The 9 Best Hotels Near Yosemite National Park in 2020

Situated just outside Yosemite National Park, Evergreen Lodge has been a #1 favorite among park-goers for nearly a century. That’s because the historic lodge, with its warmly lit cabins and idyllic setting amongst a thicket of towering pine trees, is the quintessential lodge experience. Originally built in the 1920s, this breathtaking mountain resort has 88 fully furnished cabins available for rent, scattered widely around the wooded property. All cabins feature an air conditioning unit, gourmet coffee maker, electric kettle, Alexa devices for entertainment, mini-fridge, and a large private deck, which provides the ideal spot for enjoying a steaming mug of coffee in the mornings. Beds are ultra-comfy, with crisp linens and quilted comforters, and the decor is very “mountain chic,” complete with gleaming wooden furnishings and soothing green-and-brown color palettes. The Main Lodge houses the popular restaurant and tavern, where guests can enjoy hearty homemade meals and try a local brew or two. There’s also a 2,000-square-foot pool and a large hot tub on the premises, which makes for the perfect post-hike activity. Evergreen Lodge is, without a doubt, the best place to stay near the park. 

There are always plenty of travelers exploring Yosemite on a budget, and nearly all elect to stay at the Half Dome Village. Why? This sprawling facility has tons of lodging options, including cabins with private bathrooms (and shared bathrooms), a motel, and canvas tent cabins, so you can select whichever best suits your budget. In addition to the wide variety of accommodations, there are several on-site amenities, including an amphitheater, ATM, gift shop, ice skating rink, swimming pool, food vendors, a free shuttle bus, and bike and raft rentals. Cabins are rustic — there are no phones or TVs here — yet clean and comfy, and feature a desk or dresser, fresh linens, daily housekeeping service, and electric lights and outlets; canvas tents are non-heated but come equipped with cot-style beds, pillows and linens, towels, and wool blankets. Just be sure to make your reservations ahead of time (at least six months or more!) since lodging fills up fast here. Thanks to its awesome location, amenities, and value, Half Dome Village is an easy pick for the budget traveler.

Nestled in the heart of Yosemite Valley, The Awahnee is one of the most conveniently located hotels in the area — and offers some of the cushiest accommodations around. Known for its gorgeous interior and classic national park-style architecture, this low-key yet lovely resort is a National Historic Landmark, and a true Yosemite treasure. Specifically designed to highlight its mountainous surroundings, The Awahnee is a winning combo of woodsy elegance, rich Native American influence, and Art Deco chic. The hotel boasts several public spaces, including a business center, small heated outdoor pool, a sweet shop, dining room, and a gift shop that focuses on local artisans. And, park visitors can take advantage of the free shuttle buses that stop out in front of the hotel and make loops around the whole valley. In addition to the 123 well-appointed rooms and suites at The Awahnee, there are 24 on-site cottages for those who want a cozier, more private experience. The charming Awahnee is definitely your closest bet to a true boutique hotel.

Of all the family-friendly lodgings near Yosemite National Park, Yosemite View Lodge is the best thanks to excellent amenities, reasonable price points, and comfy accommodations. Just a short 20-minute drive away from Yosemite Valley, this widely beloved hotel is scenically situated right on the edge of the Merced River, and nearly all rooms offer dramatic views from a private balcony that overlooks the river. Hotel amenities are unfussy yet seemingly endless: There are multiple outdoor and indoor swimming pools, hot tubs (a wonderful perk after a long day of hiking), coin-operated laundry, an on-site ATM, a huge gift shop and convenience store, cocktail lounges, and spa facilities. In addition, the hotel’s restaurant, River Restaurant & Lounge, serves up yummy breakfasts and dinners. Yosemite View has 335 simply decorated rooms and suites, all of which feature kitchenettes, remote cable TV, in-room coffee facilities, and other basic amenities; select rooms have a fireplace. There’s nothing super fancy about Yosemite View Lodge, but that’s what makes it a special, cozy spot for families.

