Where to Stay Near Yosemite (Best Areas & Places)

7 Best Towns & Areas to Stay Near Yosemite National Park

The best place to stay in Yosemite is inside the national park. However, accommodation options book up incredibly fast and are often quite expensive. Staying in a nearby town like Mariposa or El Portal is an ideal option if you’re traveling on a budget. Plus, you can explore some of the more off-the-beaten-path parts of the national park. 

Mariposa, Groveland, and Oakhurst are each considered “gateway towns” to Yosemite, with various accommodation options, restaurants, and quaint downtowns. El Portal, Yosemite West, and Lee Vining are even smaller, mostly made up of home rentals and small mountain lodges.

Yosemite National Park

👉 Best Area For Central Location | ✨ Best Yosemite National Park Hotels: Yosemite Valley Lodge • Curry Village • The Ahwahnee Hotel

Stay in Yosemite National Park for the easiest access to Yosemite’s top sights. By staying within park boundaries, you can avoid long entrance lines and the worst of the parking traffic. You’ll spend less time in your car and more time hiking, swimming, and exploring the mountains! 

Most of the accommodation within the national park is in Yosemite Valley, the most famous part of the park. By staying in Yosemite Valley, you’ll have easy access to the top hiking trails and get to see Yosemite’s famous waterfalls from right outside your door. 

Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee Hotel are the two hotels in Yosemite Valley. Both have onsite restaurants, pools, a shuttle service, and plenty of amenities for a luxurious experience. For a more affordable stay, try staying at Curry Village — which offers heated tents or cabins, bathrooms, showers, and outdoor restaurants in the trees. 

Accommodation inside the park can be pricey, so I always recommend tent camping in the park for a cheaper option! My favorite campgrounds are Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and Camp 4, which are all in Yosemite Valley. These popular campgrounds typically fill up fast, and you’ll need to book them on Recreation.gov up to six months in advance.

Pros of Staying in Yosemite National Park:

• Avoid the daily traffic getting into the park 
• Close to top sights like Yosemite Valley, waterfalls, major hiking trails, and rock climbing routes
• Shuttle service inside Yosemite Valley makes it easy to get around without a car
• On-site restaurants

Cons of Staying in Yosemite National Park:

• Can be crowded during peak season
• Accommodation is expensive
• Reservations frequently book out nearly a year in advance

Mariposa

👉 Best Area For Small-Town Charm | ✨ Best Mariposa Hotels: Yosemite Inn • The Monarch Inn • Mariposa Lodge

Mariposa is about an hour outside of Yosemite Valley. This preserved gold rush town is a charming, historical stop along Highway 140. You’ll likely pass through Mariposa on your way to Yosemite if you’re driving up from Central or Southern California. 

Explore the area by going on a hike around Stockton Creek Reservoir. Or take a museum tour at the Mariposa Museum & Historical Center before grabbing burgers and beer at 1850 Restaurant & Brewery. Skydive Yosemite operates out of the Mariposa Airport. It’s a great adrenaline-pumping activity to add to your itinerary! 

But the best reason to stay in Mariposa is for the affordable accommodation.

The Monarch Inn is a tourist favorite. It’s only 10 minutes from the airport, 5 minutes from the California State Mining and Mineral Museum, and less than 2 minutes from Yosemite Ziplines.

Mariposa Lodge is one of the cheapest accommodations in the area. It’s half an hour from the Yosemite South Entrance and has a seasonal outdoor swimming pool.

Pros of Staying in Mariposa:

• Affordable accommodations
• Away from tourist crowds in peak season
• Historic things to do 

Cons of Staying in Mariposa:

• Farther from Yosemite Valley
• Not many Yosemite sightseeing spots on the road from Mariposa to Yosemite Valley
• Requires a car to get around

El Portal

👉 Best Area For Solitude | ✨ Best El Portal Hotels: Yosemite View Lodge • Yosemite Gatekeeper’s Lodge • Cedar Lodge

El Portal is just 35 minutes from Yosemite National Park. It’s the best place to stay around Yosemite to escape the crowds. El Portal is also unique because it’s the smallest town on this list, with a population of around 300! 

El Portal is right along the Merced River and has mystical, forested surroundings. Go for a dip in the Merced River or check out Hite Cove, which is a perfect place for hiking trails in the area. And Indian Flat along the Merced is the area’s best campground! 

El Portal is the last place to stop for food before heading into the national park. Of course, there are food and gear shops in the national park, but things will be pricier inside park boundaries. Stock up on camping gear and hiking snacks in El Portal to save money! 

Yosemite View Lodge is one of my all-time favorite places to stay in El Portal. Rooms look out over the Merced River — it doesn’t get more scenic than this! For those traveling on a budget, Cedar Lodge is one of the more affordable accommodations in El Portal.

