A new glamping property opened on April 16 near the west entrance of Yosemite National Park, marking a geographic expansion for Under Canvas as it enters California for the first time.
The site, called Under Canvas Yosemite, is the company’s 13th location in the United States and is situated on an 80-acre property approximately 10 minutes from the park’s entrance. The opening comes ahead of the peak summer travel season and will operate through October 26, 2026.
The property includes 71 safari-style tents designed with private bathrooms, heated interiors, and outdoor decks positioned for views of the surrounding forest and night sky. The site is located among native tree species such as California Black Oak and Ponderosa Pine.
Shortly before opening, the property received designation as California’s first DarkSky Approved resort from DarkSky International, reflecting a focus on minimizing light pollution and promoting stargazing experiences. Select accommodations, including Stargazer Tents, feature overhead windows for nighttime sky viewing.
“Every Under Canvas location is rooted in the same ethos of immersive, upscale outdoor hospitality designed to work in harmony with its natural surroundings,” Matt Gaghen, the CEO of Under Canvas, told Travel + Leisure. “The camp is set within a serene, mountainside forest filled with mature, native trees, giving it a distinctly Californian feel.”
The site includes a central lobby tent with a restaurant and lounge, as well as a yoga deck offering daily classes. Dining is anchored by Embers, an on-site outlet serving meals with both indoor and outdoor seating, along with regional wine and beer.
Guests also have access to grab-and-go food options intended for day trips into the park. Programming includes activities such as lawn games, children’s events, and nightly campfires with s’mores. Wi-Fi is not available on-site, aligning with the company’s positioning around digital disconnection.
Transportation access is supported by a nearby stop for the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS), located across from the camp entrance, allowing visitors to access the park without driving.
Additional services include an adventure concierge team that coordinates activities such as rafting, rock climbing, and fly fishing, along with local guidance from on-site staff. Nearby attractions include Rainbow Pool, located less than 10 minutes from the property.
“Yosemite is a place that naturally inspires awe, and our goal is to offer an experience that allows guests to fully immerse in that beauty while being thoughtful stewards of the environment,” Gaghen says.
For outdoor hospitality operators, the development highlights several ongoing trends shaping the sector, including proximity-based lodging near major national parks, integration with regional transportation systems, and the growing role of sustainability certifications such as DarkSky approval as differentiators.
The absence of Wi-Fi and emphasis on curated programming also reflect a continued shift toward experiential stays over traditional accommodation models.
Additionally, the property’s seasonal operating window underscores the importance of aligning staffing, pricing, and marketing strategies with peak visitation periods in protected natural areas.
Under Canvas Yosemite joins the company’s existing portfolio of camps located near national parks such as Zion, Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Great Smoky Mountains, reinforcing its focus on high-demand outdoor destinations.