The Top 8 Yosemite National Park Hotels

This summer marks the 100th anniversary of this classic nature lodge nestled in the woods about 30 minutes away from the park. The 88 cabins come in various configurations good for couples and families, with details like a fireplace, sofa bed, deck, coffeemaker, fridge, and Alexa. The John Muir House is perfect for larger groups, with four bedrooms and a full kitchen. 

Boredom isn’t possible here, thanks to boatloads of activities and amenities like a natural playground, bocce court, forest disc golf course, zipline, and outdoor pool and hot tub. There are also nightly s’mores around a campfire and sometimes there’s even live music. The main restaurant has hearty portions of dishes like housemade elk chili, pan-seared rainbow trout, elk, and Angus beef burgers.

• Several food and beverage outlets
• General store and gift shop
• Outdoor pool and hot tub
• Forest disc golf course, zipline, and bocce court
• Alexa device in every cabin

Located by towering Yosemite Falls, this lodge’s rooms have touches like recycled wooden slab headboards, nature photographs, and some come with a patio or balcony. Traditional, family rooms, and bunk rooms are all available, and a coffeemaker, mini-fridge, and television are included, though there is no air conditioning and WiFi is slow.

Travelers love the Mountain Room Restaurant with its gigantic windows and some tables that have views of the falls. Plus, the food is tasty, too, with dishes like rainbow trout and steak. There’s also a more casual food court, plus a Starbucks. Take advantage of seasonal onsite bike rentals and an outdoor swimming pool.

• Outdoor pool
• Multiple dining venues
• Gift shop
• Bike rentals

If you’re looking for extra space and tons of amenities and activities, this resort in Groveland, California, a half-mile from Yosemite's Hwy 120 West entrance, is the best option. All rooms and suites fit up to four people, and the two-bedroom hillside villas can sleep up to six. All rooms have a private deck, a Keurig coffee maker, refrigerator, WiFi, and an Alexa device, and the suites and villas also have a gas fireplace. 

Parents might appreciate that there are no televisions in the room, encouraging the family to enjoy all of the outdoor activities like playgrounds, a zipline, bocce, ping pong, and cornhole, plus there’s a large heated saltwater pool and hot tub. Mom and dad can indulge in the spa, which has a waterfall cove, aromatherapy steam room, Himalayan salt sauna, and a sensory room, plus a menu of treatment options. In the evening, gather for S’mores around the firepit.

• Heated saltwater pool and hot tub
• Spa
• Playground, zip line, bocce court, ping pong, and cornhole
• Restaurant and tavern

This landmark stone and the concrete hotel are in the heart of the park, right near Yosemite Falls and dozens of trails. The opulent lobby has a stone fireplace and gigantic windows, and the grand Ahwahnee Dining Room has soaring granite pillars and decadent chandeliers. Native American art and accents and luxe furnishings complete the ambiance. 

There are a variety of room options, including standard rooms and classic rooms with views of Glacier Point, Half Dome, or Yosemite Falls, plus suites and 20 stand-alone cottages. Some rooms have a fireplace and private balcony, and unlike other grand dame national park hotels, rooms have a television, WiFi, coffeemaker, refrigerator, and telephone. Guests enjoy the small pool and well-stocked gift shop with its decadent sweets area.

• Heated outdoor pool
• Restaurant
• Gift shop

This charismatic mountain enclave is a hippie haven with eclectic touches and more amenities than you’d expect at this price point. Frequented by locals and travelers, there’s a popular café and a beloved spa with a spring-fed hot tub perched on a deck with sweeping valley views, aromatic soaking tubs, a hot rock sauna, and a yoga studio.

Affordable yet comfortable rooms include private boho-chic rooms with en-suite bathrooms, canvas tented cabins with shared camp bathrooms, and youth hostel-style dorm rooms with steel bunk beds and shared bathrooms that are popular with backpackers. The retreat is about an hour’s drive from the park.

• On-site restaurant
• Spa
• Laundry facilities

If you’re looking to enjoy the great outdoors but not totally rough it, then AutoCamp Yosemite is ideal. There are three options for accommodations, including retro-chic silver airstreams with kitchenettes and bathrooms, seasonal canvas tents with stylish furnishings and shared bathrooms, and rustic cabins with kitchenettes and bathrooms. All options have their own fire pit outside for cooking.

The central Clubhouse is the communal gathering space with cozy seating, fireplace, camp store, and communal fire pit, and lawn games. There’s also a heated outdoor pool and deck where there’s sometimes yoga or live music. There’s no restaurant but guests can buy BBQ kits to cook over their campfire, plus grab-and-go items, snacks, and drinks, and there’s free coffee and tea. Note that only Airstreams have refrigerators so you’ll need a cooler if you’re staying in a tent, and only basic kitchen utensils are provided. 

Autocamp Yosemite is outside Mariposa, about 40 minutes away from the park.

• Heated seasonal outdoor pool
• Complimentary bikes
• Camp store

About 20 miles from the park entrance and 10 miles from the town of Groveland, this farmhouse chic bed and breakfast is a romantic respite nestled on 36 acres of woodsy land. And the fact that it’s adults-only makes it ideal for couples looking for a peaceful getaway.

Aside from the stylish interior decor, the surrounding grounds have grazing Arabian horses, wild turkeys, deer, and dozens of hummingbirds that come by to visit the various feeders around the property. Rooms have cushy feather beds and electric fireplaces, and some feature deep soaking tubs and private porches. There is air conditioning but no television or phone. Mornings bring a complimentary homemade breakfast and warm chocolate chip cookies arrive in the evening.

• Hot breakfast included
• Electric in-room fireplaces

Off the beaten path, Wawona Hotel was built in 1856 in a quiet part of the park near Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (and about an hour from Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point). The whitewashed Victorian buildings have wide porches with Adirondack chairs and inside the period furnishings complete the ambiance. About half the rooms have en suite bathrooms while the other half use communal restrooms within the hotel.

Its remote setting allows for a nine-hole golf course across from the hotel, as well as two outdoor tennis courts and an outdoor pool. Although it’s far from some attractions, there is still an on-site restaurant, and a visitor’s center, post office, small grocery store, and gas station down the hill. The hotel often has more availability than other lodgings inside the park, and it can have better prices as well. Note that rooms do not have a TV or phone.

• Outdoor pool
• Golf course
• Tennis courts