Hotels in Oakhurst, CA Sierra Sky Ranch
About Sierra Sky Ranch
Sierra Sky Ranch is a 28-room hotel in a 150-year-old ranch house in Oakhurst, California — 12 miles from Yosemite's South Entrance, four from Bass Lake, on a 30-acre property in the Sierra Nevada foothills.
The Ranch House has stood here since the 1870s, when this land was working cattle and logging country. The beamed ceilings, the stone fireplaces in the Great Room, and the wraparound veranda are original. Out front the Great Lawn runs wide; the fire pit is lit most evenings. The library is at the end of the hall — somewhere to settle after a day in the park.
There are other hotel options in Oakhurst with parking lot views. Sierra Sky Ranch is on the road to Yosemite, with modern bathrooms and reliable WiFi, where wild turkeys and deer still cross the lawn.
The Drive to Yosemite's South Entrance
Twelve miles, about twenty minutes. Highway 41 runs straight north from Oakhurst to the gate. The property sits on that road, so you pass it heading either direction.
The South Entrance is open year-round, check the NPS site for current entry requirements. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close in winter; the route to Mariposa Grove and the Valley does not. From the gate, Mariposa Grove is another twenty minutes up Highway 41. Wawona is just inside the entrance. The Valley itself runs about ninety minutes from the front desk.
Fish Camp is closer to the gate at two to three miles, and that's a reasonable area to stay. The tradeoff at Sierra Sky Ranch is that you wake up in Oakhurst — restaurants, a grocery store, a gas station, an actual town — and drive twenty minutes to the park, instead of waking up at a single park-adjacent property with nowhere else to go.
Rooms & Suites
Twenty-eight rooms split across two buildings. The Ranch House is the original structure: beamed ceilings, knotty pine walls, more character than the Guest House. Rooms here tend to run smaller; guests describe them as cozy, and that's accurate. If the room is mostly a place to sleep before an early start at the park, the Ranch House is a great option. If you want more space to spread out, the suites are the better choice. The rooms in the Guest House are more generous. All standard rooms in the Ranch House and Guest House have semi-private verandas that overlook the Sierra Nevada foothills.
Most rooms are kings. There are doubles and family configurations for guests traveling with kids. We have modern bathrooms and reliable WiFi. It's a 150-year-old building with the things you actually need.
On the Property
Continental breakfast is included with every stay: coffee, fruit, muffins, bagels, juice, served 7am to 9am in the restaurant space each morning. Not extensive, but enough to get you up the mountain. The restaurant space also hosts special events and private functions; there is no on-site lunch or dinner service, so plan on driving into Oakhurst for evenings.
The outdoor pool is open seasonally, typically late spring through early fall. The fire pit is lit most evenings. S'mores kits are at the front desk. The wraparound veranda runs the length of both the Ranch House and the Guest House; many rooms open onto it directly through French doors.
Inside, the Great Room has a grand piano at one end and a stone fireplace you can pull a chair up to after a long day in the park. The library is at the end of the hall. WiFi throughout.
Out on the Great Lawn: wild turkeys most mornings, deer most evenings. The Great Lawn is available for ceremonies and events.
The Great Room
Stone fireplace, beamed ceilings, and a grand piano at one end.
Restaurant space
Hosts continental breakfast and private events — no lunch or dinner service.
Wraparound veranda
Runs the length of both buildings; many rooms open onto it through French doors.
Seasonal pool
Open seasonally, typically late spring through early fall.
Breakfast included
Continental breakfast, 7am–9am — coffee, fruit, muffins, bagels, juice.
Fire pit
Lit most evenings. S'mores kits are at the front desk.
Oakhurst & the Sierra Nevada Foothills
Oakhurst is the largest town near Yosemite's South Entrance, about an hour north of Fresno on Highway 41. It sits at the edge of the Sierra Nevada foothills, where the valley floor starts rising toward the park. It's a real town: grocery store, hardware store, gas stations, several good restaurants.
Bass Lake is four miles away, with boating, swimming, and fishing in season, and worth an afternoon if you're not spending every day in the park. The Sierra National Forest is nearby; trailheads and forest service roads are accessible for guests who want to get out without driving to Yosemite.
For dinner, El Cid and Oakhurst Grill come up most often in guest recommendations. Both are a short drive from the property. Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino is about fifteen miles south.
Planning Your Yosemite Trip by Season
Spring (late April–early June)
Snowmelt runs the waterfalls hard. This is when Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil are at full volume. Wildflowers in the lower elevations, cooler temperatures, and noticeably fewer cars at the gate than July or August.
Summer (June–August)
The busiest stretch in the park by a wide margin. Reservation requirements change year to year; check the National Park Service site before you book. Arrive before 8am or in the evening for the quietest experience.
Fall (September–October)
Steady weather, fall color coming into the lower elevations by mid-October, and crowds thinning out after Labor Day. The most underrated window for guests who have flexibility.
Winter (November–March)
The South Entrance stays open year-round. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close. Snow chains can be required on Highway 41. Check Caltrans before you drive. Mariposa Grove and the Valley remain accessible.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Sierra Sky Ranch from Yosemite's South Entrance?
Is Sierra Sky Ranch the closest hotel to Yosemite's South Entrance?
What makes Sierra Sky Ranch different from chain hotels in Oakhurst?
Does Sierra Sky Ranch have an on-site restaurant, and is breakfast included?
Is there a pool at Sierra Sky Ranch?
When is the best time of year to visit Yosemite from Oakhurst?
Do I need a timed-entry reservation for Yosemite National Park?
How does Sierra Sky Ranch compare to staying inside Yosemite?
What is the benefit of booking direct vs. an OTA?
Are there restaurants near Sierra Sky Ranch in Oakhurst?
What Guests Say
"The entrance gate to Yosemite Park is about 20–25 minutes away on Route 41."
— Angelika M., May 2026
"The fireplace being on all the time gave the whole place a warm, lodge vibe."
— Lorena G., February 2026
"Delightful lodge with fascinating 100+ year history. Family run in a friendly, accommodating atmosphere."
— Kurt H., September 2026
Book Direct
Book direct at sierraskyranch.com or call 559-683-8040. You get the best available rate, a direct line if your plans change, and someone at the front desk who knows the property.
- Best rate, direct
- Direct support if your plans change
- A real person to ask before you book