Affordable Awe: Yosemite Lodging on a Budget

Yosemite is a standout example of our national park system, which author and environmentalist Wallace Stegner deemed “…the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic.” But with rising travel costs, preserving an “affordability for all” ideal can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are ways to make your trip to Yosemite surprisingly affordable. Here are three budget-friendly travel levels to prove it.

Yosemite Budget Level 1: Most Affordable

Camping is one of the best ways to enjoy an immersive experience into the great outdoors and cost-effective ways to experience the grandeur of Yosemite National Park “from the ground up.”   It puts you closer to diurnal rhythms; days begin with the glow of sunrise (plus, there’s just something wonderfully essential about waking up in the middle of a Sierra forest).  After dinner, conversation, and a crackling fire, days end just as magically as constellations come into view across the night sky. When it comes to overnight affordability, sharing a campsite with friends or family is a best-practice. 

There are dozens of unique campgrounds both inside and surrounding Yosemite National Park.  In the heart of it all, Yosemite Valley boasts four tree-mendous places to pitch your tent:  Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4. Surrounded my massive cliffs with the Merced River carving through, Yosemite Valley campsites boast easy access to the Park’s most popular free activity: hiking.

Also inside the Park, there are outstanding campgrounds north and south of Yosemite Valley.  For an aerial view, see the official Yosemite National Park reservations page for campground details, reservation info, rules, and regulations. 

In the charming gateway communities surrounding the Park, more delightful campgrounds beckon. Lake McClure & Lake McSwain are popular year-round boating, fishing, and camping destinations in Northwest Mariposa County. Lake McClure and Lake McSwain offer five campgrounds, with tent and RV sites tucked into the mixed pine and oak forest along the lakeshores.

Campgrounds pop up like lupine in Sierra National Forest, including Central Mariposa County’s Summerdale; and in the town of Mariposa, the Mariposa County Fairgrounds RV Park and Campgrounds. Bureau of Land Management campgrounds in the Sierra National Forest include McCabe Flat Campground, Willow Placer Campground, and Railroad Flat Campground. In addition to swimming, fishing and rafting, this stretch of the Wild & Scenic Merced River is the starting point for beautiful riparian hiking trails.

Level 1 Pro Tips

• Camping in the Yosemite area is naturally popular! Be sure to book early (or arrive midweek/off-season for the few first come/first served sites).
• Take YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) year-round into Yosemite National Park.  Passengers do not pay the park entrance fee or require Park Entry reservations (during periods when they are required for Yosemite) and save money on gas!
• There’s no better way to get around Yosemite Valley than the Yosemite Valley Shuttle. Did we mention it’s free?

Yosemite Budget Level 2: More Affordable

For those who want a slightly “elevated” experience (aka a little higher off the ground) Yosemite offers several styles of “camping light.” Rates can vary in this category but still trend lower than traditional hotels or vacation rentals.

For generations, Curry Village has stood as a time-honored place to stay in Yosemite Valley, with wood cabins, canvas tent cabins, and standard lodge rooms, all at economy rates.  Curry Village tent cabins are wood-framed with hardwood floors and electric lighting (some with electrical outlets). Central bathrooms and showers are shared, with guest linens, blankets, and pillows provided.

Housekeeping Camp offers Yosemite Valley camping in three-sided concrete structures with canvas tops. The Merced River-side retreat offers unmatched views of two Yosemite icons – Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Cabins sleep up to six and have lights/electrical outlets and fire rings for grilling and gathering.

The backcountry wilderness of Northern Yosemite offers High Sierra Camps – a circuit of five hostel-like hubs in spectacular alpine wilderness. The camps – Glen Aulin, May Lake, Sunrise, Merced Lake, and Vogelsang – are spaced 6 to 10 miles apart, offering the rewards of backpacking without the need to carry a heavy pack filled with tents, food, and cooking supplies. 

