Yosemite Summer Road Trip
Available from late May through early September 2023
We’ve set the stage for the ultimate Yosemite Road Trip by taking care of the details of your stay so that you can focus on enjoying your epic summer adventure in Yosemite.
Keep scrolling for our ideal Yosemite itinerary. We know the key to a successful road trip is planning all the details which is why we’ve taken care of that part for you! Our Yosemite itinerary includes activity suggestions and fun insider tips to enjoy the park.
Reservations are easy, simply select the Best Available Rate when you book online and press enter! You’ll receive the maximum possible discount.
You’re also welcome to call (209)379-2606 or email us at [email protected] for local help with reservations and trip planning advice.
RANGE OF OPTIONS
Given the grand nature of Evergreen Lodge, guests are often surprised to find out that it was created by two Bay Area dads who continue to operate the lodge in a way that they like to share with their own family and friends (while using business as a force for good).
That’s why you’ll find that your room reservation has what you need for a spectacular Yosemite adventure, with no hidden Resort Fees. From basics such as free parking and free Wi-Fi, to Pool Area access and Forest Disc Golf fun, to more robust delights like the Daily Activities organized by our onsite Recreation Team throughout our indoor and outdoor play areas, including everyone’s favorite – nightly fireside s’mores roasting! Plus, miles of nature trails in the adjacent forest.
That said, we know sometimes you want a few options to make things a touch more convenient, or a just hint extra.
Bed & Breakfast
This popular package provides the perfect kickstart to your day with a hearty mountain breakfast in our Restaurant, complete with freshly home baked good courtesy of our resident baker. See details on our B&B page or choose the “Bed and Breakfast Package Rate” when booking your room on this site.
Guided Tours
In keeping with Rush Creek’s values, you are encouraged to visit the Recreation Desk in the Guest lounge for free planning advice from our team of local experts. We’ve got plenty of maps and ideas for parties of all abilities and interests.
Or, maybe you’d prefer to let someone else take the wheel so you can kick back and enjoy the ride? Yes, you can! We offer dozens of professionally guided excursions that will surprise and delight you. Visit our EXPLORE adventure planning page for ideas.
Upgrades & Fun Extras
From romance to day hiker basics to kid favorites, you can add on all sorts of fun extras as you complete your room reservation on this website.
Ideal Yosemite Road Trip Itinerary
DAY 1: FUN AT THE LODGE
With your scenic drive to Yosemite in the rearview mirror, it’s time to settle in at the lodge and let the good times roll!
Forest Disc Golf
Stretch your legs on our nine-hole disc golf course that’s beginner-friendly and easy to navigate. There’s both an expert and a novice level of play to choose from conveniently located just across the road from the Main Lodge Restaurant and Tavern. The entire course takes under an hour to play lending itself perfectly for a quick and easy game while breathing in that fresh mountain air.
Pool Time
Our 2,000 square foot swimming pool provides ample space for adults and children alike to relax and refresh after a long day in the car. Relax poolside with your party in the shade of one of our umbrellas or catch some sun rays and then grab a cold cocktail from our pool bar.
Dinner Poolside
With our new Poolside BBQ menu, you can casually roll into the evening with tasty, fresh meals including Chicken Waldorf Wraps, Turkey Avocado Clubs, Shawarma Chickpea Pita Pockets, and more!
S’mores & Stargazing
As the sun begins to set, enjoy our nightly tradition of complimentary s’mores by our outdoor fire pits, and watch the night sky begin to reveal a spectacular display of stars, unlike anything you’ll ever see among bright city lights.
DAY 2: YOSEMITE VALLEY OR HIGH COUNTRY
Time to explore the wide-open spaces of Yosemite!
Breakfast
Fuel up for the day’s adventures with a hearty mountain breakfast from our Restaurant served in our outdoor dining areas. Then head over to our General Store to pack your trail lunch for the day with our freshly-made sandwiches and wraps, delicious salad medleys, and other tasty provisions.
Yosemite Valley or High Country
These days you have several different options for entering one of the most iconic areas of Yosemite National Park: Yosemite Valley.
- Participate in one of our partial or full-day excursions, all with guaranteed Park entry. See the wide array of tours, hikes, and other adventures in our online trip planner at EvergreenLodge.com/Explore or email our Recreation Desk at [email protected]
- For a more budget-friendly yet comfortable way to enjoy the ride to/from Yosemite Valley, the YARTS buses stop at Rush Creek, our sister property, and cost only $14 round trip for an Adult, and includes Park entry for both the rider and an accompanying minor at no extra charge.
