When it comes to outdoor adventures, I have always been a firm believer in the charms of old-fashioned camping—the rugged simplicity of pitching a tent, cooking over a campfire, and immersing oneself in nature’s embrace. So, when my mother planned a visit to Yosemite National Park, I knew I wanted to make her stay special.
As a surprise treat, I decided to deviate from my camping routine and opted for a glamping tent at Curry Village. Admittedly, I was initially a bit hesitant about the cost—shelling out over two hundred bucks per night for what was essentially a canvas dwelling in the woods seemed extravagant. Nevertheless, I trusted my instincts and went ahead with the decision, and as the days unfolded, I realized that this splurge was more than justified.
Upon arrival at Curry Village, my mother and I were greeted by the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite Valley that surrounded us. Our glamping tent was nestled amid towering pines, and it blended harmoniously with the natural splendor of the park.
As we stepped inside, any lingering apprehensions were quickly swept away. While basic, the interior was furnished with comfortable beds, warm blankets, and even the relative luxury of electrical outlets—a far cry from the traditional camping experience I am accustomed to.
What truly amazed us was the array of amenities available within the glamping facility. While I had anticipated some level of comfort, Curry Village surpassed all expectations. We found ourselves spoiled for choice with a delightful dining facility where we could savor delicious meals amidst the majestic outdoors. The village’s communal gathering spot, known as the Pavilion, proved to be a hub of excitement, hosting educational programs and captivating events that further enriched our experience.
As someone who cherishes the joys of exploration, the convenience of bicycle rentals at Curry Village was a welcome surprise. We eagerly embarked on two wheels to explore the wonders of Yosemite Valley, gliding through picturesque trails and savoring the sights at our own pace.
In retrospect, my decision to indulge in glamping at Curry Village was a stroke of luck. The experience of spending quality time with my mother, surrounded by nature’s grandeur and enjoying a comfortable retreat, was priceless. I’ve come to realize that sometimes, it’s worth venturing beyond our comfort zones and embracing a touch of luxury in the wilderness.
If you’re curious about a trip to Yosemite National Park, read on to discover why our stay at Curry Village was an unforgettable one.
Frequently Asked Questions About Curry Village
When Did Curry Village Open?
Amazingly, Curry Village opened in 1899. Recent renovations have given the place a total facelift, and will be completed by the end of 2023.
Is Curry Village Independent?
Curry Village is owned by Yosemite National Park, but is operated through a big national chain called Aramark.
Is Curry Village Dog Friendly?
Kind of – pets are not allowed in the tented accommodation itself, but are welcome in any outdoor developed areas (think pavement and boardwalks) within Curry Village.
Is Curry Village Family Friendly?
Yes – there are even specific kid-friendly activities and ranger programs that originate at Curry Village.
Is Curry Village Accessible?
Yes! There are multiple accessible step-free cabins that are able to be booked, and every amenity has an easily accessible step free entrance.
In Three Words…
scenic, convenient, rustic
Location of Curry Village
I am not exaggerating when I say that Curry Village has the best location in Yosemite Valley. It is the central hub to everything in the Valley, and is the starting point for some of the park’s most popular hikes like Half Dome, Mist Trail, and Mirror Lake.
Curry Village is also located just steps away from the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail, which connects the entire Valley end-to-end with some very scenic views.
If you need to got further than walking distance, Curry Village is one of the stops for both YARTS and the Yosemite Valley Shuttle, as well as the main hub for bicycle rentals.
Amenities at Curry Village
Food & Beverage
Staying at Curry Village is unlike any other National Park I’ve ever experienced. The newly-opened Seven Tents Pavillion has a giant food hall serving breakfast through dinner, as well as a small taqueria, an ice cream shop, a wood-fired pizza deck, a full sports bar, a small bodega, and a genuine Peets Coffee. Bonkers.
I personally really loved heading to the Pizza Deck after a long day of hiking. Order the ‘Half Dome’, drizzled with locally harvested honey, and thank me later.
If you’d rather eat your own packed picnic, there are also plenty of tables both indoors and throughout the Pavilion’s outdoor deck (many of which have stunning granite views), as well as a small microwave for guest use inside of the bodega.
Creature Comforts
Every guest at Curry Village is given an access code to a large pavillion with shared facilities that include free hot showers, flushing toilets, and mirrors with electrical outlets.
You’ve probably heard about the massive queues to enter the park and overfilled parking lots, but another great perk of staying at Curry Village is that each guest is alloted a parking spot in a designated lot and is allowed to drive into the Valley even when other cars are being turned around.
In addition to this, I do recommend texting YNPTraffic to 333111 for real-time updates about the parking and traffic situation throughout Yosemite National Park to try to avoid ‘rush hour’ altogether.
Recreation Hub
The Curry Village Bike Stand is the main hub for bicycle rentals in Yosemite Valley, with rental options for all ages and sizes, allowing you to explore the Valley Loop without the hassle of traffic and parking. You have the option to rent the bicycles by both a half and full day, but the full day is a much better deal.
The Mountain Shop at Curry Village is not only a great destination for stocking up on outdoor gear, but is also the site of a historic Mountaineering School. Each day, the school offers climbing lessons starting at 8:30, as well as guided group hikes and private guided wilderness trips.
A free ranger-led historic tour of Curry Village also departs every day at 2:00 from the Curry Village Amphitheatre, covering about one mile over the course of an hour while learning all about the area’s past.
If you’re visiting during the summer months, guests at Curry Village also have access to a seasonal outdoor swimming pool to cool off and relax after a morning of hiking an exploring. It is currently in the last phase of renovation, and will have its grand re-opening for the 2024 season.
The Rooms at Curry Village
We stayed in a heated accessible quad tent, which included a fairly large bear box just outside and was stocked basic bed linens and towels.
While basic, we both found that the beds were comfortable enough to sleep on throughout our stay.
The tents are divided into two categories, heated and non-heated, with a range of accessibility and bed options in both. During the summer months, the heat is turned off from all of the tents, but I would still recommend booking a heated tent anyways, as those they are also fitted with working electrical outlets!
Being able to wake up with your phone and battery packs fully charged is such a luxury that truly made us appreciate our stay here! If you don’t luck out with a heated tent, there are always plenty of outlets available at the Seven Tents dining hall too.
While we loved how close our tent was when lugging our bags from the car and grabbing our morning coffee, I will say that this particular tent site was loud. The sound of tires crunching on gravel from circling for parking (as well as flashes of headlights) persisted from about three in the morning until daybreak, and was loud enough to wake both of us up every night.
In the future, I’ll definitely be sure to request a tent a little further from the parking lots!
Overall
I would stay here again in a heartbeat. While Curry Village is by no means cheap, I thought the value was well worth it for the great location, ease of parking, and central access to a wide range amenities.
The ease of spending time with my mother here amidst nature’s beauty made the splurge worthwhile, and I encourage everyone to explore this treasure in Yosemite National Park.