Outside the Park, Yosemite Mariposa County also offers the hybrid “glamping” option. Equal parts hotel and camping, glamping in Yosemite has caught on with many willing to trade tents and sleeping bags for creature comforts and a slightly higher rate.

Set atop a bluff overlooking the town of Mariposa, Wildhaven Yosemite offers safari-style canvas tents with glam touches and amenities. Tents offer gas fire pits, memory-foam mattresses and heated mattress pads, with Premium Tents featuring covered front decks as well. Guests get free access to seasonal activities and events including yoga, Sierra Cider tastings, and live music.  Mariposa’s signature small-town charm is just a mile away for shopping, wine-tasting, and nightlife.

El Portal’s Indian Flat RV Campground offers tent and RV sites as well as a recently-added glamping option, Jupe Tents. The sleek new Jupes feature tall ceilings, picture windows, queen beds, A/C, electricity and dimmable LED lighting. Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance is only 30 minutes away, the closest Park gate to Yosemite Valley’s titanic granite monuments and waterfalls.  Indian Flat guests enjoy access to the outdoor swimming pool and a YARTS/Highway 140 bus stop at Yosemite Cedar Lodge next door.

Level 2 Pro Tips

• Take advantage of heated tent cabins for winter travel when prices are lower and there is more weekend availability.
• Streamline your packing list by double-checking what is included with your booking and leave unnecessary gear like tents and sleeping bags at home.
• Reservations for High Sierra Camps are competitive and conducted via a November lottery for the following summer.

Yosemite Budget Level 3: Affordable

Yosemite Mariposa County offers an eye-opening selection of budget-friendly lodging choices for an affordable overnight stay.  From hotels and motels to sharing the cost of a vacation rental home, there are many ways to stay and save.

The town of Mariposa offers golden motel options.  Familiar flags are here – Quality Inn Yosemite Valley Gateway and Best Western Plus – and independents like the Miners Inn, Monarch Inn, and Yosemite Inn.  The River Rock Inn offers a position “A” location in the heart of Mariposa’s historic downtown district with a local favorite, Sticks Coffee, right next door for coffee drinks and sandos.

Another primo value location is the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort in Midpines, just 27 miles from Yosemite Valley on Highway 140. “The Bug” offers some of Yosemite Mariposa County’s only hostel-style accommodations, heated tent cabins, and vacation rental cabins.  The onsite June Bug Cafe offers hale and hearty fare with a menu that is every bit as affordable as it is delicious.   

Shareable vacation rentals can offer plus-savings, and the inventory of Airbnb-style rentals across Yosemite Mariposa County has never been greater.  Units with full kitchens extend the value even deeper. Discover Airbnb rentals by clicking here and choosing Airbnb from the top “All Lodging” drop down field. 

Level 3 Pro Tips

• Time your travel for midweek and seasons outside of summer for maximum value.
• For accommodations with kitchens or kitchenettes, find your supplies at local groceries such as the Pioneer Market or High Country Health Foods & Cafe.
• Yosemite Mariposa County has a poppin’ food truck game.  Sal’s Tacos, Tacos Sonora, and the Lemon Drop are just a few in regular rotation. A reliable place to find food trucks: the Mariposa Museum & History Center parking lot, near the YARTS bus stop.
• Relatively cheap eats can be found in Yosemite Mariposa County.  Here are just a few restaurant ideas for maximum gusto with minimum spend:  In Mariposa, Happy Burger Diner offers the “largest menu in the Sierra” (and modestly priced, too).  Also in Mariposa: bar bites at The Hideout Saloon, artisanal apps at The Alley, and noodles at the Little Shop of Ramen will tickle your taste buds and go light on your wallet. On the Highway 120 county line, the all-day menu at the Lucky Buck Café is a local treat.

Affordable Yosemite: Still America’s Best Idea

Experiencing the awe-inspiring grandeur of Yosemite National Park does not require a trust-fund budget.  Practice some of the steps above, and you can make “America’s best idea” a real-world superlative by saving your hard-earned money as you create priceless memories.