This Yosemite Lodge Is The Perfect Family Getaway Near The Park

The cabins and cottages are scattered throughout the property’s spacious 20 acres, nestled in between the towering trees that cast the California sunshine in rays of red, gold, and green across the property. The modern accommodations are furnished with cozy amenities like comfortable beds, a private deck, technology like Alexa Devices and gourmet coffee makers, and even air conditioning.

We hope you love the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite! Just so you know, Matador may collect a small commission from the links on this page if you decide to book a stay. Listed prices are accurate as of the time of publication.

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Evergreen’s dedicated recreation team

After visiting this lodge, one of the things that stands out the most about the property is the experienced, on-site “Recreation Team,” which hosts guided Yosemite tours and offers free, helpful planning advice to guests. I spoke with their team on my first day visiting, and they told me that nearly half of the guests at Evergreen are international visitors seeking advice on where to go.

Visitors who want to pay for a guided tour can let the recreation team take care of the details that can be more logistically challenging, like driving and parking in the park — and they can learn from the most knowledgeable minds on the history and geography of this famed park, firsthand.

There are dozens of guided excursions, including hikes for various levels, biking trips, snowshoeing outings, fly fishing, backpacking, and even leisurely airplane rides over the scenic landscapes of the national park.

Aside from the off-site excursion opportunities, I was impressed with how many activities there were to do on-site. For those who are spending a few days in the area and don’t want to take the trek into the park every day, there are plenty of ways to stay entertained on the lodge grounds.

There’s a frisbee disk golf course, multiple playgrounds with activities like ziplines in various areas of the property, a ping pong table in the main plaza, and bocce ball courts scattered throughout. There is tons to do for all ages and interests without stepping foot off the grounds, which feel large and offer plenty of open space to soak in the fresh air and enjoy the peace.

Yes, the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite has a pool and hot tub

Soak into the western-facing heated, sparkling, 2,000-square-foot saltwater swimming pool and adjacent Jacuzzi feature, open year-round and surrounded by stunning fresh forest air and sunset views in the evening.

It’s the perfect space for adults and kids to enjoy during the day or sink into after a fun day out on the trails. The pool ranges from 3-feet- to 4.5-feet deep. There’s a large shallow section for children and a deeper area for adults. Here, hot tub stargazing is a popular pastime on nights with little moonlight.

Wellness offerings at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

For a simple way to unwind and experience the scenic nature of the area, sit at the sunset deck on the western edge of the property, which has a spectacular view to watch the sun setting below the treeline as it lights up the sky.

Or, stroll along the property’s nature trail, which travels safely through the woods surrounding the property’s perimeter, providing a great way to explore the grounds while learning about nature, wildlife and natural history. This family-friendly trail is just under one mile in length.

If you want to book a soothing massage, Evergreen has “massage cabanas” shaped like yurts hidden out in the woods amongst the pine trees and fresh air for an unbeatable chance to relax in the great outdoors.

Guests can also access the large and luxurious Rush Creek Spa at Evergreen’s sister lodge, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa, just down the road. This property hosts a full range of treatments and even sells day-use passes (including a discounted rate on day passes in the evening). I loved visiting the spa after a tough day of hiking and settling in amongst the therapies like the “Cool Mist Room” and “Warm Waterfall Coves.”

Guest rooms at the Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

No matter what type of room guests stay in, the property is a great spot for couples, families, and groups to set up a home base while exploring Greater Yosemite.

The rooms and amenities feel rustic but also luxurious — mixing modern comforts like well-equipped private bathrooms with traditional outdoor adventure rituals (for example, there aren’t any TVs in the room, and there’s barely any WiFi — but there are plenty of board games and books).

The large Deluxe Cabins are great for couples or solo travelers. These spaces feature an open floor plan outfitted with high ceilings, a king-sized bed, a living area with another queen-sized sofa bed, and a cast iron gas fireplace. There’s also a private deck outside to get some fresh air.

The one-bedroom cottages are a great choice for couples who want more spacious accommodations or small families who want more privacy. These cottages have one bedroom space outfitted with a king-sized bed, a living room space with a queen sofa bed, and a cast iron gas fireplace, as well as a private deck outside.

The Two Bedroom Family Cabin, which is the type of accommodation I stayed in while visiting, is great for families of all sizes who want some more room and a bit of privacy. They feature a bedroom with a comfortable king bed — as well as a second, separate bedroom with twin beds. In between, there’s a spacious living room area with a queen sofa bed. Outside, there’s a private deck.

