A visit to Yosemite National Park is a bucket list item for travelers all over the world, but if you thought spending a day at the park would be incredible, we at Love Yosemite! can’t wait to show you how much more special it will be to get to stay inside the park’s borders. We can promise you will become obsessed with the opportunity to see more of the wildlife that inhabits the area, and because you are staying in our Love Yosemite! charming retreats, your visit will be enriched by this in-depth vacation experience as well as all the comforts of home. This ultimate guide to staying inside Yosemite vacation rentals will make you wonder how much you may have missed by not staying inside the other national parks you have traveled to over the years!
Less Travel, More Time to Play
The worst part of every vacation, in our humble opinion, is the amount of time spent in our cars driving from attraction to attraction, and although there will still be some drive time—the park is over 1100 square miles—you will still be much closer to each of the attractions that make it special. Also, you won’t have to deal with the hassle of the entry gate, waiting for people who should already know they have to pay to ask a lot of questions and take their time getting their wallets out. Below, we have listed a few of the attractions you will be closer to, just to give you an idea of what to expect!
Yosemite Falls
Standing over 2000 feet tall, Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the country. Best viewed in the spring when snowmelt creates a powerful spray of water tumbling over the granite cliffs, the flow generally ceases in July. You can hike to the top, but it will take experienced hikers at least eight hours to hike there and back. For those who want to skip the tough hike, the most popular trail to the fall is fully flat, paved, and accessible for all, and it only takes about 20 minutes to reach stunning waterfall views!
Half Dome
The technical term for Half Dome is a “quartz monzonite batholith,” but don’t worry, there won’t be a quiz, and we really don’t understand it either. What we do know is that Half Dome in Yosemite is another attraction you won’t have to drive far to see and that it is very much worth seeing. Famous for being the star of many of photographer Ansel Adam’s photos, it is also much loved by rock climbers, and whether you decide to climb it or not, it will still look amazing in the pictures you take. Half Dome is visible from the valley floor as well as Glacier Point Road.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Even if you aren’t a nature lover at heart, it will be impossible to remain unmoved at the ancient trees that reside in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. One of the oldest and largest trees in the grove, the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be at least 2700 years old, and the Bachelor and Three Graces are a cluster of trees in front of which many photos have been taken.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
It should be of no surprise that being eco-friendly is a goal that the world wishes everyone would try to achieve, and if you aren’t driving as much, you are doing just that. Climate change, altered fire regimes, and air pollution are three of the greatest threats to Yosemite National Park, and although we want the world to experience its beauty, we must also respect its needs. When you drive less, you reduce air pollution as well. The good news is that major studies reveal that the park’s conservation outlook is “good with some concerns,” with the concerns being the threats we just mentioned, plus overdevelopment and overcrowding, but isn’t it nice to know that you are doing your part in keeping Yosemite beautiful for many generations to come?
Equally important, at least for you and your family, you will spend less on gas while enjoying a much more immersive experience. This, of course, leaves you more money to spend on souvenirs, desserts with dinner, better wine, and maybe an extra day of relaxation and comfort when you choose to stay one more night in our Love Yosemite! vacation escapes located in the heart of Yosemite National Park.
Immerse Yourself
Can you picture it? Waking every morning in your California sanctuary, perhaps brewing a pot of coffee before heading out to your deck to sip, savor, and watch the park come alive around you. Maybe you will catch sight of doe and her fawn, stepping timidly out from the tree line in search of food or water. Or maybe you will just find yourself enchanted by the sounds of the wind rustling the leaves of the trees, of birds singing a merry tune as they bring food home to their hungry hatchlings, immersing yourself in an experience that will change your life forever more. Better yet, you will know that you have a day filled with Yosemite adventures in store for you, including the ones we have listed below.
Guided Horseback Tours
Yosemite Trails Horseback Adventures, although it isn’t based inside Yosemite, is located just outside the south gate, offers trail rides that meander through the park, including one that takes riders straight to Grizzly Giant. Traveling through the park in much the same way Teddy Roosevelt did over a century ago before expanding federal protection of Yosemite, will be an experience you will wish never had to end.
Whitewater Rafting
Zephyr Whitewater Expeditions offers fantastic expeditions down the Merced River, a river that runs through Yosemite and provides class 3 and 4 whitewater. Choose between a half-day adventure that includes wetsuits and/or paddle jackets, a cold beverage at trip’s end, and a picture that will be taken at a strategic part of the journey, or an all-day trip that includes all of the above, plus a delicious lunch to be enjoyed riverside. Both adventures are only available April through July.