Pros of Staying in El Portal:

• Away from tourist crowds
• Affordable accommodation
• Situated on a scenic river
• Close to Yosemite’s El Portal entrance

Cons of Staying in El Portal:

• Few tourist attractions or entertainment in the area
• Not many hotels to choose from
• Only one grocery store, not many amenities

Yosemite West

👉 Best Area For Vacation Rentals | ✨ Best Yosemite West Hotels: YoBee! • Lower Cascades • Yosemite Condominium Loft

Yosemite West has the bulk of the vacation rentals near Yosemite National Park. Yosemite West is both centrally located and away from it all. It’s technically inside the gates of the national park, but it doesn’t feel like it! 

This small community is hidden by giant pines, providing privacy from the public and intimacy with the national forest. You’ll find over 100 vacation rentals in Yosemite West. Plus, it’s only 20 minutes from top national park attractions like Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley. 

Visiting Yosemite in the winter? Stay in Yosemite West! It’s right next to Badger Pass Ski Area, Yosemite’s only ski resort.

You’ll find studio apartments ideal for romantic getaways and entire rental homes for the whole family in Yosemite West. YoBee! is a highly-rated rental in the area and includes a park reservation in its nightly rate. Lower Cascades is another top Yosemite West rental that comes with a pool table for extra fun. 

Pros of Staying in Yosemite West:

• Closer to Yosemite Valley than communities on the outskirts
• Plenty of vacation rentals
• Ideal for a long-term stay
• Great spot to explore off-the-beaten-path areas of the park 
• Close to ski slopes in the winter

Cons of Staying in Yosemite West:

• There aren’t any hotels to choose from
• Nearest restaurants or stores are a ~30 min drive away 
• Few shuttles are available to and from the park entrances 
• Rental prices can be expensive during peak season

Lee Vining

👉 Best Area For Exploring Yosemite’s Eastern Side | ✨ Best Lee Vining Hotels: Yosemite Gateway Motel • Lakeview Lodge • Murphey’s Motel

Lee Vining is the best place to stay to explore Yosemite’s less-visited (but equally scenic) eastern side! 

Incredibly scenic towns like Mammoth Lakes, June Lake, and Bishop are all near Lee Vining. You can easily take day trips to see some of the coolest mountain towns in California, all with tons of hiking and alpine lakes to explore. The Eastern Sierra is easily one of California’s best hidden gems. 

Lee Vining is also closest to the Yosemite Tioga Pass entrance. This allows visitors to explore the less-traveled side of the national park, with gorgeous sights like Tuolumne Meadows and Tenaya Lake easily accessible. 

Keep in mind, however, that the road is closed during the winter and spring months due to heavy snowfall. You should only stay in Lee Vining if you are visiting Yosemite in the summer or early fall.

Yosemite Gateway Motel is one of the few accommodations in the area, and the rooms have a super cool view of Mono Lake. Murphey’s Motel is an affordable accommodation for budget-conscious travelers.

Pros of Staying in Lee Vining:

• Best place to explore some of Yosemite’s less crowded hiking trails and lakes 
• Close to the Tioga Pass entrance 
• Far away from busy tourist crowds
• Near other scenic California mountain towns like June Lake or Mammoth Lakes

Cons of Staying in Lee Vining:

• Farther away from the sights in Yosemite Valley
• Few accommodations to choose from
• Not many entertainment options

Groveland

👉 Best Area For Families | ✨ Best Groveland Hotels: Berkshire Inn • Evergreen Lodge • Rush Creek Lodge

Groveland is a small town about 30 minutes from Yosemite’s western entrance and about one hour from Yosemite Valley. It’s the most common place to stay for visitors coming from Northern California or the Bay Area. 

In Groveland, you can choose from quaint boutique hotels along the downtown’s historic main drag or from luxe, family-friendly lodges in the surrounding forest. While in town, stop by the Iron Door Saloon for a drink at the oldest continually operating saloon in America! 

From Groveland, you can easily explore either the Merced or Tuolumne giant sequoia groves and hike around Hetch Hetchy Reservoir for fantastic views. Groveland is also a great choice for young travelers — this is the only town near Yosemite with a youth hostel. 

Hotels like Evergreen Lodge or Rush Creek Lodge are some of the best picks for families. They each have swimming pools, family-style cabins or condos, and plenty of onsite amenities. It’s the perfect place to introduce kids to the magic of the mountains. 

Pros of Staying in Groveland:

• Easy access to Yosemite for visitors coming from Northern California 
• Fun restaurants and bars in town 
• Old West feel, lots of character 
• Quiet and charming 

Cons of Staying in Groveland:

• Further from Yosemite National Park 
• Not much to see on the road between Groveland and Yosemite Valley 
• Need a car to get around 

Oakhurst

👉 Best Area For Amenities | ✨ Best Oakhurst Hotels: Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn • Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites • Sierra Sky Ranch 

Oakhurst is the largest of Yosemite’s gateway towns. It’s situated just 30 minutes from Yosemite’s south entrance and about 1.5 hours from Yosemite Valley. Driving into Yosemite from Oakhurst will get you to the famous “Tunnel View” lookout. 