For families who are budget-conscious or don’t mind sharing space, the historic One-Room Family Cabins have one room outfitted with a queen bed, bunk beds, and a sitting area. There’s also a large timber front porch outside. These cabins date back to the 1930s but have been updated to feature modern amenities.

The Vintage Cabins, which are great for up to two budget-conscious travelers, feature a cozy room with a queen bed, a small reading area and an outdoor deck space.
The property offers plenty of ADA-accessible options for travelers, as well.

Sustainability

Something I thought made the property feel special is the team’s strong focus on protecting the natural environment and genuinely caring about sustainability — both in terms of eco-friendly and socially-minded practices.

Many of the employees at Evergreen are part of the Youth Employment Program. This Certified B Corporation program supports and operates a behind-the-scenes opportunity to give young adults from disadvantaged backgrounds a chance to work on-site, enjoy access to the fresh air of the outdoors, and take advantage of professional resources like career and life counseling.

The lodge also features Earth-friendly initiatives like Tuolumne County’s first commercial greywater system and charging stations for Teslas and other electric cars (free for overnight guests and available for a small fee to daily visitors).

Dining and drinking

While you’re at Evergreen, you won’t go hungry. Quite the opposite, in fact — there are multiple spots to grab a bite, ranging in price point and atmosphere.

The restaurant at the Main Lodge serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner using locally sourced ingredients and natural meats. Here, guests can eat inside the dining room, which feels like something out of a cozy fairytale, out on the big wooden front porch in the fresh air, or on the open-air, covered patio heated in the winter.

The Tavern is a historic spot made of wood that’s served as a gathering place for more than a century. Here, guests can relax and have a brew or a cocktail and dine in a spirited setting. The tavern is open for lunch and dinner and features 10 beers on tap at any given time, as well as knowledgeable bartenders who mix classic cocktails and fun, seasonal specials. The Tavern features live music on many weekends and has classic bar entertainment like a pool table for visitors. It’s a great place to meet other guests from all over the world and hear about their travels.

Over by the swimming pool, there’s a seasonal, full-service pool bar that serves libations and light bites. During the summer, the pool area doubles as an evening barbecue venue with rotating nightly menus serving dishes like Caribbean and Southwest barbecue.

Those seeking a quick grab-and-go bite or coffee can’t miss the General Store & Gift Shop’s offerings. This shop is adjacent to the Reception Desk and sells goods like Yosemite maps and souvenirs including locally made crafts, mugs, nature books, stickers, and jewelry. It’s also stocked with almost any toiletries and provisions you might’ve left home — from sunblock to toothpaste, batteries, water bottles, and even children’s toys.

Grab fresh breakfast items in the morning, like a coffee or breakfast burrito, before heading out on a hike. There are snack options to make a fresh picnic bag, like freshly made deli sandwiches, trail mix, cheese, peanut butter, bread, and cookies. There’s also an impressive selection of beer and wine.

For me, it felt nice not to have to worry about finding a grocery store before or after a long day on the trails and have almost everything I’d need to enjoy a fresh, hot breakfast or low-key dinner in my cabin. I loved getting a tasty pint of ice cream at this shop after a long and exhausting day of hiking.

Meetings and events

For those seeking a spot to host a special event or conference, this lodge is a gorgeous place for group gatherings. A wedding took place in the Main Plaza while I was visiting — and it looked like so much fun.

The Main Plaza space is ideal for gatherings between 75 and 225 guests. This area has games, including horseshoes, bocce ball, and a ping pong table, and is home to the outdoor dining area and sun deck area with picnic tables and benches beneath the shade of the towering trees. Separately, the central Sun Deck space alone can host between 16 and 90 guests with nearly 900 square feet of outdoor space next to The Tavern and Recreation Building.

Nearby, Tuolumne Hall is ideal for gatherings of between 50 and 130 guests, featuring a large hall space with vaulted ceilings, cathedral windows, and a traditional rustic atmosphere.

Up on Coyote Hill on the other edge of the property, there’s 3,000 square feet of outdoor event space — great for gatherings between 40 and 225. This venue is more secluded and private, and comes with design elements like a private campfire ring.

And at the Cedar Room, host an event between 10 and 40 guests in a place perfect for smaller meetings with a nice view — directly overlooking the pool and featuring a private, covered outdoor patio.

No matter how outdoorsy you are, this historic spot is a great spot set in a convenient location for exploring Greater Yosemite. There are various accommodation types for families, solo travelers, groups, and couples. There are multiple places to eat on-site and plenty of entertainment for visitors of all ages. It’s a comfortable and homey place to retire and rest after a day of adventures at one of the world’s most famous and favorite national parks.

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