Yosemite Valley Lodge is the most convenient hotel in the park for active visitors, and the best all-round base for a first trip. It sits near the foot of Yosemite Falls on the north side of the valley, a short walk from the Lower Yosemite Fall trailhead, and its low-rise buildings spread among the trees with rooms facing the forest, the falls or the cliffs. Rooms are comfortable and straightforward, with traditional and family layouts; many have patios or balconies, and some offer views of the falls. Dining is a strength. The Mountain Room serves steaks, seafood and vegetarian dishes in a lodge-style room with views toward Yosemite Falls, and Base Camp Eatery is a food court with international and American dishes plus Starbucks coffee — both highlighted in the concessioner's winter itineraries. The lodge's tour desk is the departure point for the Valley Floor Tour and, when Glacier Point Road is open, the Glacier Point Tour bus. In warmer months, the lodge has a seasonal pool and bike rentals, and the paved valley bike paths start right outside. The free valley shuttle stops here, making it easy to reach Curry Village, Yosemite Village and trailheads without moving your car. In winter, the lodge is a cozy base for skating at Curry Village, the shuttle to Badger Pass and walks to the frosted lower fall. Rates sit below the Ahwahnee and above Curry Village, and demand is high in spring and summer; reservations open far ahead through the concessioner. The lodge was briefly renamed during a trademark dispute in 2016, and its name was restored in 2019. Expect a busy, practical atmosphere rather than luxury — the point is location.
Why stay here. Location, location, location. Waking up near the base of Yosemite Falls and walking to the falls before breakfast is a privilege that only a few hundred rooms in the valley offer, and the lodge's central position cuts out the long drives that guests in gateway towns face each day. The lodge is also the transport hub of the valley, with tours, shuttles and the YARTS bus stop nearby, so it is perfect for travelers without a car.
Making the most of it. Walk the Lower Yosemite Fall loop early, take the Valley Floor Tour on your first day, and use the shuttle to reach the Mist Trail at Happy Isles or the ice rink at Curry Village. Have one dinner at the Mountain Room and keep Base Camp Eatery for quick, family-friendly meals. In spring, ask for a room facing the falls; in winter, enjoy the quiet and the frost on the meadows. Cyclists can rent bikes in season and ride the valley paths to El Capitan Meadow.
Who should stay. First-timers, hikers, families and anyone who wants convenience over grandeur. It is ideal for active travelers who plan to spend most of their time outdoors and want an easy base. The trade-offs: rooms are simple, the lodge is busy, and rates are higher than outside the park. For a once-in-a-lifetime splurge, choose the Ahwahnee; for the cheapest bed in the valley, Curry Village.
Why stay here
- ✓Walk to Lower Yosemite Fall
- ✓Mountain Room restaurant
- ✓Base Camp Eatery food court
- ✓Tour desk for the Valley Floor Tour
- ✓Seasonal pool
- ✓Seasonal bike rentals
- ✓Free valley shuttle stop
- ✓Patios or balconies in many rooms
Good questions
How close is Yosemite Valley Lodge to Yosemite Falls?+
Very close — the Lower Yosemite Fall trailhead is a short walk away, and some rooms have views of the falls.
Does the Valley Floor Tour leave from the lodge?+
Yes. The tour desk at Yosemite Valley Lodge sells tickets and is the departure point for the Valley Floor Tour and, in season, the Glacier Point Tour.
Where can I eat at the lodge?+
The Mountain Room serves steaks, seafood and vegetarian dishes, and Base Camp Eatery is a food court with quick meals and Starbucks coffee.
