Meetings & Events at Rush Creek
Opened in Summer 2016, Rush Creek Lodge is a superbly designed ‘destination within a destination’ located at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park, California. Rush Creek Lodge sits just half a mile from the Park’s Highway 120 west entrance, providing an ideal launching point for exploration into all parts of Yosemite. The lodge is just a 3-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area along scenic Highway 120, the most direct route to Yosemite from the Bay Area, offering year-round access to the Park.
The first new lodge in the area in more than 25 years, Rush Creek features a contemporary, rustic sensibility inspired by the breathtaking expanse of nature surrounding its 20-acre wooded hillside setting. Overnight guests can choose from a mix of 143 tastefully appointed lodge rooms, suites, and hillside Yosemite villas, all featuring a deck overlooking nature, the majority with sunset views.
Take a Stroll Through Our Virtual Tour!
For more information contact us at [email protected], call us at (209) 379-2373 extension 1516, or send us a Request for Proposal.
Rush Creek Lodge features customizable, full-service meeting and event space for groups up to 200 people. Guests may select open-air meeting options or indoor settings that can scale from casual to sophisticated throughout the seasons. Groups can just as easily meet in our event hall as in a nearby meadow surrounded by towering pines.
Rush Creek’s on-site recreation planning experts enjoy customizing recreation and activity packages for groups, including guided outdoor adventures and team-building exercises. Rush Creek’s varied onsite activities and guest areas promote fun-filled, relaxing, informal interactions and bonding throughout a group’s time with us – fostering the important connections desired in a group getaway.
Yosemite activities create robust appetites, and our dining and catering options are designed to satisfy with California lodge cuisine that is fresh, thoughtful, delicious and environmentally sound.
Packages
Our Meetings and Events packages include the use of our facilities, linens, table settings, all set-up, breakdown, and staffing for your event. Our on-site professional event and recreation planners and staff help with all the arrangements so you can focus more on your guests and less on logistics.
Rush Creek’s on-site Recreation service provides over 30 different guided excursions for all fitness levels plus a full daily schedule of free activities and an endless supply of ideas for team-building, bonding, fear-conquering, and confidence-boosting.
Catering & Menus
Yosemite is a feast for the senses, and Rush Creek’s culinary methods follow suit. Our menus embody a flavor profile that is rooted in American dishes with a sophisticated California approach. We serve authentic mountain lodge cuisine that is fresh, thoughtful, delicious, and environmentally sound.
Our on-site event planning expert and catering team can design all of your meals to suit your group’s budget and dietary realities. As with the rest of your event, we’ll focus on crafting menus and presentations that help realize your vision. Options range from “backpacker” lunches (for your day hike) to a variety of buffets to “mountain elegant” plated reception dinners.
Groups can choose the dining venue that suits their needs, enjoying meals indoors or outdoors – or both! No matter where you dine at Rush Creek, you will be treated to invigorating views of the surrounding forest and spectacular Sierra sunsets that pair perfectly with your meal.
Please browse through our sample catering menus to get a feel for some of the delicious options that await you.
Our grand main lodge houses our main dining room, tavern, and adjoining terraces. The main dining room and terrace can seat groups up to 220, and for more intimate gatherings, our private dining room and terrace can accommodate banquets of up to 60 guests.
For menu options, pricing and further details contact us at [email protected], call us at (209) 379-2373 extension 1516, or send us a Request for Proposal.
Note: the Lodge provides all food & beverage for your event.
Facilities & Map
The grand main lodge at Rush Creek is home to our indoor/outdoor restaurant and tavern, guest lounge, Recreation Desk and planning center, and indoor game room offering fun classics such as shuffle board, foosball, and lever hockey, plus an amazing custom designed treehouse-type play structure for our younger visitors.
Next door to the main lodge you’ll find our welcoming reception area and our General Store. The General Store at Rush Creek is well stocked with trail-ready food and drinks, including fresh house-made sandwiches and breakfast items. It’s also a great stop for Happy Hour supplies, games, gear, gifts, souvenirs and sundries.
Wandering out and about the property you’ll discover lots of outdoor spaces for play and relaxation, including a fly casting pond and gold panning stream. Try your hand at bocce ball or horseshoes, or stroll around our nature path. Kids will love the zip line, nature-oriented playground and bike paths. We’ll maintain a daily schedule of complimentary activities ranging from tie-dye and leather crafts to stargazing and family-friendly movies. Or just chill out in one of our many hammocks or relaxing fire pits. You can always count on us for nightly s’mores around the fire!
Central to the main lodge and hotel wing you’ll find our outdoor pool area. There’s an 80’ x 30’ solar-heated salt water pool and two hot tubs, one family-friendly and one for adults only. The Pool Bar serves tasty snacks, lunch, and a variety of drinks, including fun mocktails!
