Roam Glade Editorial · Updated November 2026
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Yosemite's nature stays range from simple canvas tent cabins in the valley to comfortable glamping camps just outside the gates. The trick is choosing the right side of the park: Yosemite is big, and the drive from a 'nearby' cabin to the valley can take over an hour.
Here is how the options compare and where each one puts you.
Where to Base Yourself
Yosemite Valley
Inside the park, a short shuttle ride from the Lower Yosemite Fall and Mirror Lake walks. The choice is limited and books out months ahead.
Groveland and Highway 120
West of the Big Oak Flat Entrance. Forest cabins, glamping camps and historic inns, about 45–60 minutes to the valley floor.
Mariposa and El Portal
On Highway 140, the route least affected by snow, which follows the Merced River into the valley. El Portal is closest; Mariposa is a historic Gold Rush town with more choice.
Fish Camp and Oakhurst
Near the South Entrance and Mariposa Grove, with cabins in the pines. Further from the valley (about 1–1.5 hours).
Types of Nature Stays
Canvas tent cabins in the valley
Curry Village has hundreds of canvas tent cabins under the cliffs of Glacier Point, with shared bathhouses, plus some wooden cabins. Housekeeping Camp has three-sided concrete-and-canvas units by the Merced River, open in the warmer months. Both are basic, but you wake up inside Yosemite Valley.
Airstreams and glamping tents
Outside the park, glamping camps offer canvas tents and vintage-style trailers with proper beds and private bathrooms, for example AutoCamp Yosemite (Airstreams near Midpines on Highway 140) and Under Canvas Yosemite (safari tents near Highway 120).
Cabins and lodges
Forest cabin resorts line the approach roads; Evergreen Lodge, near the Hetch Hetchy entrance, has cabins in the forest. In the park, Yosemite Valley Lodge has hotel rooms a short walk from Lower Yosemite Fall.
Campgrounds
Valley campgrounds such as Upper Pines are reserved through Recreation.gov, and many dates fill within minutes of release.
Booking Tips
- In-park lodging opens about a year in advance and sells out for spring and summer; book as early as you can.
- Check whether the park needs a peak-hours vehicle reservation on your dates. A reservation for lodging or camping inside the park usually also counts as park entry.
- Highway 140 is the best winter route; Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close with snow.
- Store food in bear lockers at every in-park campsite and tent cabin.
Search for a stay
Questions People Ask
Can you go glamping inside Yosemite?
The closest thing inside the park is the canvas tent cabins at Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp in Yosemite Valley. True glamping resorts, with private bathrooms and better beds, are just outside the park gates.
Which entrance should I stay near?
Stay near the entrance closest to what you want to see: El Portal and Mariposa (Highway 140) for the valley, Groveland (Highway 120) for the valley and Hetch Hetchy, and Fish Camp or Oakhurst (Highway 41) for Mariposa Grove and Wawona.