Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River
About this house rental
Nestled in Tuolumne County, this charming house for $525 per night is a fantastic option for your next vacation. YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE (to receive an accurate quote, contact owner at 209-379-2458)...a newly re-modeled 3 bedroom, 2 bath home with a spectacular view of the Merced River. From its location close to Highway 140-- the 'All-Year Highway' to Yosemite National Park--you are only 5 miles to the Park boundary, and minutes to the incomparable Yosemite Valley. With a fully-equipped kitchen, 2 gas fireplaces, the ONLY private in-ground swimming pool among Yosemite area vacation rentals, and a large deck overlooking the river, YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE is a year-round vacation destination from which to enjoy the sights, sounds, and recreational activities of the 'crown jewel of national parks'. With 3 bedrooms and a sleeper sofa, YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE can accommodate up to 8 guests. One bedroom has a queen bed, a gas fireplace surrounded by beautiful local rock, and a sublime river view. A second bedroom also has a queen bed, a pool view, and an adjoining full bathroom. The 3rd bedroom has a bunk bed, with a twin mattress on top and a double on bottom. A second full bathroom has been newly renovated in an Art Deco style. The kitchen has everything you'll need, and you'll love the view from the sink, watching the river roll by. The living room has ample comfortable seating, a stone fireplace with gas insert, a 42' HDTV, and DVD player. Wireless internet is also available. The El Portal area has a fascinating history. The Yosemite Valley Railroad, which ran on what is now Incline road, operated from 1906 until 1942. Before Highway 140 was completed in 1926, the railroad carried passengers to El Portal, from where they would continue their journey to Yosemite via horse-drawn carriages, and later motor-coaches. On the return trip to Merced, the train carried sugar pine logs back to the sawmill. YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE is on Incline Road (the former railroad bed), a level, paved lane parallel to the Merced River. Because so few cars travel the road, it is ideal for walking, running, skating, and biking. Guests at YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE can take advantage of a variety of seasonal activities in the area, including: *river rafting, kayaking, and some of California's premier wildflower walks in the spring. *swimming in the on-site pool and local swimming holes in the summer. *downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing at family-friendly Badger Pass in the winter. *trout and bass fishing in season. *photography, hiking, bird and wildlife watching, rock hounding, and phenomenal star-gazing all year round. Staying at YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE is an affordable family vacation, especially when 2 families share the rental and food costs. Upon returning to the house after a day of fun activities, refresh by the pool or relax on the deck and listen to the soothing sounds of the Wild and Scenic Merced River. Cook outside on the gas BBQ, have a delightful meal outdoors, and savor your vacation at our unique location in El Portal, the Gateway to Yosemite. Keywords: House
Amenities
Pool
Air conditioner
Kitchen / Kitchenette
Internet / Wifi
Fireplace
Parking
Laundry
Balcony / Patio
Dishwasher
TV
Garden
Family friendly
Map of Tuolumne County, CA
Reviews
5.0/5.0
Outstanding(266 Reviews)
5.0
We celebrated my baby girls 2nd birthday in Yosemite and loved our stay
5.0
We were very comfortable in this nice house with wonderful views of the river and the nearby mountains. Our favorite things about this house were the warm gas fireplace in the livingroom and complete kitchen. The property is only minutes from a Park entrance.
4.0
Visited with 2 adults and two small children. A lot of nice things to note about the property. Close to Yosemite entrance so daily in and out of the park with kids was great. Kitchen had nice new pots and stocked with lots of cooking spices, coffee, utensils, etc. A clean, quiet, secluded spot along the river, which can be heard at night; with no problem for sleep time. Deer greeted us in the morning in the backyard.
A few things could be upgraded as it appears to be an older house. Beds were not particularly comfortable, a bit too wobbly and squeaky. Filtered water faucet was a trickle when we used it so it was hard to even fill up one cup, definitely not our canteens for day trips. Tap was supposedly potable so we didn’t bother boiling and didn’t have any issues. Definitely zero phone reception when not on wifi, but we read about that in advance so no surprises there.
We were in the park most of the day so only came back for dinner and sleep.
Overall, a very decent option for Yosemite visits.
5.0
The location of the property is very private and serene tucked back on the hillside above the river with cozy landscaping. It was too cold to use the pool when I was there but it was well maintained and large enough to easily accommodate several adults and kids. The interior has plenty of room to spread out and the beds were very comfortable (we didn't use the couch bed - so I can't speak to it). The kitchen was spacious and easily accommodates 2-3 adults working in it at a time. Also, the kitchen was very well stocked with high quality pans and appliances. The fireplaces produce a lot of heat and were very welcome with night-time temperatures dropping into the thirties in mid November. The central air was a little difficult to figure out how to work - but if you stay in the winter you won't be lacking for heat.
The host was very friendly and helpful. We managed to lock ourselves out on the first day and the host responded quickly to get us back in.
I would definitely book again - the property was much more affordable than the hotel up the road when compared to booking 2+ rooms.
