Where to Stay in Yosemite: Inside the Park, Gateway Towns & Campgrounds

By Jocelyn Pion · Data: National Park Service · ← Complete guide Yosemite

The short answer. For a first visit, Yosemite Valley is the most practical base. It's close to El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the free shuttles that run throughout the valley. Plan on at least two nights, or three if you want to venture out to Tuolumne Meadows or Mariposa Grove. If park accommodations are full, as they routinely are in summer, El Portal and Groveland are solid bases less than an hour away.

Where to stay: towns, lodges and campgrounds (12)

All Gateway townsLodgesCampgrounds

• Campground Upper Pines Campground first come, first served · 236 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Hodgdon Meadow Campground first come, first served · 100 sites Directions ↗
• Campground North Pines Campground first come, first served · 81 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Lower Pines Campground first come, first served · 74 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Wawona Campground first come, first served · 95 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Tuolumne Meadows Campground first come, first served · 289 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Crane Flat Campground first come, first served · 148 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Camp 4 Campground first come, first served · 61 sites Directions ↗
• Campground White Wolf Campground recreation.gov · 68 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Porcupine Flat Campground first come, first served · 55 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Yosemite Creek Campground first come, first served · 74 sites Directions ↗
• Campground Tamarack Flat Campground first come, first served · 52 sites Directions ↗

Show interactive map Base map © OpenStreetMap · © CARTO

⚠ Gateway town & Lodge data is undergoing editorial review.

Stay Inside or Outside the Park?

It's the question everyone asks, and the answer comes down to one factor: how far ahead you plan.

Choose the park if you've booked early, ideally five to six months ahead for campgrounds and as soon as lodge reservations open. You'll wake up beneath the granite cliffs, have immediate access to the shuttles, and be able to hit the trails while most of the crowds are still asleep.

Choose a gateway town if you're planning a last-minute trip, traveling with family and specific comfort needs, or trying to keep costs down. A lodge inside the park can easily cost twice as much as a comparable hotel in Mariposa or Oakhurst.

One practical detail matters here. From roughly April through October, Yosemite requires a daily parking reservation for the valley. If you're staying outside the park and driving in every day, you'll need to reserve a time slot in advance on recreation.gov. Our Yosemite access guide explains how the system works.

Staying in Yosemite: Lodges and Park Accommodations

All accommodations inside the park are operated by Yosemite Hospitality, the Delaware North concessioner. Options range from tent cabins to a landmark historic hotel, but one rule applies across the board. Booking early isn't optional; it's essential.

The Ahwahnee

Opened in 1927 and designated a National Historic Landmark, The Ahwahnee is the valley's signature address. Its large windows look straight onto the granite walls, and the dining room's massive timber beams make it worth a visit even if you're not staying there. Rates are steep, often topping $500 a night in peak season, but a night with a view of Half Dome from your window can be worth it. Reservations are required several months ahead, sometimes as early as January for summer stays.

Yosemite Valley Lodge

At the foot of Yosemite Falls, this lodge offers modern, comfortable rooms in an understated setting. It's our best all-around pick for a first visit, with direct shuttle access, a riverside terrace, and typical rates of $250 to $380 a night. It has less prestige than The Ahwahnee, but its location in the valley is just as good.

Half Dome Village

Formerly Curry Village, Half Dome Village offers canvas tent cabins and a few solid-walled rooms. The atmosphere is relaxed, and rates are more approachable, around $140 to $220 for a tent cabin. One drawback is that the tents have limited soundproofing, and cool nights are common at 3,900 feet even in July. Bring a warm sleeping bag.

Wawona Hotel

Forty-five kilometers south of the valley via Hwy 41, this white-columned Victorian building has been welcoming guests since 1879. It mainly serves visitors headed to Mariposa Grove and its giant sequoias. Expect peace and quiet, a summer pool, and a golf course. It's an under-the-radar option for anyone looking to experience a less crowded side of Yosemite. The tradeoff is distance from the valley's iconic sights, which means about an hour of driving each day.

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and White Wolf Lodge

These two tent-cabin lodges open only in summer, usually from June through September, at elevations above 7,900 feet. They're for hikers who want to explore the High Sierra without heading back down to the valley every evening. Our guide to the signature hikes from Tuolumne Meadows covers the options in detail.

For the full seasonal schedule and detailed booking advice, see all the accommodations in our Yosemite lodges guide.

Camping in Yosemite: Park Campgrounds

Yosemite has about a dozen campgrounds, from the banks of the Merced River to Tuolumne's alpine meadows. Most require reservations through recreation.gov, and peak-season sites disappear within minutes at 7 a.m. Pacific Time, exactly five months before the arrival date.

In the valley. Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines are the three major campgrounds everyone competes for. They offer tent and RV sites, shuttle access, and showers. Expect to pay $18 to $36 per site, depending on the amenities. Camp 4, the legendary climbers' campground, releases some sites in person each morning on a first-come, first-served basis.

