Rush Creek Lodge Fall Sunset (Kim Carroll)Recreation Talk in Guest Lounge (Kim Carroll)Yosemite Hetch Hetchy View (Kim Carroll 3-17.77)Cheers with Julie Johnson (Kim Carroll)Hillside Villas (Kim Carroll)

2023 THANKSGIVING WEEK

Monday, November 20th – Sunday, November 26th, 2023

Thanksgiving is a special time in Yosemite. Throughout the week, we focus our energies and activities on creating a memorable holiday experience so you can have as much fun as possible on your Yosemite getaway. We offer dining experiences worthy of our gorgeous surroundings, a host of guided recreation excursions, campfires, evening programs and lots of opportunity for relaxation.  Everyone in your party will find the perfect mix of activities (and rest) for their holiday weekend.

Last year’s Thanksgiving Activity Calendar shows you the types of activities to expect for your weekend of relaxing and adventuring.

You’ll get the most value, fun, and convenience from your visit by purchasing a customizable three or four-night package that includes Thanksgiving dinner, other meals, recreation, activities and more. When you arrive we’ll provide you with a detailed itinerary that includes all of your weekend’s activities.

Our talented executive chef, Chef Lemens, designs our menu to showcase the finest in seasonal, local and organic ingredients. To start tempting your palate now, please look at our 2022 Thanksgiving Menu.

NOTE: Thanksgiving is one of the most popular holidays in our area.  If you are staying with us over the Thanksgiving Holiday, you will hear from us directly to reserve your table for Thanksgiving Dinner. If you have questions about Thanksgiving Dinner, please email Rachel Tejeda directly at [email protected] with any questions, and Happy Thanksgiving to you!

[email protected] INCLUDE:

  • Lodging
  • Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day
  • Hearty mountain breakfast in our full-service Restaurant or Tavern each morning of your stay
  • Freshly made trail lunches for your day’s activities on one afternoon (4-night package includes trail lunches on two afternoons)
  • Delicious dinner in our Restaurant  or Tavern (4-night package includes dinner on two nights)
  • Fun, family-friendly arts and crafts project
  • An exciting holiday welcome gift
  • Evening activities including campfires, s’mores, bingo, and other games
3-Night Package 4-Night Package
Thanksgiving Package 2 Adults, Lodge King Room starting at $679 per night starting at $686 per night
Thanksgiving Family Package 2 adults and 2 Children,
Hillside Villa		 starting at $1012 per night starting at $1027 per night
Additional Adult starting at $82 per night starting at $86 per night
Additional Child starting at $49 per night starting at $52 per night
Pricing for additional options for varying party sizes or other room types are presented when making your reservation on this site.

Prices are per night and do not include tax.  Advance reservations are required and subject to availability.  Meals do not include alcoholic beverages. To avoid wait times for dining, we recommend making reservations directly on our web site.  Click here for restaurant reservations.

Call 209-379-2373 or email [email protected] to reserve or you can book online here:

book now

Winter Smores (Jordan Rosen Photography)Rush Creek Shuffleboard (Kim Carroll)Guided Tour at Tunnel View of Yosemite Valley (Kim Carroll)Rush Creek Pool Area at Sunset (Kim Carroll)Enjoying a Mountain Sunset (Kim Carroll)Rush Creek Server Silvia (Kim Carroll Photography)

2023 Thanksgiving Details coming soon…

We’re working hard to put together another memorable Thanksgiving holiday here at Rush Creek Lodge. Check back soon for all the fun things we’ll be doing, but in the meantime take a peek at last year’s festivities to give you an idea of what to expect this year.

Past Thanksgiving WEEK DETAILS

WEDNESDAY

Arrive early and enjoy a relaxing lunch, then join our recreation team to plan your holiday activities. Check out our  2019 Thanksgiving Activity Calendar to start getting excited about all the fun we’ve got planned!

We will have onsite activities such as talk in our lounge about Yosemite’s Wildlife, pumpkin marbling & kids crafts!  After dinner, enjoy making s’mores by the fireside or head over to the tavern for a little pre-Thanksgiving celebration. This will be a great start to a fun-filled mountain getaway!

THURSDAY – THANKSGIVING DAY

Sleep in and enjoy the holiday. After a hearty breakfast, gear up to hit the park with our naturalist guides for a memorable Yosemite Valley Sightseeing Tour! If you’re feeling more adventurous, join us for a hike (or Snowshoe!) through Yosemite Valley or to the Giant Sequoias and learn about the local flora & fauna, while working up an appetite on the trail.

If you’re feeling a little lazy, just hang out at the lodge and enjoy the fall beauty in the hot tub or root for your favorite football team, as we turn our tavern into your turkey day living room, with ballgames and beverages available throughout the day.

In the afternoon, you can join us for a “Thanksgiving Scavenger Hunt”. Explore our hillside property featuring creeks and a reflecting pond as you hunt for turkey day themed treasures. Or join us in the Guest Lounge to decorate seasonal treats with your family. Our Thanksgiving Cookie Decorating activity is $5 per person and sure to be a good time with a tasty take away for all.

Holiday Meal Extravaganza
While you’re enjoying your day, our team of chefs will be in the kitchen preparing a decadent holiday feast. Choose from a variety of savory options, and top off your meal with one of our delicious homemade desserts!

Click here to see the 2022 Thanksgiving Menu.

Time: 3PM – 9PM
Price: $55 Adults; $25 Kids (age 2-12)

After you’ve eaten, stick around and join us in the Tavern for some specialty holiday drinks. Or gather around for our outdoor fireplace to roast s’mores and enjoy a relaxing evening full of fireside games in our cozy Guest Lounge.

FRIDAY

Begin your day with a delicious hot breakfast, then grab lunch to go and hit the trail with family and friends for the day. Join an interpretive hike or snowshoe (weather permitting) to see the world’s largest living specimens – Giant Sequoias. Or let our guides show you Yosemite’s hidden gem, the Hetch Hetchy Valley.  You can also simply relax in the morning and join us for an afternoon hike. Check out all the guided recreation options available this holiday season here.

Arrive back at the lodge in time for your indulgent full-body massage (available throughout the weekend – reservations required), or join us for “Pet Rock Turkey!”  Fireside s‘mores are available afterward, then join us for drinks in the Tavern!

SATURDAY

Indulge in a lazy morning and a delicious hot breakfast in our full-service Restaurant. Stick around for lunch or get out and enjoy a day in Yosemite. Once again you can choose from one of our guided hikes or sightseeing tours. Whichever trip you choose, you will learn more about the history, folklore, plants, and animals of Yosemite while taking in the breathtaking vistas of the postcard-perfect scenery.

Return to the lodge in time for another memorable night of dining and activities. Head to the Recreation Desk to purchase your very own logoed shirt for our Fall Tie Dye Craft. Or sign up for Stargazing, where you get to experience the night sky like never before.  Follow up with dinner and a bit of relaxation fireside or in the Tavern with a tasty holiday cocktail.

SUNDAY

Wake up revived and refreshed. Enjoy a hearty breakfast, then sneak in one last great hike or bike trip before heading back to the real world. Or join us for lunch, relaxation, and football games in the tavern. Then hit the road, smiling all the way home as you revel in the memory of a new-found holiday tradition in the mountains.