Lodging Near Yosemite National Park: Rooms, Suites & Hillside Villas
A Fresh New Take on the Yosemite Experience
Explore Yosemite in Style
Rush Creek Lodge & Spa offers lodging near Yosemite National Park just half a mile from the year-round Highway 120 West entrance, allowing guests to spend less time driving and more time exploring.
With easy access to Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and nearby giant sequoia groves, Rush Creek is an ideal home base, a destination within a destination where the adventure continues long after you return from the trail.
Choose Your Yosemite Basecamp
Guests can choose from 143 lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas — each with a private deck overlooking nature and access to full resort amenities, daily activities, and no hidden resort fees.
A Destination Within a Destination
Set on a 20-acre wooded hillside just outside Yosemite’s Highway 120 West entrance, Rush Creek Lodge blends contemporary rustic design with modern comforts for a relaxed yet refined national park experience.
Recognized with TripAdvisor’s Travelers’ Choice Award, the lodge is thoughtfully designed to complement the surrounding Sierra landscape, offering space to unwind after a full day exploring Yosemite.
What Makes Rush Creek Different:
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- Heated outdoor pool and hot tubs
- Full-service spa
- On-site restaurant and tavern
- Daily activities for kids and adults
- Guided Yosemite adventures
- No hidden resort fees
Easy, Year-Round Access to Yosemite
Rush Creek Lodge is located just half a mile from Yosemite’s Highway 120 West (Big Oak Flat) entrance, which is open year-round.
Guests can:
- Enter the park in minutes
- Explore Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows
- Visit the Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias
- Discover the quieter Hetch Hetchy area
After a full day in the park, the scenic drive back becomes part of the experience, returning you to comfort, space, and evening activities at the lodge.
A Favorite Among Families, Couples & Groups
With 143 lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas, many with sunset views and private decks, Rush Creek Lodge welcomes:
- Families visiting Yosemite
- Couples seeking a scenic Sierra retreat
- Multigenerational groups
- Extended-stay travelers
Spacious accommodations and resort-style amenities allow everyone to experience Yosemite at their own pace.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lodging Options Near Yosemite National Park
How far is Rush Creek Lodge from Yosemite’s Highway 120 West entrance?
Rush Creek Lodge is located a half mile from the park’s Highway 120 West entrance, which is open year-round. It’s less than a 10-minute drive to the park entrance, so it’s easy to arrive early, find a choice parking spot, and get the day started. This convenient location makes it easy to access Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Hetch Hetchy while spending less time driving and more time exploring.
After a long day of exploring, getting back to the lodge is a scenic drive you’ll enjoy just as much as any part of your stay. Unwind by the pool or at the spa, fuel up with a hearty meal at our on-site restaurant, and take it easy with s’mores under the stars before exploring Yosemite’s highlights again tomorrow.
Which Yosemite attractions are closest to Rush Creek Lodge?
Rush Creek Lodge offers easy access to Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Yosemite’s pristine high country via the Highway 120 West entrance. The Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias are very near the lodge, as is Yosemite’s lesser-known Hetch Hetchy entrance.
Where should I stay if I'm going to Yosemite?
There’s no better place to stay than Rush Creek Lodge when you’re looking for the best lodging near Yosemite. Our accommodations offer laid-back luxury, stunning mountain scenery, endless amenities with no hidden resort fees, and easy access to the northwest park entrance.
Choose between spacious suites, charming hillside cabins, or cozy lodge rooms and take full advantage of everything our resort-style mountain getaway has to offer. From guided park excursions and daily activities for kids and adults to indulgent spa and wellness experiences, Rush Creek Lodge is your home base for relaxation, exploration, and play.
What types of lodging are available near Yosemite National Park?
Rush Creek Lodge offers three main types of lodging near Yosemite National Park: lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas.
| Lodge Rooms | Suites | Hillside Villas |
| Comfortable rooms ideal for couples and smaller families, featuring private decks and modern mountain-inspired design. | Spacious accommodations with separate living and sleeping areas, well-suited for families traveling with children. | Two-bedroom hillside accommodations offering extra space and privacy, with a quieter setting just beyond the main lodge — yet still an easy stroll to all the activities and amenities. Popular with multigenerational families and ideal for longer stays. |
All room types provide convenient access to the lodge’s amenities, dining, and outdoor recreation areas.
What is the best town to stay near Yosemite National Park?
Groveland is one of the best towns to stay near Yosemite National Park, especially for travelers entering via the Highway 120 West (Big Oak Flat) entrance.
Groveland offers close proximity to Rush Creek Lodge, easy, year-round access to Yosemite, dining, shops, and supplies without added park congestion, and a classic Sierra Gold Rush small-town atmosphere.
Staying near Groveland allows you to enjoy small-town charm while returning each evening to resort-style amenities just outside Yosemite’s entrance.
Is it better to stay inside Yosemite National Park or outside the park?
For most travelers, staying just outside Yosemite National Park offers better value, more amenities, and greater availability.
| Staying inside the park: | Staying just outside the park: |
| Shorter drive to major attractions | More room types and availability |
| Limited lodging inventory | Resort-style amenities and activities |
| Higher nightly rates | Better overall value |
| Fewer amenities | Easy access via the year-round Highway 120 West entrance |
Properties like Rush Creek Lodge allow guests to enjoy both convenience and comfort — just minutes from Yosemite while returning each evening to spacious accommodations and full amenities.
Is the Highway 120 West entrance open year-round?
Yes. Yosemite’s Highway 120 West (Big Oak Flat) entrance near Rush Creek Lodge is open year-round, making it one of the most reliable access points to Yosemite National Park in every season.
This consistent access allows guests to visit during spring waterfalls, summer hiking season, fall foliage, and winter snow without worrying about seasonal road closures common at higher elevations.