20 Best Hotels in The Southern Sierra, California

Background Illustration for Hotels

The lodgings nearest the national parks generally fill up the quickest; book hotels in the western Sierra Nevada well in advance in summer. Booking far ahead is less crucial for Eastern Sierra accommodations, except in Mammoth Lakes.

Alpenhof Lodge

$$ | 6080 Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA

Across from the Village at Mammoth, this family-run hotel (with rooms and a couple of cabins) offers basic comforts and a few niceties such as attractive pine furniture. All rooms have fresh color schemes, contemporary bedding, ski racks, refrigerators, coffeemakers, and flat-screen TVs, and some rooms have fireplaces and kitchens. The pool is a nice touch in summer. Best of all, you can walk to shops and restaurants, including the on-site Petra's. In business for over 50 years, the owners also run the downstairs Clocktower Cellar pub. The Village Gondola is across the street, a major plus for skiers.

Pros

  • Convenient for skiers
  • Reasonable rates
  • Excellent dinner at on-site restaurant, Petra's

Cons

  • Some bathrooms are small
  • Rooms above pub can be noisy
  • No elevator
6080 Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
760-934–6330
hotel Details
57 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn

$$ | 40530 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA

Perched on 11 hillside acres, Oakhurst's best motel has carefully tended landscaping and rooms with stylish contemporary furnishings and hand-painted murals of Yosemite.

Pros

  • On-site restaurant
  • Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
  • Frequent deer and wildlife sightings

Cons

  • Some rooms on the small side
  • Internet connection can be slow
  • Some rooms need updating
40530 Hwy. 41, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA
559-683–2378
hotel Details
149 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Buckeye Tree Lodge

$$$ | 46000 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA

Every room at this two-story motel has a patio facing a sun-dappled grassy lawn, right on the banks of the Kaweah River; individually decorated cottages and cabins across the river have private outdoor spaces with barbecue grills. Accommodations are simple and well kept, and the lodge sits a mere ¼ mile from the park gate. Book well in advance.

Pros

  • Near the park entrance
  • Fantastic river views
  • Kitchenette in some rooms

Cons

  • Can fill up quickly in the summer
  • Could use a little updating
  • Some rooms are tiny
46000 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA
559-561–5900
hotel Details
22 units
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast, 2-night minimum on summer weekends

Quick Facts

Recommended Fodor's Video

Château du Sureau

$$$ | 48688 Victoria La., Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA Fodor's Choice

Every room here is impeccably styled with European antiques, sumptuous fabrics, fresh-cut flowers, and oversize soaking tubs. You'll feel pampered from the moment you drive through the wrought-iron gates. Fall asleep by the glow of a crackling fire amid goose-down pillows and Italian linens, then awaken to a hearty European breakfast in the dining room. Afterward, relax with a game of chess in the piano room beneath an exquisite ceiling mural, or indulge in a treatment at the on-site day spa.

Pros

  • Luxurious
  • Great views
  • Sumptuous spa

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Cost might not seem worth it to guests not spa-oriented
  • Can seem pretentious to some
48688 Victoria La., Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA
559-683–6860
hotel Details
11 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

Convict Lake Resort

$$ | Convict Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA Fodor's Choice

The cabins at this resort a 10-minute drive south from Mammoth Lakes range from rustic to modern and come with fully equipped kitchens, including coffeemakers and premium coffee. The least-fancy feel like upgraded fishing cabins, and the nicest have whirlpool tubs and other creature comforts. In addition to the 28 cabins, three houses are available for groups of 12–32 people. Whichever room you book, the valley here is so gorgeous that you may want to spend all your time outdoors. Winters are especially pretty.

Pros

  • Great views
  • Tranquil atmosphere
  • Wildlife galore

Cons

  • Two-night minimum stay weekdays and three nights on weekends
  • Spotty Wi-Fi and cell service
  • Too remote for some
Convict Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
760-934–3800
hotel Details
31 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Double Eagle Resort and Spa

$$ | 5587 Hwy. 158, June Lake, CA, 93529, USA Fodor's Choice

Lofty pines tower over this June Lake Loop spa retreat with rooms in four buildings overlooking a pond, as well as a three-bedroom house and knotty-pine two-bedroom cabins—all with fully equipped kitchens. The on-site Eagles Landing Restaurant serves three meals a day, and spa services and treatments, plus access to the indoor pool, are available for guests and nonguests. In 2023, the spa added soaking tubs and new treatments including acupressure, neuromuscular release, Thai massage, and lymphatic drainage massage.

