Entire home

Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views!

Photo gallery for Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views!

Exterior view at dusk
Amazing view of Half Dome and El Capitan from the deck
Winter view from deck
Main Floor - Dining room view
Main Floor - Living room

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 6185.8 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Barbecue grill
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Yosemite National Park, CA
  • Yosemite Valley
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Yosemite Arch Rock Gate Entrance
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Tunnel View
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite)
    ‪65 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 6)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Queen Bed

Loft

1 Double Sofa Bed

Master Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower

Master Bath

Soap · Towels provided · Shower only

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views!

Stay inside the park! See Half Dome and El Capitan from the comfort of our deck!

There are only a handful of rentals within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park with comparable views. With this summer’s reservation system still up in the air, we know park access feels uncertain, but if you stay with us, you won’t need to secure a separate entry reservation when one is required by the National Park Service.

Yosemite Valley View is in a uniquely special location within the private enclave of Foresta, just 10 minutes from the valley floor. Our reviews consistently reflect how happy guests are with both the house and its location. Beyond the incredible views from the deck, our property offers direct access to hiking trails and a beautiful waterfall nearby.

The home is 2,000 square feet, fully appointed, and features granite countertops in the kitchen. It sleeps six in three bedrooms with queen-size beds, plus a comfortable sofa bed in the loft. Enjoy the huge deck, perfect for wildlife viewing, stargazing, yoga, or simply relaxing while barbecuing with an amazing view!

The kitchen is fully equipped and stocked with essentials such as paper towels, napkins, and coffee filters. Free high-speed, unlimited Wi-Fi is provided through Verizon.

Our location is ideal for those looking to avoid crowds. We are in a private area with no close neighbors and open space on two sides. Yosemite Valley View is one of the closest private rentals to Yosemite Village.

To ensure you have the experience you expect, please be aware that many other homes listed under "Yosemite National Park" can be up to an hour’s drive outside the park—and with traffic, getting in can take even longer.

Guests must abide by house rules and digitally sign a rental agreement via Dropbox Sign. No pets. Smoking is never allowed anywhere on the property. A webcam adjacent to the parking area provides security and helps assess weather conditions but does not view interior spaces. Holiday rates apply.

Please note: We are not responsible for the information in the "About the Neighborhood" section, as it is generated by AI and may not always be accurate. We are always happy to answer questions at any stage of the booking process.

Property manager

Jim
Premier Host

Languages

Danish, English, Polish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Huge deck with views. Good for little ones.
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No smoking or fires anytime or anywhere.
BOOKING NOT CONFIRMED UNTIL GUEST DIGITALLY SIGNS RENTAL AGREEMENT THROUGH DROPBOX. Max 7 occupants (adults&children). Parking for max 3 cars.
Having more people in the house than have been registered is a violation of California Penal Code Section 537 (Defrauding an Innkeeper).
No refunds for late arrivals, early departures, weather, air quality, power outages less than 24 hours. 4WD required to access in heavy snow.

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a first aid kit

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Yosemite National Park

Located in Yosemite National Park, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Yosemite Valley and Yosemite National Park. Travelling with kids? Consider El Portal Market and Nature Center at Happy Isles. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Yosemite National Park, CA

What's nearby

  • Yosemite Valley - 6 min drive - 4.9 km
  • Yosemite Arch Rock Gate Entrance - 19 min drive - 17.2 km
  • Tunnel View - 19 min drive - 15.1 km
  • El Capitan - 20 min drive - 15.8 km
  • El Portal Market - 21 min drive - 10.9 km

Getting around

  • Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪The River Restaurant & Lounge - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Parkside Pizza - ‬24 min drive
  • ‪Canyon Bar & Grill - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Cedar House Restaurant - ‬31 min drive
  • ‪Little Bear Pizza - ‬30 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Reservation Never Needed! Private Home with Stunning Half Dome & El Cap Views! located?

