This Cozy Lodge Offers Luxury Just Minutes from Yosemite
With more than 1,000 miles to explore, Yellowstone National Park is known for its natural beauty and deep history. It's home to the iconic Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, gorgeous meadows and giant sequoias. And just outside of the park is Tenaya at Yosemite, a lodging experience so close that it's practically in the backyard of Yosemite. The resort offers a cozy and luxurious place to stay while still keeping you in touch with the peace and serenity northern California has to offer.
Check In at Tenaya at Yosemite
Tenaya is just two miles outside of Yosemite National Park’s South entrance, perfectly nestled in the Sierra National Forest. While many hikers and thrill seekers opt to camp in the park, retreating to a cozy room or idyllic cabin at Tenaya was the perfect option for me. As much as I love to hike around the park, I want a good meal, a hot shower, and a restful night's sleep at the end of my adventure-filled day.
Tenaya has an array of lodging options all inspired by the surrounding nature, but upgraded with some luxurious comforts. The main lodge offers spacious rooms and suites with gorgeous views of the mountains and quick access to the Lodge's popular on-site restaurants, spa, pool, and park tours. Guests can also check in to the one of the many Cottages on site. The large cottages are nestled in the forest near the lodge and are ideal for larger groups. Meanwhile, I stayed in one of the quaint and cozy Explorer Cabins on the edge of the resort.
The Explorer Cabins provide a bit more privacy and are surrounded by lush trees and a peaceful meadow. Plus, all the cabins have access to many close-by fire-pits and the Explorer Clubhouse which offers breakfast, wine, s'mores supplies, grab-and-go snacks, and more. The cabins are about a 5-10-minute walk from the Lodge, or just a few minutes ride if you opt to rent a golf cart while on site. And since the whole property is set in the Sierra, a walk from your cabin to the lodge is safe, serene, and absolutely stunning.
Exploring Yosemite & The Sierra National Forest
Perhaps my favorite thing about staying at Tenaya is all the opportunities there are to experience Yosemite and the surrounding Sierra. Visiting a park that's nearly 1,200 miles can be intimidating—it can be hard to know where to start. Let the locals at Tenaya point you in the right direction.
Tenaya offers Yosemite 360 Tours that meet right at the Lodge and take you to see some of Yosemite's most iconic sight's including Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Valley View. You'll have time to get out and walk around to experience the beauty itself. My favorite part of the tour and why I encourage others to do it is because there's only so much we can learn with our eyes. While we passed by mountains and stepped into creeks, our tour guide was able to explain the incredible history of Yosemite and those who discovered it long ago. We learned how certain cliffs and meadows got their names, what animals lived there and why, and stories about the original natives, old travelers, and past presidents who once stood in the very spots we were now standing in.
Do yourself a favor and book a Yosemite 360 Tour before you continue on your own hikes. You'll have so much more appreciation for the area when you do set foot on a trail.
And since Tenaya is nestled right in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the resort has access to a ton of amazing trails and outdoor adventures to enjoy. During my stay, we trekked up the mountain on E-Bikes and experienced some seriously gorgeous views this Alabama girl has never seen before. Later, I viewed the forest and mountains in a different light on a Nighttime Flashlight Hike with a telescope in tow to see the stars and planets. While those are just a couple of the activities I enjoyed during my stay, there's so much more you can do. You can see the resort's full list of activities here, many of which are free for Tenaya guests.
Even at a resort, you don't have to worry about being out of touch with nature. There are so many ways to enjoy it all around you.
Dining at Tenaya
When you come to Tenaya, come hungry. Multiple restaurants on-site serve everything from fine dining, to easy grab-and-go options.
Jackalope’s Bar and Grill is the restaurant I ate at the most while visiting Tenaya and I looked forward to it each time! It has a vast menu that will suit just about everyone, and the taste does not disappoint. Dress up or down, either way you do it, you'll be comfortable at Jackalope's. The Tuna Stack and Caramelized Brussels Sprouts make for incredible apps while the fish, steaks, and pastas were popular main dishes during my stay. And you absolutely must finish off the evening with a Warm English Sticky Toffee Pudding for dessert!
Embers is a cozy and elegant dining experience that will impress anyone who walks through the door. The high-end restaurant allows you to choose either a four-course or seven-course dinner, with an optional wine pairing you can add on. As each dish arrives the staff explains the details behind each one and is incredibly attentive.
Timberloft Pizzeria is located near the cottages, and is a quick and easy place to stop in for a slice, or you can get a few to go and bring them back to your room for a cozy night in. A few other options are also on sight to serve breakfast in the morning as well as quick grab-and go snacks. Plus, there are couple of additional restaurants that are only open during the summer season. Gold Rush BBQ serves up the summertime BBQ classics along with s'mores, cozy fire pits, and live music. Meanwhile, Bearfoot Bar is Tenaya's popular poolside-bar offering signature cocktails, crafts brews, and a food menu for all ages.
Ascent Spa & More Amenities
Visiting Ascent Spa at Tenaya is the perfect way to keep your vacation on the right track. With a full range of amenities, I relaxed in the steam room for a few minutes before I headed to my massage. A warm glow filled the whole area as did the faintest scent of essential oils. My massage was perfect and so was the robe I relaxed in for far too long afterwards.
I also took part in one of Tenaya's on-site Yoga Classes which left me feeling relaxed and refreshed after a day of exploring Yosemite. The classes are complimentary for Tenaya guests and are suitable for beginners and regular yogis alike. I'm a beginner and I loved it and never felt too rushed or intimidated.
Experience Nature with a Small Slice of Luxury
During my stay I spoke with a fellow guest who mentioned she was visiting Tenaya for the second time.
"What drew you back here?" I asked. "Instead of trying someplace new?"
The woman told me her prior experience at Tenaya had been so peaceful and healing for her family, she couldn't wait to come back, eager to see what it held for her this time.
At the foothills of Sierra National Forest lies a seven-mile canyon that’s so breathtaking, it’s the very thing that inspired President Theodore Roosevelt to create the National Park System.
Yellowstone National Park is known for its rugged and natural beauty and an impressive history. It's home to the iconic Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, gorgeous meadows and ancient giant sequoias stop visitors in their tracks when they lay eyes on them And just two miles from the park is Tenaya at Yosemite, a lodging experience practically in the backdoor of the park that offers a cozy yet luxurious place to stay while still in the peaceful space of nature.
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