Yosemite glamping opens
- Under Canvas Yosemite opened as California's first DarkSky‑approved resort on an 85‑acre property just outside the park. (latimes.com) - The site is designed with low‑light practices intended to preserve stargazing and nighttime views. (latimes.com) - The launch arrives as Yosemite is being promoted for spring waterfalls and quieter scenic visits. ( )
Under Canvas Yosemite opened on April 16 as California’s first DarkSky Approved lodging property, adding a new glamping base just outside Yosemite National Park. (undercanvas.com) The camp sits on 85 acres in Groveland, about 10 minutes from Yosemite’s Big Oak Flat entrance, and Under Canvas calls it the company’s first California location and 13th camp overall. (undercanvas.com) DarkSky International said the approval recognizes lodging that limits outdoor light pollution, and the Yosemite site uses shielded fixtures, warm-colored bulbs, timers, motion sensors, and low lighting levels aimed at preserving night skies. (darksky.org) Under Canvas is opening into a Yosemite season with fewer entry rules than recent years. The National Park Service said on February 18 that Yosemite will not require timed vehicle reservations in 2026, though entrance fees still apply. (nps.gov) Spring is also when Yosemite draws waterfall crowds. The park says runoff usually peaks in May or June, and current conditions posted this week said Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and Bridalveil Fall are all flowing high. (nps.gov, nps.gov) That combination — easier park access in 2026 and a new overnight option near the west entrance — puts more pressure on the long-running Yosemite traffic puzzle. The Park Service says millions of people visit from April through October and advises drivers to arrive before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. to avoid peak congestion. (nps.gov) Under Canvas is pitching the camp as a car-light option once guests arrive. Its Yosemite page says the property has an on-site Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System, or YARTS, stop for shuttle access into the park without a separate driving reservation. (undercanvas.com) The tents are not backcountry camping. Under Canvas says the site includes king beds, private ensuite bathrooms with hot showers, decks, nightly s’mores, yoga, live music, and guided stargazing-style programming. (undercanvas.com, undercanvas.com) Yosemite has long sold visitors on granite cliffs and waterfalls by day. This opening adds a new pitch for the park’s edge: keep the lights low, look up after dark, and make the night sky part of the trip. (darksky.org, nps.gov)