Lodging
Overnight guests choose from a mix of 143 tastefully appointed deluxe Lodge Rooms or Suites in the main lodge, or hillside villas that are spread throughout 20 forested acres. Every room includes a private balcony with views of the forest and surrounding nature, most also provide a front row seat for stunning Sierra sunsets.
All Lodge Rooms feature a stylish sitting area, private deck with forest and/or sunset views, spacious private bathroom with shower, Internet radio, custom artwork and furnishings, Keurig coffee brewer, refrigerator, feather pillows, electronic safe, iPod dock, complimentary Wi-Fi, Earththerapy bath products, hair dryer, and iron. Suites and Villas also feature a cast iron gas fireplace.
Meeting & Property Facilities
Meetings and special events can take place at a variety of idyllic outdoor venues or in our main event hall. We are thrilled to bring this magnificent event hall to the Yosemite area! With its high-beamed ceilings, massive picture windows, and walls that slide completely open to let the outdoors in, you’re free to enjoy the best of all worlds.
Our main restaurant, private dining room tavern, and spacious outdoor terraces provide groups with great flexibility for both their functions and their leisure time.
| Facility | Square Footage | Capacity |
|---|---|---|
| Event Hall | 2,800 | 200 |
| Event Hall Outdoor Patio | 2,500 | 100 |
| Bridal Veil Room | 375 | 15 |
| Private Dining Room | 750 | 48 |
| Private Dining Room & Terrace | 1,050 | 60 |
| Poolside BBQ Area | 2,250 | 200 |
| Pool Deck | 12,500 | 500+ |
To get a feel for how the property is laid out have a look at our property map.
For more information contact us at [email protected], call us at (209) 379-2373 extension 1516, or send us a Request for Proposal.
Rentals
For rental of additional items for your event that the Evergreen does not have in-house we are happy to coordinate rental of any of the items listed below. For our services, which include coordinating delivery and covering associated costs, we charge a fee of 10% of the rental costs as listed below.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Aisle runners | $75, up to 100 feet |
| Wrought Iron Arch | $150 (includes set up/breakdown) |
| House Dance Floor | $700 (18 x 24 solid wood danca floor) |
| Patio Heaters | $65 each per event |
| Generator (Honda EU2000i) | $50 an hour |
| Small Portable PA System | $400 per day (Includes 2 Lapel Mics, 1 Handheld Mic and Stand) |
| Portable Screen and Projector | $150 per day |
| Flip Chart with 30-Sheet Post-it Pad and Markers | $50 each per day ( 2 available) |
| Dry Erase White Board and Markers | $25 each per day ( 2 available) |
| Wood Display Easel | $15 each per day ( 2 available) |
| Plug & Play Wireless Presenter Remote (Laser, timer, and slideshow controls) | $25 per day |
| Podium 48″H x 22″W x 18″D | $75 |
| Colored Linens/Skirting/Napkins | Please contact us for quote |
| Tents for Outdoor Events | Pricing depends on size and specifics of tent and event |
Farm Tables and Chairs are included in the facility for meetings, receptions and ceremonies of up to 200 people. Additional tables will be rented from an outside vendors, pricing varies.
Prices are subject to change without notice, due to market changes.
Booking & Reservations
To reserve a date, a 15% non-refundable deposit of room, food, and beverage charges is due seven days after booking. Pricing depends on your specific program and group size.
For more information contact us at [email protected], call us at (209) 379-2373 extension 1516, or send us a Request for Proposal.
We offer an array of guided recreation options to help your group have the best possible all-around Yosemite experience. Our on-site professional Guide Service and Recreation Department will work with you to craft a memorable, fun itinerary that showcases Yosemite at its’ finest while meeting your goals and schedule.
Here are some of our most popular recreation programs for you to consider:
Hiking
Hikes of any length and difficulty to lakes, waterfalls, meadows, and scenic vistas. Ideal for groups of any number and experience level as we have dozens of trip locations to choose from.
Fly Fishing
Novices & experts are welcome. Experience the magic of fishing for trout on Yosemite’s beautiful waters. Typically a smaller group experience.
Rafting
Exhilarating outings on the stunning Merced & Tuolumne Rivers. Half and full day options are available.
Rock Climbing
The best place on earth to try climbing! Experience a Yosemite few ever see.
Biking
Enjoy riding scenic roads on our comfortable hybrid bikes. Biking is an ideal group activity and it can easily be combined with hiking to waterfalls and swimming holes for a ‘multi-sport’ outing.
Horseback Riding
Saddle up for rides of various lengths throughout the Yosemite area. Easily combined with sightseeing and hiking options for a diverse day in the mountains.
