Yosemite is a big park and there are many options when it comes to where to stay during your visit. Choose a cabin in Wawona if you’d rather spend time in nature than in your car at the entrance gate, prefer the serenity of nature to the flurry of people in Yosemite Valley, and value the convenience of nearby services. You’ll also find plenty of activities close to home in Wawona, and options for pets. These are our top reasons to stay in Wawona during your Yosemite visit.
1 – Stay Inside the Yosemite Park Gates
This is one of the biggest reasons to choose Wawona over any lodging options outside of Yosemite National Park, even those close to the entrance gates.
Park entrance gates can be a bottleneck, causing traffic backups that can be several hours long if you hit them at just the wrong time. This is the mountain equivalent of rush hour traffic, and it happens exactly when all the other people who stayed outside the park, got up at a reasonable hour, had breakfast, and got in their cars also reach the entrance gates.
But, why spend your time cooped up in a car, chugging slowly toward the gate, when you can spend that time out in the bright beauty of some of Mother Nature’s finest work? All you need to do is reserve a place to stay inside the park, like a Wawona cabin.
2 – Relax and Unwind in a Quiet Corner of Yosemite
Slow down and settle into the peace and quiet of Wawona. Photo: Theresa Ho
Speaking of relaxing, Wawona has long been known as a quiet and peaceful part of the park.
Within Yosemite National Park, there are several different areas with lodging options. And let’s be honest, Yosemite Valley is the bustling, thrumming hub of activity in the park. For that reason, reservations can be hard to get, and there are people everywhere.
Wawona, in contrast, is quieter. It’s still close to activities, and scenic areas like the Mariposa Grove, but in Wawona you can expect a more serene atmosphere, and secluded spots where you don’t have to wait in a line for the iconic photo angle.
Enjoy a morning cup of coffee on your private deck surrounded by the sounds of birds and wind in the trees without a constant parade of people walking by. Or escape the bustle at the end of the day for a calm evening under the stars and pine boughs.
The heady scenery of Yosemite Valley and other destinations like Glacier Point, are only a short drive away, but in Wawona you can also find the solace and serenity of a true nature retreat too.
3 – Fantastic Wawona-based Activities
Boy and grandfather enjoy a moment at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia. Photo: Nancy Robbins
In addition to having the entirety of Yosemite National Park open to you, there are also plenty of things to do close to your cabin in Wawona for days when you’re looking for a slower pace and some rest and relaxation.
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is a must-visit destination in Yosemite National Park. The parking lot for the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is less than 6.5 miles (~15 minute drive) from the Check In building and Event Center for The Redwoods In Yosemite.
Wawona itself is home to a range of activities, including waterfall hikes, tranquil meadow loops filled with wildflowers (in season), opportunities for horseback riding, quiet swimming holes, a swinging bridge you can bounce your way across, a history center filled with stories of Yosemite’s past, and more.
4 – Welcoming Community Feel – with Amenities
When you book with The Redwoods In Yosemite, you are reserving a home away from home. You also become a part of this warm and friendly community. We hope this feeling of belonging seeps in through everything you experience in our neighborhood.
The Redwoods In Yosemite is owned by our homeowners (and a few other shareholders), who open their homes to you for your visit. You’ll find evidence of this strong rooted connection with Wawona and the larger Yosemite community across all that we do. You’ll often find events in Wawona hosted in the Fireside Room – part of the Event Center at The Redwoods In Yosemite, artwork from local artists in our gift shop, and opportunities to win a free stay in one of our cabins at events that support community organizations.
Wawona is not the only neighborhood within Yosemite’s park gates that offers vacation home rentals, but it is the only one where you’ll also find a local family-owned market. Pine Tree Market carries a remarkable selection of groceries and essentials in case you forgot something, or feel like grabbing a snack or refreshing drink at the last minute. You can find souvenirs and gifts here as well. Pine Tree Market also serves as a local community hub, so keep your eyes open for events there.
You can also find fun local events, like Craft Night, at the Wawona Basset Memorial Library, just up the street. And on a perhaps less fun, but no less practical note, there is a gas station in Wawona. The prices are what you might expect for a gas station in a national park (!) but a convenient fill-up is better than going out of your way to find gas if you need it.
Welcome to our community. We hope you’ll stay a while.
5 – Pet Friendly Options
The Wawona Meadow Loop Trail is a great pup-friendly walk in Wawona.
Are you traveling with furry family members?
Pets are not allowed in the concessionaire-managed hotels/lodging in Yosemite, but The Redwoods In Yosemite has a selection of pet-friendly cabins so that you can stay inside the park, with your pup. Also, just across Wawona Road, the Wawona Meadow Loop is a convenient pet friendly trail.
If you’re traveling with your dog, be sure to review Yosemite’s pet policy so you can plan appropriate activities with your dog.
