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There’s one thing about Yosemite – the pine-scented air, the granite giants, and the tumbling waterfalls and the expansive wilderness.
When you’re seeking to keep close to Yosemite Nationwide Park, however don’t need to pay the extortionate worth of a lodge truly within the park, then Tenaya Lodge is the place wilderness meets consolation with an inexpensive price ticket.
Though situated exterior Yosemite Nationwide Park, Tenaya Lodge feels as if it’s proper within the coronary heart of it.
It’s the place early-morning hikes via wildflower meadows are adopted by s’mores over a campfire, and the place you possibly can sleep in a slice of serenity on the fringe of the wild.
Once we visited Yosemite, we traded our tent poles for plush pillows and stayed 4 nights at Tenaya Lodge, and want it was longer.
Wish to know why? Right here’s our trustworthy evaluate of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Nationwide Park.
About Tenaya at Yosemite
When you haven’t heard of Tenaya at Yosemite earlier than, permit me to briefly introduce them.
Tenaya is a full-service resort that’s situated simply 2 miles exterior the South Gate of Yosemite Nationwide Park within the serene backdrop of the Sierra Nationwide Forest.
It’s location is good for nature lovers, who are usually not solely seeking to go to Yosemite however different nationwide parks and forests within the area as properly.
Situated close by is the Mariposa Grove of Large Sequoias, Speckerman Mountain, Hogan Mountain, Wawona Level and Bass Lake.
The resort presents a number of kinds of lodging from resort rooms to lodges and cottages and spacious suites, in addition to a complete host of resort facilities.
Video evaluate of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
Issues to do at Tenaya Lodge
There are many issues to do at Tenaya Lodge, for younger and previous.
Whereas I cherished the inclusion of those actions, I cherished how they weren’t the main focus of your keep as different household resorts are.
They’re additions to the principle occasion – visiting Yosemite Nationwide Park.
We deliberate our Tenaya Lodge actions for our down day we had on the lodge, which is one thing I like to recommend you do while you go to Yosemite.
Sadly our day of relaxation (though properly timed) was when it rained all day. And even hailed!
Our children (aged 11 and seven) determined they needed to go exterior and do the actions anyway. What’s slightly rain for these fearless adventurers?
Though on the finish of archery they did ask to cancel mountaineering as their limbs have been freezing and so they thought it is perhaps slightly too slippery.
Youngsters journey course
Our daughters, Kalyra and Savannah, actually loved the youngsters journey course!
It’s child sized and so they usually do a lot increased and tougher journey programs.
However regardless that this one was a lot simpler, they used it as a possibility to follow some advanced expertise like strolling backward, doing it with eyes closed and no palms, and timing how briskly they may zip round.
They did all of this within the rain too with smiles on their faces.
Archery Classes
The opposite exercise they cherished was archery.
They have been each superb at it, touchdown solely millimeters from the bulls eye, and so they performed faux bow and arrow looking video games via the lodge halls for the rest of the afternoon.
Guided Flashlight Hike
On our first night, we joined an hour lengthy guided flashlight hike, which was a cool addition to our journey.
Every thing is so totally different when considered at midnight beneath the sunshine of a flashlight.
Savannah stayed fairly near my aspect, particularly when studying in regards to the resident black bear, Booboo.
We discovered quite a bit in regards to the forest – the natural world of this space. It was so fascinating and made me fall in love with bushes yet again.
We even had the chance to snack on just a few ants, though handed.
Our information was very educated and passionate in regards to the space and the forest. He was a uncommon native of the native city, Fish Camp, the very small city the place Tenaya Lodge is situated.
You’ll be able to manage these actions (for a payment) with the resort concierge, which I discovered extremely useful. As soon as once more, I actually appreciated the workers at Tenaya.
Campfire S’mores
What’s a Yosemite Nationwide Park lodging expertise with out s’mores?
We have been so grateful on our final night time for the rain and snow to cease so we may go exterior to the firepit and roast s’mores. It doesn’t matter how usually we do that, the ladies by no means get bored with it.
It’s a quite common factor for them to expertise on our 1 yr USA street journey!
