Wawona Hotel

Wawona Hotel is a mountain lodge built in 1876 within Yosemite National Park, featuring six Victorian buildings spread across the property grounds. The facility provides 104 guest rooms furnished with antiques and offers various outdoor recreation areas on its expansive site.

Galen Clark, a former gold prospector, built the first structure as a log cabin on the original path leading to Yosemite Valley. This simple dwelling eventually grew into a larger inn welcoming visitors to the park's mountains.

The hotel holds evening gatherings where guests meet in the lounge to listen to piano performances, keeping alive a tradition rooted in its past. These occasions bring visitors together and reflect how the property has long served as a social meeting place for travelers.

The lodge sits about 27 miles south of Yosemite Valley along Highway 41 and operates from March through November, with certain December dates available for winter stays. Its location makes it a good base for exploring the southern park area and surrounding forest landscapes.

The property maintains a digital detox setting with no televisions or telephones in guest rooms, encouraging visitors to focus on natural surroundings. This absence of modern distractions allows guests to fully engage with the mountain landscape and quieter pursuits.

Location: Mariposa County

Inception: 1876

Website: https://travelyosemite.com/lodging/wawona-hotel

GPS coordinates: 37.53684,-119.65497

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:29