This family-friendly Yosemite National Park holiday home is located in the mountains, 3 mi (4.8 km) from Yosemite Valley, and within 9 mi (15 km) of El Portal Market and Yosemite National Park. Merced River and Sierra National Forest are also within 9 miles (15 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 162 out of 164 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 164 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 164 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 164 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 164 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Lauren B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Family Friendly Stay

This was the perfect spot to share space with family. Board games, space, views and comfort. It was an easy drive to the park and a nice place to rest after a long day of hikes. The owner was kind, responsive, and flexible. The property was clean, spacious, and accommodating to our family’s needs. Would definitely come back!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Stuart B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Legit Awesome Home

Absolutely the best place to stay in Yosemite!! You will love the views of El Capitan and Half Dome from the living room, kitchen, deck, one of the bedrooms, and loft. The house is really clean. The kitchen is modern. The teens loved the game room that is in the basement. The drive to the main village is only about 15-20 minutes and the views getting there are gorgeous. Finally, Jim the host is truly fabulous at taking care of any issues that come up, provides great info for the park, and is generally very friendly. We had 7 people and this house was absolutely perfect!!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

David R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding view well equipped property very detailed instructions in house as to wishes of owner

Wonderful views of Half Dome and El Cap my group of attendees were alll retired climbers so we really enjoyed the views to classic climbs
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Cece K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Clean house with great views

This house was very clean and well maintained! I stayed her with my family and there was plenty of room for everyone. Would recommend staying here when visiting Yosemite!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ken H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A Perfect Home

This house is perfect, great location, views and very comfortable with a game room on the lower level. Even though we were here for work it was perfect. The owner provided us with tons of info and was extremely easy to communicate with. We plan on staying here again next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Feb 2025

10/10 Excellent

Elijah V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Home

This is a true hidden gem in Yosemite with breathtaking views. The home is perfectly appointed and well equipped with several cozy living spaces and spacious bedrooms. We are already looking forward to our next opportunity to stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michael G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

January 2025 Yosemite

Great location inside Yosemite, super quiet with a beautiful view. House is nice, with a great deck.
Stayed 6 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Ashwini G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fantastic stay with an amazing view of half dome.

We had a fantastic stay at this property. We were a family of 6 staying here for 3 nights. The property is very close to the valley floor and it takes about 20 mts to get to the valley floor. The property is well furnished and has good amenities for an extended stay, including a well equipped kitchen. The host Jim is very responsive. We had a great time and will definitely stay there again.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jean J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Quiet “room with a view”

Amazing location-gorgeous view-out of the crowds, but in the middle of Yosemite’s magnificent beauty.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sarah G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing place

Beautiful home with everything needed for a comfortable stay: comfy beds, entertainment, all the kitchen items needed to cook meals. The view is even better than the pictures.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great house with an incredible view

This 3-bedroom house was perfect for me and my two friends. The kitchen was very well equipped with everything we needed for our 3-night stay. What makes this house amazing is the huge deck with an incredible view of Half Dome. The sunrises and sunsets were spectacular. The trip to the Yosemite Valley floor took a little longer than we'd anticipated but the views more than made up for that. Reserving the house was very efficient and Jim, the host, responded quickly to any questions we had. The information he provided prior to check-in was clear and thorough. We arrived the first night after dark, so finding the house was a little challenging but once we'd driven to it in the daylight we didn't have any problems finding it. I would definitely recommend this house to anyone who wants a place convenient to hiking Yosemite and who doesn't mind a little bit of a drive to enjoy the views from the deck.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

8/10 Good

Wendy C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Corporate Partner’s Retreat

Communications with Jim were outstanding! The location of the house is perfect. It’s about 20-25 minutes from the Valley Floor. Close enough to be there in minutes but away from the crowds. The only reason for 4 stars rather than 5 is bathroom cleanliness and the house is dated but exactly as shown in the pictures. So that’s personal preference and individual taste. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

C P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best kept secret

The Yosemite view house was wonderful! Great view, clean, kitchen equipment thoughtful so we could cook our meals, comedy beds, and appreciated the ceiling fans since it was hot weather and allowed us to enjoy the cool night air and turn off the AC. So close to everything but away from the valley crowds. A very quiet area, even saw deer on the way in. Thanks Jim for all of your hospitality!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kyle H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family trip to Yosemite

The property and views were awesome. We had nonissues with the house.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Suzanne C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Peaceful and Beautiful

Lovely home and conveniently located inside the park. All the conveniences of your own home, well stocked kitchen, comfy beds, and furniture, and of course the fabulous deck. The owner was very responsive and helped me with all my questions about both the house and the park. Seamless check-in and check out. Excellent choice for all members of our party.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eda T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Birthday Trip

The house was a perfect getaway if you want some peace and quiet. It is inside the national park and have quick access to most of the attractions. The house has all the necessities you need and its nice and clean. It has spacious rooms and bathrooms.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank I.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Yosemite Friends Trip

The home was better than advertised! Great view of El Capitan and Half Dome. The rooms were spacious and clean. 3 full bathrooms were a plus. Overall an excellent experience. I highly recommend
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lori P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nothing less than AMAZING.