Pros

  • Pretty setting
  • Spectacular indoor pool
  • 1½ miles from June Mountain Ski Area

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Remote
  • No in-room a/c
5587 Hwy. 158, June Lake, CA, 93529, USA
760-648–7004
hotel Details
34 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

$$$ | 33160 Evergreen Rd., Groveland, CA, 95321, USA

Amid the trees near Yosemite National Park's Hetch Hetchy entrance, this sprawling property is perfect for families. The cabin complex includes a recreation center, playground, amphitheater, large room with games for all ages, restaurant, gift shop, pool, and activities desk where you can sign up for more than 30 guided tours. The cabins are wood-paneled and cozy. The roadhouse-style restaurant serves everything from bean burgers to barbecued game and lobster risotto. The historic bar has a friendly feel, perhaps owing to the frequent live music. Multinight stays are required from April through October, as well as on holidays. You can also stay in two- to four-person tents in summer.

Pros

  • Cabin complex includes outdoor play area, pool, nighty s'mores by an outdoor fire, disc golf, and more; no resort fees
  • Guided tours available
  • Great roadhouse-style restaurant

Cons

  • No in-room TVs
  • Long, winding access road
  • Spotty cell service
33160 Evergreen Rd., Groveland, CA, 95321, USA
209-379–2606
hotel Details
88 cabins
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Juniper Springs Resort

$$ | 4000 Meridian Blvd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA

Tops for slope-side comfort, these condominium-style units have full kitchens and ski-in, ski-out access to the mountain at Eagle Lodge. Extras include gas fireplaces and balconies; the heated outdoor pool—surrounded by a heated deck—is open year-round. If you like to be near nightlife, you'll do better at the Village, but if you don't mind having to drive to go out for the evening, this is a great spot. For the best rates, book ski-and-stay packages through 1800–Mammoth. 

Pros

  • Bargain during summer
  • Direct access to the slopes in winter
  • Free shuttle to town in winter

Cons

  • No nightlife within walking distance
  • No a/c and not pet-friendly
  • Property needs updating
4000 Meridian Blvd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
800-626–6684
hotel Details
184 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Lake View Lodge

$ | 51285 U.S. 395, Lee Vining, CA, 93541, USA

Cottages, enormous rooms, and landscaping that includes several shaded sitting areas set this motel apart from its competitors in town. It's also off the highway by a few hundred feet, which means it's peaceful as well as pretty. The cottages lack the main building's lake views; some have kitchens and can sleep up to six.

Pros

  • Convenient access to Yosemite, Mono Lake, and Bodie State Historic Park
  • Peaceful setting
  • On-site restaurant

Cons

  • Could use updating
  • Slow Wi-Fi in some areas
  • No views from some rooms
51285 U.S. 395, Lee Vining, CA, 93541, USA
800-990–6614
hotel Details
88 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

Lazy J Ranch Motel

$ | 39625 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA

Surrounded by 12 acres of green lawns and a split-rail fence, the Lazy J is a modest compound of one-story motel buildings and freestanding cottages near the banks of the Kaweah River. Some rooms have gas fireplaces; all have coffeemakers.

Pros

  • Pleasant landscaping
  • Quiet rooms
  • Friendly staff

Cons

  • On the far edge of town
  • Can't see the river from most rooms
  • Dated style and fixtures
39625 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA
559-561–4449
hotel Details
18 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $

Mammoth Mountain Inn

$$ | 1 Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA

If you want to be within walking distance of the Mammoth Mountain Main Lodge, this is the place, and, in summer, the proximity to the gondola means you can hike and mountain bike to your heart's delight. Accommodations, which vary in size, include more than 14 room types, from standard hotel rooms to condo units. The inn, ski lodge, and other summit facilities are likely to be razed and rebuilt within five years, bringing more of a 21st-century ski resort feel to what's been a quaint 1950s-born resort. Meanwhile, the inn has done a respectable job with continual refurbishing.

