Cabins near Wawona, California provide direct access to the southern section of Yosemite National Park at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 6,000 feet. The area experiences distinct seasons with summer temperatures averaging 75-90°F during day and 50-60°F at night. Winter brings significant snowfall, often accumulating 3-5 feet between December and February, requiring chains for vehicle access during these months.
What to do
Hike to Mirror Lake: Located near North Pines Campground, this accessible trail provides stunning views with minimal elevation gain. "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 a RV and had there generators on at 6am," notes Sarah F. about North Pines Campground.
Explore Fresno River trails: Several cabin properties offer direct access to riverside hiking paths. "It was our first time camping in Yosemite and we absolutely loved this campsite. Mirror Lake, and Mist Trail were near by. Restrooms are extremely clean great views all around," shares John P. about his experience at Lower Pines Campground.
Visit Rainbow Pool: A short drive from cabin accommodations offers swimming opportunities. "Plus a short drive to Rainbow Pool and Cherry Lake if you want to avoid park crowds. Would 100% stay here again," recommends Erin A. who stayed at Yosemite Lakes RV Resort.
Attend evening ranger programs: Many cabin properties host educational programs about local wildlife and ecology. "There is an amphitheater in the campground with ranger talks also. They ask you not to have a fire if you don't have to, and you will see why at night. It hangs in the air," explains Robyn H. from her stay at Lower Pines Campground.
What campers like
Convenient shuttle access: Transportation to major park attractions helps avoid parking issues. "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," reports The School for Y. about Indian Flat RV Park.
River access: Several cabin accommodations border water features. "This campground is in a great spot. Ten minutes from Yosemite. The staff (one person) was very nice. We did try to call and email ahead of time with no response but they had plenty of room for us in March when we pulled up," notes Jennifer O. about her Indian Flat RV Park experience.
Bed comfort: Many cabin options provide quality sleeping accommodations. "We stayed in a 2 bed tent cabin. Slept 3 of us perfectly and was somewhat heated. Meaning the heater likes to turn itself off at times cooling the tent back down before kicking back in," reports Robert W. about Curry Village.
Shared amenities: Some accommodations provide communal facilities. "The Cedar Lodge next door has an indoor and outdoor pool available for the RV campers to use. The outdoor pool was closed for the season, but the indoor pool was heated to at least 100 degrees so it made our morning swimming delightful," mentions The School for Y. regarding Indian Flat RV Park.
What you should know
Tent cabins require temperature management: Heat regulation varies by season. "We did adjust the heat often as it would actually get too warm," shares Amanda P. about her experience at Curry Village.
Campsite privacy varies significantly: Some cabin areas offer more seclusion than others. "Housekeeping Camp is exactly as described. It's in a great location right in the Valley. The structures are built so there are two sites per building, you can hear your neighbors. The fences around each site are angled to maximize privacy," explains Kelsey M. from Housekeeping Camp.
Road conditions affect access: Weather impacts travel, especially in winter. "Roads are not the best hear so i do not recommend RVs. This campground is in high elevation so beware if you have breathing problems," warns Kevin T. about wilderness cabins near Yosemite Creek.
Noise carries between units: Sound travels easily in most cabin settings. "The bad thing about the tent village is that you can hear everything- from a cough, sneeze, talking, whispers, snoring, babies crying, and a stupid jerk kid sobbing at 7AM for an hour. Bring some ear plugs!" advises Dash G. from Curry Village.
Tips for camping with families
Rope swings and swimming holes: Some cabin properties feature water recreation options. "The creek, waterfalls & rope swing over the swimming hole was unbelievable!! The kids enjoyed the rope swing while the mom enjoyed the walk back to the falls & thru the shallow waters," shares Emily L. about her stay at High Sierra RV Park.
Shared recreation facilities: Many properties offer organized activities. "The day room with tons of things to do, a separate day room for kids, a large fire pit, showers, store at the office, horseshoe and 2 shuffleboard courts. While we were there, they played movies at sunset next to the pool," reports Michael C. about Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Family-friendly programming: Some cabin properties organize group activities. "This place was awesome. Only a 15 min hike to the lake and a 30 min drive into Yosemite. Bingo night was awesome and the staff was very friendly," notes Garett S. about Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Food storage practices: Teaching children about wildlife safety is important. "There are bear boxes to lock up any food you do bring," mentions Lisa C. from Curry Village, emphasizing the importance of proper food storage even in cabin settings.
Tips from RVers
Level challenges: Some sites present difficulties for larger vehicles. "Our spot (#162) was large enough, although not very level. The sewer connection was almost level with our dump pipe, so it made dumping a challenge," shares Michael C. about Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
Generator restrictions: Noise limitations affect power usage. "Generator hours are limited so plan accordingly," advises Christy C. about North Pines Campground.
Campground navigation: Site layout affects arrival and departure logistics. "The campsite was 39 and it was right next to the bathroom. To leave with a 26' travel trailer I had to pull out and back down another road just to exit the park," explains Michael G. about High Sierra RV Park.
Off-season availability: Some properties offer cabin accommodations year-round. "Check in was quick and easy. Hook ups were easy. Kinda tight we are a Odessey 26D with a jeep gladiator. Verizon is three bars and WiFi works great," notes Kevin F. about his stay at Bass Lake at Yosemite RV Resort.
