Where To Stay In Yosemite (Lodging Guide For All Budgets)

Yosemite Campgrounds – For adventure seekers

Yosemite National Park has 13 campsites inside the park. Many of these campground have seasonal availability, especially those located on higher elevation. You may need to make reservations up to 5 months in advance, so look out for availability on recreation.gov.

The campgrounds are in these 3 regions within Yosemite:

1. Yosemite Valley
2. South of Yosemite Valley
   • Glacier Point Road
   • Wawona
3. North of Yosemite Valley
   • Big Oak Flat Road
   • Tioga Road

* Limited development campground: harder to access, water source only from a creek (must be filtered/treated/boiled)

Fish Camp – Best for cosy cabins

Fish camp has some popular lodging options, and you can find restaurants in these hotels and resorts. However, there are no gas stations here so it’s best to to stop by at Oakhurst to refuel.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 34 miles (1 hr 3 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 82 miles (2 hr 17 min drive)
• Gas stations: None
• Restaurants: Timberloft Pizzeria, Embers Restaurant, Jackalope’s Bar and Grill
• Convenience or grocery stores: Fish Camp General Store
• Outdoor store: None

Narrow Gauge Inn: Cozy lodge with a seasonal restaurant and outdoor pool. You can find the Historical Steam Train beside the hotel.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite: Modern Lodge with full-service spa, gourmet restaurant and fitness center.

Big Creek Inn: Homely rooms with a balcony and garden where guests can hangout and relax. Breakfast can also be included with a personal touch from the innkeeper.

Oakhurst – Best for affordable stays

You can find lots of amenities, services and even fast food in Oakhurst, though it is located further from the park. If you need to grab some outdoor gear, just stop by Big 5 Sporting Goods.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 47 miles (1 hr 23 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 95 miles (2 hr 35 min drive)
• Gas stations: Vons, Sinclair, Chevron, Valero, 76
• Restaurants: Pete’s Place, Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant, El Cid, Oakhurst Grill & Whiskey 41 Lounge, The Elderberry House, Smokehouse 41 BBQ, etc.
• Convenience or grocery stores: Mini Mart, Ez Mart, 7-Eleven, Raley’s
• Outdoor store: Big 5 Sporting Goods, Alpenglow Gear Co.

Yosemite Southgate Hotel and Suites: Affordable stay with seasonal outdoor pool, hot tub and spacious rooms.

Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn: Established hotel with outdoor and indoor pools, fitness center and a restaurant that serves American cuisine dinner.

Chataeau du Sureau: Treat yourself to a luxurious stay here in the mountains and enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool, onsite French cuisine fine-dining and a fireplace in the lobby.

El Portal – Best for convenient location all year

El Portal is one of the most popular towns to stay outside Yosemite because of its proximity to Yosemite Valley. Although amenities and groceries are limited, El Portal has stunning natural surroundings that make it a desirable place to stay.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 15 miles (30 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 56 miles (1 hr 30 min drive)
• Gas stations: Chevron
• Restaurants: The River Restaurant & Lounge, Parkside Pizza, Cedar House Restaurant, Canyon Bar and Grill
• Convenience or grocery stores: El Portal Market
• Outdoor store: None

Yosemite View Lodge: Located along the Merced River with 4 pools and a hot tub. You can also enjoy an American breakfast or dinner at the River Restaurant & Lounge on site.

Midpines – Best for cool accommodations

If you’re looking for a more peaceful and scenic town, Midpines is also a great option for cool accommodation options. Amenities are also limited here, but is still relatively close to Yosemite Valley.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 37 miles (1 hr drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 78 miles (2 hr drive)
• Gas stations: Midpines Country Store
• Restaurants: June Bug Cafe
• Convenience or grocery stores: Midpines Store and Gas, Mountain View Grocery
• Outdoor store: None

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort: Relaxing resort on a forest hillside with spa, table tennis and darts in the lounge area. Outside, you can also enjoy a communal fire pit. The June Bug Cafe is also on site, serving vegan and vegetarian cuisine.

AutoCamp Yosemite: Unique accommodation for glamping, with free bike rental, an outdoor pool and a terrace. You can also use the hotel grill and have a drink at the bar.

