Giant sequoias, spectacular waterfalls, alpine tundra, plus arguably the world’s most beautiful valley combine to make California’s Yosemite National Park one of our country’s most popular vacation destinations.

More than 4.3 million visitors entered the park in 2017 making it the fourth most visited national park behind only Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon and Rocky Mountain.

Like many of America’s large and diverse national parks, Yosemite deserves more than a quick drive through (a practice of many Grand Canyon visitors).

There are horses to ride, hikes to take, guided tours to enjoy, fish to catch, a river to float and beautiful scenery to view.

More than a day is required to gain a true appreciation for this outstanding park resulting in many visitors choosing to camp or stay several nights in one of its lodging facilities.

Yosemite is home to seven lodging facilities, all but one of which we have stayed in, plus 13 campgrounds.

Four of the seven lodges are in Yosemite Valley where visitors can choose overnight accommodations that range from tent cabins to what many consider the most elegant of the national park hotels.

The choice depends not only on the size of your budget but room availability during your planned visit.

The valley is popular and travelers often make room reservations a year in advance. The valley is served by a free shuttle system with stops at each of the campgrounds and lodging facilities. Thus, there is no need to use your vehicle to move around the valley, and it’s a good thing because locating an open parking space can be a hassle.

Accommodations in Yosemite Valley include:

Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee): This marvelous hotel was built in the 1920s and continues to be maintained to a high standard.

The six-story hotel’s focal points are the Great Lounge and dramatic dining room. A total of 123 guest rooms are in the hotel and adjacent cottages, the latter offering guest rooms just as nice and with more privacy compared to those in the main hotel.

The hotel is tucked away in a quiet area of the valley.

Room prices range from $510 to $580 plus tax.

Yosemite Valley Lodge (formerly Yosemite Lodge at the Falls): The lodge is a complex of one- and two-story buildings with the appearance of motel or small apartment units.

The wooden buildings are scattered about a busy commercial area of stores and restaurants. The central location is accompanied by considerable traffic and lots of people.

Rooms cost approximately $260 plus tax and are often the first in the valley to fill.

Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village): Yosemite’s largest lodging complex with 526 rooms, Half Dome Village offers canvas tent cabins on wood platforms, cabins and motel-type units.

The tent cabins (a few have heat) have metal cots and a single light but no electrical outlets. The lodging facilities are tightly packed and can be some distance from parking. Food service is nearby.

Tents rent for $143 ($162 with heat), cabins for $217, and motel units $260.

Housekeeping Camp: Canvas and concrete structures in an H-shape built two to a unit with a common wall. The entry and roof are canvas.

Each unit has a picnic table, an electrical outlet and a shelf with a light. Guests must supply their own sheets, blankets and pillows, or rent these items at the registration building.

The facility has the appearance of a refugee camp but is the first choice of many Yosemite visitors, especially families that include small children. It is the only lodging facility in the valley that permits cooking.

Units rent for $107 per night plus tax.

Park lodging outside Yosemite Valley, but within the park boundaries, includes Big Trees Lodge (our favorite) near the south entrance. The complex of historical wooden buildings offers guest rooms with and without a private bath.

Staying here is a world apart from busy Yosemite Valley.

Two facilities with tent cabins identical to those at Half Dome Village are on Tioga Road in the high country. Each includes a dining facility.

David and Kay Scott are authors of “Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges” (Globe Pequot). Visit them at mypages.valdosta.edu/dlscott/Scott.html. View their videos of the national park lodges at mypages.valdosta.edu/dlscott/lodgevideos.html. The Scotts live in Valdosta, Ga.