Plan A Trip To Yosemite
Yosemite has been here for millions of years. In today’s fast paced world, people find comfort in knowing that the power and beauty of Yosemite always lays waiting. At the same time, Yosemite is a spectacular wilderness made of many parts that are constantly in motion throughout the seasons. Whether your ideal Yosemite experience requires certain creature comforts, or you fancy yourself a modern day John Muir braving the elements alone, a little preparation can go a long way. We welcome your input at [email protected] as we strive to help everyone make the best plans possible for their ultimate Yosemite experience.
Updated July 21, 2023, 9:26 am GOOD NEWS: Peak Hour Reservations will NOT be required for summer 2023! Tioga Pass/Highway 120 EAST reopens July 22nd at 8am! For traffic alerts and updates from the National Park Service text YNPTRAFFIC to 333111 Purchase Yosemite’s new Digital Park Pass before you visit for a swift gate entry at recreation.gov. Glacier Point Road is OPEN Get an early start on holiday weekends! To avoid long lines at the entrance and to find parking, we recommend leaving before 8am. If you don’t want to adventure out on your own, join one of our professionally guided tours! For more details you can speak with our Recreation team at (209) 379-2606 extension 6521, or email For ideas of where to adventure locally, check out our new blog post 15 Local Attractions and Activities at Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite and Visit Tuolumne 15 Things To Do in Tuolumne County Access to the lodge via Highway 120 West is…
While we are all pet lovers at Evergreen, pets (other than registered service animals) are not allowed in or around guest rooms, in vehicles or on property. The lodge is not a self-contained property; it is set in the woods with no fences, which translates to high potential for conflicts with forest animals (bears, deer, squirrels, etc.) that are unsafe. Neighboring properties have experienced devastating consequences from pets chasing deer and other animals into the woods and onto the highway. Pets are easily riled by forest animals, which creates disturbances for other guests. They also create unpleasant issues for guests with allergies. Please be aware that pets are highly restricted within Yosemite National Park – the National Park Service only allows pets on fully paved trails and roads on the Yosemite Valley floor, on a leash 6 feet or shorter, and they cannot be left unattended. They are not allowed at any of the lodges in the Park, and they…
Same warm hospitality, new safety practices July 7, 2020 Times are changing, but Yosemite is still here for you, and so are we. While the ways in which you enjoy our wonderful lodge and amenities will be a little different this year, our new Clean & Safe program is designed to give you the peace of mind you need to relax and fully enjoy your Yosemite adventure. WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT We have put in place a broad array of enhanced safety and health practices to ensure everyone has a fantastic experience with us in a safe, clean ‘home away from home’ setting. Our comprehensive Clean & Safe Program includes all areas of the property and is designed based on the latest guidance and best practices from governmental agencies and industry groups. There are a lot of changes we will be working to perfect, and our goal is to do so while delivering the same warm hospitality as always. CHECK-IN…
Yosemite National Park is one of the most spectacular places on Earth and is a recreation-lover’s paradise. Yosemite offers a diverse landscape filled with rivers, glacial carved valleys, picturesque alpine meadows and peaks, several of the world’s highest and most spectacular waterfalls, and the world’s largest trees and tallest granite walls.
There is much to see in Yosemite, and for those willing to seek out the paths less traveled, some particularly amazing discoveries and experiences await. To truly appreciate what Yosemite has to offer, we recommend spending at least three days exploring the Park.
While the list of spectacular sites in Yosemite is endless, there are a few key areas that attract most visitors to the Park. These world-famous destinations are as dramatic and stunning as any on earth.
