Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge

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Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge

Similar Names, But Some Important Differences

There are hundreds of choices for lodging at Yosemite National Park, providing accommodations to fit all needs and preferences. Visitors can choose from full service luxury accommodations to tent camping in the great outdoors. Two of the most popular facilities closer to the luxury end of the spectrum have names so similar it's easy to get them confused. But there are some important differences between Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge.

Yosemite Lodge

Yosemite Lodge is one of several Yosemite accommodations operated within the park by 2003 Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts at Yosemite (DNC). The DNC is the authorized concessionaire that works with several national parks across the country. Yosemite Lodge is located at the foot of Yosemite Falls on the site of a former U.S. Calvary camp. In addition to a beautiful location and welcoming amenities, the lodge has a colored history including a stint as a popular watering hole called Soapsuds Row.

Amenities Overview

Today, this Yosemite lodge at the falls is one of the most frequented lodging facilities in the Yosemite area. All of the 245 rooms at the lodge come with a private bathroom, sitting area, and telephone. Most are oversized rooms with a patio or balcony. But in an effort to get back to nature and focus on peace and quiet, no rooms have a television or air conditioning. However, the Lodge does provide Internet service for guests who want to stay in touch with the "real world."

Other amenities include three options for meals, several shops, free shuttle service to popular park destinations, and a heated outdoor swimming pool open in summer months. An outdoor amphitheater provides a setting for naturalist programs, movies and other presentations, and staff will arrange tours and activities as needed.

This ideal location in Yosemite Valley provides exceptional views of some of the park's most popular attractions including Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and El Capitan. It also allows for easy access to the park's information and administration facilities.

Rates at Yosemite Lodge run $113 for a standard room in season. Larger lodge rooms start at around $160. More information about this lodge is available on the DNC website.

Yosemite View Lodge

Yosemite Lodge is sometimes confused with Yosemite View Lodge. However, the latter is not located in the park. It is situated along the Merced River near El Portal, about one mile from the park entrance. Its location and comfortable accommodations make it one of the most popular choices for Yosemite lodging and it books up early, even during the off-season.

All The Comforts Of Home

The lodge has 279 rooms that come with phone, balconies, and in-room spa tubs. Some rooms include fireplaces and there are also units with kitchenettes. Unlike the Yosemite Lodge, this facility offers cable TV and air conditioning. Choices for meals and snacks include a fine dining restaurant, a pizza parlor, and a lounge. The lodge has one indoor pool and two more outdoors. A store and a gift shop provide shopping opportunities.

Some other possibilities for activities right at the lodge include eco walks along the river, fishing, and boating. Of course there is also easy access to all the attractions inside Yosemite. Lodge staff will also arrange tours of the park upon request.

Rates for Yosemite View Lodge range from $140 for a standard room with a mountain view to just over $200 for a family suite during peak season. Those who have stayed at the lodge recommend getting a room with a view of the river. This type of room averages $189 per night. The lodge is listed on this website.

Cedar Lodge Yosemite - A Nearby Alternative

The Yosemite View Lodge is owned by a family run company called Yosemite Hotels. The Fishers, who own Yosemite Motels, also own several other properties in the Yosemite area including the Cedar Lodge, which is also located along the Merced River in El Portal. The Cedar Lodge has 211 rooms, two pools, two restaurants, and a large family unit that can accommodate up to 14 people and has its own pool. Cedar Lodge is a slightly less luxurious (and less expensive) choice if the Yosemite View Lodge happens to be full or you have a travel budget.

Yosemite Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge provide two enjoyable but different Yosemite lodging experiences. For those who want to stay inside the park and don't think air conditioning and television fit with their vacation needs, Yosemite Lodge is an ideal choice. Yosemite View Lodge is a bit more spendy but comes with all the comforts of home. Its location just outside the park makes it one of the closest choices for those who want flexibility in their travel plans. Both properties book up quickly and it is best to make reservations several months out, particularly for family suites, honeymoon facilities, and other specialty accommodations.