Under Canvas Opens Its First California Camp Near Yosemite National Park

There’s a new way to visit the giant sequoias, waterfalls, and granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome at Yosemite National Park. Under Canvas has officially opened its first-ever California camp just outside the park.

A brand known for its safari-style tented camps near national parks, Under Canvas opened its Yosemite glamping outpost on April 16, 2026, set on 80 acres of pine-dotted forest about 10 minutes by car from the park’s west entrance.

California is “a destination that we’ve had our sights set on for many years,” Matt Gaghen, chief executive officer of Under Canvas, told Afar. “Each of our properties has something unique to offer, and what we’re really looking forward to with this location is offering our guests unmatched access to Yosemite National Park.” He added that “travelers will have the opportunity to be immersed in nature without sacrificing comfort and style.”

Each tent at the Yosemite property features a king-size bed (with a heated mattress pad), bedside lanterns, and USB charging packs, along with an en suite bathroom with a sink, a hot shower, and a flushing toilet. All accommodations include a private deck, and select tents offer stargazing windows above the bed. (The brand’s Lake Powell–Grand Staircase location became the first lodging worldwide to earn a DarkSky Lodging certification from DarkSky International in 2023; several other Under Canvas camps have since followed.)

Courtesy of Under Canvas

Like other Under Canvas properties, the 70 accommodations are arranged around a central lobby tent. The Yosemite camp includes communal lounge spaces with West Elm furnishings, a game area, and an indoor-outdoor café serving seasonal dishes alongside California wines and craft beers. Grab-and-go lunches and snacks are available for purchase, and an Adventure Concierge can arrange experiences such as rafting, rock climbing, and guided hikes. At night, there are complimentary amenities/activities including yoga, live music, and a s’mores bar.

In keeping with the brand’s philosophy to minimize disturbance to the land and maximize guests’ immersion in nature, the camp does not offer Wi-Fi and incorporates such water-saving measures as pull-chain showers and low-flow toilets. Notably, the bus stop for the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System sits directly across from the property, offering an alternative to driving to the park.

Originally announced in 2019, the Yosemite camp faced multiple delays before opening this spring.

The company is also set to open a new Under Canvas White Mountains in New Hampshire on June 4, 2026, expanding its footprint to 14 U.S. camps. The brand also operates Ulum, the more upscale spin-off of Under Canvas that Afar recognized as one of the best new hotels in 2024, as well as the Fields of Michigan in South Haven, Michigan, and Bar N Ranch, in West Yellowstone, Montana, under its Outdoor Collection. The hospitality company partnered with Hyatt in 2024 to allow guests to earn and redeem loyalty points on stays.

This story was first published in October 2025 and was updated on April 16, 2026, with current information.