Located in the heart of El Portal, YOSEMITE'S RIVER HOUSE offers a serene retreat near Yosemite National Park. Unwind by the private in-ground swimming pool or on the large deck overlooking the Merced River. With a fully-equipped kitchen, 2 gas fireplaces, and comfortable seating areas this home is perfect for up to 8 guests.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire home
3 bedrooms2 bathrooms130 sq m
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River
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
Property amenities
Beach
Beach towels
Ski
Cross-country skiing nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Pool/Spa
Outdoor pool
Private pool
Internet
Available in the house: WiFi
Parking and transport
Car required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Blender
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Electric kettle
Hob
Ice maker
Kitchen island
Microwave
Oven
Paper towels
Refrigerator
Toaster
Water dispenser
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
2 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Shower
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Living spaces
Fireplace
Living room
Separate dining area
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Games
TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
No pets allowed
Suitability/Accessibility
Smoke-free property
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Phone
Location highlights
In a rural location
On a river
On the waterfront
Things to do
Birdwatching nearby
Fishing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Ice skating nearby
Kayaking nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Swimming nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
An adult aged 18 or older must assume all liability for the booking
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: no charge for children 2 years old and younger
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
We should mention
A car is required for transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in El Portal, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Valley. El Portal Market and Yosemite Museum are also worth visiting. Take in the nearby slopes with cross-country skiing, snowboarding and skiing, or try out other outdoor activities such as ice skating. Visit our El Portal travel guide
Does Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
Is Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River?
Checkout is at 10:30 AM.
Where is Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Sierra National Forest and within 6 mi (10 km) of Yosemite National Park and El Portal Market. Merced River and Yosemite Arch Rock Gate Entrance are also within 9 miles (15 km).
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Closest Home to Yosemite Valley on the Merced River Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
A quiet and tranquil place for vacation. The kitchen is fully equipped. Heater works well. An ideal place to stay if you are going to Yosemite National Park.
Great property with an incredible location near Yosemite! I highly recommend this property for anybody looking for a home with convenient access to the national park.
This secluded one of a kind property was perfect for our Yosemite trip with family. Loved the river view, mountain view and visiting wildlife. Even saw some baby quails.
We had a wonderful stay at the home (3 Adults / 5 kids). Plenty of space, air conditioned, and all the amenities - kitchen was well appointed, pool was fantastic, quiet setting next to the Merced! Would stay here again!! Hosts were attentive and great communication.
Great location, 30 minutes to Yosemite. House is well equipped with all the basics and very clean. Two gas fireplaces one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Great location near the river. One bedroom was very comfortable.
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!
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 !!
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.
Stayed here two nights to visit Yosemite valley. Very close to park gate. Loved the sound of the river as we fell asleep. The stars were exceptional due to almost no lights around from neighbors. Kitchen was very well supplied with good cookware. Really enjoyed our brief visit.
Everything about the house was amazing. Extremely well stocked in every way. So peaceful on the deck overlooking the Merced river. Swimming pool was wonderful. Gas fireplace a real treat. Very close to Yosemite National Park. Had a glorious time and hope to be back.
Great home with ideal location for exploring Yosemite! Accurate online description of the space, great instructions on how to arrive to property given from the host. Property has all the basics you might need, so nice! I agree with other reviews not to count on the sofa bed- the mattress and frame are too uncomfortable to sleep on at this point. That said, I would definitely return to this property in the future- host was helpful and the location is incredible!
We were awe struck when we pulled up to our house. The beauty of the river, trees, deck and pool was so impressive, more than we could have asked for. The house was emaculate. Everything was so nice and clean, including the pool and only 15 minutes from the park gate.
Great location- easy access to park. Clean house, well stocked, nice pool and grounds. Not a lot of choices for restaurants or grocery though (El Portal is VERY small and the grocery store extremely limited, especially for meat and veg. Not really any restaurants either unless you drive to Mariposa or into the park). Highly advise bringing a cooler of food with you and cooking at the house.
Very quaint home on a private road, sitting peacefully quiet overlooking the Merced river and away from the Hwy. Sitting just south of Yosemite View Lodge, it is an ideal location for a family visiting Yosemite while enjoying a full home. We visit during the summer but can see this as a wonderful summer stay too. The fireplace in the living room was broken but there was a second fireplace to enjoy in one of the bigger bedrooms. The kitchen was well stocked with appliances and the Grill was well maintained. Can see visiting here again when weather is better for pool fun or being by the nearby riverside sands.
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.
JoAnn's house is lovely and comfortable with a 10-star location. Some of our favorite features were:
-- Quick access to Yosemite Valley by car, close enough to come back for an afternoon rest then head back to the park
-- Sleeping to the sound of the Merced River
-- Plenty of room for our 18-year-old son and his friend
-- Excellent wifi
-- Gazing at the river while having coffee on the deck
-- Easy safe access to a running route for our athletic young men
-- Pool and comfy couches for less-athletic, less-young parents