Sightseeing Tours
Van or bus tours throughout Yosemite that can also integrate hiking, horseback riding and naturalist talks along the way. Tours can focus on the park’s most famous attractions, less visited highlights or a blend of both.
Team Building
We can help you meet your goals by integrating team building programs into many of our recreational offerings. Start by selecting an activity, and then we can integrate an appropriate program.
Golf, Swimming, Wine Tasting & Antiquing
A host of other area adventures await, including 18-hole golf, easily accessible, spectacular swimming holes, private wine tastings featuring local foothill wines, photography workshops/tours, and historic Gold Rush community antiquing and shopping.
In addition to this array of guided activities and outings, groups also have access to all of our other Lodge programs and resources, including:
Complimentary Activities
Rush Creek Lodge offers a daily schedule of complimentary activities for our guests (which you are welcome to incorporate into your itinerary), including:
- Campfires with S’mores
- Full Moon walks
- Evening bingo
- Movies
- Yosemite slide shows
- Live music
- Guest lecturers
- Nature presentations
- Horseshoes
- Bocce Ball
Recreation Planning & Facilities
Rush Creek Lodge also offers a variety of resources to help guests plan their unscheduled time, including:
- On-site recreation experts who happily provide complimentary trip-planning advice and ideas
- Handouts with “off the beaten path” excursions that showcase the best of Yosemite
- Library of guide books and other relevant outdoor books, maps and photos
- Free Internet access to comprehensive online sites and materials
- Lectures, slide shows and movies about the area
- Equipment rentals including bikes, GPS, walking sticks and snowshoes
For more information contact us at [email protected], call us at (209) 379-2373 extension 1516, or send us a Request for Proposal.
Area Highlights
Surrounding Rush Creek Lodge are forest, meadows, rivers, swimming holes, fire roads, and vistas. The Big Oak Flat Park Entrance is half a mile away, and the lesser-traveled Hetch Hetchy entrance to Yosemite is seven miles from the lodge. Listed below are drive times from the lodge to favorite nearby places in Yosemite and the National Forest.
| Minutes Drive from Lodge | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Carlon Falls | 1.5 mile hike to Yosemite waterfall |
| 10 | Merced Grove Trailhead | One mile hike to Giant Sequoias |
| 15 | Tuolumne Grove Trailhead | One mile hike to Giant Sequoias |
| 15 | Rainbow Pools | Popular & beautiful swimming spot |
| 20 | Hetch Hetchy Vista | Great view of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir |
| 35 | Preston Falls Trailhead | Hike along Tuolumne River |
| 40 | Hetch Hetchy Reservoir | Trails, history, waterfalls & fishing |
| 40 | Yosemite Valley | Trails, waterfalls & massive granite |
| 45 | Tunnel View | Best view of Yosemite Valley |
| 60 | Olmstead Point | View of Half Dome & Tenaya Lake |
| 70 | Cathedral Lake Trailhead | 3.5 mile hike to gorgeous lake |
| 75 | Tuolumne Meadows | Heart of Yosemite’s dramatic High Country |
| 90 | Mariposa Grove | World’s largest trees |
| 90 | Glacier Point | Legendary vista point above Yosemite Valley |
Yosemite Facts
- Yosemite is the nation’s third oldest national park and is a “Crown Jewel” of the National Park System
- Encompassing 1,170 square miles, Yosemite occupies an area the size of the state of Rhode Island
- The first tourists visited Yosemite in 1855. It became a national park thirty-five years later in 1890
- The Park is open 365 days/year, 24 hours/day
- The Park averages nearly 3.5 million visitors per year: about 2.8 million of those guests visit during the high season of April to October
- The Park is home to 37 species of native trees including the Giant Sequoia, considered the largest living thing on earth. Sequoias can live from 1,000 – 3,000 years. Three groves totaling 700 trees are located in the Park (Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Grove, Merced Grove)
- Five of the Yosemite Valley’s waterfalls are among the ten highest waterfalls on earth. Yosemite Falls, where Yosemite Creek falls a total of 2,425 feet in two separate steps, is the highest waterfall in North America and the second highest in the world
- Yosemite’s geological history has been evolving for 500 million years from an ocean floor to gentle, rolling hills to the formation of the steep Sierra Nevada mountain range with deep river canyons
- Yosemite’s first inhabitants were Native Americans who inhabited the region 10,000 years ago. The Gold Rush brought the first non-native settlers to the area around 1850
- The word “Yosemite” is derived from a Southern Miwok Indian word for “some among them are killers,” referring to the Mariposa Battalion who first entered the Valley in search of Yosemite Indians
- Yosemite was the first territory ever set aside by congress for public use and preservation. This was done in 1864 by Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.
