First Dark‑Sky glampsite

Under Canvas Yosemite has opened as California’s first DarkSky Approved lodging, giving Yosemite visitors a new stargazing-focused place to stay this season. (darksky.org) The camp opened April 16, 2026, on 80 to 85 acres in the Sierra Nevada near Groveland, about 10 minutes from Yosemite National Park’s Big Oak Flat entrance. Under Canvas said it is the company’s first California property and its 13th camp nationwide. (undercanvas.com) DarkSky International gives the lodging label to properties that limit light pollution with targeted, shielded, energy-efficient outdoor lighting. The group said Under Canvas Yosemite met those standards after a site review of every exterior fixture. (darksky.org) That approval turns a hotel detail into part of the trip plan near one of the country’s busiest national parks, where visitors compete for lodging from spring through fall. The National Park Service says reservations inside Yosemite are strongly recommended, especially in peak season and on holidays. (nps.gov) Under Canvas Yosemite is operating seasonally, with its inaugural run scheduled through October 26, 2026, and reservations already on sale for the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Under Canvas said rates start at $314 a night before taxes and fees. (undercanvas.com) The property has 71 safari-style tents, according to Under Canvas, while Afar described the opening as a 70-tent camp, a discrepancy that appears to reflect differing counts in company materials. Under Canvas says the accommodations include king beds, private bathrooms with hot showers, and private decks; some tents also have stargazing windows above the bed. (undercanvas.com) (afar.com) The camp is also pitched as a car-light base for park visits. Under Canvas said a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System stop sits directly across from the property, offering shuttle access into Yosemite without driving into park traffic and parking. (undercanvas.com) At night, the programming is built around the sky as much as the tents: campfires, s’mores, live acoustic music, yoga, and guided outdoor activities are part of the pitch. For travelers eyeing Yosemite this fall, the selling point is simple — a bed near the park where the lights are designed not to drown out the stars. (darksky.org)