
Yosemite View Lodge
Best for families and riverfront access — Yosemite View Lodge sits on the Merced River and offers multiple pools, hot tubs, playground and family-sized rooms.
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Yosemite View Lodge is a family-friendly riverfront property in El Portal with multiple pools and on-site dining; read this if you want a riverside base close to Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance. Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn is a familiar chain hotel in Oakhurst with free breakfast and standard amenities; read this if you prefer a reliable, value-focused stop near Yosemite’s south approaches.
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Best for families and riverfront access — Yosemite View Lodge sits on the Merced River and offers multiple pools, hot tubs, playground and family-sized rooms.

Best for chain-level predictability and value — Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn provides consistent rooms, free full breakfast and accessible parking in Oakhurst.
When Yosemite View Lodge wins: pick Yosemite View Lodge if you want to be as close as possible to Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance, prefer a riverfront setting, need multiple pools and hot tubs, or are traveling with children and want on-site family amenities.
When Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn wins: pick the Best Western if you want a recognizable midscale chain with free full breakfast, accessible parking, and a straightforward stay in Oakhurst away from the park-side crowds.
Bottom line: choose Yosemite View Lodge for proximity to the park and a property built for families and on-site recreation; choose Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn for predictable, budget-friendly lodging in Oakhurst with complimentary breakfast.
| Category | Yosemite View Lodge | Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn |
|---|---|---|
| Overall vibe | Casual, family-focused riverfront resort with active on-site recreation | Chain midscale hotel focused on practical comfort and value |
| Location relative to Yosemite | About 2 miles from Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance (on the Merced River) | Positioned in Oakhurst; a common gateway for south/41 access to Yosemite |
| Size (rooms) | Multiple room types including family suites and 2-room units; many rooms have kitchenettes (exact room count not published) | 133 rooms (supplier listing) |
| Ages / audience | All ages — family-friendly with playground and arcade | All ages — standard hotel, not adults-only |
| Pools & hot tubs | Four pools (including year-round indoor) and seven hot tubs/spas | Outdoor seasonal pool(s) and 2 hot tubs; fitness center |
| Restaurants & bars | The River Restaurant & Lounge (breakfast/dinner) and Parkside Pizza (seasonal) | One on-site restaurant (Yosemite Gateway) plus a bar/lounge; complimentary full breakfast |
| Spa / wellness | No full-service treatment spa; in-room jetted spa tubs and on-site hot tubs; fitness center available | No full-service treatment spa published; fitness center and hot tubs on site |
| Known for | Riverside location, YARTS bus stop, family recreation and event venues | Chain reliability, free full breakfast and proximity to Oakhurst services |
| Parking & transport | Free self-parking (RV/bus/truck friendly); on-site YARTS stop; Tesla Superchargers published | Free self-parking; nearest airport recommendation: Fresno Yosemite Intl. Airport (FAT) |
Yosemite View Lodge sits on the Merced River just outside Yosemite’s Arch Rock entrance.
Choose Yosemite View Lodge for the shortest drive to Yosemite’s western/Arch Rock entrance and direct river access.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn is located in Oakhurst, a common staging town for Yosemite visitors.
Choose Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn for a convenient, recognizable base in Oakhurst with local services and dining nearby.
Yosemite View Lodge offers a range of family-friendly units, and nearly every room includes a kitchenette.
Pick Yosemite View Lodge if you want kitchenette-equipped family rooms and suite options near the river.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn provides standard midscale guest rooms and several accessible options.
Pick Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn if you prefer predictable, straightforward room types from a chain with accessible room options.
Yosemite View Lodge has two on-site dining options oriented to families and river views.
Choose Yosemite View Lodge for riverside dining and casual pizza options; breakfast is available for a surcharge.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn provides an on-site restaurant and complimentary full breakfast.
Choose Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn if an included buffet breakfast and simple, reliable dining are priorities.
Yosemite View Lodge emphasizes on-site recreation with several pools and hot tubs.
Choose Yosemite View Lodge if multiple pools and family recreation space matter to your stay.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn offers basic leisure amenities for guests.
Choose Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn if you want a standard hotel pool experience with a fitness room and hot tubs.
Yosemite View Lodge focuses on family recreation rather than a formal spa or nightlife scene.
Expect low-key evenings and wellness via pools, hot tubs and fitness equipment at Yosemite View Lodge.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn provides fitness and basic evening services.
Expect practical wellness (gym) and a quiet hotel bar — not a nightlife or full spa scene — at Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn.

Yosemite View Lodge — roughly two miles from the Arch Rock entrance and on the Merced River.

Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn — supplier listing specifies a complimentary full breakfast daily.

Yosemite View Lodge — multiple pools, seven hot tubs, playground and arcade keep kids busy.

Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn — chain standards, accessible room types and straightforward amenities.
Yosemite View Lodge is closer to Yosemite’s Arch Rock Entrance (about two miles from the gate); Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn sits in Oakhurst and is a longer drive to the park.
Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn lists a complimentary full breakfast; Yosemite View Lodge offers a hot breakfast buffet for a surcharge.
Yosemite View Lodge has more on-site water amenities (four pools and seven hot tubs); Best Western Plus lists one outdoor pool and two hot tubs.
No. Both properties are all-ages and welcome families.
Explore how Yosemite View Lodge stacks up against other hotels nearby:
vs. sites like Expedia, Hotels.com and other OTAs ·