Evergreen Lodge, Yosemite

Location

Set on 22 acres of wooded land bordering Yosemite National Park, Evergreen Lodge is approximately a 40 minutes’ scenic drive from the centre of Yosemite Valley. Here, ancient glacier-carved valleys, punctuated only by crystal-clear lakes, are carpeted in some of the world’s largest trees and flanked by soaring granite cliffs. To get around, simply drive in (or take the park and ride shuttle bus) and start hiking some of the 800 miles of crisscrossing hiking trails.

Accommodation

Tucked away among the towering pine trees, accommodation comes in the form of spacious log cabins furnished with comfy beds and feather pillows. Coming in a variety of setups, all feature private decks with forest views and large living areas decorated in historic rural artwork of the region. Many Deluxe Cabins also come with cast iron fireplaces – perfect to warm your feet by after a long hike. For large families, the expansive John Muir House’s three bedrooms is ideal while pre-erected tents are perfect for the budget-conscious looking to get closer to nature.

Dining

Choose from a variety of intimate dining settings in the Main Lodge for breakfast; there’s the cosy dining room, an old-west front porch, a classic tavern or an open-air heated patio that looks over the main plaza onto the surrounding woods. Fuel up with a hearty American breakfast, or pack trail supplies from the General Store, before enjoying a selection of light bites for lunch. For dinner, the lodge, serves a collection of crowd-pleasers including burgers, steaks and seafood, while the chef also puts on a range of more innovative, seasonal items.

Facilities

Experienced guides take guests on tours through Yosemite’s hiking trails to some of the park’s secret sites, including rim walks and granite gorges. While many Yosemite hotels come with a pool to relax in after a trek, few come with heated Jacuzzis and barbecue stations that make Evergreen’s one of the best around. Inside, relax with a book or board game from the library or make use of the complimentary WiFi seated on one of the plush leather couches. With marshmallows by the fire, guest speakers and live bands in the Tavern, entertainment continues into the night.