There’s no better time to experience all Yosemite has to offer than late summer and early fall, when the snow is on hiatus and the alpine lakes are sun-warmed just enough for swimming.
New lodging and activities will make this season one of the best in years. From extensive renovations at beloved Tenaya Lodge to a new way to find last minute campsites, here’s what Yosemite has in store for your next visit.
Firefall Ranch: A Luxe New 300-Acre Resort
(Tracy Barbutes)
The newest addition to Yosemite’s lodging options is a collection of cottages and villas spread across 300 acres of forest and meadow near the park’s northwest entrance. Firefall Ranch combines rustic elegance with the natural beauty of the mountains in each of its standalone lodgings, which boast custom woodwork, covered decks, and double-sided indoor/outdoor fireplaces.
The property is crisscrossed with hiking trails, and there is both an upscale fine-dining restaurant and a more casual tavern on site, as well as a general store for essentials. Complimentary daily activities, including bouldering, bikes, daily wine tasting, and nightly fireside s’mores, are second only to the resort’s guided excursions, which range from winter snowshoeing to rafting. While the amenities you can see are top notch, some of the resort’s most important elements are designed to stay behind the scenes. With a commitment to environmental stewardship practices and a youth program for promising young adults, Firefall Ranch is reenvisioning the future of tourism at one of the most popular national parks in the country. // 24025 CA-120 (Groveland), firefallranch.com
Yosemite Flight Tour: A High-Flying Perspective
(Yosemite Flight Tours)
Yosemite Flight Tour has partnered with the brand new Firefall Ranch to give visitors a magnificent view of the national park. The tiny plane takes off daily with as few as two passengers (and no more than eight), soaring over Yosemite Valley and the mountains, forests, and waterfalls that surround it. The one-hour experience ($249/person) is open to all ages and runs year-round. // firefallranch.com
Tenaya Lodge: A New Look + More Fun Activities
(Courtesy of Tenaya Lodge)
Tenaya Lodge, one of Yosemite’s most iconic stays, debuted a new look last month. The lobby got a show stopping facelift complete with geometric design elements and elegant modern seating, and each of the main lodge’s 244 rooms have been upgraded with an earthy palette, warm wood tones, and custom furnishings. New amenities are on the menu too, including a shuttle to and from Yosemite Village, pickleball and bocce ball courts, an 18-foot rock climbing wall, and even a play area for pups. Along with Tenaya Lodge’s full service spa, pool, and multiple dining options, the national park-adjacent resort is truly a destination in and of itself. // 1122 Highway 41 (Fish Camp), visittenaya.com
CampChimp: Find a last minute campsite.
(Courtesy of @yosemitenps)
A new app is using AI to help wannabe campers find last minute sites. On CampChimp, you can input the type of campground you’re hoping to stay in—for example, “in the mountains within a 30 minute drive of Yosemite National Park”---and it’ll show you any cancellations or unbooked sites that fit the bill. For now, the platform can be used for any national park, national forest, state park, or state beach in California. In the coming months, they plan to add county parks and private campgrounds to the list and expand the site to include more of the West. // campchimp.com
