Cabins near Yosemite National Park offer alternative accommodations to traditional camping, with varying levels of amenities and proximity to park attractions. Located at elevations ranging from 4,000 to 8,000 feet, these lodging options experience significant temperature fluctuations—summer days can reach 90°F while nights often drop below 50°F. Winter snow accumulation makes some cabin areas inaccessible from November through April.
What to do
Swimming in the Merced River: Access points near North Pines Campground provide refreshing spots during summer months. "The river is close to the campgrounds and are refreshing on a hot day," notes a camper at North Pines Campground.
Ranger-led activities: Evening programs at Lower Pines Campground offer educational experiences for all ages. "There is an amphitheater in the campground with ranger talks also," according to a visitor at Lower Pines Campground.
Winter exploration: The heated cabins at Curry Village remain open during snowy months. "Stayed two nights here in a 2 bed tent cabin. Slept 3 of us perfectly and was somewhat heated. Meaning the heater likes to turn it self off at times cooling the tent back down before kicking back in," reports a winter visitor.
Meadow hiking: Trails through Tuolumne Meadows offer less-crowded alternatives to valley paths. "This section of the park, while not as popular as the Valley, is arguably just as beautiful, and is much easier to secure camping," shares a hiker at Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
What campers like
Offseason solitude: Visiting Yosemite cabins during shoulder seasons provides a quieter experience. "We were in the heart of the valley with great access to beautiful hikes and scenery... Because it's an equestrian campground, you will smell the horses and stables...be prepared," explains a camper at North Pines Campground.
Proximity to trailheads: North Pines Campground offers quick access to popular hiking routes. "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," shares a visitor.
Indoor lounging spaces: When weather turns unfavorable, cabin accommodations provide gathering areas. "The guest lounge was often crowded and we only spent one evening in there," notes a Curry Village guest, indicating the popularity of these shared spaces.
Access to shuttle services: Transportation throughout the valley eliminates parking hassles. "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 a visitor at Indian Flat RV Park.
What you should know
Reservation timing: Plan months ahead for cabin stays, especially in valley locations. "Reservations can be made in advance, but we didn't have any trouble finding a walkup site in the middle of June," notes a camper at Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
Temperature management: Cabin heating systems may require adjustment. "We did adjust the heat often as it would actually get too warm," shares a visitor at Curry Village.
Food storage regulations: Bear safety protocols must be followed at all cabin locations. "They do have bear boxes so you can bring in some of your own food," explains a camper at Housekeeping Camp.
Campsite spacing: Some cabin areas place units very close together. "The tents are close to each other (3-8 feet), and we were woken by our neighbors our first morning," reports a recent Curry Village visitor.
Tips for camping with families
Swimming pools: Some locations outside park boundaries offer pool access. "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," shares a family at Indian Flat RV Park.
Education opportunities: Ranger programs provide learning experiences for children. "There are many great hiking trails across from the camping area to Lembert Dome and Dog Lake," suggests a family at Tuolumne Meadows Campground.
Shared facilities: Prepare children for communal bathroom spaces. "Bathrooms and shower facilities are communal, with hot water available throughout operating hours," notes a family camper at Yosemite Valley Backpacker's Campground.
Noise considerations: Family cabins often mean more sound carries between units. "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 a family that stayed at Curry Village.
Tips from RVers
Limited generator use: RV campers must adhere to strict generator regulations. "Generators are allowed during limited hours, but the noise wasn't overwhelming, since they were few and far between," explains an RV camper at North Pines Campground.
Dump station locations: Plan waste disposal in advance as not all campgrounds offer facilities. "There is a water station by entrance to fill up. No electric, sewer or shower," advises an RV camper at North Pines.
Elevation considerations: Higher elevation campgrounds may affect RV systems and breathing. "This campground is in high elevation so beware if you have breathing problems," warns a visitor at Yosemite Creek.
