6979A Highway 140, Midpines, California, United States | (586) 210-9239
Nestled in a peaceful rustic setting outside Yosemite National Park
A good range of clean and affordable accommodations
Café serves fresh cuisine and regional beer/wine at reasonable prices
On-site spa offers various treatments and facilities in a serene setting
Yosemite Shuttle buses stop at the complex
Guest kitchen and laundry facilities are on site
Free Wi-Fi and guest computer with internet access
Gift shop with sundries, clothes, and souvenirs
Event space for up to 120 people
Pets are welcome
Guests might have to climb up steep hills to accommodations
Shared bathrooms are a five-minute walk for some guests
No TVs or phones in the rooms
Cell service is spotty or non-existent for some carriers
Access to the spa facilities require a daily fee
The budget Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort is an interesting combination of hostel, campground, and mountain retreat that’s nestled on a peaceful hillside an hour outside Yosemite National Park. Accommodations range from Spartan dorms and tent cabins with shared bathrooms to spacious and individually decorated cabins with private bathrooms. While different, they’re all clean and well maintained. Amenities include a lovely spa with treatment rooms, sauna, and whirlpool (surprising at this pearl level), and a café/bar that serves good food at reasonable prices all day. While a few ADA-accessible rooms exist, access to most sleeping quarters involves climbing steps or steep paths -- some shared bathrooms are even a five-minute walk. Rates are attractive for an area where options are often limited and pricey. Travelers may also want to consider the nearby Cedar Lodge, another affordable option.
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Scene
A sprawling hillside complex with a friendly, laid-back vibe
This rustic resort’s proximity to Yosemite and varied accommodations attract a diverse mix of guests. Expect to see international backpackers staying in the dorms, and budget-conscious couples and families overnighting in the private cabins and tent cabins. While the various accommodations are widely scattered, guests come together in the June Bug Café that stays busy all day. It’s a large and open space with eclectic art, a fireplace, and lots of wood. Among the many spots to sit are several communal tables that encourage mingling. This lively place is indicative of the friendly and laid back vibe that characterizes the resort, which is peaceful after everyone settles in for the evening.
Location
On the Central Yosemite Highway, about one hour from Yosemite
The Cedar Lodge is located along the Central Yosemite Highway (140) that stays open all year and runs into Yosemite National Park’s west entrance. It’s in a peaceful yet isolated hillside setting surrounded by woods and scenic mountains. It’s a one-hour drive east to the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center inside the national park. The Yosemite Valley Shuttle that stops in front of the resort takes visitors (for a fee) to the Visitors Center in about 90 minutes. Several hotels and restaurants are located in Mariposa, which is 16 minutes driving southwest. Modesto is approximately 90 minutes away by car, while Sacramento and San Francisco are about three hours by car.
Rooms
A wide variety of accommodations with private or shared bathrooms
The accommodations at this budget resort include same-sex and coed dorms, insulated tent cabins with beds and shared bathrooms, and private cabins with private or shared bathrooms. They are all clean and generally well maintained, but the dorms and tent cabins are rather spartan, and their shared bathrooms are worn and dated. All tent cabins have electricity, but only some are heated, and some of them are a five-minute walk from bathrooms. The private cabins offer ample space for comfort and are individually decorated in an eclectic fashion. For example, the Starr King A cabin features a rather garish motif of neon colors and decorations like feather boas and a large Mardi Gras mask. Conversely, the Solomon Mine A cabin has traditional decor with dark wood antiques and Victorian theme artwork. All of the cabins we saw had solid-color carpet, lots of art or vintage photos, and covered decks with simple plastic resin furniture. The private bathrooms are comfortably sized, but typical of what’s seen in a budget motel, with pedestal sinks and small shower inserts. Hairdryers and toiletries are provided in all of the accommodations, but phones and TVs are not. Daily housekeeping is standard as well.
Features
Spa with treatments and a whirlpool, cafe serving all meals, and a gift shop
This budget resort and campground complex has some surprising amenities, especially given its pearl rating. The biggest surprise is the spa on site that offers treatments including massage and body scrubs. Access to the facilities such as the sauna and huge stainless steel whirlpool require a daily fee. Yoga classes are conducted on weekends as well. For dining, the June Bug Café serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner at reasonable prices with a focus on fresh local ingredients. A good selection of regional wine and craft beer are also sold. Event space includes the Bodie Room that can accommodate up to 120 people. Guests looking to make their own meals can use the communal kitchen, and there's a communal laundry room as well. The resort's gift shop sells sundries, clothes, and souvenirs. It also has a phone for guests that don’t have cell service (coverage is spotty or non-existent for some carriers). Free Wi-Fi is accessible in the café and other public spaces, and there is a computer with internet access that guests can use. Parking is free but scattered about the sprawling complex, which sometimes requires a steep climb up steps or paths to reach.