Mariposa – Best for mountain town charm

Mariposa is a charming mountain town that has plenty of amenities and small local businesses. It is on the way to Yosemite, though it’s a little further from the park.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 44 mile (1 hr 10 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 85 miles (2 hr 10 min drive)
• Gas stations: Grizzly Gas, Stage Shop Mini Mart, Chevrons
• Restaurants: Fredricks of Savourys, Miner’s Roadhouse 140, Don Ruben’s Mexican Restaurant, Charles Street Dinner House, Pizza Factory, Happy Burger Diner, Castillo’s, 1850 Restaurant and Brewery
• Convenience or grocery stores: Rite Aid
• Outdoor store: None

The Yosemite Inn: Affordable stay with spacious rooms with lots of dining options within 1 mile. This is a great place for no frills accommodation that doesn’t break the bank.

Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station: Hotel with a seasonal outdoor swimming pool, hot tub and fitness center for guests to use. Breakfast is also included to get you started for the day.

Zen Yosemite by BnB Yosemite: Vacation home with 3 bedrooms and fully equipped kitchen that is large enough for 6 people. Sunrises and sunsets are made perfect here with a balcony overlooking the scenery and a jacuzzi where you can enjoy the view outdoors.

Buck Meadows – Best for convenient location

Accommodations near Buck Meadow are mostly remote and quiet with limited amenities. However you get to be near Yosemite Valley and Tioga Road.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 38 miles (1 hr drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 60 miles (1 hr 30 min drive)
• Gas stations: Buck Meadows General Store
• Restaurants: Lucky Buck Cafe, Tangled Hearts Bakery
• Convenience or grocery stores: Buck Meadows General Store
• Outdoor store: None

Yosemite Westgate Lodge: You can enjoy the seasonal outdoor pool and the spacious rooms here, and grab a bite at the Lucky Buck Cafe restaurant on site. Overall, the rooms are spacious and the lodge is located in a quiet and scenic setting.

Rush Creek Lodge & Spa at Yosemite: This rustic yet modern lodge features an seasonal outdoor pool and two hot tubs. In addition, there is a playground for kids, and events scheduled regularly for the whole family. To make things better, the hotel also provides s’mores to be enjoyed at the fire pit every night.

Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite: This location in Mather is the best for accessing both Hetch Hetchy Entrance and Big Oak Flat Entrance. There is a seasonal outdoor pool, children’s playground, hot tub, table tennis and billiard facilities. In addition, the different types of cabins in this lodge make it a unique stay for every guest.

Groveland – Best for rustic town atmosphere

Passing through Groveland and its historic saloon makes you feel like you’re in another era. The amenities are plenty here, although it’s further from the park.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 48 miles (1 hr 15 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 70 miles (1 hr 40 min drive)
• Gas stations: Kwik Serv, Claim Jumper Outpost
• Restaurants: Cocina Michoacana, Priest Station Cafe, Iron Door Saloon, Two Guys Pizza Pies, Around The Horn Brewing Company
• Convenience or grocery stores: Miner’s Mart, Claim Jumper Outpost, Mar-Val
• Outdoor store: Yosemite Adventure Supplies (may be closed), Trail Less Traveled Bike Shop

Yosemite International Hostel: For a budget friendly stay, book a cottage room here with shared bathrooms. It’s simple and cozy, with morning coffee just across the street at Mountain Sage. We stayed here on a cold fall trip, and the heater in the room kept us warm.

Hotel Charlotte: Step into the old-west and experience the historic charm of this boutique hotel. The interior decor is unique and you can dine at the on site restaurant and bar, Charlotte’s Tavern. Enjoy the complimentary muffins and fruit in the lobby before your Yosemite adventures.

Berkshire Inn: This bed and breakfast inn is a cosy place with wooden craftsmanship interior. Each room comes with a private bathroom so that you can be comfortable.