5.0
This home really fit our needs on our visit to Yosemite. We were a bit surprised with the lack of cellular service but the property had a landline and Internet service that were greatly appreciated. Beautiful home overlooking the Merced river where we spent many days listening to the Merced and many nights looking at the stars.
5.0
Loved the river view and the pool. Would definitely go back.
4.0
Very nice place to stay. My German family that I brought there in order to visit Yosemite thought it was expensive for what it was. It was also a long drive (1hr 40 min) to Tuolumne meadow where we spen 3 of our 4 days.
5.0
Good time!
5.0
The house was a welcome retreat after spending time in the crowded parks. The pool was a refreshing bonus. Private and peaceful, this home exceeded our expectations!
5.0
We had a great holiday in the house! Everything was perfect. We recommend it as it is a clean, well equipped house.
5.0
The house was great...clean, comfortable and relaxing. Great location to explore Yosemite and great to be able to cool off in the pool.
5.0
My fiancé , my son and a few friends and 2 toddlers stayed on our vacation to Yosemite , PERFECT location 20 minutes to park entrance , the house was great ! The pool is absolutely amazing , what a back yard !! The hosts were also incredible, thank you for everything !!
5.0
We loved the property; the location, setting and pool were amazing! What a chance to see Yosemite from a super property!
5.0
Private, remote location while so close to the park. The view of the Merced River rushing by and the refreshing afternoon swims were a godsend. My family had a wonderful visit and will never forget our stay at this beautiful place.
5.0
I feel like we discovered a hidden gem in the Yosemite valley. I was unbelievably hot while we were visiting so I was incredibly nice to come back after a day of sightseeing to refresh in the lovely pool. We loved sitting on the deck and listening to the river rushing. The nearby market was fantastic We were able to make a nice pasta dinner and burgers on the 4th of July with very high quality ingredients including vegetarian options. JoAnne was very attentive and she made sure that we had everything that we needed. The house cooled off quickly with the air conditioner, the kitchen was well appointed, and we appreciated being able to use the laundry supplies. I will definitely recommend to all of my friends who visit Yosemite.
5.0
Very clean. Pool area is nice and our family used the pool each evening. Approximately a 10 minute drive to western enterance of yosemite. This is one of the closest residences to this enterance. The merced river view is stunning. Would definitely stay again in the future.
5.0
We came as a family. The only reason for 4 star location rating is that "others" may not prefer the more remote location and limited shopping nearby for groceries to be prepared. It helps to do main grocery in Mariposa. We absolutely loved it! We were able to drive into the park each day and then return in the afternoons to relax and enjoy the river-side home peace and quiet. Thank you Joann for such a wonderful stay!
5.0
Nice and quiet vacation house. We enjoyed the beautiful surrounding of the house. It was tranquil and peaceful to sit on the deck in the morning.
The house is well stocked with towels. However, it would be nicer if:
1. the kitchen pans and pots can be upgraded as many of them have scratches;
2. soap can be provided
5.0
Our seventh year! Especially enjoyed watching the river from the deck this year.
5.0
This is a really great house with a pretty view of the river and beautiful drive to the park.
5.0
We absolutely loved staying on this property. It was a great base camp for going into Yosemite daily. The pool was great to cool off in, and the sight and sound of the river was soothing. The house had everything we needed, including shampoo and soap.
5.0
This was a great home and a wonderful location.
5.0
We loved our stay at the River House. This place is situated in a beautiful area, with the rushing river just below the large deck. Because we visited after this year's record snowfall, there was so much water in the river. It was beautiful and dramatic! The proximity to Yosemite was perfect, and the waterfalls and river and water everywhere in the park was just amazing and astonishing and spectacular! The house is well appointed, clean, well cared for, and the host JoAnn has worked to make everything as nice and convenient as possible. She provided detailed information about everything you needed to know about the house, as well as detailed driving directions and food shopping info.She was quick to respond to my questions prior to our visit, and we could not have asked for a better place to stay. We just loved it there! It is as advertised on the VRBO site, but better! The pool area is also very nice, although it wasn't quite warm enough for us to go in. We really enjoyed sitting on the deck eating breakfast and dinner each night (beware of mosquitos at dusk) and just enjoying the beauty of the area. We even had a visit from a few deer! The house is large enough to accommodate a family, (two nice bedrooms with king beds, and another bedroom with bunk beds) and two nicely stocked bathrooms. If other friends/family were staying at a local hotel in El Portal, the house could serve as a "gathering" spot with lots of seating inside and outside for at least 10 people.
5.0
We were two couples staying a weekend here. Due to a wet season, the river was running high and the waterfalls full. It was stunningly beautiful and the place was the perfect location and size for us. Highly recommend.
5.0
We enjoyed the time in your home near the river and near Yosemite. It was just what we needed to help us visit the park each day and spend time with family.
5.0
We fell in love with this home. It is right on the Merced River with great views. Our friends flew all the way from CT to see Yosemite with us. The night before we were to go to Yosemite our original VRBO was cancelled. Luckily, we were able to book Jo Ann's home at the last minute. It ended up being better than anything we could have asked for. The property was immaculate and spacious. The kitchen had everything you could need. We will definitely return again.