Hiking Adventures
The trails that traverse Yosemite will take up permanent residence in your heart, and because you have chosen to reside within the park during your stay, you will have more time to explore the ones you have dreamed about experiencing your entire life. The Mist Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite, offering stunning views of Vernal Falls and Half Dome while remaining a relatively easy walk.
Where the Wild Things Live
One of your favorite parts of staying within the borders of Yosemite Park may be having more opportunities to see the wildlife that inhabits the area. From bird watching to skunk spotting, every day may be an adventure in wildness that will never be forgotten. If you are lucky, you may be able to spot some of the more timid animals listed below, from a safe distance, of course!
American Black Bear
Not all black bears are black, many can weigh as much as 500 pounds, and the American black bears are residents of Yosemite, residents that are best observed from a safe distance. It’s also important not to leave food in your car, as hungry and curious bears could try to get in!
Mountain Lion
Do you know what the mountain lion, cougar, and pumas have in common? Those are actually just different names for the same animal, and all live within the boundaries (and outside) of Yosemite National Park. They can jump 15 feet high and 40 feet in distance, but since they are solitary animals, the chances of running across one during your adventures in Yosemite are rare.
Bighorn Sheep
There is something magical about spotting a bighorn sheep climbing up a granite cliff, so be sure to keep an eye out and have a camera on hand. You will want pictures to prove that you were there, and these pics will win you the envy of all who see them.
Peaceful and Quiet
The towns that surround Yosemite National Park are charming and filled with life, but they are also where many of the tourists that make their way to the park will stay, adding a touch of chaos, a touch of confusion, and a whole bunch of noise to the surroundings. When you stay in the park, there are other people staying there as well, but nowhere near the numbers outside the park, and you will immediately feel (and hear) the difference. We’ve already shown you how your mornings can start, and by now you have an idea on how the daylight hours will be filled, but now it is time to talk about the most peaceful nights of your life. Start the evening out raising a toast to the setting of the California sun, watching the sky turn to fire before all the light turns to dark and the stars begin twinkling in harmony with the cool glow of the moon. Although not officially designated a Dark Sky park, the night skies of Yosemite are vast and velvety dark, and with the exception of the hooting of an owl, the mating call of frogs, and maybe the sounds of the wind in the trees, will be exceptionally quiet, peaceful, and soul satisfying.
Fall in Love with Yosemite National Park in Our Love Yosemite! Park Retreats
This is the time in our guide when we shine the spotlight on our Love Yosemite! park retreats, each offering its own charm, style, and a reflection of the park and all that surrounds it. These sanctuaries range in size from cozy studios to spacious 3 bedroom cabins that offer the room for up to 10 guests. Your Yosemite vacation begins on the other side of the front door and as you open the door and walk inside, you will feel the Love Yosemite! difference within the first few steps. Every space will be bright and filled with light and as you follow the paths made from wood (hardwood flooring is the most common material used in our California retreats) into spaces designed to welcome and impress.
The History of Cabins Reinvented
Cabins have been the primary source of residency in the park for over 100 years, and some of those original cabins still stand today, including the Hodgdon Homestead Cabin built in 1879, the McCauley Cabin built in 1889, and the Frog Creek Cabin built in 1934. Our cabins reflect the history and charm of those early sanctuaries while also offering the modern conveniences that just make life easier. Our fully equipped kitchens will provide modern stoves, refrigerators, and in most cases, dishwashers that make clean up after a meal easy. State of the art televisions in our living rooms may be Smart ones, allowing guests to binge-watch their favorite streaming series on a rare but wonderful rainy night. Laundry rooms or closets with stackable units, barbecue grills on decks that look out onto the Yosemite landscape, and a variety of other modern amenities you may find surprising in the midst of all this wilderness.
Amenities You Will Love
Rustic, cozy, and charming doesn’t mean there won’t be any luxury amenities; you deserve to be spoiled during your adventures in nature, and our properties offer many. Hot tubs bubbling on decks under the stars, game rooms with foosball tables, board games, even bookshelves stocked with books we hope you will read. Fireplaces in the living rooms, fireplaces in the bedrooms, and firepits in the backyard—it can get cold in the winter and chilly at night, even in the summer, and you will appreciate the romance and warmth these amenities offer. Barbecue grills and outdoor dining tables, plush sofas and premium mattresses, and the softest, fluffiest towels will remind you that choosing Love Yosemite! was the best decision you could have made this year. Reserve your favorite sanctuary today!
