National park · United States
Yosemite West
Base here if you want Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point and Wawona within a 20–30 minute drive: pay the US$35 park entry once, sleep in a rented cabin just outside the boundary, and drive in before 8:00 to beat the valley queues.Base here if you want Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point and Wawona within a 20–30 minute drive: pay the US$35 park entry once, sleep in a rented cabin just outside the boundary, and drive in before 8:00 AM to beat the valley queues.
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
2 km²1 sq mi
approximate
Established
1912
Best months
May–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
At a glance
- Country
- United States
- Area
- 2 km²1 sq mi
- The community itself is a few dozen homes on Henness Ridge; the surrounding national park is 3,027 km². Community extent is approximate (check).
- Established
- 1912
- Best months
- May–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
Yosemite West is a small private community of cabins and condos sitting on Henness Ridge, just outside the western boundary of Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County. It is not a park facility and has no visitor centre, no fuel and no shops — it is a place to sleep with a driveway onto Wawona Road. What it buys you is position: Tunnel View about 8 miles away, Glacier Point about 16 miles, Yosemite Valley a 20–25 minute drive, and Badger Pass ski area 5–6.5 miles up the road. Because it sits outside the boundary, development rules are looser than inside the park, which is why the rental stock is houses rather than hotel rooms. Everything you do from here is inside the national park, so the park's entry fee, reservation rules and seasonal road closures apply to your whole stay.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1912.
Size and age
2 km²1 sq mi · national park since 1912
The community itself is a few dozen homes on Henness Ridge; the surrounding national park is 3,027 km². Community extent is approximate (check).
Why go
- A cabin with a kitchen 20–25 minutes from Yosemite Valley, usually cheaper per night than in-park lodging for groups of four or more.
- Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall and Glacier Point are all a short drive, so you can be at a viewpoint before the day-trip coaches arrive.
- Trails leave from the community itself — the Henness Ridge Fire Lookout and the old lumber-railroad grades — with no valley traffic to fight.
- Winter access to Badger Pass for downhill, cross-country and tubing, with snow chains in the boot rather than a long pre-dawn drive from Oakhurst.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarCaution
- AprGo
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanSnow and ice; chains may be required on Wawona Road
- FebDeep snow; Badger Pass at its best
- MarSnowmelt; Glacier Point Road usually still closed
- AprWaterfalls peak; some snow on trails
- MayWaterfalls full, Tioga Pass often still closed
- JunWarm and clear; book cabins early
- JulHot, dry, busiest valley; entry reservation may apply
- AugCrowds and wildfire-smoke risk
- SepQuieter, warm days, stable weather
- OctClear light, dogwood colour, fewer people
- NovCold nights; first snow possible
- DecChain controls; short daylight
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mule deer around the communityAll year · Common on verges at dusk; drive slowly. | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Black bearsApr–Oct · Occasional in the area. Never leave food in a car or on a deck. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Dogwood bloomApr–May · The community's dogwoods flower in early spring. | no | no | no | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Autumn colour (black oak, aspen)Oct–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | no |
| Steller's jays, orioles and other birdsApr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
How to get there
From Fresno or Los Angeles
CA-41 north through Coarsegold, Oakhurst and Fish Camp, in via the South Entrance, then about 10.5 miles past Wawona to the Yosemite West sign.
4.5–6 h from LA
Open the page →
From Mariposa
CA-140 east past the one-lane Ferguson slide bridges, then follow signs for 41 – Wawona – Glacier Point, through Wawona Tunnel and 8 miles on.
1.5–2 h
From San Francisco or the Bay Area
CA-120 through Oakdale to the Big Oak Flat entrance, then signs for 41 – Wawona – Glacier Point.
4–5 h
Open the page →
From Yosemite Valley
Wawona Road south past Bridalveil Fall and through Wawona Tunnel, then 8 miles to the turnoff.
20–25 min
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite West community | Rental houses, condos and B&Bs on Henness Ridge at roughly 1,550–1,900 m. | Private property; drive in and park at your rental. |
| Yosemite Valley | El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome views and the main visitor services. | Open year round; entry fee and possible summer reservation. |
| Glacier Point and Badger Pass | The rim viewpoint and the park's ski hill, both off Glacier Point Road. | Glacier Point Road is seasonal — usually closed by snow from about November to May. |
| Wawona and the Mariposa Grove | Historic hotel, golf course and the giant sequoia grove to the south. | Open year round; Mariposa Grove shuttle in peak season. |
| Sierra National Forest | National forest land bordering the community on the west. | Open; different rules from the park. |
Sketch map
- 1Yosemite West (community centre) · Town≈37.648, -119.719Approximate; the community spreads along Henness Ridge.Map ↗
- 2Chinquapin junction (Wawona Road / Glacier Point Road) · Gate≈37.656, -119.719Approximate; about 0.6 miles north of the community.Map ↗
- 3Deer Camp trailhead (CA-41) · Trail≈37.651, -119.708Approximate.Map ↗
- 4Henness Ridge Fire Lookout · Viewpoint≈37.635, -119.712Approximate.Map ↗
- 5Tunnel View · Viewpoint≈37.716, -119.677Map ↗
- 6Glacier Point · Viewpoint≈37.727, -119.573Map ↗
- 7Badger Pass Ski Area · Ranger station≈37.662, -119.664Approximate.Map ↗
- 8Wawona · Village≈37.538, -119.657Map ↗
- 9Yosemite Valley (village) · Town≈37.746, -119.594Map ↗
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Yosemite National Park entry (private vehicle) | US$35 | vehicle | Valid 7 days; 2026 estimate — confirm current price with NPS. |
| Yosemite National Park entry (per person, walk-in or bike) | US$20 | person | 2026 estimate. |
| Yosemite National Park entry (motorcycle) | US$30 | motorcycle | 2026 estimate. |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US$80 | year | Covers entry to NPS sites for 12 months; pays off on a three-park trip. |
| Badger Pass lift ticket | US$60–90 | person per day | Check current rates and snow conditions before driving up. |
| Yosemite West cabin or condo | US$95–782 | night | Wide range by unit and season; two-night minimums are common. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Peak-season entry reservation no permit
Wilderness permit permit or guide
Half Dome cables permit permit or guide
Park rules
- Fuel
- There is no petrol station in Yosemite West and none at Chinquapin. Fill up in Oakhurst, Coarsegold or Mariposa before you climb.
