Wawona cabin vs curry village

Question

We are a family of 4 (2 mid 50s and 2 adults in early 20s) coming to yosemite mid august. Our plan right now is to fly into SLO (our son is there) then drive up the 395 north stopping one night in lone pine and 4 nights in Mammoth and 3 nights in yosemite. So we will enter on the eastern part of yosemite doing the Tuolomne meadows. I am still booking lodging for yosemite. a rough itinerary of our time there is one day in the Valley (deciding on hikes), then one day Glacier point rd. Splitting this into the AM and mariposa grove or doing mariposa a sep day. I had thought about getting a cabin in Wawona as the area looks nice but now reading how windy that road is. We would have to navigate it the first day we arive and then twice the next day. Another thing I thought about is spending the first night in the valley but I am worried about how hot that might be. Should we stick it out for one night? of course it means packing up vs staying all 3 nights in one spot. I did get a tent cabin for the first night with the idea of cancelling in time. I have looked at yosemite west as another option. There just hasnt been much available.

Side note: We typically like cabins with kitchens so we can cook our own dinners and do breakfast and picnic lunch but how to people entering from the east navigate this as there are no stores close to yosemite west. Any advice much appreciated!

Answer

Choosing between Wawona cabins and Curry Village depends on your priorities for convenience, comfort, and logistics while entering Yosemite from the eastern side. Here’s a detailed breakdown based on your itinerary and preferences:

Wawona Cabins:

Wawona is a quieter, scenic area near Mariposa Grove. Cabins often have kitchens or kitchenettes, which is great for cooking your own meals. However, there are several factors to consider:

The drive from the Tioga Road/Eastern Entrance to Wawona can be long and winding, especially for your first arrival. It’s about 2.5–3 hours from Tuolumne Meadows or Tioga Pass to Wawona.
If you plan to visit Glacier Point or Mariposa Grove on the first full day, staying in Wawona will require more driving (up to 1–1.5 hours each way), which can cut into your sightseeing time.
Wawona is generally cooler than Yosemite Valley in mid-August, but mornings can be foggy and evenings cooler than the valley.

Curry Village / Yosemite Valley:

Staying in Yosemite Valley has the advantage of being centrally located for most hikes, scenic spots, and shuttle access:

You’ll avoid long drives to popular viewpoints like Glacier Point Road and the valley floor trails.
Valley accommodations can be hot in mid-August, especially in the afternoon, but tent cabins have fans and ventilation. Mornings and evenings are usually comfortable.
Having a base in the valley makes logistics easier for your day-long hikes, such as Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall, or Mirror Lake.

Yosemite West:

This area offers cabins with kitchens, but it is farther from the valley (about 30–40 minutes), and there are no nearby stores. If you want to cook, you’ll need to stock up on groceries in towns outside the park (Mariposa or Oakhurst). Driving in and out for activities may be tiring, especially with early starts.

Recommendations based on your plan:

For a first-time visit and mid-August, staying in Yosemite Valley (even just for the first night) can be worth it despite the heat, because it simplifies logistics and reduces time spent on winding roads.
Wawona is ideal if you value a quieter, more secluded environment and want full kitchen access for meals, but plan to manage longer drives each day to reach the valley or Glacier Point.
If your priority is cooking your own meals and avoiding valley heat, Wawona or Yosemite West cabins work, but you’ll need to plan food and driving carefully.
Since you already booked a tent cabin for the first night, consider using it in the valley to avoid a long initial drive from the east entrance, then move to Wawona for the remaining nights if desired.

Additional Tips:

Stock up on groceries before entering the park if staying outside the valley.
Pack layers for variable temperatures—valley afternoons can be hot, evenings and Wawona mornings cooler.
Book shuttle tickets or plan driving routes ahead if you intend to visit Glacier Point or Mariposa Grove from Wawona.
Consider splitting your Yosemite nights: one night in the valley to settle in quickly, and two nights in Wawona for a quieter experience with kitchens.

In summary, if minimizing driving and maximizing sightseeing convenience is your priority, staying at least one night in Yosemite Valley makes sense. If cooking and a quieter setting are more important, Wawona is a great choice, but it requires careful planning for daily excursions.

Wawona cabin vs curry village

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