Questions about Tenaya Lodge
How do I make a dinner reservation?
For reservations at Embers, please call us at 888-514-2167 and select option 4. Jackalopes Bar & Grill also accepts reservations for groups of six or more.
What time can I check in?
Accommodations are available for check in at 4:00PM. Check out is at 11:00AM.
Do you have Room Service?
Yes, we do. Please see our Room Service page for full details.
How do I get to Tenaya Lodge?
Please see our Directions to Tenaya Lodge page for maps and directions coming from various different starting points.
Is there any public transit from the airport to Tenaya Lodge?
YARTS provides bus service during the summer months. See the public transit section of our maps and directions page.
Is there public transit from Tenaya Lodge to Yosemite Valley?
YARTS provides bus service during the summer months. See the public transit section of our maps and directions page.
How can I request adjacent rooms?
You can include this request in the "Reservation Notes" section when booking on-line or you can call our Central Reservations office at 888-514-2167 and an agent will facilitate this request.
What are the hours of the pool, laundry facility, fitness center and game room?
- Indoor Pool: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Outdoor Pool: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM (Summer Only)
- Laundry Facility: 24 Hours
- Fitness Center: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
- Game Room: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
When we reserve a Cottage Room or an Explorer Cabin, do we have the entire cottage or cabin to ourselves?
Tenaya Lodge offers Two-Bedroom Explorer Cabins which you have all to yourself with two bedrooms, a living room and balcony or porch. These are standalone cabins.
Our typical cottage has two Cottage Rooms downstairs and a Cottage Suite upstairs. You will be reserving only a single room or a single suite. Learn more about Cottage Rooms and Suites.
Where are the nearest hiking trails?
- Jackson Road. Leave right from the hotel and hike to a waterfall in 2.5 miles, or you can drive the first two miles and just hike the last part. Jackson Road connects to a vast network of dirt roads in the Sierra National Forest.
- Lewis Creek. 10 minutes south of Tenaya Lodge.
- Goat Meadow. 10 minutes north of Tenaya Lodge.
Many more options exist both in Yosemite National Park and in the vast Sierra National Forest. Speak with the concierge for suggestions and maps.
What will the weather be like when I visit?
Of course, we can't predict the weather months in advance, but we do have a weather page that has forecasts for several different altitudes in the area and some data on seasonal averages. For current conditions, also see the live Tenaya Lodge webcam.
Can my dog stay at Tenaya Lodge? Can my dog dine with me?
Yes! We even have special packages for Fido. See our Pet-Friendly Lodging page and our Deluxe Pampered Pet Package for more information. Please note that you must obtain prior approval when making your reservation if your dog weighs fifty pounds or more.
As for dining, California law only allows service animals in restaurants, so we can only allow non-service dogs on the patio at designated tables and they are not allowed to enter or exit through the restaurant itself.
To see all the policies relating to pets at Tenaya Lodge, please see the Pet Policy section at the bottom of our Pet-Friendly Lodging page.
Questions About Yosemite National Park
How long does the park stay open?
The park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
How much does it cost to enter Yosemite?
| Fee Type | Fee | |
| Non-commercial Vehicle | $35 | per vehicle | |
| Motorcycle | $30 | per motorcycle | |
| Individual (bus passenger, bicycle) | $20 | per person |
For a full list of fees including commercial fees and annual passes, the Senior Pass (for US citizens and permanent residents 62 and older), the Access Pass (for US citizens and permanent residents with permanent disabilities) see the National Park Service fee page.
I only have a few hours, how do I see the park?
Yosemite National Park is vast and you will only be able to see a small portion of it in a few hours, but you can still see some of the most famous sites and most breathtaking scenery. Some things to do for a short visit include:
- Visit to Glacier Point.
- Visit Yosemite Valley, with stops at Tunnel View and perhaps quick hikes to Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall (possibly dry in late summer and early autumn depending on the year).
- Visit the Pioneer Village in Wawona and relax by the river.
For more ideas, visit the National Park Service suggested activities page.
Driving Distances
- How far is it to Yosemite Valley? Count on roughly one hour and 15 minutes to drive the 37 miles from Tenaya Lodge to Yosemite Valley.
- How far is it to Glacier Point? Glacier point is about a one-hour drive from Tenaya Lodge.
- How far is to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias? The Mariposa Grove is four miles from the hotel. Exciting News! The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias has re-opened!! The grove has been closed for 4 years for restoration, don't miss this chance to see the changes!
Where is the Ansel Adams Gallery?
The Ansel Adams Gallery is between the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and the Post Office in Yosemite Village.
Where is the Hill Studio?
The Hill Studio is in the Wawona Visitor Center on the grounds of the Big Trees Lodge.
Why are bears breaking into cars in Yosemite?
Black bears are opportunistic feeders. Bears will break into cars to obtain food if it is more readily available than natural food sources. The only way to solve the problem is to keep all sources of unnatural food away from bears! During the day, all food in cars must be hidden from site. Cover coolers and grocery bags with a blanket or put them in the trunk. For overnight parking, all food should be removed from your vehicle and placed in your room or a secure storage locker.
Are pets allowed in the park?
We welcome dogs at Tenaya Lodge and the Sierra National Forest around the lodge provides miles and miles of roads and trails to explore with your pet. See our pet-friendly lodging page and our Deluxe Pampered Pet Package for more information. Please be aware that your pet will be less welcome inside the park gate and subject to the following rules:
- Pets are NOT permitted in any Yosemite lodging facility.
- Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite allows pets/dogs.
- Pets must be kept on leash at all times.
- Pets may not be left unattended at any time.
- Pets are not allowed on trails or in the back country of Yosemite, including ski trails in winter.
- Pets are permitted anywhere on the Valley Floor, Happy Isles Nature Center and Mirror Lake Parking Lot. Pets are also permitted on the Pohono Bridge and on paved paths not designated as a foot or horse trail.
- Pets are NOT permitted on any slope above the valley floor.
- Pets are NOT permitted in public eating places, stores or other public buildings.
- Exceptions are made for seeing-eye dogs and "hearing" dogs. Inquire at the Park Visitor Centers or
- Ranger Stations for more information. (Service animals are allowed in lodging facilities).
There is no kennel service in Yosemite Valley.
Where can I drive my car?
There are many scenic areas that can be reached by car. A number of these areas will have turn-outs and/or informational signs. Popular destinations such as Yosemite Valley, the Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows suffer from traffic congestion. Visitors are encouraged to use free shuttle bus transportation provided at these locations.
Areas restricted from vehicle traffic are:
- Happy Isles Loop*
- Mirror Lake Road*
- Various sections of the shuttle bus route in Yosemite Village*
- Merced Grove
- Tuolumne Grove
- Mariposa Grove
*Excluding persons with permanent disabilities.
Free parking areas exist in proximity to these areas.
In the winter, the Tioga Road (Hwy 120 East), the Glacier Point Road from Yosemite Ski and Snowboard Area to Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove Road are closed. Other park roads may close temporarily due to heavy snow, rockslides, etc. 24-hour road and weather conditions may be obtained by calling 209-372-0200.
Explore Tenaya Lodge