There’s nothing more romantic than a teeny- tiny, adorable boutique hotel tucked away in the mountains, and Hotel Charlotte is just that. The hotel is nestled in the Sierra Nevada foothills, about an hour’s drive away from the park, in the quaint gold-mining town of Groveland. Opened in 1921, the historic Hotel Charlotte is now owned by Doug and Jenn Edwards, a couple who provide the utmost in personalized service and friendly hospitality. The well-preserved property feels like an architectural artifact from the Old West, with its picturesque wooden veranda and antique furniture. Guestrooms are small and lovingly decorated, with brightly patterned quilts and cheery wallpaper, and all have telephones (with free calls within the U.S.), satellite TV, a computer with Wi-Fi, clock radio, and hairdryer. Most have either a queen- or king-sized bed, and some rooms are pet-friendly. There’s also a complimentary continental breakfast, in addition to a restaurant that’s open for dinner only. All in all, Hotel Charlotte makes the perfect base for snuggling with your sweetheart and exploring the surrounding scenery.

The closest thing to luxury near Yosemite National Park, the five-star Château du Sureau is an enchanting, storybook-like inn that looks like it’s been plucked out of a children’s fairytale. Located just 30 minutes south of the park, this grand hotel (that looks more like a castle) boasts European-style amenities that luxury-seeking travelers are bound to relish. Sprawling across nine acres of immaculate garden and manicured lawn, the grounds of the Château du Sureau are just as beautiful as its interior. The guestrooms are individually designed and inspired by herbs native to the South of France, with high-end fabrics, exposed wood beams, and colorful artwork covering the walls. Guests can sip fine wine by the crackling fireplace, play chess in the piano room, or get a relaxing full-body treatment at the Spa du Sureau. You don’t have to “rough it” just because you’re headed to a national park — and the Château du Sureau is the loveliest luxe lodging pick for those who’d prefer to hole up in style after a long day of hiking.

If it’s incredible views you’re after, look no further than Tamarack Lodge and Resort. This splendidly located retreat is in the midst of mountains, clusters of pine trees, and the serene Twin Lakes — it’s a true nature lover’s getaway, with plenty of amenities to accompany all that glorious scenery. Guests have access to boating and mountain bike rentals, child care, a complimentary continental breakfast every morning (coffee, tea, fruit, bagels, cereals), an extensive DVD library, a cross-country ski center, and the pool and fitness center at the nearby Mammoth Mountain Inn, which is just across the street from the Main Lodge. Accommodations at the Tamarack Lodge run from standard king- and queen-size rooms to spacious three-bedroom cabins; the latter come with full kitchens, living rooms, and dining areas. There are ten lodge rooms, each decorated in a unique European guest house-style, and all are equipped with basic amenities, including antique beds, a Serta pillowtop mattress, wooden desk, Aveda bath products, direct dial phone, iPod alarm clock, and hairdryer. The accommodations here are perfectly comfy, but it’s the view and the setting that truly sets Tamarack Lodge apart.

The homey Blackberry Inn at Yosemite, nestled in a peaceful valley about 20 miles west of the park, is the ideal country bed-and-breakfast. The adorable 10-room inn is the picture of mountain elegance, with its wide porches, buttery yellow buildings, and huge windows that showcase the forest greenery that encircles the property. A delicious complimentary breakfast — which, depending on the day, typically consists of either French toast, savory omelets, or freshly baked muffins with fruit and other sides — is served daily on delicate china, and guests are treated to warm homemade chocolate chip cookies every afternoon. Each guestroom is a little different, though most do have electric fireplaces, deep soaking tubs, high-backed chairs, and ultra-soft feather beds, along with vases of fragrant wildflowers. The Blackberry Inn is the perfect place to stay if you’re in the mood for a remote, romantic mountain escape, far away from the throngs of tourists and massive lodges inside the park.

Single travelers will adore staying at the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort, with its California hippy charms and laid-back vibes. For one thing, it’s affordable (especially compared to most other lodgings in the area), which can be a huge benefit when you’re staying somewhere solo. For another, the hotel’s setting is stunning: “The Bug,” as it’s referred to, is tucked away in a rural mountain enclave about 25 miles from Yosemite Valley, surrounded by lush forests and winding streams. Unapologetically quirky and undeniably magical, this hotel welcomes everyone from big families to solitary backpackers, so you certainly won’t feel alone during your stay. There are several communal spaces on the premises, including an eco-spa, a tranquil garden deck, hot tub, massage rooms, and a sunny yoga studio. Accommodations run the gamut from single-sex dorms to small private cabins to huge family-style duplexes; all rooms have linens, housekeeping service, and other basic amenities. Plus, the on-site June Bug Cafe is a much-loved spot with plenty of vegan and vegetarian options.