A glamping getaway you can book with Hilton Honors points: My stay at AutoCamp Yosemite

What is AutoCamp Yosemite?

Location

Despite its name, AutoCamp Yosemite doesn’t actually sit within the bounds of the national park. It’s in Midpines, California — a 45-minute drive from the nearest park entrance, Arch Rock, and an hour away from the South Entrance.

The closest airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), which sits about 77 miles south of the camp. San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) are about 160 and 170 miles west of AutoCamp, respectively.

We began our trip by driving straight from LA to Yosemite’s South Entrance to admire the giant sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove.

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After that excursion, we drove about an hour from the South Entrance to AutoCamp, passing through the small town of Oakhurst for a snack along the way.

On the second day of the trip, we drove 45 minutes from AutoCamp to the Arch Rock Entrance in the southwestern region of the park. The winding road cuts through mountains and weaves alongside a river, offering alluring views even before drivers cross into the park. This route is the most convenient way to reach Yosemite Valley’s famous attractions, such as El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.

On the last morning of our trip, we drove 10 minutes to nearby Mariposa, where the charming downtown features lodges, cafes, restaurants and stores selling artisanal goods.

If you’d rather not drive into the park each day, you can opt to use the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System. There is a YARTS stop right on the AutoCamp property along the Highway 140 route which will bring you into Yosemite Valley.

Book with cash or Hilton Honors points

I booked my Airstream directly on the AutoCamp website, and my two-night stay in mid-July cost $1,105.

Checking in

After spending the better part of the morning and afternoon in the car, my friend and I were more than relieved to finally see the AutoCamp sign peeking around a bend in the road.

We drove up the path to the main parking lot, stretched our legs and headed into the Clubhouse.

Inside, we were greeted by friendly staff members, a rustic-meets-modern architectural design and a flood of natural light from the full wall of windows overlooking the camp. The Clubhouse is the center of all the activity at AutoCamp (but more on that later).

Check-in was quick and easy. The front desk attendant showed us a map of the site and assigned us to Airstream 46. She then informed me that my reservation had unlocked a free three-month subscription to AllTrails, which every hiker knows is a very helpful tool — especially when venturing to areas without good cellphone reception.

We also received cans of electrolyte water, which were much appreciated since the outside temperature had surpassed 100 degrees.

There were wagons near the Clubhouse entrance to help guests transport their luggage, but since our Airstream was very close to the parking lot, we didn’t use them. Drivers of electric vehicles will be pleased to find chargers in the parking lot as well.

What it’s like staying in an Airstream

Before entering the Airstream, we were focused on one thing and one thing only: air conditioning. Once we discovered it was cold (freezing, even) inside the suite, we turned our attention to the aesthetically pleasing camper van we’d call home for the weekend.

The door to the 31-foot Airstream opened into a kitchen and a small sitting area with a sofa. The kitchen featured contemporary touches and plenty of storage. Not only did it hold the typical hotel suite supplies — like utensils, a wine opener, a minifridge and a microwave — but also it featured more niche camping equipment like a cast iron skillet, tin plates and cups, and a Gaiam foam roller for sore hikers.

The AutoCamp website says the sofa can be converted into a bed big enough for one adult or two children to accommodate larger parties. Fitting three adults in the Airstream would’ve been tight but still manageable if you used all the available luggage storage options.

A sliding door beside the couch led to the bathroom, where gray tile floors, thick towels and luxurious bath products contributed to a surprisingly spalike feel.

There was a small mirror, a hair dryer and more storage than you would expect to find in a small camper bathroom.

The bed was across the Airstream through another sliding door. It had a nightstand on each side of it as well as ample space to move around.

The bedroom offered plenty of lighting options and outlets. Plus, some storage available was available in a small cabinet beneath the TV and inside the nightstands.

The remote to the small TV didn’t work, but luckily we weren’t interested in watching the few cable channels it offered anyway. (Instead, like true glampers, we used the free and surprisingly fast AutoCamp Wi-Fi to stream the latest episode of “Love Island USA” on a laptop after stargazing.)

The shades worked well to block out the early morning sun, and as a whole, the Airstream was actually quite soundproof. We didn’t hear the presunrise hikers leaving camp in the morning, even though we were right next to the parking lot. From the outside, I also couldn’t hear music that was playing inside the Airstream.

Speaking of, one of the most fun Airstream features was its Bluetooth speaker system. (To activate it, flip the switch on, turn the knob until the light glows blue and connect your phone to “Pyle in wall.”)

Listening to your favorite album on surround sound makes getting ready for a day at the park even more exciting.

The outside area was complete with a stone dining table and chairs as well as two extra seats for lounging.

Guests can use their private outdoor fire pit with a grill to cook meals. (Note: Firewood is not included in the rate. If you want to use your fire pit, you’ll have to bring your own wood or purchase some at the Clubhouse, where a bundle costs $20 plus tax.)

The neighboring Airstreams were closer than I expected, but I didn’t mind being among other visitors.

If you are looking for a more secluded feel, though, consider booking a premium Airstream rather than a basic one. The premium options offer all the same amenities but are in quieter areas toward the back of the property.

For more of a true camping experience, you can opt to book a luxury tent instead of an Airstream. These don’t have air conditioning or private bathrooms; instead, guests must use the public restrooms in the Clubhouse.

For a more glamorous experience, choose a family cabin. These are more like rental homes and come with full kitchens, dining areas and multiple beds to fit the whole family.

The Clubhouse is the center of the action

The well-designed Clubhouse is the hub of on-property entertainment at AutoCamp Yosemite.

Its wood paneling and iron and stone accents create a chic yet natural vibe. Plus, there are plenty of seating options, from plush couches to funky swinging chairs.

Its wall of windows looks out onto a large communal fire pit area, where families gather to make s’mores at night.

Upstairs at the Clubhouse, there’s a multipurpose room for events like morning yoga classes.

At any given time in the Clubhouse, you can find guests playing board games they borrowed from the front desk, ordering a meal from the kitchen or enjoying the nightly live music. (The live music event is normally held outside in the summer, but since it was so hot during my stay, the bands played inside.)

There’s also a daily happy hour from 4 to 6 p.m. when beer, select wines and cocktails (normally $12) are half price.

Food options at the Clubhouse

The Clubhouse’s general store carries everything from grab-and-go food and sunscreen to wine bottles, souvenir mugs and medication. So, even if you forgot to pack something on your glamping trip, you likely won’t have to leave camp to buy it.

Guests can enjoy complimentary hot coffee, tea and granola in the Clubhouse every morning. After chatting with some fellow guests, it seemed everyone wished AutoCamp offered a more robust free breakfast selection, though.

You can purchase hot breakfast food from the kitchen, but since it’s prepared in advance, you can’t alter the ingredients at all.

There are many hearty dinner options — such as chicken pot pie ($10), homestyle macaroni and cheese ($10), and lasagna ($10) — on the menu for hungry hikers. During my stay, I tried a breakfast sandwich ($12) and a cheese pizza ($17), both of which were decent.

Pool, landscape and on-site activities

The large on-site pool sits beside the Clubhouse on a hill overlooking the back lawn. It’s surrounded by some loungers and small tables, and there were always plenty of clean towels available for guest use during my stay.

Beyond the pool and the Clubhouse, you’ll find a walking path around a pond that’s dotted with more tents, Airstreams and cabins. In my opinion, the Airstreams in this area (numbers 70-74) seemed to have the best of both worlds: a tranquil pond setting with proximity to the Clubhouse.

Depending on the day you visit, you can participate in complimentary events such as yoga classes, guided meditation sessions, stargazing excursions, outdoor movie nights and live music performances from local artists. There are also some on-site events — like mixology and floral arranging classes — available to book for an extra fee.

Guests can ride around the grounds using the resort’s complimentary bikes (but can’t take them off the property). If you want to hike but don’t want to drive all the way to the national park, there are plenty of closer hiking trails and recreation areas in the Sierra National Forest.

Additionally, the resort can host large gatherings such as company retreats, family reunions and weddings. It’s also dog-friendly, so you don’t have to leave your pet at home.

Accessibility

I wasn’t expecting much in terms of accessible options at a glamping resort, but I was pleased that AutoCamp Yosemite proved me wrong.

Though there are no accessible Airstream options, travelers can book accessible luxury tents, cabins and premium cabins. The cabins offer entry ramps, low outlets and light switches, and wide showers, among other accessible amenities. Accessible accommodations are all located as close as possible to the Clubhouse.

An elevator can transport anyone with physical disabilities from the Clubhouse’s main floor to the pool area, and there is also a pool lift.

Some areas of the property have dirt paths and loose gravel that could be difficult for travelers with mobility challenges to navigate. If you need some extra help getting around the property, you can arrange a golf cart ride with the staff.

Reasons why AutoCamp Yosemite might not be for you

• If you’re searching for a serene camping experience in untouched nature, skip AutoCamp Yosemite. While the grounds are beautiful and offer plenty of opportunities to interact with nature, the resort provides a more lively atmosphere with many other guests around.
• Visitors who want to stay directly inside Yosemite National Park will probably be discouraged by the 45-minute drive from AutoCamp to the nearest park entrance.
• AutoCamp Yosemite is neither the cheapest no-frills lodging option nor the most glamorous option — it falls somewhere in the middle. Travelers on either side of the spectrum should look elsewhere.

Checking out

For a nature-filled vacation where you can roast marshmallows in the woods without going through the hassle of setting up a tent, AutoCamp Yosemite is the answer.

It’s a family-friendly glamping resort that’s chock-full of activities and events for people of all ages to enjoy. There were plenty of young children running around during my mid-July trip, but once summer vacation ends, the property probably becomes more of a romantic destination suitable for a couples getaway.

At $1,105, my two-night stay certainly wasn’t cheap, and the price didn’t include many extras (like hot breakfast or firewood). Luckily, you can find lower rates during the off-peak seasons, and if you’re a Hilton Honors member, you can pay for your stay using points.

Next time I’m itching for a nature getaway, I will definitely consider returning to AutoCamp Yosemite or venturing to one of the brand’s other locations.

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