Hotels in Yosemite West

Yosemite West: South Rim Gateway to the Valley Floor

Yosemite West is a small unincorporated community on the south rim of Yosemite National Park, California, sitting roughly 6 miles from Yosemite Valley and about 20 miles from Mariposa Grove, the park's largest giant sequoia stand. At approximately 5,700 feet elevation, the area offers cooler temperatures than the valley floor and direct access to Wawona Road (CA-41), the main artery connecting the park's southern entrance to Yosemite Village.

Where to Stay

Accommodation here runs to vacation rentals, small lodges, and a handful of cabin-style properties rather than large hotel blocks. Guests use Yosemite West as a quieter base for day trips to El Capitan, Half Dome, and Glacier Point, which is 16 miles east along Glacier Point Road. The community sits outside the Yosemite Valley permit zone that applies in peak summer months, which makes it a practical alternative when valley lodging is fully booked.

Practical Tips

• Reservations: Book accommodations 4-6 months ahead for June–August; the park's day-use reservation system is separate from lodging.
• Road access: CA-41 from Fresno (64 miles south) is open year-round; Glacier Point Road closes in winter, typically November through May.
• Altitude: Pack layers — overnight temperatures drop sharply even in July at this elevation.