If you’re lucky enough to take a week-long trip to Yosemite, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa is the perfect place to call home for the week. In addition to the one-of-a-kind amenities on the property, Rush Creek Lodge is located next to Yosemite National Park’s main entrance on Highway 120, nearby the park’s main attractions and everything else the area has to offer.
Get the most out of your week-long Yosemite trip with the sample itinerary below!
Day 1: Get to Know Rush Creek Lodge
- Arrive at Rush Creek Lodge and get settled into your room or villa.
- Depending on what time you arrive, grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner at Rush Creek Lodge – whether you’d prefer a light bite from the General Store or a sit-down meal in the Tavern, there’s always something nearby.
- Pick up any trail supplies you need at the General Store.
- Check out Rush Creek Lodge’s recreation calendar to see what’s going on while you’re here.
- Head to the firepit for s’mores after sundown!
Day 2: Yosemite Valley
- Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Restaurant at Rush Creek Lodge.
- Head to Yosemite Valley for a guided Yosemite National Park tour and spend the day exploring the Park’s iconic landmarks, like Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome.
- Hike one of the valley’s trails, like Mirror Lake Loop or the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail.
- In the evening, stargaze back at Rush Creek Lodge.
Day 3: Hetch Hetchy Valley
- Visit one of Yosemite’s hidden gems: Hetch Hetchy Valley.
- Hetch Hetchy is home to some of Yosemite’s most stunning permanent and seasonal waterfalls, such as Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls.
- Walk across the 400-foot-tall O’Shaugnessy Dam. Built in the early 20th century, the dam is one of the most impressive feats of engineering for its time.
- Head back to Rush Creek Lodge and join in on a fun activity like Trivia, BINGO!, a Nature Talk, or the Lodge’s new California Craft Beer Tasting.
Day 4: High Country
- Visit the General Store at Rush Creek Lodge for provisions to pack a picnic lunch.
- Take a scenic drive along Tioga Road for beautiful views of the park’s high country.
- Stop at Olmstead Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows for photo opportunities and to stretch your legs.
- If you’re up for a challenge, devote the rest of the day to a hike on one of the high country trails, like Clouds Rest or Cathedral Lakes.
- Enjoy your picnic lunch at any of the stops above – there’s nothing like a meal with a view.
Day 5: Yosemite Flight Tours
- Get a bird’s eye view of Yosemite National Park during a Yosemite Flight Tour (the only flight tours allowed to fly over Yosemite’s iconic landmarks).
- Soar above volcanic ridges and peaks, stunning canyons, untouched wilderness on the Sierra Nevada Flight.
- Enjoy aerial views of Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy, and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne when you choose the Yosemite Aerial Flight.
- Head back to Rush Creek Lodge to soak in the pool or soak up the sun at one of the Lodge’s many outdoor recreation areas.
Day 6: Big Trees and Camp Mather
- Start the day with breakfast and lattes from the General Store before meeting your group to head out on the Big Trees Hike + Swim, where you’ll hike through the forest to reach a majestic grove of sequoias and dive into one of Rush Creek Lodge’s favorite swimming holes to cool off.
- Rest up at Rush Creek Lodge for the afternoon – you have plans at sunset! Visit the Aromatherapy Steam Room for a lemongrass-infused rejuvenating session or try some playful relaxation in the Warm Waterfall Coves that wash your cares away.
- Join Rush Creek Lodge’s partners, Camp Mather, for a sunset horseback ride along some of the area’s most beautiful trails to a gorgeous viewing spot to watch the sunset.
Day 7: See You Soon, Yosemite
- Indulge in a relaxed day at Rush Creek Lodge. Wander the property’s nature trails, take in the scenery from your room or cabin, and get ready to head home.
- Pamper yourself with a treatment at Rush Creek Spa, like the 4-layer Rush Creek Signature facial that features layers of pure, fresh European seaweed to rejuvenate and tone the skin, a mineral-rich thermal mask, and massage.
- Feast on your favorite menu items, like the popular crispy-fried cauliflower, BBQ chicken flatbread, roasted beet salad, king salmon, and Philly cheesteak, one last time at the Restaurant or Tavern.
- Gather around the firepit one more time for a round of s’mores after sunset.
As you plan your week-long trip to Yosemite, we recommend checking out the latest Yosemite travel updates. Updates include road closures, wildfire status, and much more to help you plan your stay.
This is just one way to spend a week-long trip to Yosemite. The possibilities are endless in an area like Yosemite, which has so many sights to see and experiences to offer. No matter how you choose to spend your days, Rush Creek Lodge is just the place to call home for your week-long stay in Yosemite.
