Our Spring 2024 Photo Contest, The Magic of Spring in Yosemite, lets us experience the best of Yosemite through the eyes and hearts of your fellow travelers. Thank you to everyone who submitted and for the unforgettable memories behind each photo that help keep us all #YosemiteDreaming
Sheltered in the Stanislaus National Forest just outside the northwest corner of Yosemite National Park is a getaway within a getaway. A three-hour drive due east of San Francisco (the 170-mile trip that John Muir famously first walked in 1868), Evergreen Lodge in Groveland has been welcoming families for over a century…
Hetch Hetchy makes a great day trip if you’re already headed to Yosemite or Gold Country towns like Groveland, Jamestown, Sonora or Columbia, or if you’re staying at the park-adjacent Evergreen Lodge. In fact, that’s where the builders of the O’Shaughnessy Dam stayed a century ago, before the lodge had aromatherapy.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Winter photo contest, Yosemite Winter Magic.
We’re feeling extra thankful for all who shared and casted their votes. Your participation not only makes it fun for us, but keeps everyone #YosemiteDreaming when they need it most.
Here we congratulate the winners and share a few honorable mentions that we loved.
DT: “There’s nothing like exploring the waterfalls and granite walls of Yosemite. Every visit is a treat! Just like the nightly s’mores at Evergreen Lodge!”
EL: Thank you for sharing this epic image, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for more Yosemite adventures!
JD: “My second stay at Evergreen Lodge and I got so see this beautiful doe on the property munching on some mushrooms 🍄 I absolutely LOVE it here, the views are insanely beautiful and the staff is amazing plus the cabins are super cozy 😍”
EL: Doe-n’t know what we’d do without this fun addition to our photo contest! How lucky of you to see our little woodland friend.
MH: “While on vacation during the Christmas holidays we took a day trip to Hetch Hetchy and hiked Wapama Falls trail. Along the way I stopped to catch my breath and take a picture of this breathtaking view ✨️ It was truly one of the best days of 2023 💖”
EL: Hetch Hetchy is wonderfully known for being a warm oasis even in our winter months!
JS: “Sunny skies on the valley after a winter storm makes for great igloo building!”
EL: How can we book a night’s stay in this accommodation, because that view is fantastic!
TE: “It’s just a great place to be with family and friends. The natural environment is beautiful and the folks who work there are so helpful. We really appreciate the focus on kid activities and continue to be impressed by the mission of the organization.”
EL: You found our VIP Christmas guest!
AM: “We had such a great time that we skipped a 2nd day at Yosemite and just enjoyed Evergreen Lodge. After a hearty breakfast at the lodge, some time in the game room, enjoying the pool & hot tub, and playing Scrabble in the courtyard…it was time to head home. This was our last moment as we were leaving – both kids with huge smiles from their time well spent at Evergreen Lodge!”
EL: There’s miles of smiles after hearing how much you all enjoyed your time at the ‘green.
SG: “Our kids love the beautiful playgrounds throughout the property. Thank you Evergreen Lodge for being a part of cultivating our children’s love for the outdoors!”
EL: This looks like a swingin’ good time!
GS: “Evergreen was the perfect base camp for our family to explore Yosemite.”
EL: Thank you for letting us be your family’s basecamp for your Yosemite adventures!
Anytime you need a little Yosemite sunshine in your day, Visit the Gallery
It’s time to get inspired, Yosemite style! While we’re all #YosemiteDreaming of visiting again soon, let’s share our most inspiring photos of past Yosemite visits.
It’s easy to enter here:
The Magic of Spring in Yosemite
Who knows? You might just win a free stay at the Evergreen soon!
Meanwhile, if you’re ready to plan your next Yosemite visit, be sure to check out our Packages and Special Offers page for the best deals and most convenient bundles. Or just give us a call at (209) 379-2606 or email us at info@evergreenlodge.com and we’ll happily help you arrange the ideal visit for you and your loved ones.
When you book directly with us here on this web site, on the phone, or by email, you’re guaranteed to get the best rates and service.
Keep in mind that the Evergreen re-opens after winter break each year on President’s Day Weekend.
Happy trails!
By Keri Bridgwater | March 5, 2024
Miles from the nearest city lights, Yosemite National Park is a great place to look at the stars, but visiting this summer between April 13 and August 15 will require a reservation made using a complicated system. One loophole that bypasses the reservation rigamarole: staying at Evergreen Lodge, located one mile from the park’s western entrance, and joining one of its Yosemite stargazing tours. Star Guides use high-powered laser pointers to pick out constellations, nebulae and star clusters with a 4.5” aperture digital Unistellar telescope on hand to give you an even closer look at the night sky.
By Jennie Nunn, February 21, 2024
There’s a lot to be said for being in exactly the right place at the right time. In the case of Yosemite National Park’s rare natural phenomenon, Firefall, it’s everything. It’s no surprise the two-week annual spectacle at Horsetail Fall caused by sunlight hitting the waterfall at precisely the right moment—happening now through February 25th—has attracted renowned photographers, nature enthusiasts and throngs of visitors from around the globe. If you plan on attempting to get in on the action (pending perfect weather conditions), here’s what you need to know.