Lee Vining – Best for convenience and affordable stays

Lee Vining is a scenic location near Mono Lake on the east side of Tioga Road. There is a good amount of amenities and is also a short drive to Tuolumne Meadows.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 76 miles (2 hr drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 21 miles (30 min drive)
• Gas stations: Mobil, Shell, Chevron
• Restaurants: Nicely’s Restaurant, Mono Cone, Bodie Mike’s The Basin Cafe, Whoa Nellie Deli
• Convenience or grocery stores: Tioga Gas Mart, Mono Market
• Outdoor store: Beaver’s Sporting Goods & Hardware

Yosemite Gateway Motel: One of the most affordable stays in Lee Vining, with sun terraces and lake views to help you relax.

Lake View Lodge: Enjoy views of Mono Lake from this cosy lodge, a great place to rest after an active day in Yosemite.

June Lake – Best for a quieter stay

The beautiful setting of June Lake often makes up for the moderate amenities in this town. From here, you can also enjoy a scenic drive to Yosemite.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 88 miles (2 hr 10 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 33 miles (43 min drive)
• Gas stations: Shell
• Restaurants: Eagle’s Landing Restaurant, La Parrilla Grill & Tacos, Silver Lake Resrot Cafe, June Pie Pizza Co., Tiger Bar & Cafe, Epic Cafe, Ohanas 395
• Convenience or grocery stores: June Lake General Store
• Outdoor store: Ernie’s Tackle & Ski Shop

Heidelberg Inn: This is a traditional inn with a gorgeous view of the surround nature. Here, you can book a two-bedroom condo that comes with a kitchenette, which is perfect for cooking with the family. The property is also located very close to June Lake, making it the perfect stop for a relaxing day.

Mammoth Lake – Best for resort stays

Although Mammoth Lake is a longer drive to Yosemite, there are plenty of amenities and is great for a side trip and other outdoor activities.

• Distance to Yosemite Valley: 103 miles (2 hr 26 min drive)
• Distance to Tuolumne Meadows: 49 miles (1 hr drive)
• Gas stations: Shell, Chevron, 76
• Restaurants: Mogul Restaurant, Toomey’s Gomez’s Mexican Restaurant, Roverto’s Cafe, Bar Sierra, The Loco Frijole, John’s Pizza Works, Giovanni’s Pizzeria, Good Life Cafe, etc.
• Convenience or grocery stores: Rite Aid, Busy Beez General Store, Latin Market
• Outdoor store: None

Cinnamon Bear Inn: Located in Downton Mammoth Lake, you can access all the nearby amenities easily. The room designs are also very unique and cosy. Although Cinnamon Bear Inn started as a dormitory, it evolved over time as a hostel and finally became this popular inn.

The Westin Monache Resort, Mammoth: This luxurious resort is a treat for any vacation, with its heated outdoor pool and hot tubs. It’s also located in a stunning natural setting where you can see Mammoth in the distance. The Whitebark Restaurant serves gourmet dining cuisine, perfect for a celebration coupled with a trip to Yosemite.

How to budget for accommodation around Yosemite

Firstly, what’s your budget? Accommodations at Yosemite have a wide range of prices, whether you’re staying inside or outside the park.

Other costs also come to mind, including food, activities and other miscellaneous expenses like gas costs.

You can also consider the duration of your stay and the type of lodging you prefer. If you’re only staying for one or two nights and have some room to splurge on a luxurious cabin, I would say just do it.

On the other hand, if this is going to be a week-long trip, your spending can go a longer way if you stay somewhere cheaper.

If you’re on a budget, consider going camping either in Yosemite Valley or out in the backcountry. You may also be able to find private campsites or glamping sites outside the park.

For something more comfortable, vacation rentals and historic hotels are popular choices for groups and families.

Just to give you an idea of the daily rates, campsites cost around $26, vacation rentals are anywhere upwards of $100, and luxurious stays are usually above $300. Of course this depends on seasonality factors too, where summer is the most expensive as it’s the peak season.

Should you stay inside or outside Yosemite?

The next decision is whether to stay inside or outside the park. Let’s weigh some pros and cons based on our priorities.

Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite National Park?

No – as of 2026, reservations are no longer required to enter Yosemite National Park. Yosemite announced it will no longer use a timed reservation system in 2026, following a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability, and visitor use during the 2025 season.

Even without a reservation system, Yosemite gets very busy. If you can, try to visit during weekdays, arrive early (before 9am), and explore destinations outside Yosemite Valley, including Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy.