Frequently Asked Questions

Check-in: 3:00 PM. Check-out: 10:00 AM.

No early check-in or late check-out is available — our cleaning teams need the full window between guests to thoroughly prepare the cabin. We appreciate your understanding.

Your access codes, keypad instructions, parking directions, and full arrival guide will be sent to your email address 24 hours before your check-in date. Both cabins use keypad self-entry — no physical key or in-person check-in is required. If you haven't received your codes by the morning of your arrival, email contact@yosemitewestcabins.com immediately.

You can book directly through our website at yosemitewestcabins.com — our Hostaway booking engine processes payments securely. Direct booking avoids third-party platform service fees (which can add 12–18% on platforms like Airbnb or VRBO), so the rate you see is genuinely the best available.

Our standard cancellation terms are displayed at checkout during booking and form the binding agreement:

• More than 30 days before check-in: Full refund of rental amount, less any non-refundable processing fees.
• 15–30 days before check-in: 50% refund of the rental amount.
• Less than 15 days before check-in: No refund. The full rental amount is non-refundable.

We strongly recommend travel insurance for any trip to Yosemite, given the possibility of winter road closures or unexpected events.

Minimum stay requirements vary by season and availability. In peak summer season (June–August) and holiday weekends, a 2–3 night minimum typically applies. Off-peak seasons may allow single-night bookings. Current minimums are always shown during the booking process.

A refundable security deposit may be required and will be collected at the time of booking. It will be returned within 7–14 business days after check-out, less any deductions for damages, excessive cleaning required, or policy violations.

We have two separate units in a private duplex at 7240 Yosemite Pkwy:

El Capitan Hideaway (7240) — A-Frame upper unit. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, sleeps up to 7 guests. Warm wood interiors, large windows with forest views, full kitchen, dining area, living room. Ideal for families or groups.

Half Dome Haven (7240A) — Open-plan studio lower unit. Queen bed in open studio layout with forest views, full kitchen, 1 bathroom. Sofa bed accommodates 2 more guests — sleeps up to 4. Ideal for couples, small groups, or remote workers.

• El Capitan Hideaway: Up to 7 guests. 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms.
• Half Dome Haven: Up to 4 guests (queen bed + sofa bed and/or air mattress on request). Studio, 1 bathroom.
• Both cabins combined: Up to 9–11 guests across the two adjacent units. Great for multi-family groups.

El Capitan Hideaway: 7240 Yosemite Pkwy, Yosemite West, CA 95389
Half Dome Haven: 7240A Yosemite Pkwy, Yosemite West, CA 95389

Both units share the same driveway. Detailed turn-by-turn directions from the park entrance and from Wawona Road are included in your arrival email. GPS works reasonably well but can occasionally route you via unmaintained forest roads — follow the written directions if GPS seems off.

Yes. Both cabins have dedicated off-street parking spaces in the shared driveway. El Capitan Hideaway can accommodate 2–3 vehicles. Half Dome Haven has 1–2 spaces. Large RVs or towed trailers may not fit — contact us in advance if you're arriving in an oversized vehicle.

The cabins sit at approximately 6,000 feet elevation inside Yosemite National Park. This means cooler temperatures year-round compared to lower elevations, possible snow from November through April, and exceptional air quality and stargazing. Guests arriving from sea level may feel mild altitude effects — stay hydrated and ease into strenuous hikes on your first day.

No. Yosemite West is a private inholding community located inside the park boundary. As a cabin guest at 7240 Yosemite Pkwy, you are considered a park resident and are exempt from the timed-entry vehicle reservation requirement when driving to and from the park. You can leave the cabin and drive into Yosemite Valley at any time, regardless of timed-entry windows. This is one of the biggest practical advantages of staying with us over hotels outside the park.

Yes — the standard Yosemite entrance fee applies when you enter through the park gates on your arrival day. As of 2025, the fee is $35 per vehicle (valid for 7 days) or covered by an America the Beautiful annual pass. Once inside the park and at the cabin, you do not pay again to access park areas during your stay. We recommend the America the Beautiful pass ($80/year) if you plan to visit multiple national parks.

