If
you are looking for accommodations IN the park, the Yosemite website is
the place to start. I noticed some Curry Village openings @ end of
August! Lots of places outside the park as well. NOTE - Some places advertise
"Yosemite" but are an hour from the park entrance! It can take ~45 mins
from the park entrance to get to the valley floor, so you are now an hour and half or MORE to the Yosemite Valley Floor!! Where is your favorite
place to stay or camp?!
I always recommend starting with the Yosemite NPS website here.
There is quite a wide array of places to stay in Yosemite National Park. We normally stay at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls (formerly the Yosemite Lodge) when I am with the whole family. It is right next to Yosemite Falls, has quite a wide array of lodging options, has Wifi for you folks that can't be without, has a few food options right onsite and lots of parking. There is nothing like waking up in the morning to the sound of Yosemite Falls! It is definitely NOT roughing it! Unfortunately, it has gotten quite pricey over the last few years!
Rooms at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.
The Lodge has a few different room types. The "Green Rooms" has recently been updated to include quite a few energy efficiency and green upgrades. You can read more about those here.
The "Standard Rooms" are their main rooms. They also have "Family Rooms" for large families and my favorite are the Lodge Rooms. The Lodge Rooms often has balconies and are set further away from the main hotel. Some back onto meadows or into the woods. Definitely a nicer option if you can find it.
Food at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls.
Food at the Lodge is pretty simple. The ever faithful "Food Court" which has a variety of hot meals, grill, Pasta Bar (the kids favorite) and pizza. It can be quite full but they cover the bases.
Two other options include the amazing Mountain Room and the Mountain Room Lounge. The Mountain Room includes fine dining surrounded by images from Charlie Cramer and Michael Frye (both of whom I have studied under) as well as other amazing photographers (note - they need to add a John Harrison Photography image!!). Prime Rib, Steaks, Fish, Pasta and fantastic deserts! You can check out a sample menu here.
The Mountain Room Lounge (the bar next to the Mountain Room Restaurant) can be another option for food as they serve a small array or appetizers and food especially when you come in from a late night of shooting!
The Yosemite Falls at the Lodge website has a photo gallery showing more of the rooms and dining places here!
Here is one of my pictures of Yosemite Falls with the Upper and Lower Falls along the walkways. Even though it is PACKED in the summer, there is one secret solution!..... go out early! I had the place to myself around 7am!
