Yosemite gets a dark‑sky glamp

Under Canvas Yosemite has opened near Yosemite National Park as California’s first DarkSky Approved resort, adding a new stargazing-focused lodging option outside the park. (undercanvas.com) The camp opened April 16 on 85 acres in the Sierra Nevada near Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat entrance, and Under Canvas said it is the company’s 13th location and first in California. (undercanvas.com) Its first season runs through October 26, 2026, and the company is already taking reservations for both the 2026 and 2027 seasons; its booking page lists 2027 dates from April 15 to October 25. (undercanvas.com) DarkSky approval is a certification from DarkSky International for properties that limit light pollution with lighting rules meant to protect darker night skies. DarkSky International said Under Canvas Yosemite earned the designation for responsible outdoor lighting and is the first approved lodging site in California. (darksky.org) That label arrives as Yosemite remains one of the country’s biggest park draws and as travelers increasingly book stays just outside park boundaries, where rooms can be easier to find than in-park lodging. Under Canvas said a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System stop sits directly across from the camp for car-free access into the park. (nps.gov) (undercanvas.com) The property has 71 safari-style tents, including suite options, and rates start at $314 a night before taxes and fees, according to the company’s opening announcement. (markets.businessinsider.com) Under Canvas and DarkSky both said the camp’s nighttime setup includes low-impact lighting and guest programming built around the sky after sunset. DarkSky’s listing for the site says the property pairs that lighting approach with activities including nightly campfires and stargazing-oriented programming. (darksky.org 1) (darksky.org 2) The company is pitching the site as a hotel-style base camp rather than a traditional campground, with café-style dining, lounge areas furnished by West Elm, and direct access to guided adventures through an on-site concierge. (undercanvas.com) For travelers trying to see Yosemite after dark without sleeping inside the park, the new camp turns the night sky itself into part of the booking pitch. (latimes.com)