Finding the best places to stay near Yosemite National Park can get a little confusing. That’s because there’s five different entrances and a wide assortment of campgrounds, Airbnbs and hotels to stay at. But whether you’re looking for a cozy retreat overlooking the Sierra mountains or a tiny campsite surrounded by nature within the park, I have you covered.
So, let’s dive into the best places to stay near Yosemite, but first…
Which Entrance should you stay by?
Personally I like staying outside the park since the food and night activities are limited if you stay inside the park. I also find the campsites in the park to be particularly crowded, so I really only stay in the park if I’m backpacking. However, I will include campsites in my list below.
In terms of location, I think the best places to stay near Yosemite are near the Arch Rock entrance (Hwy 140) or the South Entrance (Hwy 41) for Mariposa Grove and Wawona. These two entrances work well if you are coming from Southern California or San Francisco and both include a lot of options. I always stay in Mariposa during my trips to Yosemite National Park since it’s a cute little mountain town with a lot of charm. Plus I love catching a band at The Grove.
Airbnb Options
In this day and age, it’s no surprise that some of the best places to stay near Yosemite are Airbnbs. Here are a few unique cabin stays that should be on your radar if you’re booking a trip:
Options near Mariposa:
This adorable Aframe in the mountains
This Mountaintop Cabin for 5 people with a hot tub and mountain views
Options near Oakhurst:
This Wooden Cabin for 6 with views for days
This Wooden Cabin for 4 with a hot tub and panoramic views
This Cozy Aframe with Scenic Views
Campsites
Of course if we’re listing the best places to stay near Yosemite, we have to cover camping. If you are staying in the park, you will likely want to camp in Yosemite Valley. These campsites are extremely popular in the summer months so you will want to reserve these EARLY. The four most popular campsites are below:
- North Pines: Open April to October, More private compared to Upper Pines. Beautiful riverside views.
- Upper Pines: The largest campsite and open year round. Closest to the Mist Trail (to Vernal and Nevada Falls, as well as Half Dome).
- Lower Pines: Open April to October, Near Half Dome Village (restaurants, shops). Second closest to the Mist Trail.
- Camp 4: Tent camping only, popular with the climbing community and close to Yosemite Falls trail
You can reserve a campsite in the park here.
Hotels
There are also number of great hotel options near Yosemite National Park, from small boutique hotels to larger lodges with a lot of amenities. I try to stay away from major hotel chains since I find them boring, but I do like the following hotels near Yosemite:
Hipcamp
Last, but certainly not least… Hipcamp. Hipcamp is sort of like an Airbnb platform for camping. People rent out their personal land for camping and glamping and sometimes you can find some pretty interesting places to stay. Here are a few I found that look really cool:
Do you have any questions about the best places to stay near Yosemite? Feel free to comment below or let me know if I should add one to the list!
And if you’re looking for hiking recommendations for Yosemite National Park, here is my full list of the best hike in Yosemite.