Looking for a review of Tenaya at Yosemite? Read on to know what to expect on your visit.
I stayed at Tenaya Lodge for 3 nights while visiting Yosemite National Park.
It had everything I needed for a comfortable stay, and then some.
Read on for my full review!
Where is Tenaya Lodge?
Tenaya at Yosemite is located just 2 miles and 5-10 minutes from the south entrance to Yosemite National Park, off CA-41.
It is in the Sierra National Forest.
There’s only one road from the lodge straight into the park so it was easy for me to find the lodge despite not having phone service or use of my GPS.
To get here, I flew into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and rented a car. It was about an hour and a half drive from the airport to the lodge.
What are the accommodation options at Tenaya?
There are several types of accommodations available at Tenaya, indulging:
- Lodge Room (pictured above)
- Lodge Suites
- Explorer Cabins
- Cottage Rooms & Suites
If you want to be attached to the main lodge (an important consideration during chillier months) then the lodge rooms or suites are the way to go.
The Explorer Cabins and Cottage Rooms & Suites are a short walk from the main lodge.
Note, Tenaya is generally a pet-friendly property.
I found my room to be quiet and peaceful.
It had a mini-fridge, which was helpful for storing leftovers. It also came with two plush robes.
I had full control of the thermostat and since I visited in November. I was alternating between AC and heating.
The water pressure was strong and the hot water felt so relaxing after a long day.
Are there dining options on site?
There are several dining options in Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite National Park, some of them seasonal.
I dined at Jackalope’s Bar & Grill twice for dinner. It is a sit-down restaurant with meals ranging from $25-$50.
Reservations are recommended, particularly during weekends and the dinner time rush, around 7pm.
I also had breakfast twice at the Parkside Deli. They feature local products and snacks. I got artisanal chocolate and breakfast sandwiches. Prices range from $5-$15 here.
There’s also Embers, an elevated dining experience with a preset 4-course or 7-course menu.
There is also Timberloft Pizzeria, Gold Rush BBQ, and the Bearfoot Bar by the outdoor pool.
Room service is available.
I appreciated having a variety of meal options on site because the last thing you want to do after a full day of hiking in the parks is hit the road in search of food.
What recreational activities are available at or near the lodge?
There are plenty of activities to keep you busy at and around the lodge.
There’s a game room with a pool table, foosball table, air hockey table, giant Connect 4, movie theatre area, and more.
There are also lawn games like corn hole.
There is an indoor pool and 3 outdoor pools. There are also 5 hot tubs, two of them adults only.
The lodge offers activities on the property like mountain biking and guided snowshoe hikes. Inquire at the front desk for availability.
They have fire pits throughout and offer a smore’s bar at night where you can get all the suppies you need to roast marshmallows and make s’mores, free of charge.
Less than a mile from the lodge on a narrow side road is Yosemite Trails, where you can go horseback riding.
Just 10 minutes from the lodge is the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, a scenic steam train that takes you through the forest.
Does Tenaya Lodge have a spa?
There is a spa on the bottom floor of the main lodge called the Ascent Spa.
Guests have free use of the sauna and steam room. They also offer massages and other services for a fee.
Is there a shuttle service to Yosemite National Park?
There is no shuttle bus from Tenaya to Yosemite National Park. This would be tough to do since a lot of places in the park are spread out and require driving.
Guests should be prepared with their own transportation to and from the parks.
What Tenaya does provide is free snacks for the road, like Trail Mix or candies.
They also have a water refill station that allows you to pick between still and sparkling water and a variety of flavors, from strawberry to lime.
Is Tenaya Lodge a good place to stay while visiting Yosemite?
Would I recommend a stay in Tenaya at Yosemite?
There was on-site parking, strong WiFi, and a suggested itinerary every day.
You can’t get any closer without actually being in the park, and the in-park accommodations don’t offer as many amenities.
The concierge on site seemed helpful and knowledgable about the conditions of the park.
The property has been recently renovated. It features stunning architectural details with exposed wooden beams, natural light, and high ceilings.
There’s an entire hallway of Michael Ambrose photographs.
There are also some stores on site if you want to shop for souvenirs.
The property is elegant, expansive, and well equipped. I would definitely recommend it for families or couples.
Till next time, safe travels!
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This post was sponsored by Yosemite Mariposa County. All opinions are my own.