If you’ve already been to Yosemite Valley and would like to visit the pristine and magnificent Yosemite High Country and Tuolumne Meadows, you can join one of our professionally guided adventures.
Fun at the Lodge
After an amazing day exploring Yosemite, enjoy the amenities at Evergreen specifically designed to relax you after a long day.
Let your competitive side out with our wide array of outdoor games like shuffleboard, table tennis, giant chess, bocce ball, and more. Or maybe you’d like to indulge in a massage to soothe your muscles so you’ll be ready for your next day of adventures.
Dinner
Evergreen’s culinary team continues to serve delicious menu items you can enjoy in any of our outdoor dining areas or back at your room in the privacy of your own deck. The kitchen is buzzing with energy, putting out amazing dishes to end your day on a high note with freshly prepared items like our Root Beer Braised Beef Short Rib and our Oven-Roasted Rainbow Trout.
S’mores & Stargazing
Individually packaged s’mores await you to end your day in Yosemite the sweetest way possible. Once the sun sets, our heated saltwater pool is the perfect place for stargazing with an unobstructed view of the night sky. Insider Tip: Check in with the Recreation Team to see which stars or planets are particularly visible during your visit!
DAY 3: YOSEMITE’S HETCH HETCHY RESERVOIR
After a refreshing night’s sleep, get excited to begin the journey to a lesser-traveled part of Yosemite, the Hetch Hetchy region.
Breakfast
Our General Store is brewing up your favorite coffee order along with seasonal specials to get you energized for your day of hiking and exploring. We’ve got all your favorite grab-and-go breakfast fixings to make even the pickiest of eaters satisfied.
Hetch Hetchy Day Hike
Located just a few miles down Evergreen Road, Hetch Hetchy is one of Yosemite’s hidden gems, offering a variety of options from easy day hikes to strenuous backpacking excursions. The easy 2.5 miles (each way) trail to Wapama Falls is a favorite for adults and children alike. This trail, which runs through a rock tunnel and then along the north side of the reservoir, allows visitors to experience the true power and majesty of the Hetch Hetchy waterfalls.
Dinner
We know firsthand how Yosemite activities create robust appetites, and the culinary team at Evergreen Lodge is eager to satisfy your hunger and tempt your taste buds with fresh and hearty California mountain lodge cuisine. Tonight is your night to fill up on favorite seasonal menu items and maybe try something unexpected like our Grilled Bison Burger and our mouth-watering Fish Tacos.
Evening Activities
By now you’ve fallen in love with your favorite Evergreen activities, but why not try something new to wrap up your time with us with an activity you can put on your shelf and be reminded of forever! Our sister property, Rush Creek Lodge, offers Glassblowing with our resident expert. This is a great way to close out your time with us and the best part is, you get to take your creation home with you!
DAY 4: CARLON FALLS DAY HIKE OR SWIM
Explore like a local on your last morning with us at Carlon Falls, just a few miles down the road and a local favorite.
Breakfast
After you’ve grabbed one of your favorite hot breakfast items or your usual coffee order from our General Store, you’ll be ready to squeeze in one last hike.
Carlon Falls
Once on the trail, you’ll actually be walking right into Yosemite National Park, making this a true hidden treasure that few Yosemite visitors ever see. You can choose to do a short and easy 1-hour walk along the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, or make a day of it and hike all the way up past the series of waterfalls and swimming holes. The trail follows the South Fork of the Tuolumne River, taking you through a variety of foliage, pools, and cascading falls.
On the Road Again…
If you’re leaving Evergreen Lodge using Highway 120 West, you’ll pass through the charming Old West town of Groveland. You may want to stop by a locally loved coffee shop, Mountain Sage Coffee & Nursery, where you can sip on your lovingly prepared beverages and home-baked goods in their enchanting gardens. You’ll also love the art gallery featuring incredible images and stories created by local photographer, naturalist, and all-around great guy, Robb Hirsch who also leads our photography workshops in Yosemite.
Advance reservations required. Certain restrictions may apply. Pricing does not include tax or gratuity. You can book this package online, by calling 209-379-2606 or emailing us at [email protected].