Located off the Tioga Road in Yosemite National Park, the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge includes 69 canvas-tent cabins. These cabins do not have electricity and are normally open between mid-June and mid-September, depending on weather and snow levels.
Here are my top finds for Yosemite National Park:
🏨Hotels: Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Pines Resort(Bass Lake)
📍Tours: Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad, Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Stay in Canvas-Tent Cabins at Tuolumne Meadows: Yosemite's Alpine Escape
It is worth noting that the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is 60 miles from Yosemite Valley and sits at over 8,700 feet in elevation.
White Wolf and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge are the easiest accessible high Sierra camps to reach.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is located off of Tioga Pass near the eastern entrance on Highway 120 east. The lodge is located in the high country near the Tuolumne River within the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Season:
June - September (conditions permitting)
Number of Sites: 69 canvas-tent cabins
Location in the park: Off the Tioga Road near Tuolumne Meadows
Reservations: Yes (see how and when to make a reservation below)
Latitude/Longitude: 37.8773° N, 119.3331° W
Elevation: 8,775
Pets Allowed: There are no pets allowed on the property.
Location: Off of the Tioga Road
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Address:
Tioga Rd,
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Phone:
(888) 413-8869
Tuolumne Lodge Reservations
Click here to book your stay at Tuolumne Meadows Lodge.
How Far Ahead can you make a reservation? Reservations are available 366 days in advance and are strongly recommended, especially from spring through fall and during holidays.
Deposit: A deposit of 100% of the first night at the time of booking if paid by credit or debit card.
Tuolumne Lodge Amenities
When staying in the Tuolumne Lodge, you will need to use a luggage cart or carry your luggage from the parking lot to your tent.
There are bear/food storage boxes in the parking lot for food and toiletries.
Flush Toilets: Yes
Showers: Yes there are showers in the bathrooms available only for Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Guests.
Payphone: Yes
Is wifi available? No (Complimentary WiFi is available at Degnan's Kitchen near the Yosemite Valley visitor center (bandwidth is limited)
Is cellular Phone Service Available? Maybe it will depend on your carrier. On some trips, we have service with T-Mobile in this area of the park.
Is firewood available for purchase? Yes, you can buy charcoal and firewood at most stores within Yosemite.
Amenities at each Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Tent
Tents are available with 4 Twin Beds or 1 Double Bed with 2 Twin Beds
Within each tent, you will find 3 wool blankets and 1 comforter for each bed. There is also a table, towels, water carafe, glasses, and a wood-burning stove.
There is NO ELECTRICITY within these tents. There is a lantern within each tent.
Bear Box in site/area? Yes, All units have a bear-proof storage box in the main parking lot of the lodge.
You are required to store food properly in order to protect Yosemite's bears.
Food storage lockers are provided in all campsites 35″(D)x43″(W)x28″(H)
Potable Water? Yes, there is drinking water available in the campground
Don't forget to pack with you
Padlock for your food storage locker.
Shower shoes for the public community showers and walks to the restroom at night.
Earplugs for additional sleeping support.
A water bottle that you can refill.
Flashlight or LED headlamp and extra batteries.
Closeable plastic food containers to store in the locker.
Inflatable Hammock for lounging and checking the epic Yosemite scenery.
The best thing to remember to bring is your sense of adventure!
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Dining
The lodge dining room serves breakfast and dinner daily. They do not serve lunch since most guests will be out hiking during the day.
The dining room serves hearty meals great for hikers.
You can order box lunches from the dining room the night before.
Dinner reservations are required and can be made when you have breakfast in the morning or by calling 209-372-8413.
There are no private cooking facilities available at the lodge. Guests need to keep all food and toiletries in bear boxes in the main parking lot.
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge Regulations
The number of cars per tent: A maximum of 4 people can stay in each tent.
Check-in Time: 4 pm
Checkout time: 11 am
Quiet Hours: Quiet Hours are from 10:00 pm to 6:00 am, seven days a week.
Cancellation Policy: $10.00 cancellation fee for cancellations made 7 or more days prior to arrival. Reservations canceled within 7 days of arrival will forfeit the deposit paid.
Smoking: Smoking is strictly prohibited at all accommodations and buildings in Yosemite.
Tuolumne Meadows campground is just down the street from the lodge.
Best Yosemite National Park Tours & Activities
Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 1-3.5 Hours | 🚂 Check Rates and Availability
Step back in time on this historic narrow-gauge railroad where powerful locomotives once hauled massive log trains through the Sierra National Forest, just 10 minutes from Yosemite's south entrance. The conductor-narrated rides (1 to 3.5 hours) take you through majestic woods while sharing the area's logging history, with options ranging from the classic steam train to special themed trips like the Moonlight Special and Yosemite Jazz Train. Perfect for families and multi-generational groups, the experience includes gold panning, a logging museum, and the Kids' Depot Toy Store, all wheelchair accessible with leashed dogs welcome on board.
Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars (803+ reviews) | ⏳ Tour Length: 9 hours | 🚐
Check Rates and Availability
This is the tour for first-time visitors who want to see everything without the stress of figuring it out on their own. Operated by Discover Yosemite, a TripAdvisor Travelers Choice award winner for two years running, this small-group tour covers the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, Glacier Point, Yosemite Valley, and all the major viewpoints in one very full day. Lunch is included along with snacks and water.
Semi-Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup/Dropoff
⭐️ Rating: 4.8 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🚌Check Rates and Availability
This is an 8-hour tour that begins with a pick-up at your hotel or the meeting point.
The tour includes stops at Glacier Point(April-November), depending upon the weather, and several stops in the Yosemite Valley. The valley stops include Tunnel View, Bridalveil Falls, Sentinel Bridge, Chapel, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and more!
Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!
Lodges In Yosemite National Park
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Ahwahnee Hotel - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The Ahwahnee stands as Yosemite's most iconic lodge, a National Historic Landmark that has hosted royalty and presidents while offering unmatched views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. This architectural masterpiece blends historic elegance with modern comfort, featuring fine dining, a heated outdoor pool, and artisan shops right at your doorstep. After a day exploring the valley's waterfalls and granite cliffs, you'll appreciate the world-class hospitality and luxurious amenities that make this more than just a place to stay.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Yosemite Valley Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Yosemite Valley Lodge sits right at the base of Yosemite Falls, offering 245 rooms including family rooms and bunk rooms perfect for groups exploring the park together. The lodge's glass-and-wood architecture frames incredible views while keeping you close to trailheads, with shuttle access, multiple dining options, and seasonal bike rentals right onsite. After hiking to Vernal Fall or exploring the valley floor, cool off in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a meal before heading to the outdoor amphitheater for evening ranger programs.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Curry Village Tent Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Nestled beneath Glacier Point since 1899, Curry Village tents offers an authentic lodging experience. This historic base camp puts you right in the heart of Yosemite Valley with multiple dining options, an outdoor pool, and easy shuttle access to trailheads and waterfalls.
Lodges near Yosemite National Park
There are several great lodging options near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Check out my Oakhurst Lodging Guide.
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - The Pines Resort at Bass Lake - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The only lakeside resort in the Yosemite area, sitting right on the shores of Bass Lake just 17 miles from Yosemite National Park's South Gate with a private beach, full marina, and some of the best sunsets in the Sierra Nevada!
Choose from lakeside suites with log-burning fireplaces, wet bars, and lake-view decks, two-story chalets with full kitchens, or a romantic Honeymoon Suite with an oversized jetted tub. Ducey's on the Lake serves farm-to-table cuisine for breakfast, lunch, and dinner with stunning water views, and the poolside beach bar is perfect for after-hike refreshments. Amenities include a seasonal outdoor pool with pool hoist, hot tub, full-service spa, 24-hour fitness center, yoga classes, boat and kayak rentals, two tennis courts, billiards room, convenience market, live entertainment, coin-operated laundry, free WiFi, and free parking. Pet friendly and open year-round!
⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Chateau du Sureau - Click here for Rates and Availability.
A Forbes Five Star, AAA Four Diamond Provence-inspired castle tucked in the Sierra Nevada foothills just 20 miles from Yosemite's South Gate, widely regarded as the finest luxury hotel in the entire Yosemite region!
The 11 individually designed rooms and suites feature working fireplaces, pillowtop mattresses, down comforters, hypoallergenic bedding, separate soaking tubs and showers, Moulton Brown toiletries, slippers, robes, and private balconies overlooking nine acres of terraced French gardens. A bottle of local rosé awaits you on arrival, and a full gourmet breakfast is included each morning with fresh-squeezed orange juice. The legendary Erna's Elderberry House restaurant is one of California's most celebrated dining destinations, drawing food lovers from across the state for its tasting menus and wine pairings. Additional amenities include a full-service spa, seasonal outdoor pool, bocce court, concierge, valet parking, room service, free WiFi, and free parking. No children under 10. Pet friendly with a fee, open year-round!
Click on this link or the map below to see additional lodging options near Yosemite NP.
https://www.stay22.com/embed/61f07d51cbb4390015c70b0f
Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$0.00 for Education/Academic Group
$300.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$40.00-$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Yosemite National Park No Longer Requires Peak Hours Reservations
Yosemite National Park will not require advance reservations in 2026, including during peak summer months and the February-March firefall period. The park will rely on real-time traffic management measures, including temporary traffic diversions when parking areas reach capacity and deployment of additional seasonal staff to manage high-use areas.
Additional Yosemite Resources
- Complete Guide to Exploring Yosemite National Park
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - The grove is outside of the valley on Highway 41 next to the southern entrance to the park.
- Things to do in Yosemite
- 1-Day in Yosemite guide
- Yosemite Winter Guide
- Yosemite Lodging Guide
- Yosemite National Park Camping Guide
Things To Do Near Yosemite National Park
- Oakhurst, California, the Southern Entrance to Yosemite
- Bass Lake Travel Guide
- The Sierra Vista Scenic Byway
- Wassama Round House State Historic Park
- Oakhurst Lodging Guide
- Oakhurst Restaurant Guide
- Madera Wine Trail
Check out all of the National Parks in California and neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Nevada, and National Parks in Arizona.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
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