Yosemite National Park is a famous place for people who love spending a week or so outdoors. You will never run out of activities to do here. A popular bustle that always occurs in this lovely area is staying in the woods at night. With so many available endeavors to do, you might find yourself just staying for a long while. If you do not like to sleep in simple tents, do glamping instead! But, can you do yurt camping in Yosemite?
Having an amazing landscape view makes Yosemite a great space for appreciating the wilds and nature. You can definitely enjoy yurt camping with your family or friends in the area. Keep reading to see important details you need for your stay.
Where Can You Do Yurt Camping in Yosemite National Park?
There are a bunch of yurts sprinkled around in Yosemite that you can use for short and long-term stays. However, it is up to you what kind of experience you want to have. Below are the places you can do yurt camping in Yosemite:
Yosemite RV Resort
Yosemite RV Resort is just 25 miles from the South entrance of the park. It is a family-friendly place that has cabin rentals, RV sites, tent spots, and yurts. Each yurt provides a patio, fire pit, and a picnic table for random eating at night. Their yurts have simple furnishings, which only feature beds, a table, and a sitting area, but can accommodate five persons.
You only need to take a short walk to get to the bathrooms with hot showers. There are other amenities, like free Wi-Fi, a pool, a playground, and a camp store. Additionally, you can also make this spot a basecamp before exploring other parts of the park or going on a hike.
Yosemite Pines RV Resort
Aside from cabins, wagons, trailers, RV sites, and tent campsites, the Yosemite Pines RV Resort also offers yurt rentals. It is located 20 miles outside of the West entrance to the park. Also, their yurts here can accommodate at least five people. It is equipped with a refrigerator, microwave, coffee pot, and bed linens to give you that homey vibe.
Some amenities come with staying in the resort, like a swimming pool you can enjoy. You can also wash your clothes in the laundry area, while your kids have fun at the playground. Also, the resort has a petting farm, sand volleyball court, and barbecue area. As for their restroom and showers, it is just walking distance from the resort as well.
Yosemite Pines is just open all year-round, but the prices differ every season. Additionally, you can only access the pool on a specific day. There are also special deals on long-term rentals you can check on their website. Plus, pets are welcome to the yurts with an additional fee. You need to stay for at least three days in the yurts over holiday weekends.
Yosemite Lakes RV Resort
This spot is the closest to the park since it is just six miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance. Their yurts can accommodate four to six individuals, including pets in selected yurts. Every yurt tent has its own private bathroom with a shower. It also has a kitchen with the basic equipment you need, like a refrigerator, microwave, toaster, coffee maker, and stove.
The yurts here also come with a TV, a gas stove for heating, and an air conditioner to cool the place. For fancy night hangouts, there is a picnic table and a fire pit provided. Additionally, riverside yurts have a porch with a gas grill in case you love to roast.
In Yosemite Lakes, you can find over 200 RV sites with full hook-ups, tent sites, cabin and budget bunkhouse rentals. Also, this place offers all kinds of fun activities such as miniature golf courses, horseshoes, volleyball, tennis, and pool tables. You can also find other amenities like a pool, laundry facility, clubhouse, camp store, and nature trails.
Are there Multiple Places to Camp in Yurts at Yosemite?
You can find numerous places to yurt camp in Yosemite, but below are the common ones you can find:
River Yurts
You can camp along the rivers mostly located in Oakhurst, just 15 miles South of the park village. High Sierra RV and the Mobile Park have yurt rentals that can accommodate four persons. Each yurt has a daybed, bunk beds, and also a TV. There are restrooms and showers near the site for campers to use.
Also, you can find yurts around the tent area fronting the Fresno River. Again, pets are also welcome. However, pet owners are responsible for their behavior and safety.
Yurts With Perks
You can find several yurts that can provide more benefits than others in Yosemite Pines. This year-round campground offers RV, tent sites, cabins, and yurts. Each yurt can sleep up to five people and has its own kitchenette, linens, and TV. Visitors can shower in the restrooms close to the resort. Most of the yurts are near the petting farm, but there are also those near the pool.
Some yurts are mixed with the RV sites rather than being placed in one section of the place. For pets, only two are allowed per yurt with additional charges.
Deluxe Yurts
If you insist on having the best time at the park, select one of these luxury stays. The Lakes have yurts closest to the park. You can choose to camp in a woodland setting or along the Tuolumne River. The yurts here have fully-equipped bathrooms, a TV, mini-kitchens, and decks with gas barbecues. Their yurts overlooking the river are slightly bigger, and its decks give a good full view of the rivers.