At higher elevations. Tuolumne Meadows Campground, at 8,600 feet, is the park's largest campground. About half the sites can be reserved ahead of time, while the rest are released at the entrance station. It's closed outside the season, usually from October through late May.

Near the entrances. Hodgdon Meadow, near the Big Oak Flat entrance on Hwy 120, and Wawona, near the South Entrance on Hwy 41, open earlier in the season and are generally easier to reserve than the valley campgrounds.

For fire regulations, available amenities, and booking strategies, see our Yosemite campgrounds guide. Traveling by RV? Our Yosemite RV camping guide lists compatible sites and the length restrictions to follow in the park.

Where to Stay Around Yosemite: Gateway Towns

The park's four entrances lead to towns with very different atmospheres, distances, and types of travelers.

El Portal (Hwy 140, Arch Rock Entrance)

El Portal is 9 miles from Yosemite Valley, along the Merced River canyon. It's not really a town, just a handful of lodges and guesthouses tucked into a narrow canyon corridor. The main advantage is getting into the park in about 20 minutes each morning, ahead of the entrance lines. It's for travelers who want the park's proximity without paying park prices.

Mariposa (Hwy 140)

About 50 miles from the valley, Mariposa is the county seat of the same-named county. It's the most complete town along the western approach, with restaurants, chain and independent hotels, and a Gold Rush museum worth a stop. The atmosphere feels authentic and far removed from mass tourism. It's a good fit for families and travelers who want a base with every service, in exchange for a 1-hour-15-minute drive each morning.

Groveland (Hwy 120, Big Oak Flat Entrance)

Groveland is a natural stop for travelers coming from San Francisco on Hwy 120, about 50 miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance. It's a quiet town with a few good restaurants and well-kept hotels. It's best for Bay Area travelers who prefer to leave early from a base near the north entrance instead of driving to the valley at night.

Fish Camp and Oakhurst (Hwy 41, South Entrance)

Fish Camp is barely 2 miles from the South Entrance, practically inside the park. Oakhurst, 19 miles farther down Hwy 41, is a real town with familiar chains, supermarkets, and gas stations. Both are natural choices for visitors coming from Los Angeles or Fresno. Choose Fish Camp for maximum proximity, or Oakhurst for more lodging options and lower rates.

Lee Vining (Hwy 120 East, Tioga Pass Entrance)

Lee Vining sits on the shore of Mono Lake, a few miles from Tioga Pass. Keep in mind that this entrance closes from around November through late May, depending on the Sierra Nevada snowpack. In summer, it's an excellent base for entering the park from the east and reaching Tuolumne Meadows in 45 minutes. It's a good choice for hikers and photographers focused on the High Sierra.

When to Book Your Yosemite Accommodation

Here's the rule, and there are no exceptions. Book as early as possible.

Park lodges open their reservation calendars between December and January for the following season. The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge often sell out within hours of opening for July and August. If you're visiting from June through August, be ready on the Yosemite Hospitality website on the first day reservations open.

Campgrounds on recreation.gov open exactly five months before the arrival date, at 7 a.m. Pacific Time. Get your login session ready ahead of time. Create your account, save your credit card, and decide on your dates.

During the shoulder season, from October through November and March through May outside U.S. school breaks, availability is better. Booking lodges a month ahead is still wise. Wawona and Hodgdon Meadow campgrounds often have sites available a few weeks out.

To plan your visit around crowds and weather, our guide to the best times to visit Yosemite provides a detailed month-by-month overview.

Lodging Budget: How Much Does It Cost to Stay in Yosemite?

The ranges below are per night and exclude the entrance fee, which is $35 per private vehicle and valid for seven consecutive days. For details on the entrance fee and annual pass options, see National Park Fees & Passes.

Our Recommendations by Travel Style

First visit, full comfort. Book Yosemite Valley Lodge or The Ahwahnee. You'll be in position for sunrise at El Capitan and just a two-minute walk from the shuttle. Plan on at least two nights, or three if your itinerary includes a day in Tuolumne Meadows.

Families with children. Half Dome Village works well. Kids enjoy the camp atmosphere, and the shared facilities, including quick-service food and a grocery store, make daily logistics easier. El Portal is a comfortable alternative if you need a real bed and a kitchenette. Our Family page lists age-appropriate activities in the park.

Budget travelers. Camping in the valley is the least expensive option inside the park, provided you secure a site five months ahead on recreation.gov. Otherwise, staying at a hotel in Oakhurst and visiting by car, with a parking reservation, lets you see the park without breaking the bank.

Nature and solitude. Choose Tuolumne Meadows Lodge or a high-elevation campground, both accessible only in summer. The High Sierra offers a dramatically different Yosemite from the valley, with fewer people, trails stretching toward the horizon, and incomparable high-elevation light.

A trip with two bases. Spend one night in the valley for the highlights, then one night in Wawona or Tuolumne for a change of scenery. It's an efficient four-day plan. Our Yosemite itinerary guide helps you build a schedule around the time you have. Our complete Yosemite guide remains the reference for planning the whole trip.

Frequently Asked Questions