Things to do near Tenaya at Yosemite—hiking, biking and family activities
Tenaya at Yosemite sits on Highway 41 in Fish Camp, about two miles from Yosemite National Park’s South Entrance, making it a convenient base for hiking, mountain biking, and family-friendly activities. On-site options include the Tenaya Loop trail, bicycle rentals and mountain-biking access, a zero-entry kids' splash pool and arcade, plus guided Yosemite 360 Tours and nearby Mariposa Grove access.
In this guide
Hiking from the resort: trails you can start from Tenaya
You can step onto the Tenaya Loop Trail directly from the hotel grounds; it follows Big Creek through seasonal wildflower meadows and is a short, easy way to stretch your legs without a long drive. For longer excursions, several trailheads and park destinations are a short drive away.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is roughly 3 miles from Tenaya at Yosemite (about a 10–12 minute drive) and includes the Washburn Trail and Mariposa Grove Road routes into the grove. The Washburn Trail and Mariposa Grove Road hikes each involve roughly 2 miles one-way with modest elevation gain on several approaches.
- Tenaya Loop Trail — starts adjacent to the lodge; good for short walks and wildflower viewing.
- Mariposa Grove — about 3 miles / ~10–12 minutes by car; home to ~500 mature giant sequoias including the Grizzly Giant.
- Lewis Creek Trail — nearby option in Sierra National Forest (about 1.7 miles from the resort) for a longer forest walk.
| Trail / Destination | Typical Drive Time from Tenaya |
|---|---|
| Tenaya Loop Trail | Walk from the lodge |
| Mariposa Grove | About 10–12 minutes (≈3 miles) |
| Yosemite Valley (day trip) | About 56 min–1 hour (≈33 miles) |
Mountain biking and bicycles
Tenaya at Yosemite lists mountain biking and bicycle rentals as on-property activities; trails around Fish Camp and Sierra National Forest offer singletrack and mixed-surface riding for a range of abilities. Guests can ask the concierge about current trail conditions, recommended routes and rental availability.
Bass Lake and nearby forest roads also provide mellow paved and dirt routes if you prefer scenic rides rather than technical singletrack. Because trail access and conditions change by season, confirm open routes and any seasonal restrictions before you ride.
- On-site bicycle rentals and mountain-biking activities available — check with concierge for equipment and routes.
- Sierra National Forest roads and nearby singletrack for mixed-ability rides.
- Bass Lake area (~15 miles) for relaxed lakefront cycling and shorter loops.
| Ride Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| On-site rentals | Ask concierge for availability and recommendations |
| Forest roads / singletrack | Seasonal conditions vary; check before you go |
| Bass Lake rides | About 25–26 minutes by car; calmer paved/dirt options |
Family activities at Tenaya
Tenaya at Yosemite markets itself as family-friendly and offers a zero-entry kids' splash pool with mushroom water features, a wading pool, an indoor pool, three outdoor pools, and private cabanas for rent. The Bearfoot Bar serves poolside food and a kids' menu in season.
The resort also has an arcade/game room, lawn games at Gold Rush Barbecue, and organized on-site activities such as archery and mountain-biking programs. Families frequently use the Family Cabin, 2 Bedrooms or cottages for extra space and kitchenette-style living when they want to spread out.
- Pools: one indoor pool plus three outdoor pools, a zero-entry kids' splash pool and a wading pool.
- Arcade/game room and lawn games (Gold Rush Barbecue hosts bag toss and lasso practice).
- Family-friendly dining options: Timberloft Pizzeria (seasonal), Gold Rush Barbecue (seasonal evenings), Bearfoot Bar poolside.
| Family Facility | Where / When |
|---|---|
| Kids' splash pool | On-property; seasonal features |
| Arcade / game room | On-property; check front desk for hours |
| Lawn games at Gold Rush Barbecue | Seasonal dinner times (sample hours 5–8 PM when open) |
Guided tours and day trips from Fish Camp
Yosemite 360 Tours departs from Fish Camp near Tenaya at Yosemite and offers guided excursions into Yosemite National Park; ask the concierge for schedules and reservations. The property can also help arrange a 4-hour Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing trip in Yosemite Valley as a day excursion.
Other nearby attractions include the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad (about a 4-minute drive) for a short heritage train ride and horseback riding from Yosemite Trails Pack Station (about 1 mile from the lodge) for guided rides among sequoias.
- Yosemite 360 Tours — guided tours into Yosemite; check concierge for departures and availability.
- Orvis-endorsed fly-fishing trips — typically arranged as day excursions from the lodge.
- Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad — ~1.8 miles / ~4 minutes by car; narrow-gauge heritage train rides.
| Excursion | Approx. Distance / Time |
|---|---|
| Yosemite 360 Tours | Departs from Fish Camp (on-site area); check schedule |
| Sugar Pine Railroad | About 1.8 miles / ~4 minutes by car |
| Horseback riding (Pack Station) | About 1 mile from the lodge |
Winter activities: snow play, cross-country skiing and sledding
In winter, Tenaya at Yosemite lists cross-country skiing and on-site sledding among available seasonal activities; the Goat Meadow Snow Play Area—a dedicated sledding hill—is located just off Highway 41 between Fish Camp and Yosemite National Park. Snow conditions and access vary by year and by road status.
If you plan winter recreation, confirm road and trail status before you travel and bring appropriate gear. YARTS bus service and some park roads are seasonal; during much of the colder season a private car is effectively required to reach Fish Camp.
- On-site cross-country skiing and sledding when conditions permit.
- Goat Meadow Snow Play Area — public sledding hill off Highway 41 near Fish Camp.
- Check road and YARTS seasonal schedules before planning winter visits.
| Winter Option | Notes |
|---|---|
| On-site sledding / snow play | Seasonal; depends on snowfall |
| Goat Meadow Snow Play Area | Located off Highway 41 between Fish Camp and the park |
| Cross-country skiing | Offered on-property when conditions allow |
Relaxation, spa and easy evenings
Ascent Spa at Tenaya at Yosemite offers massage, body wraps, facials and nail services and includes 12 treatment rooms, dedicated men's and women's saunas and steam rooms, and a relaxation lounge with complimentary teas and infused waters. Spa hours vary by day of the week — check current times before you plan a visit.
For relaxed dining after activity-filled days, options include Jackalope's Bar & Grill (open daily 6:30 AM–10 PM for breakfast, lunch and dinner), seasonal Timberloft Pizzeria and the more formal Embers (check current status and reservations). Room-service options differ by accommodation: Lodge Rooms can have meals delivered, while Cottages may order takeout for pickup.
- Ascent Spa — 12 treatment rooms; signature Relaxation and Deep Tissue massages in 60- or 90-minute formats.
- Jackalope's Bar & Grill — open daily 6:30 AM–10 PM; breakfast, lunch and dinner with varied menu options.
- Room-service and takeout: Lodge Rooms eligible for in-room dining; Cottages order takeout for pickup.
| Service | How to Book / Hours |
|---|---|
| Ascent Spa treatments | Advance reservations recommended; call the spa directly |
| Jackalope's Bar & Grill | Open daily 6:30 AM–10 PM (year-round) |
| Embers / Timberloft / Gold Rush | Seasonal hours vary; reservations recommended |