We have never been to Yosemite and did not have any insider advantage until we discovered this stunning home offered by Jim. The pictures do not do justice to the breathe taking views and the home was so well stocked, it was simple to nestle right in from day one. My young adult kids fell in LOVE with the luxury bedding, especially after their first experience with wilderness hikes to awe inspiring waterfalls. Really, look no further, if you want to experience Yosemite with the convenience of being in the park. Thank you Jim, all your advice and attention made this truly a special family reunion. We look forward to coming back soon :) - Lori
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Vacarion

We visit the park every year and this has been our favorite property. Beautiful views and an ideal quiet location while close to the valley. The kitchen has everything needed and the grill and deck are the perfect spot to relax after a great day of adventuring. The game room was a hit with the kids and the decor and ambiance is welcoming. My only wish is that the master bedroom had a king bed, but otherwise this home is perfect. Jim was great with communication and had quick responses with any questions. Thank you for sharing your lovely home!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katherine H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Outstanding property n an outstanding lcatin

Property was very nice for our group f 6 ranging from age 8 to age 71. Such a great lcation, outstanding views from he dckbherher. Was for watching El Capitan and half dome, or the stars a night. Such a b/c home o come back to each day after a full day of hiking. Well stocked kitchen, beds were nice and the house was very spacious for a group f 6. Would definitely commnd to there. And Jim, the owner was easy to communicate with
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Small Town Living Within Yosemite National Park

We greatly enjoyed our stay at the house in Foresta with the large grassy yard and deck. Unfortunately, we didn't see any deer on the property, but we had several sightings in the Park. The other houses in Foresta are spread out, so there is a sense of privacy on the deck, where we enjoyed the view of Half Dome and the squirrels/birds. The owner was very communicative and added us to the Park reservation system. The Park road is just 15 min up the hill, close to be convenient but not obtrusive or loud. The house was comfortable with great Yosemite/nature decor, microwavable containers, and very clean but could have used replacements for frying pans/utensils, more consistent hot water for upstairs master bath, and rug grippers for runners/rugs in the dining area to improve safety. The shower, DVD player, and a/c worked well (especially appreciated during our 90+ degree heatwave). The laundry center was very appreciated, as we didn't have to pack as much on our trip. We do recommend that mailing of the house key to guests ahead of trip be replaced by lockbox system. The property was close to the gas station and Tuolumne/Merced Groves then down the road to the 120/West Entrance for groceries and Hetch Hetchy. From the house, it was a quick trip to the Valley, tunnel view, and Glacier Point area. It makes a huge difference to stay in the Park to cut down on driving time. Overall, we had a fun and relaxing time and recommend the Yosemite Valley View in Foresta to all.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

J P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful Stay!

We had a wonderful vacation here. The house was clean and as described. It took us about 30 minutes to get to the valley. Of course, the great views from the deck/living room!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Michele T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family holiday

The house had stunning views and was convenient to Yosemite Valley hikes.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dixie H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun at Yosemite

We loved this house!! Jim was a great communicator and the checkin process was seamless. Comfy, clean and with a stunning view. Loved waking up “naturally” as it was light by about 5:30 am. I am a morning person, so it was perfect for me. My husband and our other two friends got up pretty much at their leisure. And the park itself was truly beyond belief. It is definitely one of the most spectacular places I have ever visited. We took a 2 hour tram tour through the valley the first morning which I highly recommend. I’m so glad we came and are encouraging everyone we know to visit Yosemite. And, to stay in Jim’s house if possible!! Thanks again -it was truly memorable.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

James B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Ballou Yosemite View stay

This was our third time at Yosemite View though we had not been in 15 years. It was all we could have wanted. A wonderful base from which to explore the park.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024

About the host

Hosted by Jim

Host profile image

Why they chose this property

This property has been in my family since the mid 1970s. After the A-Rock fire in 1990 destroyed the original house we were amazed to discover that we suddenly had views of both El Capitan and Half Dome.

When we rebuilt in 2006 great care was taken in the design and placement of the house to take maximum advantage of the view.

What makes this property unique

It is extremely rare to be able to stay in a private home within a national park with such spectacular views. There are only a handful of homes in the entire park with such a view.

Languages:

English, Danish, Polish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests