Complete guide to Yosemite Valley Lodge in Yosemite National Park

If you are looking to stay in the heart of Yosemite National Park, then you will love Yosemite Valley Lodge. The lodge is located close to Yosemite Falls, which makes it an excellent base for a Yosemite vacation.

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Yosemite Valley Lodge

Yosemite Valley Lodge rooms are spread over fifteen buildings. We stayed in the Manzanita Building close to the pool.

The pool is available for hotel guests free of charge. They do have a daily rate if you are not staying at the lodge but want to cool off in the pool.

One thing to know about staying in Yosemite is the hotels do not have air conditioning. We stayed in the Yosemite Valley Lodge on a day it was 95 degrees in Yosemite Valley. I am not going to lie the room was warm.

There are screen doors on both sets of doors so that air can flow through the room. We ended up taking cold showers and sitting on the bed with cold wet towels over us and the fan going to cool off.

The room was still warm at night but it definitely cooled off compared to during the day.

Yosemite Valley Lodge has great dining options available on-site including Base Camp Eatery, Starbucks and the Mountain Room Restaurant.

Starbucks and Base Camp Eatery open early so you can get breakfast and snacks before hitting the trails for the day.

The gift shop has a small grocery section with beer, some food choices and lots of souvenirs.

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Yosemite Valley Lodge Room - Traditional Room 1 King

We booked a traditional room with one king bed for our stay at the hotel. When you book you do not get to choose what building you stay in. We did read that people ask for Yosemite Falls views but we did not ask during our stay. We honestly were so hot with the weather we just wanted to get into the room and cool off for a while.

Our room was in the Manzanita building which is near the swimming pool. There was parking near the building that thankfully had space. There are no set parking spaces for hotel guests so you may have to walk a bit once you find a parking spot.

We would suggest parking and using the Yosemite free shuttle (YARTS) during your stay.

Our room was on the 2nd floor of the building with around 15 stairs to reach it. The room was clean and comfortable. The room was larger than we expected it to be. There was room to stretch out and relax.

We found the bed to be comfortable and easy to sleep on. It was actually hard to leave the next morning but we knew we wanted to have a full day exploring the Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows.

The sink and mirror are separate from the toilet and shower, making it easy for two people to get ready in the morning. There is a small college dorm-sized refrigerator below the sink that is large enough to hold drinks and snacks.

The shower has shampoo, conditioner, and soap, so you don't need to pack them if you are ok with hotel amenities.

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Amenities

Private bathroom
Hairdryer
Small table and chairs
Small refrigerator
Coffee Maker
TV
Fan

Things to know when planning a stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge

Check-In at 4:00 pm

Check-Out by 11:00 am

Smoking is strictly prohibited at all accommodations and buildings in Yosemite.

Pets: no pets allowed on the property.

WIFI: WiFi bandwidth is limited in Yosemite National Park. The WiFi is only recommended for checking email or some (very) light web browsing.

Location: Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley Lodge Address:
9006 Yosemite Lodge Dr.
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

Yosemite Valley Lodge Reservations

Click here to book your stay at the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

Additional Yosemite National Park Information & Resources

Lodges In Yosemite National Park

Ahwahnee Hotel
🏨Ready to Book the Ahwahnee Hotel -> Click Here

The Ahwahnee Hotel is located in Yosemite Valley and is known throughout the world as one of the most luxurious National Park Lodges.

Yosemite Valley Lodge
🏨Ready to Book the Yosemite Valley Lodge -> Click Here

The Yosemite Valley Lodge is located in the heart of Yosemite National Park and is located close to Yosemite Falls making it a great base for a Yosemite vacation.

Wawona Hotel
🏨Ready to Book the Wawona Hotel -> Click Here

(Currently Closed for repairs). Built in 1856 the Wawona Hotel formerly Big Trees Lodge is on the National Historic Landmark located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center in Yosemite National Park.

Curry Village Tent Cabins
🏨Ready to Book the Curry Village Cabins -> Click Here

The Curry Village Tent Cabins are a great option for staying in Yosemite Valley.

Lodges near Yosemite National Park

There are great options for lodging near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Here is a few of our favorite places to stay in Oakhurst:

Chateau du Sureau
🏨Ready to Book the Chateau du Sureau -> Click Here

Exceptional 5-star luxury accommodations south of Yosemite National Park. Includes breakfast, feww WIFI, pet friendly, air conditioning and much more! Also has an incredible restaurant o-site and a spa!

The Pines Resort at Bass Lake
🏨Ready to Book The Pines Resort -> Click Here

Bass Lake Beachfront Resort with lots of amenities, including Spa services, gym, two restaurants, bar/lounge, Airconditioning and more!

Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn
🏨Ready to Book the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn -> Click Here

At Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn, you can look forward to a terrace, a playground, and laundry facilities. For some rest and relaxation, visit the 2 hot tubs.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
🏨Ready to Book The Tenaya Lodge -> Click Here

4-star eco-friendly resort near Yosemite. You can look forward to a poolside bar, a terrace, and shopping on site at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the rock climbing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at this resort. Indulge in a deep-tissue massage, a body treatment, and aromatherapy at Ascent Spa, the onsite spa

Yosemite National Park Tours

California Audio Tour Bundle (Get 4 Audio Tours)
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 days | 🔊Check Rates and Availability

With Shaka Guide's GPS Audio Tours, you are guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Now, you can explore at your own pace without worrying about keeping up with a tour. Tours include:

Yosemite's Majestic Beauty
Death Valley's Unique Geology
Joshua Tree's otherworldly Landscapes
Lake Tahoe's Clear Waters

Yosemite Mist Trail and Nevada Fall Loop Private Day Hike
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 6-8 Hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability

Discover one of Yosemite National Park's most beloved hikes as you follow the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall, a 4-hour guided hike from Yosemite Valley. Take in sweeping views of the valley while climbing alongside your guide, and learn about the park's ecology, natural history, and landscape. Catch a glimpse of Vernal Fall as you cross the Merced River, walk through billowing mist on a trail that parallels the waterfall's drop from a high, granite cliff, then enjoy clear air and scenic views from the top.

Private Full-Day Fly Fishing for Beginners and Experienced Anglers
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🎣 Check Rates and Availability

Here is your chance to enjoy fly fishing in Yosemite with your private guide! This full-day adventure (Approx. 8 hours) is where you can fish the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout on the catch-and-release excursion. The tour includes:

all fly fishing gear, fishing license, Peak Season Reservation, and entrance fees
round-trip transportation from Yosemite Valley or Groveland
snacks/lunch

Check out more great tours of Yosemite.

Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee

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)

$45.00-$125.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)

$125.00 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.

2024 America The Beautiful National Park Pass

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 five free entrance days the National Park Service offers annually.

Yosemite National Park Peak-Hours Reservation Required

A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite between 6:00 AM and 2:00 PM on dates in 2025 listed below:

May 24 - May 26 (Saturday-Monday)
June 15 - August 15 (Daily)
August 30 -September 1) (Saturday - Monday)

During the dates listed above, visitors can enter Yosemite with either of the following:

Peak Hours Reservation are available through Recreation.gov
- (Click here to get your Peak Hours Reservation) or by calling (877)444-6777
Wilderness or Half Dome permit
In-Park camping including Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, Hogdon Meadow, Crane Flat, Tamarack Flat, White Wolf, Yosemite Creek, Porcupine Flat, and Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds.
In-Park Lodging including Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The Ahwahnee, Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, and High Sierra Camps.
In-Park Vacation Rental in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta.
Regional transit ot tour group

Additional Peak Hours Reservation information:

Reservations for all dates were released on May 6, 2025
Additional Reservations are available on recreation.gov seven days before the arrival date at 8:00 AM PDT.
There is a $2.00 Non-Refundable fee (This does not include the park's entry fee requirement)
Each visitor can make one reservation for each three day period. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show photo ID at the entrance station.
Peak Hours Reservations are good for three consecutive days (Including arrival date)
You can visit the Hetch Hetchy area of the park when it is open (sunrise to sunset) without a reservation.