• Yosemite Valley (Tunnel View, El Capitan, Half Dome views): 13 miles · ~20 min
• Glacier Point: 7 miles · ~15 min (open late May–early Nov)
• Badger Pass Ski Area: 9 miles · ~15 min
• Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: 16 miles · ~25 min
• Bridalveil Fall: 11 miles · ~18 min
• Yosemite Village (dining/supplies): 14 miles · ~22 min
• Pioneer Market, El Portal (groceries): ~25 min outside park
• Mariposa town (full services): ~35 min outside park

Yes. Once you've paid your entrance fee, your receipt is valid for 7 days and covers re-entry. If you leave the park for groceries, a Mariposa dinner, or gas and return, simply show your receipt at the entrance gate. During timed-entry periods, re-entry from outside the park may require a timed-entry reservation — but since your cabin is inside the park, you can also choose never to leave through a gate if you want to avoid that complexity.

No pets are permitted at either cabin. This policy applies to all animals — dogs, cats, and otherwise. Violations result in forfeiture of the security deposit. Please note that Yosemite National Park also prohibits pets on most trails and in many areas of the park.

No smoking of any kind is permitted anywhere on the property — indoors, on any deck or porch, or anywhere on the grounds. This includes cigarettes, cigars, vaping, cannabis, and any other combustible product. California fire risk in this forested area is extremely high. Violations result in forfeiture of the security deposit and may result in immediate termination of the stay.

No late check-out is available. Check-out is strictly at 10:00 AM. Our cleaning crews are scheduled immediately after check-out to prepare the cabin for incoming guests. We appreciate your cooperation in ensuring the cabin is vacated by 10AM.

The cabins are private residential properties in a quiet neighborhood. Parties, loud gatherings, and events are not permitted. Quiet hours apply from 10:00 PM to 8:00 AM. The maximum occupancy for each cabin must not be exceeded.

Yosemite has an active black bear population. You must:

• Never leave food, scented items, or trash in your vehicle overnight. Bears in Yosemite West learn to break into cars and are remarkably effective at it.
• Store all food in the bear-proof storage boxes provided or inside the locked cabin.
• Dispose of trash only in the bear-proof containers outside the cabin.
• Never approach, feed, or interact with wildlife.

Guests who leave food in vehicles that attracts bears may be liable for damages and any resulting fines from the National Park Service.

Yes, high-speed WiFi is available at both cabins. Cell service in Yosemite West and throughout most of Yosemite National Park is limited — most carriers have minimal or no signal in the Valley and surrounding areas. We recommend downloading offline maps (Google Maps or Maps.me), your music, podcasts, and any streaming content before arriving. The cabin WiFi allows VoIP calling and video calls.

Both cabins have full kitchens with everything needed for cooking full meals:

• Full-size refrigerator and freezer
• Stovetop and oven
• Microwave
• Drip coffee maker
• Pots, pans, cooking utensils, and dishware for all guests
• Dish soap, sponges, and paper towels provided

We recommend stocking up on groceries in Mariposa (35 min) or El Portal (25 min) before arriving — food options inside the park are expensive and limited.

Yes. All beds are made up with fresh linens for your arrival. Towels, bath mats, and basic toiletries (soap, shampoo) are provided. Please bring your own beach or pool towels if you plan to swim.

A laundry room with washer and dryer is available on-site. Detergent is provided.

At 6,000 feet elevation, Yosemite West rarely requires air conditioning — summer highs are typically in the 70s°F during the day and drop to the 40–50s°F at night, which is comfortable without AC. Heating is provided and is especially important from October through April when temperatures can drop below freezing overnight.

Every season at Yosemite West offers something different:

• Spring (March–May): Peak waterfall season, blooming meadows, manageable crowds. Our top pick for most visitors.
• Summer (June–August): All trails open, warm days, swimming holes — but peak crowds and prices.
• Fall (September–November): Golden oak color, cool hiking weather, dramatically fewer crowds. Deeply underrated.
• Winter (December–February): Snow-draped forests, near-empty park, lowest prices, Badger Pass skiing. A genuine hidden gem.

Read our full month-by-month Yosemite guide on the blog.

Yes — a Half Dome permit is required for the cables section (roughly Memorial Day through Columbus Day weekend). Permits are distributed via a pre-season lottery and a daily lottery on recreation.gov. The pre-season lottery opens in March for summer dates — apply as early as possible. Day-of permits are also released at midnight the day before, though they go quickly. Our cabin location means you can start the 14–17 mile hike with the early 5–6AM departure that Half Dome requires.

