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A new cottage resort near Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance, offering a kid-friendly pool, horseback riding, games, and outdoor adventures.
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Experience it
See what a stay really looks like with kids.
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sleep
- Choose from 1-bedroom cottages, 2-bedroom cottages, or 3-bedroom villas spread across 300 acres for maximum privacy.
- All cottages have a sleeper sofa, private decks, fireplaces, and kitchenettes.
- The three-bedroom houses have a room with two twin beds, but it's lofted and up a spiral staircase—so may not be ideal for young kids.
- Request a cottage away from Highway 140 if you prefer a quieter spot (most units are well-insulated).
- No TVs in cottages (but there is Wi-Fi).
- Everything is walkable, but if you have little kids, you may want to request a room closer to the main lodge.
- Rooms do not have bathtubs.
play
- This hotel is a great jumping-off point for visiting Yosemite National Park — but it also has plenty to keep you busy on property.
- The heated saltwater pool is open year-round and has large shallow areas perfect for babies and toddlers. It reaches up to 5 feet deep.
- The adjacent Pool Pavilion offers shade, comfortable seating, and games.
- Bikes are available first-come, first-served (adult and 20-inch kid sizes). There are several flat, kid-friendly paths around the property.
- 1-hour trail rides (age 7+) and 30-minute pony rides (age 3–6) are available on property through Smith Station Stables and are quite popular.
- Kids can enjoy mini golf, nature trails, a climbing wall (for ages 5+ with helmets), beach volleyball, lawn games, and an indoor game room with Jenga, Connect Four, and arcade games.
- There are daily free self-guided crafts for kids, plus additional paid options like birdhouses, bracelet weaving, and basket making.
- Guided hikes are offered off property (some options for kids as young as 4).
- There's no gym — save your energy for hiking!
- The hotel is a 15-minute drive from the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park. If you want to see all that Yosemite has to offer, it’s recommended to pair your stay here with at least one night inside the park.
eat
- You’re not staying here for the food, but it’s pretty solid.
- YOVA is welcoming to kids and accommodating to dietary preferences and allergies.
- The Tavern (next to the pool) is a great casual option (open for all meals).
- General store offers coffee drinks, freshly made food, trail snacks, beer/wine, and convenience items; opens at 6:30am during the peak season of May–October (7am the rest of the year).
- No room service available, but cottages have kitchenettes for light meal preparation.
- There’s s’mores every night by the fire pits.
The details
What room setup does your family need, at minimum?
King/queen bed includes pullout sofas
Kid-size bed includes sofas (not pullout), twin beds, or rollaway beds
Results show rooms that meet or exceed your minimum.
If you move forward with booking, we'll make sure the hotel has an accurate guest count,
Features a 2,000 square foot heated saltwater pool open year-round (weather permitting) with depths up to 5 feet and large shallow areas for lounging and play. Two luxury hot tubs provide additional relaxation. Pool area includes stylish lounge chairs, tables, umbrellas, and adjacent Pool Pavilion with games and seating.
On-site activities include 18-hole forest disc golf, mini golf, beach volleyball, horseback riding (through partner), complimentary bikes, hiking trails, s'mores by fire pits, and pool activities. Professional guided excursions available through sister properties including Yosemite tours, guided hikes, biking, snowshoeing, fly fishing, and overnight backpacking. Activities designed for all ages and skill levels.
YOVA fine dining restaurant serves dinner Friday-Saturday 5pm-8:15pm with California cuisine featuring hardwood grilling and international influences. The Tavern offers casual dining seven days a week: breakfast 7am-11am, lunch 12pm-4pm, dinner 5pm-9pm. Pool bar serves drinks and BBQ during summer. General store provides snacks and light meals. Private dining available for groups of 8+ people.
- Merced Municipal Airport is about a 1.5 hour drive
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO) is about a 3 hour drive
- Oakland International Airport (OAK) is about a 2.5 hour drive
- 20 minutes from Yosemite Big Oak Flat entrance
- 1 hour to Yosemite Valley
- Car required for access - no public transportation is available to property
- Free on-site parking available
- Cribs
- Available to rent: jogging/hiking strollers, baby carriers
- Books, board games, and puzzles in cottages
Ready to Book Your Stay?
Book through us (no additional cost) for access to perks like resort credit, free breakfast, priority for upgrades, early check-in/late check-out, and price-drop tracking. Plus, we'll manage all the communication with the hotel, so all you have to do is show up.