The Hetch Hetchy Valley is one of Yosemite’s hidden jewels. Formed millions of years ago by water and glacial erosion, this stunning valley (half the size of Yosemite Valley) was described by naturalist John Muir as “a grand landscape garden, one of Nature’s rarest and most precious mountain temples.” Hetch Hetchy has always been overshadowed by its twin sister, Yosemite Valley. We like it that way since the Hetch Hetchy area remains a serene and uncrowded oasis. Visitors are constantly surprised and impressed by the beauty of Hetch Hetchy. And since Hetch Hetchy is right in our backyard (the Hetch Hetchy entrance to Yosemite is one mile from the Evergreen), it’s the perfect place for a day trip or afternoon excursion during your visit to the Evergreen. Hetch Hetchy is more than a recreation destination – it is the home of a massive reservoir and the center of a heated political and environmental debate.
We are blessed with a truly magical and convenient location to enjoy all of Yosemite and the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest. Evergreen Lodge sits one mile from Yosemite’s western border and the entrance to Hetch Hetchy, and we are surrounded on all sides by the Stanislaus National Forest. Our location is along the most direct route to Yosemite from the San Francisco Bay Area.
- 3-3½ hours from the San Francisco Bay Area (2½ hours from the Livermore Valley)
- 3 hours from Sacramento
- 3 hours from Fresno
- 5½-6½ hours from Los Angeles
Note that since the Evergreen Lodge is at an elevation that is 600 feet higher than the Yosemite Valley, the temperature tends to be a few degrees cooler at the Evergreen.
Yosemite is a remarkable place with picture-perfect weather nearly 9 months a year. Most days are bright and sunny with cool, comfortable (and, at times, crisp) evenings.
The Evergreen Lodge is easy to find. We are located on the western border of Yosemite off Highway 120. This highway offers convenient access to the lodge from the Bay Area and all parts of California. Highway 120 also offers easy access to Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows and the rest of Yosemite. Remember that when road tripping through the great outdoors it’s best to keep plenty of water in the car and keep your gas tank fueled up; the closest gasoline to the Evergreen Lodge can be found in the town of Groveland.
The National Park Service website for Yosemite, www.nps.gov/yose, is a very thorough resource. In addition to a wealth of information about the park and advice for planning your visit, this web site is your go-to spot for the most current updates on changing conditions in the park.
Our General Store & Gift Shop, located adjacent to our Reception Desk, has something for everyone. We offer a great selection of gifts and souvenirs, including apparel, historic artwork, locally made crafts, photographs from award-winning photographer, Robb Hirsch, Yosemite memorabilia, nature books and cool kid’s items. Many of these gift items are made by local artisans, so you can feel good about supporting the local community.
There are a few essentials that make for a more enjoyable Yosemite getaway, and your needs will vary depending on how adventurous you would like to be when you’re here. Whenever you are on a road trip through the great outdoors it’s good to carry plenty of drinking water and snacks, and keep your gas tank topped off for those long stretches of scenic roads.
For help figuring out the best use of time for your party, our knowledgeable and friendly Recreation Department is here for you. Whether you want to sign up for a professionally guided excursion or just want some help planning your own adventure, we invite you to call 209-379-2606, email [email protected] or stop by the Recreation Desk so we can take care of you.
The Rim Fire occurred in August 2013 in the nearly million acre Stanislaus National Forest where we are located. The wildfire, which was started by a hunter’s illegal campfire, became the 3rd largest in California History. More than 5,000 firefighters worked to control the blaze, and, while there were several injuries, there were no fatalities from the fire. We and our entire community will be forever grateful to the heroic firefighters for their valiant efforts during the fire.
It’s fun to consider that generations ago the Evergreen had a gas station. What would those happy travelers of yesteryear have said if someone told them that in the year 2015 their gas station would be replaced with an electric car charging station?!?! We’re pretty excited that the future has landed at the ‘Green, and we can now offer a Yosemite charging station for electric vehicles. Located in the parking spaces just in front of the main lodge, our new charging station includes one 80 amp Tesla charger and one 40 amp universal charger. Overnight lodge guests are welcome to complimentary charging sessions. Charging sessions for day visitors are also available for a small fee. Access to the charging stations is available through our friendly front desk team. Worth the Wait There are so many fun things to do while you wait for your car to charge at the Evergreen. Treat yourself to an amazing massage treatment in one of our…