With 88 cabins scattered across 20 secluded acres, Evergreen Lodge is a short drive from Yosemite’s west entrance. Built in the 1920s but nicely updated, the resort has a family-camp feel and wide range of accommodations.
For the classic Yosemite experience at any time of the year, this affordable and refreshingly crowd-free 22-acre resort has it all: cozy cabins in the woods, a historic and lively tavern, a great restaurant serving a diverse menu, even a recreation center and library. Scattered throughout groves of towering pines, the cabins come with private bathrooms, decks, sitting areas, Sirius Satellite Radio, and comfortable quilted beds.
Near the entrance to Hetch Hetchy, this classic 90-year-old resort lets roughing-it guests cheat with comfy, prefurnished tents and deluxe mountain cabins. Outdoor recreation activities abound, with equipment rentals available. There’s a general store, tavern with a pool table and a restaurant (dinner mains $18 to $28) serving three hearty meals every day.
By Megan duBois, May 1, 2023
Part of the fun of taking a trip to any national park is being able to sleep inside the gates, but given the popularity of Yosemite National Park, the lodges and campgrounds tend to fill up quickly. In fact, reservations for these popular accommodations are available a year in advance and are hot tickets from spring through fall.
If you can’t get a reservation inside the park itself, there are still plenty of great lodging options close enough for near-maximum convenience. Plus, lodgings located outside of the park are often cheaper.
Keep reading for six of the best places to stay near Yosemite National Park.
By Jennifer Flowers, Devorah Lev-Tov, Nora Zelevansky, April 28, 2023
There’s no denying the romantic appeal of the American West: storied ranching culture; green valleys that explode with wildflowers in the spring; rushing, trout-filled rivers; stands of pine and aspen forests; views of snow-topped peaks. And there are few better ways to take it all in than with a stay at one of the nation’s best ranches and lodges—especially when you’re part of a larger group that’s looking for a place to get away from it all.
Ever since pandemic travel restrictions motivated more Americans to book domestic vacations, multigenerational trips at U.S. ranches and lodges have been on the rise, and that trend shows no signs of stopping. Many retreats are responding to the demand by extending their seasons into fall, and even opening up winter experiences for the first time that are proving to be popular with groups, too.
While there are many standout places to choose from, AFAR has done the legwork to identify the 10 top U.S. ranches and lodges that are the best in their class, whether for their historic architecture, their programming and service, or their unprecedented conservation efforts. Read on for the top 10 ranches and lodges in the American West, presented in no particular order, and then start planning that epic vacation your family won’t soon forget.
By Olivia O’Bryon, April 23, 2023
If you haven’t been to Yosemite, you’re in for a treat—and, if you have, you already know how awe-inspiring it feels each and every time you pull into the valley. The granite walls and valley floor offer something different during each season of the year, from the roaring waterfalls and wildflowers of spring and summer to the fall colors and snow-capped mountains of late autumn and winter. Regardless of when you choose to visit this acclaimed national park, you’ll be taken aback by the beauty of Yosemite. And, while natural beauty is enough of a draw to be worthy of your vacation plans, the unique wellness experiences of the area may be enough to push a trip to Yosemite to the top of your list. If you’re looking for time away with ample opportunities for physical activity and self-care in nature, Yosemite is the place to visit.
We were floored by the memories shared from our Spring photo contest, Wonderful Waterfalls and Wildflowers.
Our hearts are warm as we thank 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. We hope you do too!
PB: “Yosemite Falls, Merced River, June 2023”
EL: We’re going to be coming back to this picture for years to come – we still can’t believe how high the Merced River got!
AN: “Our wedding at the Evergreen Lodge October 12, 2013 just after the fire. The Evergreen Lodge was spared and although everything else around it was burned all of our friends and family gathered and we had the most wonderful weekend! We planted a tree for rebirth of the forest 🌳. Thank you Evergreen Lodge for the memories, still the best day of our lives 10 years later.”
EL: This one’s tugging at our heart strings. Words can’t begin to express how thankful we are to have been a part of this special day in your lives. We can’t wait to welcome you all back to see how your little tree has grown!
RS: “Drinking up the beauty of Yosemite Falls”
EL: How refreshing! We can’t stop smiling at this!
GM: “We woke up early to watch the sunrise from Tunnel View. It was a bit cloudy, but the view was still spectacular!”
EL: You know what they say, the early bird catches the epic Tunnel View sunrises!
MA: “This photo was taken in Camp4. Funny story behind: Due to my weight I am not able to climb a mountain. But there is this smaller rock laying in front of the bigger “midnight lightning” boulder in Camp4. If you lay on the rock and rotate your camera, it looks like you are climbing.”
EL: This is such a great tip – you had us convinced! And let us be the first to tell you that anyone can climb mountains!
JB: “Enjoying the waterfall spray at Hetch Hetchy during our Evergreen Lodge stay! We threaded the weather needle perfectly in mid April 2023: the glorious week between too much snowpack and too much snowmelt! 😉”
EL: Isn’t it wonderful when things work out that well! Hetch Hetchy is the perfect place to explore late winter, early spring.
AH: “We had the most magical family vacation. We loved staying at Evergreen lodge and exploring Yosemite. We can’t wait to go back!”
EL: We can’t wait to welcome you all back for many more amazing 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 Fall Colors
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 Kate Loweth, April 15, 2023
If you are looking for modern conveniences in a woodsy setting, pick Evergreen Lodge for your next stay when you visit Yosemite. Right now, Evergreen Lodge is celebrating 100 years of welcoming families to Yosemite and it’s the perfect time to visit. The property is located about 10 minutes off highway 120 on the road that takes you to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. You’ll feel like you are totally away from it all when you visit.
Accommodations include cabins of every size including the two-bedroom family cabins that we definitely recommend for those visiting with little ones. You’ll get a bedroom with a king-size bed, another with two twins, and a central living room with a pull-out couch. Custom camping is also available if you really want to get a taste of the outdoors.
By Allison Tibaldi, January 19, 2023
Yosemite National Park’s majestic beauty should mesmerize even jaded teens. Set in a forest right near the park’s entrance, you’d be hard-pressed to find a better base camp than Evergreen Lodge. Guests stay in rustic cabins equipped with cast iron gas fireplaces, fluffy pillows, and Pendleton blankets. There’s a wicker basket filled with nostalgic games like Twister and practical perks such as a wooden stepstool to give tiny travelers a boost. Hammocks swaying between tall pines, a saltwater swimming pool, and a playground offer hours of fun. In the evening, campfire sing-alongs with gooey s’mores, stargazing, and bingo are old-school diversions.
By Kara Harms, November 15, 2021
We checked in and immediately ran around the property of Evergreen Lodge Yosemite to take tons of photos of their maple trees which had turned bright yellow. The air smelled like a pine candle, the birds were chirping and the leaves crunching under my feet – I knew instantly that this would be one of my favorite places to stay near Yosemite on future trips.
