Just two miles from Yosemite's entrance, Tenaya at Yosemite is home to cozy cabins, six restaurants, and tons of amenities.

Food and Drink, Activities and Experiences, Family-friendly Offerings, Accessibility and Sustainability, Location, How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Explorer cabins at Tenaya at Yosemite.

As one of the first National Parks, California's Yosemite is a testament to America’s natural resources, rugged beauty, and history. Many people have bucket lists that include Seeing El Capitan or hiking Half Dome, and during my few days spent in the park, I met people from all over the world who had come to do these things.

While visitors might rough it in the park by climbing the 700-plus steps on the popular Mist trail or perhaps attempting one of the most dangerous rock climbs in the world on El Capitan, the best way to make the most of this 748,000-acre outdoor wonderland is to pick lodging that lets you maximize your time spent in the park.

Tenaya at Yosemite was that place for me. Set in the Sierra National Forest, just two miles from Yosemite’s south entrance, you couldn’t be any closer unless you’re in the park. Tenaya mixes nature and creature comforts, offering three different stays ranging from hotel rooms to cabins to cottages. Each lodging type is decorated with chic mountain lodge decor and all the amenities and comfort one would want when away from home. I stayed in an Explorer Cabin, set over a babbling stream and surrounded by trees, all while being steps away from a clubhouse offering complimentary breakfast, shuttles to the park, and assistance scheduling rentals and activities.

Tenaya’s amenities stand out, as if its location didn’t provide enough — pools, hot tubs, restaurants, movie nights, nature hikes, and more abound here. I can’t remember another time when I almost felt overwhelmed by the amount of options for things to do ON a property. Even if you aim to see as much of the park as possible, Tenaya can help with guided tours and shuttle buses. (Plus, if a winter visit calls to you, Tenaya is open year-round, providing top-notch service even in winter.)

To learn more about Tenaya’s offerings, read on for my full review.

Tenaya at Yosemite

You truly can't beat Tenaya's location — being just two miles from the park's entrance makes visiting so easy.
The comfortable, well-equipped cabins have everything you need for a cozy and rustic stay, including access to the Explorer Lounge.
The restaurants on the property — there are six! — offer a wide variety of delicious options.

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Living room area of Explorer Cabin.

Tenaya offers various lodging options, including size, layout, amenities, and location.

Rooms in the main lodge are akin to traditional hotel rooms and are steps away from all the most significant amenities, like restaurants and pools. These rooms were fully remodeled in 2024, offering guests a modern yet mountain chic stay. Guests can upgrade to premium rooms with features like jacuzzi tubs and private patios, while Lodge Suites are available for those looking for a bit more space, ranging from 550 to 850 square feet. These suites also have extra touches like fireplaces, dining rooms, and wet bars. A few adult-only suites, which include private entrances, are also available on the property.

For those looking to get closer to nature and have more privacy, I recommend an Explorer Cabin. These cabins are slightly away from the main lodge, providing a quiet getaway for guests looking to enjoy nature. All cabins include a porch or balcony that is either creek-, pond-, or meadow-facing. (One of my favorite memories at Tenaya was sitting on the patio with my friend, enjoying coffee, and listening to the creek and the birds.) The cabins include living rooms with gas fireplaces, wet bars with microwaves, full-sized refrigerators, and other unique amenities like board games, binoculars, and access to the Explorer Lounge.

The Explorer Lounge is the primary social point for the Explorer Cabins, housing a TV, large fireplace, lawn games, and grab-and-go items. The lounge provides complimentary breakfast, daily wine happy hour, s'mores evenings, and golf cart rentals. Cabin guests can access the lounge 24/7 with their key card, but a desk is staffed during working hours to assist with check-in, rentals, and the shuttle to the main lodge.

If you want something in-between, consider The Cottages. These suites offer a more private space tucked away among the trees while still within walking distance of the main lodge. The Cottages include cozy features like fireplaces, patios, and balconies, and one of the resort’s main restaurants is located in The Cottages complex, along with a walking trail that leads to the main lodge.

Food and Drink

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Dining room in Jackalope's at Tenaya.

