Rush Creek Lodge vs. Evergreen Lodge

Question

Hello,

Thanks for your help in an earlier post about the best route to take from Monterey for a trip to Yosemite in September.

I have narrowed our lodging choices to Rush Creek and Evergreen lodges. (I'd love to stay inside the park, but its fully booked. I considered Yosemite View Lodge, but didn't like the reviews. I also considered Tenaya, but its too far from Tioga Road, which i understand is a worthwhile drive in September. We will visit Mariposa Grove on our departure day, en route to Fresno airport).

I haven't seen many posts comparing Rush Creek and Evergreen, and so I was wondering if anyone has a preference? As I understand it, Rush Creek is about 15-20 minutes closer to the Big Oak Flat entrance. It's also more expensive by about $100 per night. Not sure how they otherwise compare. (I understand they are sister properties.)

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,

Answer

Short version: Rush Creek is the more convenient, upscale choice if your priority is quick access to the Big Oak Flat / Tioga Road corridor and hotel-style amenities (spa, full restaurant, pool, newer rooms). Evergreen is the more classic, rustic-cabin experience and generally cheaper — fine if you value cabins, community activities, and don’t mind a longer drive into the park. If your main goal is an easy, short drive to Tioga Road for a day trip in September, Rush Creek is the better pick.

Location & driving time

Rush Creek is right on Highway 120 and advertises being only a very short drive from the Big Oak Flat/Highway 120 west entrance (Rush Creek’s site states roughly a half-mile / 1–2 minutes to the entrance; other listings place it within a few minutes). That makes it the fastest option for getting onto Tioga Road in the morning.
Evergreen Lodge sits a few miles further from the Big Oak Flat entrance — many property pages and travel listings show ~7–13 miles (commonly quoted ~10–15 minutes or more depending on road conditions), so you should expect a noticeably longer drive to reach Tioga Road. That extra drive time matters for sunrise starts and for returning after a long day.

Amenities & style

Rush Creek: newer, resort-style property — full-service restaurant/bar, on-site spa, heated pool & hot tubs, family activities, modern rooms and villas. It’s designed to be a “resort” experience (more polished, higher-end). If you want comforts after long hikes or a nicer dinner onsite, Rush Creek offers more of that.
Evergreen: a classic rustic-lodge vibe with standalone cabins, a tavern/restaurant, general store, and community activities. It leans into a cozy, woodsy feel rather than a spa-resort experience. If you love cabins and a lower-key mountain-lodge atmosphere, Evergreen delivers.

Price — value tradeoff

Expect Rush Creek to be roughly ~$75–$150+ more per night than Evergreen in many cases (season and booking windows vary). Many travelers choose Evergreen to save money, while others pay more for Rush Creek’s location and amenities. Check current rates for your exact dates to confirm the gap.

How this affects your Yosemite plans (Tioga Road & Mariposa Grove)

If you’re planning an early morning drive onto Tioga Road (to beat crowds, catch morning light, or access high-country trails), the minutes saved by staying at Rush Creek add up: shorter pre-dawn drive, earlier arrival at trailheads, and less time on winding forest roads before you start hiking. Tioga Road is typically the seasonal high-country route (open roughly late spring through fall — check the official park page for exact seasonal opening on your dates).
Visiting Mariposa Grove on your departure day (south side of the park) will require a drive through parts of the park from either lodge; the difference in mileage to Mariposa Grove between the two properties is smaller in practical terms than the difference to the Big Oak Flat entrance — but Rush Creek’s closer location to Highway 120 still gives a slight edge for overall travel time across the park.

Pros & cons summary

Rush Creek — Pros: quickest access to Big Oak Flat/Tioga Road, resort amenities (spa, pool, restaurant), newer rooms, easier for early starts. Cons: higher nightly rate.
Evergreen — Pros: authentic cabin/lodge feel, communal vibe, usually cheaper, good for families who want cabin space and on-site activities. Cons: longer drive to Highway 120/Tioga Road and possibly rougher local roads.

Who should pick which

Choose Rush Creek if: your top priority is getting onto Tioga Road early or minimizing driving time to western park entrances; you want resort comforts (spa, nicer restaurant); and you’re comfortable paying more for convenience.
Choose Evergreen if: you prefer a classic cabin experience, want to save money, enjoy a quieter lodge/community atmosphere, and don’t mind the extra 15–25 minutes of driving to the Big Oak Flat entrance each morning.

Practical tips

Check Tioga Road opening status for your September dates (it’s seasonal and weather-dependent). Plan for early starts if you want to drive Tioga Road the same day you arrive.
Reserve any on-site dining or spa services at Rush Creek in advance if those are important to you; popular time slots fill.
If you pick Evergreen and plan long days in the high country, factor in the extra drive time when plotting sunrise/sunset and trailhead access — leave earlier than you think you need to.
Read recent guest reviews for both properties the week you book (service and small operational details shift seasonally), and confirm road/parking conditions for cabin types if you need easy luggage access.

Final recommendation

If Tioga Road is a priority for your September trip (and you want early starts and shorter drives), I’d pay the extra for Rush Creek — the minutes saved each morning and the ability to relax at a resort-style property after long days make it worth the premium for many visitors. If you’d rather save money, want a cabin vibe, and are okay with longer daily drives, Evergreen is a perfectly good—and charming—choice.