You should buy kits from the lodge and so they have a particular fireplace pit for s’mores. If you wish to skip the s’mores and have serenity by the fireplace, exterior the principle restaurant is a big fireplace pit to take a seat round with a glass of wine, or beer.
Once more, each fireplace pits have been buzzing with dialog. The Tenaya Lodge could be very social.
Close by waterfall hike
It’s not simply Yosemite Nationwide Park that you may discover while staying on the lodge. There are climbing trails from the lodge into the Sierra forest surrounding Tenaya.
We took the 5.5 mile return hike to a close-by waterfall and swimming gap. I believe the water was working too furiously to get pleasure from swimming on this space, and too chilly, however apparently it’s a neighborhood hidden gem.
It was a straightforward flat stroll via the forest and was so peaceable and quiet with solely us on the path. We noticed deer alongside the best way as properly!
I cherished the final mile of the hike that took you alongside a slender tree lined path beside the creek. It was fairly and provided a distinct expertise to different Yosemite Nationwide Park trails.
The lodge additionally presents guided hikes to this waterfall on Saturdays.
Record of Tenaya Lodge actions on supply:
- Mountain biking within the Sierra Nationwide Forest
- Wine and paint night time
- Archery classes
- Every day morning guided hikes
- Guided flashlight hikes
- Nightly outside s’mores
- Ranger talks
- Climbing wall
- Youngsters journey course
- Horse again using
- Youngsters camp
- Fishing pole leases
- Snowshoe hikes (winter solely)
- Ice skating rink (winter solely)
- Sledding (winter solely)
Facilities at Tenaya Lodge
Indoor and outside swimming pools and scorching tubs
I believe I discussed the phrase scorching tub just a few instances!
You’ve got your choose of two indoor scorching tubs (one is adults solely) and an outside scorching tub.
Whereas some individuals have been noticed braving the cool temperatures within the outside scorching tub, we caught to easing our drained muscle tissue within the indoor one.
The ladies loved swimming within the indoor pool whereas we watched from the recent tub.
The outside pool is in an exquisite setting surrounded by the forest and has a few totally different swimming pools and scorching tubs. There may be additionally an out of doors bar – Barefoot bar, opened throughout hotter instances.
On some evenings they’ve a dive-in poolside films – which is a film taking part in above the Tenaya lodge pool. You’ll be able to float and swim whereas watching it.
We didn’t get time to do this.
Arcade Video games Room
The ladies cherished the Arcade Room, which was one other place individuals gathered to shoot pool or play backgammon, checkers and chess.
There was two gaming stations, which is what the ladies spent loads of their time doing.
Since I watched a particular on the unfavourable results of the sport Fortnight on a toddler’s mind whereas figuring out within the health heart that morning, I ensured I restricted their time taking part in that recreation!!
Ascent Spa
What would make the last word Yosemite trip?
Amongst the bodily demanding hikes you possibly can stability it out with a deep tissue therapeutic massage.
That will not be everybody’s thought of rest, however you’ll discover different therapeutic massage choices to fit your temper. Or maybe a facial as a substitute, or go full out and do all of them.
After months of climbing within the Southwest, my physique was begging for a deep tissue therapeutic massage. It was superior and gave some reduction to a persistent shoulder problem I’ve.
It’s vital for fogeys to have their outing moments on a household trip, and the Ascent Spa Tenaya Lodge is the most effective place so that you can discover it.
You will get every thing you want on the on-site Spa. Remember to end your therapeutic massage with a steam tub to assist these muscle tissue much more!
The Ascent Spa was an exquisite stress-free house and all company have entry to the steam room and sauna and highly effective showers. Craig and I appreciated ducking down there to have a steam room after a day of climbing in Yosemite.
Subsequent door to the spa can be a health heart/gymnasium. It’s slightly on the small aspect, however has loads of gear to provide you that exercise you want.
Eating places at Tenaya Lodge
Tenaya Lodge has three eating places: Jackalopes Bar & Grill, Embers and Timberloft Pizzeria. We needed to strive the pizza at Timberloft nevertheless it solely opens through the excessive season.
