Can anyone suggest where to stay in Yosemite? We are heading there the end of July. Also, what activities, and are their any guided tours. Any other suggestions are appreciated.

I think that you will be lucky if you can find a place to stay in Yosemite itself. We used to make reservations for a March weekend one year ahead of time, although that was partly out of convenience.

The best place to stay is in Yosemite Valley, but most likely the only accomodations available there are tent cabins at Curry Village. the two lodges, Yosemite Lodge and the historic Ahwahnee, book up very early.

You can check on the park concessionaire's website for availablity on your dates:

http://www.yosemitepark.com/Reservations.aspx

It may show rooms avilable at Wawona hotel (25 miles away from the valley ) and Tenaya Lodge (33 miles outside the Valley) as well.

If you are going to be outside the valley, there are other options you could consider, such as inns ann just outside the park entrance, or condos at Yosemite West, which is actually the closest you can get without being right in the valley.

I'm sure other people here will have recommmendations on the choices outside the valley.

There are also lodges with tent cabins in the high country at White Wolf and Tuolumne Meadows. This is where we like to be in the summer, but they book up very early as well.

As for guided tours, there are bus and tram tous or the valley and up to Glacier Point. There are also guided backpacking tours offered by the Mountaineering School, as well as guided horseback rides. What type of guided tour interests you?

The really good accomodations in Yosemite Park book up a year in advance.

The White Wolf and Tuolmne Meadows tented cabins mentioned look all booked up to me.

Here's a link to the publication for the end of July last year. Tours will be the same and activities will be similar. Closer to your date you should be able to locate the paper that will be available during your stay:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisi...ad/yt07-09.pdf

Tours are on page 8. The entire paper has really valuable information and I encourage everyone to view the Yosemite Today prior to any planned trip.

Do you mean July THIS year?? Pray for a cancellation in the Valley.

How many days, how many of you, and what is your budget. There are condos, motels and resorts outside of YNP - they also book up far ahead but not as early as w/i the park/valley.

This URL describes your lodging options outside the Valley on Route 120.

www.yosemite.com/tripplan/SearchResults.asp?fw=1