Hotel at a Glance: Evergreen Lodge Yosemite

Evergreen Lodge Yosemite was named “one of the best cabin resorts in the Sierra Nevada” by Frommer’s after its renovation in 2004. The 22-acre wooded property centers on the main lodge, which houses a restaurant, tavern, and open-air patio. Local hiking trails make it easy to explore the forest, and the expansive wilderness of Yosemite National Park is a short drive away.

• Added perks: This getaway includes choice of rental bikes, snowshoe rentals, or 20% off a professionally guided tour to explore Yosemite’s stunning scenery.
• Welcome to the woods: You’ll receive happy-hour drink vouchers and a welcome gift upon arrival.
• Enjoy a view of soaring pines from the furnished deck of your deluxe king cabin with cast-iron gas fireplace or two-bedroom family cabin.
• Onsite dining: Choose the main dining room, tavern, open-air heated patio, or seasonal front porch overlooking the surrounding woods to dine on mountain cuisine with a California twist.
• Premium California wines join 10 draft beers at the historic tavern, whose all-wooden interior is lit by a roaring fireplace
• Do some stargazing from the outdoor hot tub or while roasting marshmallows around a campfire.
• Recreation experts: The lodge’s staff offers free planning advice for visiting Yosemite, as well as 30 different guided excursions.

Yosemite National Park, California: Giant Sequoia Trees, Waterfalls, and Guided Snowshoe Hikes

Yosemite National Park is a place of superlatives: it’s home to three of the world’s 10 tallest waterfalls, the largest piece of exposed granite in the world (known as Half Dome), and three groves of ancient sequoia trees that are among the largest living beings on the planet. So it’s no wonder why this swath of wilderness in central California welcomes nearly four million visitors each year. The Evergreen Lodge’s location is an ideal base camp for convenient, crowd-free access to all three major areas of the park: Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows.

Crowds at Yosemite are much smaller in winter, so you can typically experience the park’s natural wonders at an unhurried pace. In cold weather, one trek worth making is the 1.2-mile Bridalveil Fall hike, which takes you right up to the roaring cascade. It can be icy during winter, but it’s an easy trip and the reward makes it worth trying.

Much of the Yosemite Valley stands at a low elevation, and it remains accessible to drivers, hikers, and snowball poachers throughout the winter. The full-service Badger Pass Ski Area features 10 runs, five lifts, and a beginner-friendly terrain park. Skis, snowboards, and snowshoes are all available for rent here; you can even take a guided snowshoe hike to see some of Yosemite’s best views.

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