5.0
We had a great time in their home. Location was prime and the view was awesome! The home had everything we needed and more. We will definitely book again!
5.0
We rented this house for a family trip (5 adults, 2 kids) and had a great time. Location is close to Yosemite and the house itself is also great. Clean, well-stocked, and great views of the Merced river that runs just across the house. We had an issue as soon as we arrived because there was no running water. But Jo Ann and Harvey came over immediately to help fix the issue, which was a pump that had stopped working (not their fault). Very nice hosts who made sure we had a great stay!
5.0
We stayed during Spring Break, although Yosemite was still in winter mode. It actually made our experience much more enjoyable. It snowed during our stay which made the views even more gorgeous.
The property was just as described. Gave National Park vibes. Lots of cute wood decor. Plenty of towels and toiletries. About a 20 minute drive the Yosemite entrance.
Didn't have a lot of questions for the owners, there was a binder that answered pretty much all our questions. The fireplaces were perfect on the cold nights. My teenagers even enjoyed sitting by the fireplace reading some books. Plenty of books to choose from.
If you're looking for a place to stay and prefer privacy, I definitely recommend this property.
1.0
I rented this home for Christmas with my family and was horrified when we arrived. We planned on cooking christmas dinner and relaxing while visiting yosemite and we thought this would be the perfect place for us. Upon arrival everything seemed great but once we looked closer we saw that there was rat poo all over the house. In the kitchen cabinets in the bedrooms all over the living room and even on the couches we had been sitting on. I took photos of everything and ended up having to clean up on Christmas eve because we were so disgusted. Who wants to clean up rat poo? who wants to eat off utensils that had rat poo on it? Even after cleaning it was hard to swallow the fact that there was rat poo on the plates we were using. We also had my nephew and daughter with us who are 4 and 5 and it was unsafe for them to be playing there. I'm in contact with Vrbo and am currently going back and forth about getting a refund. I also contacted Jo Ann the owner and our final email about this was so disgusting and rude. The last thing in the email she said was "Sorry mickey came to visit" who says that? It says a lot about who she is as a person. I have been extremely understanding, kind, and respectful. Please do not rent here. It's really expensive and if rats enter the home and poo everywhere she won't be kind about it and she will refuse to give you a refund. She kept saying in the email it was mouse poo and not rat poo like it made a difference.
5.0
Our trip started stressful due to a rockslide at the entrance to Yosemite just a couple days before we were scheduled to leave. JoAnn was available to chat, provided us updates on road conditions, and the road opened up just before our trip. The cabin was in a terrific location! We were only there for a couple nights but everything was close by and easily accessible. The bunk beds were a bit squeaky in the 3rd bedroom, but otherwise the accommodations perfect for our needs. I would stay there again. Thank you for a lovely trip!
5.0
Clean and beautiful place to stay. Hosts were easy to work with and even helped when mother nature made visiting Yosemite difficult. Great directions, easy access to property, beautiful property. Would visit again!
5.0
We loved the house! Great location allows for easy park access before it gets crowded. Everything as advertised by owner. Loved it and will be back.
5.0
Fantastic views with easy access to the park.
5.0
This was a great house in a wonderful location! We enjoyed our stay here. We were comfortable, had what we needed and the surroundings were awesome! Thank you so much for sharing your home!
5.0
We had a lovely time!
5.0
Wonderful homebase property for Yosemite. About as close to the park entry as you can get (still 30 minutes to the valley itself) and what an amazing place to come back to after a long hike.
The pool was very refreshing. The house was very clean. Great grill and good cookware for cooking, given there aren't a ton of dining options in the vacinity.
One thing to watch out for is wifi. It's there, but only good enough for lite email or messaging.
5.0
From moment we walked in for the stay, till we left, this place just felt like home right away. We were welcomed with nice and clean sofa and linens, and amazing deck and pool. They also had plenty of spices and cookwares for us to cook and bbq on the deck. The pool was clean and nice too. Cool water to cool from the hot day in Summer Yosemite.. turned on music and had such a good time. The pool and the deck also have very good privacy - you have the whole place and nature around for your self! The patio deck and the grill is also very clean and well maintained, enjoyed good food and gazed at thousands of stars at night! They have extra extra linens, towels, and cleaning supplies for just about everything, and the laundry machines very big to clean for all 3 of us family.
Overall I’d give 10/10 for this stay Love to come back next year
5.0
Had a great visit here. Kids loved the pool and the location and proximity to Yosemite was perfect
5.0
good place
FAQs
How much does this house cost compared to others in Tuolumne County?
The average price for a rental in Tuolumne County is $225 per night. This rental is $300 above the average.
Is parking included with this house?
Yes, parking is listed as an amenity at Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River. For more information, we encourage you to contact the property about where to park.
Is there a pool at this house?
Yes, a swimming pool is available for use at Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River. Enjoy the water!
Is Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River pet friendly?
Unfortunately, this house is not pet-friendly. Try searching again and filter for "Pets Allowed"
What amenities are available at Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River?
We found 12 amenities for this rental. This includes pool, air conditioner, kitchen / kitchenette, internet / wifi, and fireplace.
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