Yosemite National Park is a national treasure. Created in 1890 with the help of naturalist John Muir, this California park welcomes an average of 3.5 million visitors a year. Wilderness photographer Ansel Adams immortalized Yosemite in black and white prints that are still sought after today. Curry Village was established in 1899 to make visiting Yosemite more affordable. The cabins are located in the center of the valley just below Half Dome.
Curry Village has 319 canvas tent cabins. Each has a wooden floor and frame with a canvas roof and sides. Other than one central light, there is no electricity, so that means no TV, radio or phones. Bedding is provided, but a sleeping bag is advised for those who get cold easily. Each tent sleeps two to five people. Two guest showers and five restrooms are available for guest use.
Some cabins have heaters that are turned on between the latter part of September and the middle of May. If you plan to camp during this time, it is best to call ahead, because availability is limited. Even with the heater, your best option is to take a sleeping bag suitable for cold weather if you are planning a winter visit.
A step up from the tent cabins are the wood cabins with a bath. Curry Village has 56 of these units, which resemble a typical cabin with an added deck or patio. Bedding options are one double bed, a double and a single, or two double beds. Each cabin has an electric wall heater and lights but no phones or TV. Bedding and daily maid service are offered.
Curry Village has 18 units in the Stoneman Cottage, which are more like a typical motel room. With one or two double beds, heating, private bathrooms and daily maid service, they are still an inexpensive accommodation option in Yosemite. True to Curry Village form, there are no TVs or phones. Even with these comfortable rooms, the idea is to get out and enjoy the wilderness.
Bears are a fact of life in Yosemite. Curry Village provides a bear-proof storage locker for each tent cabin to store food, toiletries and other items. This is the only way to keep your camping items, and yourself, safe. Bears have been known to break into cars and raid tents that have food stored inside. Even if you are staying in the wooden cabins with bath or the Stoneman rooms, do not leave food or food-related items in your car. The park also provides portable bear-proof food containers for day hikers and those overnighting in the wilderness.
