It’s not your grandfather’s camping trip. It’s glamping, but with a pulse. Under Canvas just opened a new outpost just outside Yosemite National Park, and honestly, it changes the game for travelers who want the wilderness vibe without the hypothermia or the bug bites.
One of TPG’s most anticipated hotel openings of 2026, I got an exclusive first look. If you like hotel amenities but crave nature, this is your bucket list item.
Getting there and the strict no-tech rule
Drive east from San Francisco. Three hours on the road. Ten minutes before the Big Oak Flat entrance, you hit gravel. That’s it. You’ll see the sign shortly after.
Here’s the kicker. When you park in the lobby tent area, staff will brief you on the rules. Most importantly? There is no Wi-Fi. Cell service is a ghost town.
It’s a feature, not a bug. You put the phone down.
There are also bears. Food isn’t allowed in your tent. Water, yes. Snacks, no. Leave them in your car or the communal bear-safe shed near the parking lot. The car park itself is down a steep, 10-minute hill walk. You can hike it for exercise, or let a golf cart escort you and your bags to the tent. I took the cart. My legs thank me.
Inside the Under Canvas Yosemite tents
These aren’t canvas squares in the mud. They’re suites.
The property offers tents for two to six people. I stayed in the Suite. It had a king-size bed with individual heating pads—a nice touch, though the nights were cool enough I didn’t need them.
The room felt like a chic living space dropped into the woods. Leather sofa bed, coffee table, plush rug, storage trunk. Even a small heater for when the chill sets in.
The bathroom was private. Running water, flush toilet, and a pull-string shower. It took me a moment to figure out the cord, but once I did? Good pressure. Hot water. Spacious. Honestly, better than some chain hotels.
“Your tent is your sanctuary. Protect the quiet.”
There’s no AC. In July or August, temperatures hit 90°F. The tent gets stuffy. I visited when it was 75°F during the day, dipping to the low 50s at night. Perfect for sleeping. Just bring a fan for summer visits.
Eating at Embers restaurant
Hungry? Head to Embers.
It’s an à la carte restaurant inside the main lobby tent. The food surprised me. Local ingredients. Good flavor.
For breakfast:
* Bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich ($17)
* Avocado toast ($16)
* Brown butter pancakes ($17)
Coffee is endless and included with your stay. Alcoholic morning beverages? Mimosas for $11.
Hyatt Globalist members note: Breakfast isn’t included. This is a Mr & Mrs Smith property, so the perks don’t always align with Hyatt’s elite benefits. Check your fine print.
Dinner is the showstopper. I ordered the marinated skirt steak ($35) and crispy Brussels sprouts ($16). There were pork fried rice specials with seared shrimp, too.
Want a drink? The Drago Soda mixes dragonfruit, strawberry, and cream. The Meadow Buzz cocktail uses herbal tea tincture and white wine. Light. Refreshing.
Lunch? Skip Embers. There’s a 24/7 grab-and-go station for chips, sandwiches, and drinks. Pack these for your hike.
Why stay here instead of Curry Village?
This is the big question. Under Canvas Yosemite is close, but it’s not inside the park.
- Proximity: 10 minutes from Big Oak Flat entrance.
- Access: An hour’s drive from Yosemite Valley trails.
If you want to wake up, walk to Yosemite Falls, and have no car, stay inside the park. Curry Village offers rugged, no-frills camping. Under Canvas is about disconnecting after you’ve done your exploring. It’s a basecamp, not the battlefield.
Logistics matter. If you fly into San Francisco (SFO), expect a 3-to-4 hour drive depending on traffic. Fly into Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT), and you’re only 90 minutes away. Much faster.
Amenities that actually work
You want to reconnect? The lobby tent is built for it. Board games (yes, Candy Land), a telescope, cornhole, and a yoga deck.
Outside, Edison bulbs light up fire pits. People talk. Real talks, not screen-reading silence. It was the highlight of the trip.
For pet owners: Dogs are welcome. The fee is $35 per night, per pet.
Electric vehicle drivers: Two EV charging stations sit in the car park. Convenient, though you might have to wait if others are plugged in.
Staffing: 24/7 service. I left at 4 AM for a hike. Someone was there to drive me to the car and hand me coffee. They were friendly, too, offering hiking tips and carrying bags. But flag them down; if no golf cart is passing, you might stand there for a bit.
Booking with Hyatt points: The smart play
In 2024 Under Canvas joined World of Hyatt via the Mr & Mrs Smith partnership.
This changes everything for point collectors. You can earn and redeem Hyatt points here. But watch out—prices aren’t static.
Deluxe tents start around $384 cash or 31,000 points. Rates fluctuate by season and popularity.
How to get more value:
- Chase Ultimate Rewards: Transfer points to Hyatt. Standard ratio is 1:1, but some Chase cards offer a 5-point bonus for every 5,000 transferred, or other incentives depending on current promos. Check your portal before you book.
- Bilt Rewards: Transfer 1:1 to Hyatt.
- Dynamic Pricing: Don’t assume points will be cheaper than cash. Sometimes they are. Sometimes cash buys a better rate. Compare both before you commit.
Note: Cardholder terms vary. Check if your transfer bonus is active. For example, some transfers may offer accelerated rates during limited-time promotions.
Is it accessible?
Yes, but with caveats.
There are four accessible tents with ramps. They park directly in front of the unit, bypassing the steep hill to the main car park. That’s smart design.
However, getting from the tent to the lobby means walking an uneven dirt path. Hyatt notes this terrain can be difficult for some wheelchairs or mobility devices.
If you have specific accessibility needs beyond those four units, call Under Canvas Yosemite directly. Each property setup varies.
The final word on Under Canvas Yosemite
Do you need Wi-Fi? Do you need air conditioning? Do you need to order UberEats to your bed?
If yes, book a standard hotel. Go home.
But if you want stargazing, silence, and a hot shower after a long hike? Under Canvas delivers. It’s luxury camping for the weary urbanite.
The community feels real. The food is good. The location strikes that sweet spot between isolation and accessibility.
I’m already planning a return trip. Not because I have to. But because the stars are loud up here.
