What It’s Really Like to Stay in Yosemite National Park’s Tent City

After years of talking about it, we finally did it—we stayed at Curry Village in Yosemite National Park. And let us tell you: it was a little rustic, surprisingly comfortable, and a whole lot more fun than we expected.

We’ve visited Yosemite many times over the years, but this was our first time bunking in one of Curry Village’s famous canvas tent cabins. If you’re curious about what it’s like, whether it’s worth the price, and what you absolutely need to bring—we’ve got you covered.

By the end of this post, you’ll either say, “That sounds like an adventure,” or “Never in a million years.” Either way, you’ll know exactly what you’re signing up for.

To listen to our podcast episode about Curry Village, follow this link.

Why Curry Village?

We planned a last-minute trip in early May, hoping to hit peak waterfall season before the summer crowds arrived. Staying in the valley was a must, and while the historic Ahwahnee Hotel and Yosemite Lodge are both great options, they were either fully booked or more than we wanted to spend.

Enter Curry Village—an affordable, centrally located base camp with just enough comfort and just enough chaos.

What Is Curry Village?

Curry Village (formerly Camp Curry) is like a mini city in the heart of Yosemite Valley, offering a range of accommodations and amenities. It features approximately 403 canvas tent cabins (heated or unheated, with shared bathrooms), 46 hard-sided cabins with private baths, several cabins with shared bathrooms, and 18 motel-style rooms in the Stoneman Cottage.

Guests can enjoy a pizza deck, grill, Bar 1899, a coffee shop, a gift shop/grocery store, and a mountaineering school (seasonal availability), all nestled below the stunning vistas of Half Dome and Glacier Point.

There’s also a shuttle stop right out front and easy access to trailheads in the valley.

What Our Stay Was Like

We booked a heated tent cabin for $183/night. For $9 more than the unheated version, we figured it was worth it—early May nights can still be chilly.

Surprises? The beds were real. The mattresses were comfortable. Sheets, pillows, and towels were provided. We had electricity (one outlet and an overhead light), and a bear-proof locker outside for our toiletries and snacks.

Important note: You cannot eat or drink anything inside your tent. Not even coffee. Anything with a scent has to go in the bear locker. That includes food, toothpaste, deodorant—basically everything.

There’s no Wi-Fi in the tents and cell signal is spotty, but we didn’t mind. If you need a connection, the guest lounge and dining areas have you covered.

The Good

• Location: You’re in Yosemite Valley. We walked to trailheads, the Mist Trail, the Ahwahnee, Sentinel Boardwalk—it doesn’t get more convenient.
• Affordability: For under $200, you’re sleeping inside the park, surrounded by jaw-dropping scenery.
• Comfort: We slept well, stayed warm, and appreciated the amenities more than we expected.
• Food Options: Pizza, burritos, coffee, beer. We had everything we needed, and it tasted even better after a long hike.

The Bad

• Noise: The tents are close together and the walls are canvas. You’ll hear everything.
• No Privacy: Not much room to hang outside your tent, and no outdoor seating areas of your own.
• Parking: It’s limited, not reserved for guests, and shared with day visitors. We found a spot and didn’t dare move the truck after that.
• Eating Logistics: You can’t eat in the tents and seating in the shared dining areas can be hard to find when it’s crowded.

The Scary

Yosemite is wild and unpredictable, and Curry Village has seen its share of drama.

1. Rockfall (2008)
An enormous slab of rock broke loose from Glacier Point and crashed into Curry Village, damaging cabins. Miraculously, no one was killed, but over 200 lodging units were permanently closed.

2. Hantavirus Outbreak (2012)
Ten campers contracted hantavirus, three died. The virus spread via rodents nesting inside the walls of newer-style tent cabins. Those tents were torn down and replaced with safer, single-wall versions. The village is now well-maintained, clean, and proactively managed.

We saw no rodents or signs of them—and we were looking!

Would We Stay There Again?

Matt: I wasn’t excited going in, but I ended up loving it. It was better than I expected—comfortable, convenient, and kind of charming in a rustic, tent-city way.

Karen: Same here. I’d go back, but not in the summer. I think it’d be too hot, too crowded, and harder to find parking or a table. Spring and fall? Perfect. And honestly, it might even be fun to go in winter and snowshoe right from your tent.

Final Tips

If you go, here’s what we suggest bringing:

• Headlamp or flashlight
• Earplugs
• Shower shoes
• Padlock for the bear locker
• Your own pillow (luxury item)
• A “sleep kit” (lightweight blanket and stuff sack pillow for extra comfort)
• Sense of humor and a flexible attitude

Curry Village isn’t for everyone—but if you go in knowing what to expect, it can be a uniquely memorable Yosemite experience.