Rush Creek Lodge Location
We are blessed with a truly magical and convenient location to enjoy all of Yosemite National Park and the surrounding Stanislaus National Forest. Rush Creek Lodge sits just half a mile from the Park’s Highway 120 West/Big Oak Flat entrance, providing an ideal launching point for exploration into all parts of Yosemite. The resort is a 3 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area along scenic Highway 120 West, the most direct route to Yosemite from the Bay Area, offering year-round access to the Park.
Rush Creek is also situated 7 miles from its sister property, the historic Evergreen Lodge, and just 15 miles east of Firefall Ranch, making our lodges the most conveniently located of all Yosemite lodging options for access to Yosemite's top attractions: Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Tuolumne and Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, and the lesser-known Hetch Hetchy Reservoir. Drive times to these areas vary depending on traffic and weather conditions, but on average you can reach Yosemite Valley in 30 minutes, Tuolumne Meadows in 1 hour, Hetch Hetchy in 20 minutes and Giant Sequoia groves in 10 - 20 minutes.
The charming Old West town of Groveland is the last town you pass through on your way to Yosemite from 120 West. You’ll find Rush Creek 22.5 miles east of Groveland.
In Winter, Tioga Pass on Hwy 120 East is closed on the Eastern side of Yosemite (near Nevada), but Hwy 120 West where we’re located is open all year, providing direct access to us and Yosemite. In winter, roads are plowed as necessary after snowfalls, and carrying chains is periodically required, so guests should call ahead and come prepared during periods of winter weather.
Drive Times from Major Cities
3-3.5 hours from the San Francisco Bay Area (2.5 hours from the Livermore Valley)
2.5-3 hours from Sacramento
2.5-3 hours from Fresno
5.5-6.5 hours from Los Angeles
Rush Creek Lodge and our sister properties are the most conveniently located of all Yosemite lodging areas for access to the most prominent parts of the Park: Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, Merced & Tuolumne Groves of Giant Sequoias, and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir.
Surrounding area highlights include forest, meadows, rivers, swimming holes, fire roads, and scenic vistas. Visit with our Recreation team for planning advice and more drive times to Yosemite’s major icons as well as our favorite local spots.
| Yosemite Destination | Drive Times (in minutes) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush Creek Lodge | Evergreen Lodge | Firefall Ranch | Groveland | El Portal | Mariposa | Oakhurst | |
| Hetch Hetchy | 25 | 10 | 45 | 55 | 65 | 115 | 120 |
| Yosemite Valley | 30 | 40 | 50 | 60 | 10 | 50 | 60 |
| Tuolumne Meadows | 60 | 75 | 75 | 95 | 75 | 110 | 120 |