Cabins near Mather, California offer access to Yosemite National Park at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 7,000 feet. The area experiences seasonal temperature fluctuations with summer days reaching 90°F and winter nights dropping below freezing. Several locations provide lodging options within 30-45 minutes of the park entrance, with availability typically more limited from May through September.
What to do
Swimming at natural pools: Rainbow Pool is accessible from Yosemite Pines RV Resort, located about 30 minutes from the park entrance. "Plus a short drive to Rainbow Pool and Cherry Lake if you want to avoid park crowds," notes one visitor at Yosemite Pines RV Resort & Family Lodging.
Hiking the Mist Trail: This popular trail is accessible from North Pines Campground. "I love how I can walk from here to several hikes, like Vernal and Nevada Falls. You can also walk to Curry Village for food, drink or some shopping," explains a camper who stayed at North Pines Campground.
Exploring higher elevation areas: White Wolf Campground offers access to less-crowded areas. "Off the beaten path, and much cooler weather compared to Yosemite village and the valley. No lights in the restrooms, so bring a head lamp," advises a visitor to White Wolf Campground.
What campers like
Riverfront camping: Many sites at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes feature riverside settings. "Beautiful campground with even more amazing staff. We lucked out with a pretty big and shaded riverfront spot (site 73) and could not have been happier. Full hook up, VERY well maintained facilities," reports a camper at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Valley floor convenience: Lower Pines Campground provides central positioning. "A convenient hub for activities in Yosemite Valley. Toilets, water, and a storage box for all the food and other smelly items that attract bears. The valley can be a circus, but get off the beaten path and enjoy taking in the soaring cliffs and plunging waterfalls!" shares one visitor.
Rustic cabin options: Indian Flat RV Park offers cabin accommodations near the park entrance. "Good selection of sites, for RV's tents etc. cheap, fire pits, clean toilets and showers, level sites, free use of neighboring property's swimming pool, friendly staff, and a really quick drive into Yosemite Valley," explains a camper who stayed at Indian Flat RV Park.
What you should know
Limited cell service: Most camping areas have poor or no connectivity. "We ended up on the 'outside' of the spots in the trees. No cell service. Have to drive about 4 miles west to get signal. Sporadic signal in the park. WiFi is subscription at sites. It was $14.95 for a week. Very intermittent," reports a visitor at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Bear precautions required: All food must be stored in bear boxes. "Beware of the wildlife. This place has bear proof food storage containers for a reason. Use them. I had my backpack ravaged by a raccoon, because of a handful of trail mix that I forgot to take out," warns a camper from Lower Pines Campground.
Variable road conditions: Access to some campsites involves challenging terrain. "A bumpy ride, but secret gorgeous campground. Absolutely gorgeous campsite 10ft from the Yosemite Creek. Well worth the drive. Clean, well-style toilets," notes a visitor at Yosemite Creek Campground.
Tips for camping with families
Rentals with comfort amenities: Some cabins include features helpful for families. "We had a nice open camping spot. It was at the edge of Yosemite Valley. The only downside to the spot was everyone else had an RV and had their generators on at 6am," explains a camper at North Pines Campground.
Activities beyond hiking: Look for lodging with entertainment options. "With a pool, petting zoo, a corral where they have a fire and s'mores followed by a movie, this is a great place to camp with the kids. There are tent sites, RV sites and cabins so something for everyone," recommends a visitor at Yosemite Pines RV Resort.
Educational programs: Take advantage of ranger talks. "The campsite does have nightly seminars on different topics in the amphitheater (the night we went it was on bird communication). Bathrooms were pretty basic, not lit at night so you need a flashlight," advises a visitor at Lower Pines Campground.
Tips from RVers
Hook-up availability: Full-service sites exist but may require advance planning. "There are only a handful of 50amp spots and people move to them quickly after someone leaves. Lots of 30amp though so you might want to bring an adapter. Lots of trees especially along the river (creek) fairly quiet even though it's a family atmosphere," shares an RVer at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes.
Park shuttle access: Consider locations with public transportation. "The YART bus (that shuttles you into the park) stops at the hotel next door. It doesn't run frequently, and we had to catch it really early (7 am), but it was $20 for a family of four (round trip), and that included admission to the park," notes a visitor at Indian Flat RV Park.
Winter access limitations: Check seasonal availability when planning. "After November 1st, the office is closed and the RV park is on autopilot. There is no hot water in the bathrooms, which are not maintained. Site #125 had a faulty ground, so we used power from site #124," explains a winter visitor to Indian Flat RV Park.