Pros

  • Great location
  • Big rooms
  • A traditional place to stay

Cons

  • Can be crowded in ski season
  • Needs updating
  • Not in the heart of town
1 Minaret Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
800-626–6684
hotel Details
266 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Narrow Gauge Inn

$$ | 48571 Hwy. 41, Fish Camp, CA, 93623, USA

Rooms at this family-owned property have balconies with views of the surrounding woods and mountains. For maximum atmosphere, book a room overlooking the brook (runs in spring and early summer); for some serenity, choose a lower-level room on the edge of the forest. All accommodations are comfortably furnished with old-fashioned accents. The restaurant, decorated with moose, bison, and other mounted heads, specializes in steaks and American fare. It's open from late April until late October.

Pros

  • Close to Yosemite's south entrance
  • Nicely appointed rooms
  • Wonderful balconies

Cons

  • Rooms can be a bit dark
  • Dining options are limited, especially for vegetarians
  • Housekeeping service can be spotty
48571 Hwy. 41, Fish Camp, CA, 93623, USA
559-683–7720
hotel Details
27 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Rio Sierra River Resort

$$$ | 41997 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA Fodor's Choice

Guests at Rio Sierra come for the river views, the sandy beach, and the proximity to Sequoia National Park (6 miles away), but invariably end up raving equally about the warm, laid-back hospitality of proprietress Mars Roberts. The charm of many Three Rivers establishments is their nod to family vacations of 1950s California—in some cases because the places actually haven't changed since then—but Roberts's shabby-not-trying-to-be-chic aesthetic lends her inn a contemporary, lived-in feel. And that beach! From May into October it beckons so compellingly you might have to remind yourself you came here to visit the park.

Pros

  • Seductive beach
  • River views from all rooms
  • Contemporary ambience

Cons

  • Books up quickly in summer
  • Some road noise audible in rooms
  • Long walk or drive to restaurants
41997 Sierra Dr., Three Rivers, CA, 93271, USA
559-561–4720
hotel Details
3 rooms, 1 cottage
Rate Includes: No Meals, 2-night minimum stay on summer weekends. Closed Jan.–mid-Mar.

Quick Facts

Sierra Nevada Resort

$$ | 164 Old Mammoth Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA

This full-service resort has it all—Old Mammoth rustic elegance, a restaurant, bar, seasonal pool and whirlpool, and room and suite options in three buildings. All accommodations have flat-screen TVs, free Wi-Fi, mini-refrigerators, and microwaves; some also have gas fireplaces, leather lounge chairs, soaking tubs, waterfall showers, and kitchenettes. The 10 cabins sleep anywhere between two and six people In late 2022, new owners remodeled extensively, adding a rustic-modern flare to the rooms.

Pros

  • Cabins sleep up to six
  • Walk to restaurants on property or downtown
  • 2022 remodel

Cons

  • Must drive to the slopes
  • Thin walls in older rooms
  • Resort fee of $25 a night
164 Old Mammoth Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
760-934–2515
hotel Details
149 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Sierra Sky Ranch

$ | 50552 Rd. 632, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA

Off Highway 41 just 10 miles south of the Yosemite National Park, this 19th-century cattle ranch near a hidden grove of giant sequoia trees provides a restful, rustic retreat. Although the upscale furnishings and amenities are contemporary, the ranch's historic character has been preserved. Most rooms have French doors that open out onto airy porches that are ideal for unwinding on a summer evening, and guests stay connected to the modern world with cable TV and free Wi-Fi access. There's a steak house on-site, and the swimming pool is open in summer. Heating and air-conditioning in all rooms make the ranch a four-season getaway.

Pros

  • Peaceful setting
  • Historic property
  • Short drive to giant sequoias

Cons

  • Some rooms on the small side
  • Not in town
  • Basic breakfast
50552 Rd. 632, Oakhurst, CA, 93644, USA
559-683–8040
hotel Details
28 rooms
Rate Includes: Free Breakfast

Quick Facts

  • $

Tamarack Lodge & Resort

$$ | 163 Twin Lakes Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA Fodor's Choice

On the edge of the John Muir Wilderness Area, where cross-country ski trails lace the woods, this 1924 lodge looks like something out of a snow globe. The lake it borders is serenely beautiful, and during warm months fishing, canoeing, hiking, and mountain biking can be had right outside. For more privacy, opt for one of the cabins, which range from rustic to downright cushy—many have kitchens and fireplaces or wood-burning stoves. The softly lit Lakefront Restaurant (reservations encouraged) serves outstanding seasonal cuisine.