Several restaurants throughout Tenaya's grounds serve various cuisines, from pizza to steak, from grab-and-go to fine dining.

Jackalope’s Bar and Grill is the resort's mainstay for casual dining, open year-round for all three meals. I highly recommend starting with the Garlic Crunch Shrimp or the artichoke dip and ending with the Sticky Toffee Pudding. All were major crowd-pleasers.

Timberloft Pizza is located in the Cottage’s complex and serves large specialty pies, alongside a salad bar. It is the perfect spot to carbo-load before or after a big hike. Parkside Deli is also excellent for grab-and-go options and potential souvenirs like local fudge and honey.

Countering Tenaya's casual options is Embers, the on-site fine-dining restaurant, which serves a four- or seven-course set menu with an optional wine pairing. Dishes like the elderflower crème brûlée stood out — along with the service. Having such a high-end dining option at a mountain lodge is rare.

Two seasonal restaurants are open only during the summer: Barefoot Bar, which serves the outdoor pool area, and Gold Rush BBQ. Gold Rush offers all the barbecue classics, from pulled pork and brats to hot dogs and a baked potato bar.

Activities and Experiences

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Outdoor pool at Tenaya at Yosemite.

The biggest draw to Tenaya is its location. Guests are just two miles from the park's entrance, with the Mariposa Grove being the closest attraction. You could be hugging a giant redwood tree within five minutes of leaving Tenaya.

Tenaya also offers shuttles to the park and an all-day Yosemite 360 tour, which covers all the park's major highlights — a challenging task to tackle on your own. Our guide was incredibly knowledgeable about the park and its history and knew the best viewpoints, shortcuts, and tips for our hikes the next day.

If Tenaya’s proximity to Yosemite isn’t enough to keep you thoroughly entertained and busy during your trip, then have no fear: The number of on-site activities and experiences available is almost daunting. There are two pools, one indoor and one outdoor, with five separate hot tubs, two of which are adults only, split between the indoor and outdoor areas. The indoor pool is also connected to a game room fit for the kid in all of us and features a nightly “dive-in” movie. The resort also lends out bikes in the summer, snow shoes in the winter, and a shuttle service between all the lodging areas.

Tenaya has a fully equipped gym and many other ways to get active, including pickleball, mountain biking tours, archery and yoga classes, rock climbing, and more. Educational activities are also available, including daily nature hikes and flashlight hikes, gold panning, glass blowing, and nighttime telescopes.

The Spa

Tenaya’s Ascent Spa has 12 treatment rooms offering an array of treatments to unwind and relax, like massages, facials, and wraps. There is also a sauna and steam room that all guests can enjoy even without an appointment.

Family-friendly Offerings

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Game room at Tenaya at Yosemite.

Tenaya is a great option for family getaways. The cabins with bunk beds are an excellent choice, and for a small fee, guests can enjoy extras like cribs and pack-and-plays.

If your family includes a furry friend, Tenaya has several dog-friendly rooms with just one flat fee for up to two dogs, and these rooms include water bowls, treats, baggies, toys, and a dog bed.

Accessibility and Sustainability

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Lobby area of Tenaya at Yosemite.

Tenaya welcomes everyone with 10 ADA-compliant rooms, five cabins, and three cottages with roll-in showers, wider doorways, and grab bars.

Tenaya is making many efforts to make the resort sustainable, including its Greener Stay Program. This program allows guests to opt in to limit housekeeping and save water, electricity, and waste. The resort also has a solar-powered cabin that “saves more than 2,880 kilowatts of energy over a year’s time” and multiple Tesla chargers.

Location

Taylor McIntyre/Travel + Leisure Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park.

Tenaya and Yosemite Park are approximately 90 minutes from the Fresno airport and four hours from San Francisco. Most guests will need a car to reach the resort. However, shuttles between the lodges and the park are available once at the resort.

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your Stay

There is no loyalty program at Tenaya, but it offers several deals that you can take advantage of, including seasonal rates and a New Year’s Eve package. Tenaya also offers discounts to AAA members and senior citizens, as well as discounts and free park entry for veterans.