We strongly recommend stocking up before you enter the park. Options inside the park are limited and expensive. Best stops:

• Mariposa (35 min, before the park): Full grocery stores, Walmart, pharmacies, gas, restaurants.
• El Portal Pioneer Market (~25 min from cabin): Smaller market just inside the Arch Rock entrance — good for top-ups.
• Yosemite Village Store: Basic groceries available but limited selection and higher prices.

Stock enough for all your cabin breakfasts and packed trail lunches — it will save significant money versus Valley dining.

There is no gas available in Yosemite West or Yosemite Valley. Fill up in Mariposa, El Portal, or Groveland before entering the park. If you need gas during your stay, El Portal (25 min) has a station just outside the Arch Rock entrance. Don't rely on finding gas once inside the park.

Yes — many of our guests book both properties simultaneously. El Capitan Hideaway and Half Dome Haven share the same driveway at the same address, making them ideal for multi-family groups, extended families, or two couples traveling together. Combined capacity is 9–11 guests across both units. Email contact@yosemitewestcabins.com to check joint availability and inquire about group arrangements.

Absolutely. El Capitan Hideaway's three bedrooms make it ideal for families — parents in the master, children in the additional bedrooms. The full kitchen means you can cook family meals, pack trail lunches, and avoid expensive Valley dining. Yosemite has exceptional kid-friendly experiences including the Junior Ranger program, Bridalveil Fall, Mariposa Grove, and Mirror Lake. Read our complete family guide to Yosemite West on the blog.

El Capitan Hideaway is an A-Frame with stairs. Half Dome Haven is the lower unit and may be more accessible, but the cabin property is on a forest hillside with an uneven exterior terrain. Neither unit is certified ADA-accessible. Please contact us at contact@yosemitewestcabins.com to discuss specific needs before booking.

Yes — carry tire chains whenever visiting November through April. Chain control can be enacted on Wawona Road (the main access road to Yosemite West) with very little notice during and after storms. R1 (chains or traction tires required) and R2 (chains required on all vehicles) conditions apply. California law requires you to carry chains even if conditions are clear when you enter — conditions can change rapidly at elevation. Chains are available at hardware and auto stores in Mariposa. Check nps.gov/yose before every winter drive.

Summer at 6,000 feet elevation is remarkably pleasant compared to lower elevations:

• Daytime: 65–78°F (18–25°C) — warm and sunny, ideal for hiking
• Nights: 40–52°F (4–11°C) — cool to cold, even in July. Always bring layers.
• Afternoon thunderstorms: Possible July–August, usually brief. Keep an eye on the sky on exposed summit hikes.

No. Glacier Point Road typically closes from early November through late May, depending on snowpack. It provides the only vehicle access to Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, and Taft Point. In winter, these areas can be reached by skiing or snowshoeing from the Badger Pass area. Check current conditions at nps.gov/yose before planning a Glacier Point visit.

• San Francisco Bay Area: ~3.5–4 hours via I-580 E to CA-120 E (summer) or CA-140 E through El Portal year-round.
• Los Angeles: ~5.5–6 hours via I-5 N to CA-99 N to CA-140 E.
• Sacramento: ~3 hours via CA-99 S to CA-140 E.
• San Diego: ~7–8 hours via I-5 N or I-15 N.

Note: If entering via Big Oak Flat (CA-120 W from the Bay Area), this route is seasonally closed in winter. The El Portal / CA-140 route is open year-round and recommended for winter visits.

A personal vehicle is essential for staying at Yosemite West. The YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) bus serves Yosemite Valley from Merced and Mammoth Lakes, but does not stop at Yosemite West. Once in the Valley, the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle covers most Valley attractions — but getting to and from our cabin requires a car. If you don't have a vehicle, we recommend looking at Valley lodging options instead.

• Fresno Yosemite International (FAT): ~2 hours from the cabin. Best airport for Yosemite access.
• San Francisco International (SFO): ~3.5–4 hours.
• Oakland International (OAK): ~3.5 hours — often cheaper flights than SFO.
• Los Angeles International (LAX): ~5.5–6 hours.

A rental car is essential — there is no shuttle from any airport directly to Yosemite West.