- Snow chains
- Carry chains from roughly November to March; chain controls on Wawona Road are enforced.check
- Food storage
- Store food inside, use bear-resistant bins, and never leave coolers on a deck or in a vehicle overnight.
- Quiet hours and private property
- This is a residential community, not a resort; keep noise down and park only at your rental.
- Campfires
- Fire restrictions change with conditions; check current park and county rules before lighting anything outdoors.check
- Drones
- Not permitted in Yosemite National Park without authorisation.
Where to stay
In the park
Yosemite West rental agencies
Several agencies manage 50-plus homes, cabins, condos and apartments in the community, from about US$95 to US$780 a night depending on unit and season.
In the park
Yosemite West B&Bs and cottages
Smaller operators rent a handful of units each, often with two-night minimums.
Near the park
Wawona and Yosemite Valley lodges
In-park hotels and cabins about 12–25 minutes away; book months ahead for summer.
Near the park
Oakhurst and Mariposa
Motels and chain hotels outside the park, 45–75 minutes from the valley, with more shops and lower winter risk.
Safety
Winter driving and chain controls high
No fuel or supplies in the community medium
Black bears and food medium
Altitude and heat on ridge trails medium
Wildfire smoke medium
Patchy phone signal low
Accessibility
- Yosemite West itself is a residential area on a hillside; driveways and paths are unpaved in places and not step-free.
- Tunnel View, Glacier Point and the valley viewpoints are paved and reachable by car with short, mostly level walks.
- The community trails are dirt with roots and rocks; not suitable for wheelchairs or strollers.
Visiting lightly
- Rentals here sit outside the park boundary — treat the ridge as a neighbourhood, not a resort, and keep noise and lights down at night.
- Pack out everything; there is no rubbish service for visitors in the community.
- Take the valley shuttle rather than driving between valley car parks in summer.
- Buy groceries before you arrive so you are not making extra 30-minute drives for supplies.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Yosemite West?
There is no separate fee for Yosemite West — it is a private community, not a ticketed attraction. You pay the Yosemite National Park entry fee because the only road in runs through the park: about US$35 per private vehicle, US$30 per motorcycle or US$20 per person on foot or bike, valid for seven days (2026 estimate). An US$80 America the Beautiful annual pass covers this and other federal sites for a year.
What are the best hikes in Yosemite West?
The Henness Ridge Fire Lookout trail from Azalea Road is the local classic, roughly 1.5–2.5 hours return to a 1939 lookout. The Eleven Mile Trail drops to a former stagecoach meadow, and the Deer Camp and Alder Creek trails start from a car park on CA-41 near the turnoff, with Alder Creek Falls as the longer option. All are dirt paths with roots and rocks; none is wheelchair accessible.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite West?
May, June, September and October are the strongest months: waterfalls are still running in May and June, and September and October bring clear light, dogwood and oak colour and fewer people. July and August are hot, busy and smoky some years. December to March is ski season at Badger Pass but needs chains and flexible plans, and Glacier Point Road is usually closed by snow.
Do I need a reservation to drive into Yosemite?
Sometimes. NPS has required timed entry reservations during peak periods in recent years, and the rule changes annually. Check the official Yosemite page before you book a cabin, and carry your park pass or pay at the entrance station.
Is there fuel or a shop in Yosemite West?
No. There is no petrol station, no grocery store and no visitor centre in the community, and the old Chinquapin station closed in the 1990s. Fill up and buy food in Oakhurst, Coarsegold or Mariposa before you climb, or use the park stores in Yosemite Valley or Wawona, about 30 minutes each way.
Can I stay in Yosemite West without a car?
Not realistically. The community is only reachable by road from inside the park, there is no public transport to the turnoff, and the nearest park shuttle routes run in Yosemite Valley. A car is required.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Sources
- officialNational Park Service — Yosemite National Park
- officialNational Park Service — Yosemite fees and passes
- officialNational Park Service — Yosemite current conditions
- officialUSGS Geographic Names Information System — Yosemite West
- secondaryWikipedia — Yosemite West, California
- secondaryWikivoyage: Yosemite West, revision 5255111 (CC BY-SA 4.0)