a variety of rooms with different sleeping arrangements, plus heated tents and a hostel. Explore the property’s hiking trails and then swing by the June Bug Cafe for a meal of locally sourced food with delicious vegan and vegetarian options. They have bag lunches that are perfect to grab before you head into the park. $139 and up/night.
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Tips for Visiting Yosemite
With all the chaos in the federal government, it’s hard to know what to expect when visiting the national parks this summer. Timed entry permits are no longer required at Yosemite, which means even more visitors will be heading into the park this summer. You should expect long delays at ranger stations and parking challenges.
Here are tips for visiting Yosemite this summer:
- Check the official Yosemite website before you go for closures and other information. nps.gov/yose/index.htm
- Plan to arrive early in the morning or late in the day to avoid long lines at entrance stations.
- Use YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses to get into the park. You won’t have to find a parking spot inside the park, and you can use the free park shuttle to get around.
- Avoid weekends if possible.
- There are five entrances to Yosemite. Hetch Hetchy gets the least amount of traffic.
- Explore beyond Yosemite Valley (which tends to draw the most visitors), such as Tuolumne Meadows and the Mariposa Grove of the Giant Sequoias.
This part of California is stunningly beautiful, and you can find plenty of outdoor spaces to explore outside the park. A few options: Go for a swim at the Diana Falls swimming hole, tackle the rapids on the Merced River or ride the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad through the trees.