Stay inside Yosemite National Park at The Wildernest Yosemite, a private home in the Wawona forest, renovated in 2025. No entrance lines: you're already in the park. Three bedrooms, two baths, a private hot tub under the pines, A/C in every room and Starlink Wi-Fi.
DRIVE TIMES
Wawona Swinging Bridge: 6 min
Wawona Stables: 6 min
Mariposa Grove: 8 min
Chilnualna Falls: 10 min
Yosemite Valley: 45 min
Ellie & Drew are a message away throughout your stay. Our local team (housekeeping and a handyman) handles urgent on-site issues. For life-threatening or fire emergencies, call 911.
Wawona is Yosemite's quiet southern corner: giant sequoias, the South Fork of the Merced River and a pioneer history village, far from the Valley crowds. The Wildernest is one of very few private homes in the park, set in the forest with no immediate neighbors, so evenings are still, dark and full of stars. Dining in the park is limited, so pick up groceries or takeout in Oakhurst on your way in, or stock up at Pine Tree Market (10 min). Please follow park guidelines and leave no trace.
The whole home is yours, inside and out, including the deck, hot tub and forest yard. A few storage closets stay locked for housekeeping.
LIVING ROOM
High ceilings, an oversized sectional layered with throws and a 65" smart TV. It opens to the kitchen and dining table, so whoever is cooking stays part of the conversation.
KITCHEN & COFFEE
Stone counters, gas range and oven, dishwasher, SMEG toaster, blender, rice cooker, and the pots, bakeware and good knives to cook real meals. Spices, oils and pantry basics are stocked, and filtered water is on tap.
Coffee five ways: drip, pour-over, French press, cold brew and moka pot, with a grinder, Fellow kettle, ground coffee, teas, milk and sweeteners.
THE DEN
Down the spiral staircase, a second living room with a smart TV and a queen sofa bed opens to the backyard and the third bedroom.
BEDROOMS
King, queen and queen, one with its own bathroom. Organic cotton sheets, plush duvets, a pillow menu (memory foam or down-alternative), blackout shades, sound machines, and wardrobes with luggage racks.
BATHROOMS
Tiled walk-in showers and heated Japanese bidets. Non-toxic shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion, a full towel set for every guest, a spa towel for the hot tub and a waffle-cotton robe.
OUTDOORS
A large deck off the living room and two bedrooms, with an L-shaped sectional, outdoor dining and a BBQ. Steps away, the hot tub looks into the forest. Beyond it, a wooded yard with a seasonal creek runs into the park itself.
FOR LITTLE ONES
Pack 'n play, high chair, baby bathtub, and board and card games. Sign into your own streaming accounts on either TV.
ALSO HERE
Washer and dryer with detergent. Ethernet as well as Wi-Fi.
Driveway parking for up to 3 vehicles; RVs and boats fit in the larger space. Wawona General Store (5 min) has basics, gas and an EV charger. A car is the easiest way to explore. Park shuttles are limited and seasonal, so check the NPS Yosemite website for current routes.
ARRIVAL & ACCESS
The last stretch is a private, unpaved forest road, part of what keeps the home so quiet. AWD/4WD is highly recommended, and winter conditions may require chains. Snowstorms can make the road impassable and may result in cancellation. There is no cell service and GPS is unreliable, so download directions before you go and plan to arrive before sundown. Interior spiral stairs and exterior steps may not suit guests with limited mobility.
CHECK-IN & CHECK-OUT
Check-in 4pm. Check-out 10am. The home is professionally cleaned between stays, with sanitized bedding and pillows, and every turnover is photo-verified with CHAI Verified before you arrive.
CAMERAS & MONITORING
Exterior-only security cameras (video and audio) are at the doorbell, front and back of the home. In the woods they help us confirm the home is ready for you after snow, fallen trees or storm damage. A smoke, occupancy, temperature and noise-level monitor is in the main living room for your safety. There is no video or audio recording of any kind indoors.
NATURE & INSECTS
We treat the perimeter with organic insect control, but you are staying in a forest and animals are part of the experience.
HOUSE RULES
1) No pets. Service animals are welcome in accordance with ADA guidelines.
2) Fire safety: wildfire risk in Yosemite is extremely high. No smoking of any kind anywhere on the property. No campfires or open flames. Never leave the BBQ unattended; turn it off and let it cool completely. Fire extinguishers are in the kitchen and near the BBQ.
3) No parties or additional guests. Maximum 8 guests.
4) Please wipe or remove shoes inside; use the outdoor shoe rack for hiking boots and wet shoes.
5) Lock the house whenever you leave, and keep windows and doors closed so animals and insects stay outside.
6) Never leave food or trash outside or in your car. It attracts bears.
7) Turn off each room's heating/cooling unit when you head out and at check-out.
8) Quiet hours 10pm–8am.
9) Park only in the designated driveway spaces, off the main road.
10) Please tell us about any stains or damage. The sooner we know, the sooner we can fix it for the next guests.