Even though Oakhurst is the farthest from the scenic sights of Yosemite Valley, staying here will mean you can explore some of Yosemite’s south end. You’ll get to see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, home to the largest trees in the world. Or take a ride on the historic Yosemite Mountain Railroad. These sights are only accessible from Oakhurst! 

Oakhurst has the greatest number of hotels and accommodation options at a variety of price points. It’s also the most convenient gateway town for visitors driving up from Southern California. 

The real reason to stay in Oakhurst is to visit Sierra Sky Ranch. Perched just outside Oakhurst’s city limits, this is one of Yosemite’s most raved-about accommodation options. Visitors who want to stay closer to restaurants and bars will find plenty of options in town. Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites is a particularly good one. 

Pros of Staying in Oakhurst:

• Lots of stores, restaurants, bars, and accommodation options 
• Access to Yosemite’s southern side, with famous sights like the sequoia grove 
• Lots of things to do in the surrounding area, like hiking or swimming in lakes 
• Great for anyone needing modern conveniences 
• Good option for visitors traveling from Southern California 

Cons of Staying in Oakhurst:

• Lacks the character of other small mountain towns in the area 
• Furthest from Yosemite Valley 

7 Tips for Staying Near Yosemite National Park

Pack Layers

Nights in the national park can be chilly year-round, even in the hottest months (July to September). I recommend packing layers for the most comfortable experience when you visit Yosemite National Park.

I never visit Yosemite without a Merino wool base layer (I recommend this one by Smartwool) my Arcteryx puffer jacket, and a rain jacket, just in case. 

Bring a Bear Bag

Black bears are Yosemite residents. You’re most likely to encounter a black bear in the national park boundaries. But they also live in the surrounding communities as well.

I use the Zpacks bear bag but the BearVault bear box is more reliable for overnight adventures, especially if camping in the backcountry. Most campgrounds in and near Yosemite provide bear boxes but I recommend bringing your own in case your specific campsite does not.

Hit the Hiking Trails

Yosemite National Park and the surrounding areas are known for hiking. Hit the hiking trails for a true Yosemite experience.

The most popular trails in Yosemite are Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Clouds Rest, and El Capitan. These hikes range in difficulty from moderate to expert.

Get a Park Map

Head to a Yosemite Visitor Center inside the national park to pick up a map. Yosemite is huge, at nearly 750,000 acres. It’s entirely possible to get lost while exploring the dense natural environment of the park!

Visitor Center maps always have tons of helpful information. This info covers Yosemite hikes, lodges, flora and fauna, and general whereabouts. A handy GPS unit like the Garmin Inreach is always good to have while hiking a new trail, but an old-school map and compass just may save you in case you get lost.

Consider Camping

Camping has always been one of the highlights of my Yosemite trips. Yosemite has four campgrounds in Yosemite Valley (Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4) and many more campsites in other areas of the park. 

Bring the camping essentials like a tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, and stove. You can also sleep under the stars in the backcountry at places like Merced Lake and along the John Muir Trail. Just do your research to find out what kinds of permits or reservations you will need!

Apply for a Half Dome Permit

Hiking Half Dome is one of the best things you could do in Yosemite National Park. Apply for a permit to climb the Yosemite icon in March via Recreation.gov for your chance to scale the steep granite walls.

Permits are infamously hard to snag for this famous hike but have no fear. You can score a last-minute permit online every day at 7 am once cancellation permits begin to be released.

Get to the Park Early

Yosemite on the weekend during peak season is a nightmare. Entrance lines can be up to 30 minutes long, causing massive traffic at the entrance gates. I’ve counted as many as 200 hikers on my descent down Clouds Rest on the weekend.

Get to Yosemite Valley by 8 am if you want any chance at finding parking. Once you’re parked, don’t move. Take the free shuttle to get around between trailheads, waterfalls, and other scenic areas of the valley.

👉 Read Next: Sequoia vs Yosemite Compared

FAQs About Where to Stay Near Yosemite

Is it better to stay inside or outside Yosemite?

It’s better to stay inside Yosemite National Park to avoid afternoon and evening tourist crowds. Staying inside the park allows you early access to top hiking trails and rock climbing routes in the park. Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee Hotel, and Curry Village are the top lodges in the national park. 

When is the best time to go to Yosemite?

May to September is the best time to go to Yosemite. The national park receives the best weather at this time and is ideal for long days with plenty of time to explore. It is the peak season, however, and may be crowded.

How many days in Yosemite is enough?

2 days in Yosemite is enough to see the main attractions. However, I’d recommend spending 3 or 4 days here if you want to see more of the off-the-beaten-path areas of the park that not many other tourists get to see.

Is it worth staying in Yosemite?

It’s entirely worth staying in Yosemite. You’ll be closer to the top Yosemite attractions and see one of the world’s most beautiful places right outside your front door. 

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That’s it for my guide on where to stay near Yosemite National Park. Which area sounds most appealing to you? Comment to let me know! 

And while you’re on your Yosemite trip, check out some other top Northern California attractions. 

–Laura McFarland contributed to this article