We didn’t eat on the fancier of the 2, Embers. It’s stated to be family-friendly with nice meals, though the ambiance felt extra intimate and quiet so we determined to remain away with our youthful children.
Jackalope’s Bar & Grill
We cherished Jackalope’s Bar & Grill although, and ate there for breakfast and dinner every day!
Jackalope’s was buzzing with glad dialog over good meals and drinks. Our choose was the curried cauliflower and chickpea stew, the caramelized brussel sprouts, and the burgers.
Our children loved their mac and cheese and strawberry shortcake dessert.
Tenaya Lodge Breakfast
For breakfast, you possibly can select from the ala carte menu, or dive into the buffet. The ladies cherished the buffet, whereas the ala carte labored higher for Craig and I with our dietary restrictions.
Though we did have the buffet the primary morning, and the standard of the meals choices was excessive in comparison with different resorts we’ve got stayed at.
There may be additionally the Harvest & Grounds Deli (like a small common retailer/parkside deli) which presents snacks, sandwiches and wraps, salads, picnic lunch, and surprisingly good espresso.
In the summertime, they’ve Timberloft Pizzeria and outside Summerdale BBQ with reside leisure.
Lodging choices at Tenaya Lodge
The lodging at Tenaya Lodge fits all kinds of vacationers, which is another excuse I cherished it. You will get lodge rooms, that are hotel-like, or you possibly can have suites and cottages, that are extra self contained.
All lodge rooms have been renovated in 2019 and have a Excessive Sierra design contact.
Lodge Rooms
For solo vacationers, {couples}, and small households, you’ll be pleased with the Tenaya Lodge rooms.
The choices you may have out there are:
Premium Room
The Premium Room at Tenaya Lodge comes with:
- Two queen beds or one king mattress
- 350 sq. toes
- Particular person room local weather management
- Work desk with laptop information port
- Personal bogs
Prolonged Two Queen Room
Good for households and what we slept in. We discovered this room to be spacious and comfy and cherished the sitting space which got here in useful for working on the desk and taking part in Clue on the espresso desk.
And the ladies have been very excited by the sport choices you could possibly take a look at from the entrance desk.
The Two Queen Room at Tenaya Lodge comes with:
- Two queen beds
- 450 sq. toes
- Sitting space with pull-out couch mattress
- Personal balcony or patio
- Work desk with laptop information port
Spa Room
For many who need slightly extra luxurious and romance, go for the Spa Room. It has a spacious lavatory making it excellent for romantic getaways.
The Spa Room at Tenaya Lodge comes with:
- 550 sq. toes
- One King mattress
- Sitting space with pull-out couch mattress
- Soaking tub
- Separate bathe
- Personal balcony
- Moist bar
Deluxe Suite
The Deluxe Suite presents a separate bed room and residing house space. And the Luxurious Suite presents the identical however at an even bigger stage and mountain lodge décor.
The Deluxe Suite at Tenaya Lodge comes with:
- 650 sq. toes
- King mattress in bed room
- Pull-out queen-size couch mattress in lounge
- Two armoires every with cable flat-screen TV (one in bed room, one in lounge)
- Espresso desk, moist bar and fridge
- Work desk with laptop information port
Luxurious Suite
The Luxurious Suite at Tenaya Lodge comes with:
- 800 sq. toes
- King mattress in bed room
- Pull-out queen-size couch mattress
- Two armoires every with cable flat-screen TV
- Espresso desk, moist bar and fridge
Cottages
For giant teams touring collectively, like a number of households or multi generational households, you’ll love the Tenaya Lodge Cottages.
They’re a part of a duplex or triplex cottage constructing nestled into the Sugar Pine and Incense Cedar forest providing a extra secluded mountain getaway, however only a brief stroll from the principle lodge.
It appears like a comfy neighborhood, and you continue to have entry to all of the lodge facilities.
The duplex (cottage room) or triplex (cottage fits) give you your individual house inside a gaggle journey expertise.
Your group may hire out your entire cottage, however nonetheless have two or three separate sleeping areas. It’s a intelligent lodging providing from Tenaya Lodge.
Explorer Cabins
For self-sufficient vacationers you’ll love the two-bedroom explorer cabins, which include a spacious residing and eating space, a hearth, and a kitchen space with full-sized fridge and low makers.