Four hillside yurts allow two pets for an additional fee. Weekend stays require 2-minimum nights. It is just a lowkey campground with less activity going on. Just biking trails and fishing spots.
How Much Does it Cost to Yurt Camp in Yosemite?
Prices for yurt camps or any rentals change occasionally, but the rates tend to be more expensive during peak seasons.
Yurt Camping in Yosemite RV Resort
To know the prices for the yurt camp in Yosemite RV Resort, you can check it here. You may also contact them through their phone number or email. If you are worried about your money, the resort has a “peace of mind rate.” It means that your reservation can be fully refunded less than a 10% cancellation fee except during holidays.
You can only change the date or cancel the reservation once. But, it must be resolved by 3:00 pm (PST), 72 hours before your arrival in the place. If the reservation was made during non-holidays, the dates must be changed within 1 calendar year.
Yurt Camping in Yosemite Pines RV Resort
As for the Yosemite Pines RV Resort, here is a table for their pricing reference:
| Rates (Nightly) | Sun – Thurs | Fri – Sat | Events/Holidays |
| Seasonal | $149-179 | $179-209 | $199-229 |
| Mid-Season | $119-149 | $129-169 | – |
| Off Season | $89-119 | $109-139 | $139-169 |
You can check out the dates for some seasons, yearly holiday rates and discounts here.
Yurt Camping in Yosemite Lakes RV Resort
About 400 sites for RV and tent goers are available along the coast of the Tuolumne River. Campers can choose which space they want to set up for their stay. A variety of cottages, cabins, bunkhouses, and yurts are offered in the area. Again, pets are permitted, but with additional fees.
It is best to make a reservation to secure a slot at the premises. Many yurts are also first-come, first-served basis. Seasonal campsites rates range from $41-75 per night, while others are around $86-305.
How to Make Reservations to Yurt Camp in Yosemite?
Although the park is massive, it tends to be so crowded, making the space limited. Even cottages or rental places become fully booked fast, so it is better to reserve a slot early.
Yosemite RV Resort
If you want to get the best possible rate, book your reservation within a specific timeframe. You must prepay your entire stay with a credit card. Also, once you have made your reservation, the payment will be non-refundable.
Call the property if you wish to stay for longer than 28 days.
Check-in times:
1:00 pm (RV and tents)
3:00 pm (cottages, cabins, and yurts)
Check-out times:
11:00 am (all accommodations)
For added information, your reservation will be held until 5:00 pm on the following day. If you have not contacted the place through their phone, your slot will be opened for other visitors.
Yosemite Pines RV Resort
To make a reservation here, call or email their property. Additional people for RV or tent sites will be subjected to a fee of $10 per person per night. Only six persons are allowed for each station. As for the payment, a credit card is required for all reservations made on the phone. But, if you made the reservation online, your card will be charged 100% of the fees at the time of booking.
Advanced payments are also welcomed in the property, but they must be paid by a credit card. However, any remaining balance or fees can be paid by cash or card upon arrival.
Check-in times:
12:00 noon (RV and tent sites)
3:00 pm (all cabins, yurts, wagons, trailers)
Check-out times:
11:00 am
For cancellations and changes to your reservations, it is best to contact the office before your arrival date.
Yosemite Lakes RV Resort
For reservations, call their Reservation Department at (877) 864-2728. Bring a valid ID with you upon checking in, an insurance certificate, and your camper registration form.
Click this form for reservations for unaccompanied minors.
Full refunds are allowed for cancellations made up to 48 hours for RV campsites. As long as the change is made before the arrival date for daily and weekend reservations.
It must be 7 days before the arrival date for rental accommodations and daily and weekly reservations.
If you have a long-term reservation (28 days or more), you can get a full refund if the cancellation is made up to 60 days before your intended stay. For cancellations received less than the required notice, the payment deposited will be counted for a future stay.
Check-in times:
12:00 noon (campsites)
4:00 pm (rentals)
Check-out times:
11:00 am (campsites)
11:00 am (rentals)
Check here for more information.
How Far Is the Yurt Camping Ground from Yosemite Valley?
The location for yurt campgrounds depends on where you want to stay. If you choose the Yosemite RV Resort, it is just 25 miles from the South entrance. As for Lakes RV Resort, the yurt camps are only six miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance. Additionally, you can reach Pines RV Resort if you are outside of the West park entrance, which is only 20 miles.
Final Thoughts
There are many places where you can do yurt camping in Yosemite National Park. You can choose the simple style offered by the Yosemite RV Resort or have a luxurious stay in the Lakes. Wherever yurt site you choose, check first their rules and regulations, and then their reservation policies. Ensure that you can also work within the budget you set out for the trip for a pleasurable stay.
