Expert: Marilyn Maryn - 2/27/2009

Question
Hello,

A bit of background information -

My wife and I are considering visiting Yosemite in early June. I greatly underestimated how quickly reservations fill in the park. When I called to book, I was told all campsites were already filled. In fact, the only accommodations left inside the park were for the tent cabins in Curry Village.

Seeing as this was my only option for reserving a spot inside the park, I booked it.

However, paying $100 or so a night for a tent is a tough pill to swallow.

My question -

Is the location of the tent cabin in Curry Village worth the money and possible discomfort from sleeping on a cot in a tent only feet away from other campers?

Or - are there other accommodations outside of the park that would be a better deal and within reasonable driving distance?

My wife and I would only have a few days to spend in the park so we would want to be able to see the highlights of the valley and the sequoia groves.

Thanks so much for reading and responding.

Sincerely,

Bob

Answer
Hi Bob, wow prices have gone up a lot there. I guess because summer is high season. If you could possibly go in May (at least a week before memorial day and stay on a sunday thru thursday, you might get a better deal - but if you can only go in June you should try for a cancellation at one of the lodges that has a private bath. Those will be more than $100, but more value for your money. The tent cabins are VERY basic. In winter they sometimes go for as low as $39. per night. I like Yosemite Lodge, right in Yosemite village near Yosemite FAlls. Spectacular views april thru June when the falls are at their fullest. By october they are dry.  It's very convenient to see all the sites when you are staying at one of the valley floor lodges (Yosemite lodge, Ahwahnee, and Curry Village) Curry Village has accomodations with bath but book up a year in advance - but for that reason, there are always cancellations because peoples plans change in a year. I've always gotten into the lodge of my choice by calling or checking online reservations a week before my planned stay. There are some nice accomodations outside the park, but you will have to drive at least 1/2 hour to get to Yosemite Village from there, where all the major attractions are. At the southern entrance is the Tenaya Lodge, which is an upscale resort, but a different feeling about it than staying right in the valley where the major sites are all around you. If you aare interested in the Mariposa Grove of big trees, it's very close to that, maybe 10 minutes.  It will take you 45 minutes on a narrow road to get to Yosemite Valley from there though. At the west entrance near El Portal  is Yosemite View Lodge. It looks like a giant hotel, but the rooms on the ground floor that face the river are fabulous. They have patios  where you can sit and watch the Merced river roaring by when it's at it's fullest in May and June. Also they include kitchenette.  From there it is about a half hour drive to Yosemite Village.
Here's the Yosemite website that will explain about all the accomodations within the park.
http://www.yosemitepark.com/Accommodations.aspx
It has the phone number where you can check for cancellations, or you can check online. Availability changes everyday, so keep trying.
Marilyn
Let me know if you need clarification on anytthing