There are communal Explorer Clubhouses and s’extra fireplace pits.
You can even entry every thing in the principle lodge. They arrive with a fridge and a microwave and a coated porch.
What I appreciated a few keep at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite
I’ve stayed at Tenaya twice, each instances for 3-4 nights. It has simply been certainly one of my favourite resort stays within the USA up to now and is ideal for these searching for an final Yosemite household trip.
Tenaya Lodge was a heat, comfy and pleasant expertise that was an ideal match for the excellent magnificence and outside journey within the Yosemite space.
I cherished coming residence to the lodge after a day on the Yosemite climbing trails to a scorching tub, a glass of wine by the fireplace, a scrumptious meal and conversations with different vacationers world wide.
When touring, we usually spend most of our time interacting with different Individuals in campgrounds, and often in inns we keep at.
Most inns are tremendous busy and everyone seems to be coming and occurring their very own agendas!
However within the Tenaya Lodge it felt extra of a world gathering place and I noticed how a lot I missed that and the way remoted we’re from it.
Don’t get me unsuitable, I like Individuals and am at all times glad to talk with them, however I do miss interacting with individuals from different nations, and Tenaya was just like the previous hostel atmosphere for me – lengthy earlier than sensible telephones took our consideration away.
The variety of company at Tenaya Lodge was superior – younger, previous, {couples}, households, and teams of buddies!
We had conversations within the scorching tub, foyer, dinner desk and across the s’mores campfire at night time with individuals from England, Eire, Australia and America. I additionally heard accents from Germany, France, and Italy.
Oh that is the goodness of journey all proper.
Nobody was too caught up of their telephones to disregard one another.
This place was about sharing your reminiscences of the day exploring Yosemite Nationwide Park and ideas and tidbits for future journey. Similar to the great ole days!
Tenaya Lodge Yosemite had a workers that matched this jovial, pleasant ambiance.
I don’t suppose I’ve encountered extra genuinely pleasant and heat workers earlier than. They have to all be handled properly as you could possibly inform they appreciated their job and so they appreciated individuals.
And did I point out kid-friendly? They also have a children check-in part on the foyer.
I paid shut consideration to their interactions with different company as properly simply to make sure. And I observed the identical consideration and heat to everybody. I used to be so very impressed.
Fashionable décor with heat, calm ambiance
There was a heat calm ambiance all through the lodge.
I’ve stayed at many locations like this earlier than the place the power has been fairly frantic and loud. You didn’t expertise that right here.
It had a stunning, virtually meditative power.
You virtually thought there was nobody round, however then at night time and within the morning the eating areas have been packed and a buzz appeared nevertheless it wasn’t an excessive amount of to harass you. It was simply the proper quantity of glad power.
You can inform this was a spot the place particular reminiscences have been created.
With Yosemite Nationwide Park in your doorstep, you had a lot to speak about over a glass of wine and a scrumptious meal.
Tour desk: shuttle service to Yosemite Nationwide Park
When you don’t need to discover Yosemite by your self, and would really feel extra comfy in a small group tour with an knowledgeable native information, Tenaya Lodge presents full-day or half-day Yosemite excursions.
There may be additionally a Glacier Level sundown and starry skies tour (seasonally).
You probably have solely sooner or later, a tour might be a wonderful method to be sure you see the highlights.
And also you’ll be exploring Yosemite within the consolation of a luxurious tour bus with a roll-back roof.
Free laundry
This will not be of curiosity to some vacationers, nevertheless it positively was to us.
Discovering locations to do our laundry on an extended street journey is a weekly job for us.
Getting access to the washer and dryers in Tenaya, and totally free, was so useful. And in case you’re out doing a number of Yosemite actions, you’d most likely want your closed washed at some stage too!
On the day we checked out we have been capable of do our laundry so we have been prepared for San Francisco.
What I didn’t like about Tenaya Lodge
We all know no lodging is ideal, and we like to incorporate any negatives or challenges we skilled at locations we keep.
There actually wasn’t a lot in any respect. We had a stunning keep and stay up for going again once more.