Pros

  • Cabins are pet-friendly
  • Rustic and eco-sensitive
  • Many nearby outdoor activities

Cons

  • High price tag
  • Shared bathrooms for some main lodge rooms
  • Spartan furnishings in lodge rooms
163 Twin Lakes Rd., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
800-626–6684
hotel Details
46 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Tenaya Lodge

$$$ | 1122 Hwy. 41, Fish Camp, CA, 93623, USA Fodor's Choice

A stay at one of the region's largest hotels puts you amid the wilderness with all the creature comforts—from the striking lobby lounge, with its high windows and sturdy beams, to the ample lodge rooms where baths have granite countertops and brushed-bronze fixtures. An additional 19 buildings hold 53 cottage rooms with outdoor seating areas and gas fireplaces, and there are 50 deluxe, custom-built, creekside cabins as well. The resort restaurants offer everything from continental cuisine to burgers, pizzas, and pastas.

Pros

  • Close to Yosemite and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
  • Exceptional spa and exercise facility, 36 miles of mountain bike trails
  • Activities for all ages

Cons

  • So big it can seem impersonal
  • Pricey during summer
  • Daily resort fee
1122 Hwy. 41, Fish Camp, CA, 93623, USA
559-683–6555
hotel Details
352 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

The Village Lodge

$$ | 1111 Forest Trail, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA

With their exposed timbers and peaked roofs, these four-story condo buildings at the epicenter of Mammoth's dining and nightlife scene pay homage to Alpine style. Units have gas fireplaces, kitchens or kitchenettes, high-speed Wi-Fi, DVD players, slate-tile bathroom floors, and comfortable furnishings. You won't have to drive anywhere: the buildings are connected by a ground-floor pedestrian mall to shops, restaurants, bars, and—best of all—a gondola (from November through mid-April) that whisks you right from the Village to the mountain.

Pros

  • In the heart of the Village
  • Spacious condos available in studios to three-bedrooms
  • Underground parking garage

Cons

  • Pricey
  • Can be noisy outside
  • Somewhat sterile decor
1111 Forest Trail, Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
800-626–6684
hotel Details
276 units
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

Westin Monache Resort

$$$ | 50 Hillside Dr., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA Fodor's Choice

On a hill just steps from the Village at Mammoth, the Westin provides full-service comfort and amenities close to restaurants, entertainment, and free public transportation. Artwork and other details reflect local character, from a Devils Postpile sculpture at reception and the lobby's slate floors to the reclaimed boulders in the Whitebark restaurant. Choose from studio or one- and two-bedroom units—most are pet-friendly and have fireplaces and either kitchenettes or full kitchens; some units have balconies. Additional perks include a heated pool, underground parking, fitness center, two whirlpools, a ski valet, a free shuttle, and charging stations for electric cars.

Pros

  • Full bar, pool, 24-fitness center
  • Prime location
  • Free gondola to the slopes is across the street

Cons

  • Long, steep stairway down to village
  • Added resort fee
  • Large property with confusing layout
50 Hillside Dr., Mammoth Lakes, CA, 93546, USA
760-934–0400
hotel Details
230 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

Yosemite View Lodge

$$ | 11136 Hwy. 140, El Portal, CA, 95318, USA

Two miles outside Yosemite's Arch Rock entrance, this modern property is the most convenient place to spend the night if you are unable to secure lodgings in the valley. All rooms have good views, but the ones with balconies that overlook the Merced River are the best. You have your choice of four pools here, one of which is indoors. The restaurant cooks up an impressive breakfast buffet, and there's also a pizza joint on-site (open only from April through October). Many of the rooms, however, come with kitchenettes.

Pros

  • Great location
  • Good views
  • Lots of on-site amenities

Cons

  • Somewhat pricey
  • It can be a challenge to get the dates you want
  • Rooms could use an update
11136 Hwy. 140, El Portal, CA, 95318, USA
209-379–2681
hotel Details
335 rooms
Rate Includes: No Meals

Quick Facts

  • $$

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