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Indoor lodging options inside the park appear more expensive than initially seems warranted, but that premium pays off big-time in terms of the time you'll save—unless you are bunking within a few miles of a Yosemite entrance, you will face long commutes to the park when you stay outside its borders (though the Yosemite View Lodge, on Route 140, is within a reasonable half-hour's drive of Yosemite Valley).
Because of Yosemite National Park's immense popularity—not just with tourists from around the world but with Northern Californians who make weekend trips here—reservations are all but mandatory. Book up to one year ahead. If you're not set on a specific hotel or camp but just want to stay somewhere inside the park, call the main reservation number to check for availability and reserve (801/559–4884). Park lodgings have a seven-day cancellation policy, so you may be able to snag last-minute reservations.
Opened in 1899 as a place for budget-conscious travelers, Curry Village has plain accommodations that include standard motel rooms, simple cabins with private or shared baths, and tent cabins with shared baths. The tent cabins are a step up from camping, with linens and blankets provided; some even have heat. Happy Isles and the popular Mist Trail are a few minutes' walk away.
This 1879 National Historic Landmark at Yosemite's southern end is a Victorian-era mountain resort, with whitewashed buildings, wraparound verandas, and pleasant, no-frills rooms decorated with period pieces. About half the rooms share bathrooms; those that do come equipped with robes. The romantic, candlelit dining room lies across the lobby from the cozy Victorian parlor, which has a fireplace, board games, and a piano, where a pianist plays most evenings.
Set in a subalpine meadow, the White Wolf Lodge has rustic accommodations and makes an excellent base camp for hiking the backcountry. Traditional cabins have private baths, heaters, and two double beds; canvas tent cabins with shared baths sleep up to four persons. Breakfast and dinner are served home-style in the snug main building.