Restricted eating choices close by
I didn’t like how there wasn’t many eating choices close by to the resort. The closest city was a 20-minute drive away.
The meals at Jackalope was scrumptious, however I do nonetheless like selection and making an attempt totally different locations to eat whereas on trip.
Given it was a resort, the meals was slightly pricier so consuming out can be simpler in your pockets. You can eat out whereas within the Yosemite Nationwide Park, or have a picnic, and simply eat on the resort as soon as, or in your down days.
The drive into Yosemite
Tenaya Lodge is about an hour’s drive from Yosemite Valley, nevertheless it’s solely two miles from the south entrance to the park, after which a couple of minutes to the Mariposa Grove part of Yosemite.
You positively don’t need to miss it. It’s additionally not too removed from Wawona, which is one other village space in Yosemite.
To be clear, I didn’t thoughts it being that distant from the valley. The drive out and in was lovely, particularly the upper sections coated in now and the spectacular Tunnel View we bought toe expertise every time we drove again to Tenaya Lodge.
Plus, I exploit journey time to get work finished within the automobile, so it was tremendous useful for me to get these two hours every day.
After seeing Yosemite Lodge within the Valley (one other Yosemite lodging choice we have been contemplating) I used to be so glad we determined to remain an additional two nights at Tenaya, regardless of the commute in.
Yosemite Lodge has the placement in Yosemite Valley, however the rooms didn’t look that nice (that is after solely seeing the surface and small glimpses via the opened doorways).
They have been motel model buildings so had no central inside house.
What I didn’t like in regards to the thought of staying within the Valley was it was approach too busy.
Folks have been all over the place and there wasn’t that heat relaxed, communal gathering really feel that I cherished a lot about Tenaya.
Noise in room
There was this unusual tapping/knocking noise in our room, close to the toilet partitions, which was fairly noticeable through the nonetheless of the night time, which we reported to the entrance desk.
We don’t know if it was as a result of there was a lot rain and one thing was frequently dripping, or it was a pipe vibrating, or what?
I’m a fairly heavy sleeper so it didn’t hassle me an excessive amount of, nevertheless it irritated Craig and Kalyra. I’m positive we simply had a nasty pipe or one thing.
FAQs about Tenaya Lodge
Right here’s what individuals often ask us about staying at Tenaya Lodge…
How far is Tenaya Lodge from Yosemite Valley?
To drive from Tenaya Lodge to Yosemite Village takes roughly 1 hour and quarter-hour.
What elevation is Tenaya Lodge?
5,288 toes in elevation, above the warmth of the Central Valley.
Is Tenaya pet-friendly?
Tenaya accepts a most of two well-mannered canines within the premium and cottage rooms solely, and a pet payment is utilized. No different pet varieties are allowed.
Is there a resort payment?
Sure, there’s a resort payment of $30.00 per night time in addition to a each day $0.75 CA Tourism Payment.
The right way to get to Tenaya Lodge
Tenaya Lodge is situated within the city of Fish Camp, which is 2 miles (4km) from the Mariposa Grove entrance (South Gate) to Yosemite Nationwide Park.
If you’re driving from San Francisco Airport to Tenaya Lodge, it is going to take you approx 4.5 hours at a distance of 208 miles. From Los Angeles to Tenaya Lodge, it is going to take roughly 5 hours to drive and 277 miles.
Even additional afield, Las Vegas to Tenaya Lodge (by way of Bakersfiled) is 455 miles and takes approx 8.5 hours.
Above is a map of Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Fish Camp CA. You should utilize this map to search out instructions out of your present vacation spot. Or you possibly can enter the tackle into your GPS.
The tackle is: 1122 CA-41, Fish Camp, CA 93623
The Verdict: Would we advocate Tenaya Lodge?
I hope you discovered this Tenaya Lodge evaluate useful and insightful. We had a beautiful keep right here and I general we might advocate Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite for anybody searching for a memorable Yosemite household trip expertise.
Staying in Yosemite Valley can be purely for the placement, however staying at Tenaya Lodge Fish Camp was a spotlight of our Yosemite journey.
Video: Exploring Yosemite Nationwide Park with children
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