By Dalton Johnson, January 24, 2024
As summer approaches, Yosemite National Park enthusiasts eagerly anticipate the opportunity to explore its breathtaking landscapes. However, the recent announcement of a new reservation system has left many scratching their heads. Fear not, as there is a golden ticket to navigate this bureaucratic maze, and it comes in the form of two hotels—Evergreen Lodge and Rush Creek Lodge.
The National Park Service has introduced a reservation system for Yosemite National Park running from April 13 through August 15, 2024. This system, though well-intentioned, poses potential inconveniences for sightseers and international travelers. The reservation process for this period opens on January 5, 2024, at 8 a.m., but a clever loophole exists for those seeking a hassle-free experience.
Enter Evergreen Lodge and Rush Creek Lodge, two establishments that offer a workaround for park visitors. The reservation requirement doesn’t apply to individuals with scheduled guided tours and overnight reservations at select nearby hotels, making these two lodges the perfect allies for those looking to avoid the intricacies of the reservation system.
By Rachel Dennis, January 21, 2024
Lately, there’s been a lot of buzz around the fact that Yosemite National Park has implemented a new reservation system for visitors from April 13 through August 15, which began at the start of 2024.
The national park’s reservation requirements are implemented to reduce traffic bottlenecks and improve visitors’ experiences.
But many people are left wishing there was an easier way to enjoy the beauty of Yosemite without wondering whether or not they will be able to secure an entry, especially with the warmer months just around the corner.
Fortunately, there are a few ways you can get around this requirement with a clever hack that can make your visit to Yosemite smooth and stress-free.
Thank you to everyone who participated in our Fall photo contest, Yosemite Fall Colors.
We’re feeling extra thankful for all who shared and casted their votes. Your participation not only makes it fun for us, but keeps everyone #YosemiteDreaming when they need it most.
Here we congratulate the winners and share a few honorable mentions that we loved.
SM: “We stumbled upon this beautiful gem one winter. Since then, it has become a ritual for our family to visit Evergreen lodge every Christmas.”
EL: It’s an honor to be a part of your Christmas tradition!
PL: “2023.11.05 – First time at Evergreen and hike to Wapama Falls. Much needed nature quiet time. My ears enjoyed the sounds of only my soft footsteps, the wind, the birds, and water. My eyes enjoyed miles of pure beauty that I did not want to leave. I will be back.”
EL: You’ve beautifully captured what is so great about Hetch Hetchy, and we can’t wait to welcome you back for more solitude.
LM: “One of our favorite things to do at night at Evergreen Lodge was to view the stars with our 3 year old daughter. It’s breathtakingly beautiful!”
EL: This is such a magical picture. You all should check out our Stargazing event next time you visit!
VC: “My mom spies a great cabin for our stay celebrating her birthday! 🎉🎉”
EL: This one has us laughing out loud! We hope she had a wonderful birthday stay!
CF: “We had a lovely day biking 12 miles around the Valley with our 5-year-old son. This is something my husband and I had done many years ago and we were excited to share it with our son.”
EL: We hope you all treated yourselves to a massage after that day! What a fun family adventure!
MR: “This bobcat crossed our paths 2x on the hike to Wapama Falls.”
EL: Wow! Sounds like it wanted to join you all!
AS: “My 16-year-old son and I visited Yosemite for the first time in October 2023, and stayed at Evergreen Lodge. On our first day we hiked around Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. We had the trail to ourselves. We stopped to let the beauty of this place we’d been dreaming about visiting for year sink in. I caught this moment of my son taking in the view. He’s growing into a young man, and soon he’ll be off on his own adventures. But I’ll have this moment and the memories of the time we spent in Yosemite and Evergreen Lodge with me forever.”
EL: Thank you so much for sharing this special memory. It’s incredible how these landscapes provoke wonder. We hope we get the chance to welcome you all back for many more memorable adventures.
Anytime you need a little Yosemite sunshine in your day, Visit the Gallery
It’s time to get inspired, Yosemite style! While we’re all #YosemiteDreaming of visiting again soon, let’s share our most inspiring photos of past Yosemite visits.
It’s easy to enter here:
Yosemite Winter Magic
Who knows? You might just win a free stay at the Evergreen soon!
Meanwhile, if you’re ready to plan your next Yosemite visit, be sure to check out our Packages and Special Offers page for the best deals and most convenient bundles. Or just give us a call at (209) 379-2606 or email us at info@evergreenlodge.com and we’ll happily help you arrange the ideal visit for you and your loved ones.
When you book directly with us here on this web site, on the phone, or by email, you’re guaranteed to get the best rates and service.
Keep in mind that the Evergreen re-opens after winter break each year on President’s Day Weekend.
Happy trails!
By Erika Mailman, January 2, 2024
If you’re hoping to start 2024 off with new levels of calm, Yosemite National Park may be the place to start. This spiritual, geologic masterpiece strikes visitors with awe—don’t forget to book for February’s Firefall phenomenon. And a new set of private massage cabanas await those who treasure the idea of a massage nestled in the woods bordering the park.
