Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance - 22 min drive - 13.2 miles
Pine Mountain Lake Marina - 29 min drive - 17.9 miles
Pine Mountain Lake - 31 min drive - 15.9 miles
Yosemite Hetch Hetchy Entrance - 37 min drive - 21.5 miles
Getting around
Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 67 min drive
Restaurants
Lucky Buck - 6 min drive
Tangled Hearts Bakery - 10 min drive
La Casa Loma River Store - 10 min drive
49er Restaurant - 6 min drive
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire place to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Lillaskog Lodge: Family Friendly Ridge Top Lodge, Near Yosemite
Located 11 miles from the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park, Lillaskog is nestled on a serene mountain top surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest, Lillaskog Lodge is perfect for family reunions, larger parties and special events such as retreats, weddings, etc. It is a wonderful place to start new family traditions!
If you are looking to have your wedding here, please reach out to us for more details!
Whether you are exploring Yosemite or Stanislaus National Forest, entertaining family or hosting a large group, Lillaskog has something for everyone.
The 5000 square foot Lodge is styled with a Swedish flair borrowing from the original family's Swedish ancestry. The name Lillaskog (pronounced Lill-a-skoog) is Swedish for “Little Forest”.
After your day exploring Yosemite, BBQ on the patio or cook your family’s favorite dishes in our large, fully equipped kitchen. Relax in the spacious great room, or borrow a book from the loft library and curl up by the stone fireplace.
Lillaskog has free Wi-Fi and flat screen, smart TV’s in the Great Room and all of the bedrooms.
The main floor of the Lodge is totally wheelchair accessible and consists of a large, fully equipped Kitchen and the Great Room with floor to ceiling windows and a stone fireplace. A piano is available in the Dining area adjacent to the Great Room, for those who are musically inclined. This floor has two bedrooms and three bathrooms one of which is fully wheelchair accessible. Surrounding the Lodge’s main level is a wheelchair accessible wraparound balcony so you can enjoy a sunrise over Yosemite and the sunsets over the Stanislaus National forest.
Our laundry facility is also located on the main floor.
The upper loft area features the library and a master bedroom suite with a private balcony and bath.
The lower level includes a bonus room which can be set up with 6 twin beds or as a conference/meeting room. The lower level also has three bedrooms and three bathrooms.
All of our bedrooms are equipped with soft, quality bed linens, irons (in the linen closets) and flat screen TV’s, with Roku’s and some streaming services.
Our bathrooms are stocked with big, soft, fluffy towels, hair dryers and complimentary soap, shampoo and conditioner. The Half Dome bathroom on the main floor is ADA wheelchair accessible with a removable elevated toilet seat and shower chair.
The grounds surrounding the Lodge have two lawn areas. The lower, larger lawn area features the Gazebo with an incredible view as the backdrop. This area is often used for weddings.
The upper lawn area is a favorite for watching the beautiful sunsets. It is also adjacent to our large cobblestone area which can be set up with tables for outdoor dining for our large groups to enjoy. A wonderful spot for wedding receptions with beautiful views!
Swim or fish in the nearby Rainbow Pool, go whitewater rafting down the Tuolumne River. Hike the trails of Yosemite and take your own photographs of the natural treasures that you can only experience in Yosemite. Visit Bodie State Park which is a real old west ghost town or pan for gold in Historic Jamestown.
The vacation home is air-conditioned and features a kitchen, 7 bathrooms, and a balcony, and there's space to spread out with 6 bedrooms. Guests can expect to find free WiFi and a Smart TV with a DVD player. Other standard amenities include a washing machine, a fireplace, and a sofa bed. Housekeeping is available on request.
If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
1 accessible parking space
Area rugs in public areas
Cobblestone flooring in public areas
Front entrance ramp
Gravel flooring in public areas
Hardwood flooring in public areas
No elevator
Smooth flooring in public areas
Wheelchair accessibility
Wheelchair-accessible parking
Designated smoking areas
Note from host: In designated smoking area only
Services and conveniences
Housekeeping (on request)
Iron/ironing board
Location highlights
In a rural location
Near the marina
On a lake
On a river
Things to do
Boat
Golf
Kayak
Birdwatching nearby
Casino nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Sledding 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)
First aid kit
Fire extinguisher
Deadbolt lock
General
At least 80% lighting from LEDs
Garden
Housekeeping (on request)
Solar energy
Unit size: 5,000 square feet
Policies
Check-in
Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 18
Check-out
Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out available
Special check-in instructions
An adult age 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
Check-out instructions
The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Remove personal items and remove leftover food and drinks
Turn off the lights and lock the doors
Pets
This property welcomes pets
Dogs only
3 total pets
Service animals exempt from fees
Note from host: Pet addendum policy must be signed. $50 pet fee.
Children and extra beds
Note from host: Pack and Play and high chairs available.
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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 99
Note from host: Type & size of gathering must be approved by owner
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
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
Check-in: 3:00 PM
Check-out: 11:00 AM
Minimum check-in age: 18
We should mention
Details about charges, deposits, or other important information:
This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession.
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary depending on the property's policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges, as well as a government-issued photo ID, may be required at check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in and can't be guaranteed. Certain requests may come with additional charges.
This property uses solar energy.
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 99.
Note from host: Type & size of gathering must be approved by owner
Onsite safety features include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock.
Additional information about polices, regulations, and more:
There are no elevators.
Property is also known as
Enjoy Lovely Mountain Top Overlooking Yosemite's Mountains Peaks
Enjoy Lovely Mountain Top Overlooking Yosemite's Mountains Peaks
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do near this vacation home?
This vacation home is located in Groveland, close to Rainbow Pool.
Is there parking available at this vacation home?
Yes, there is accessible parking available.
Is this vacation home next to a casino?
No, this vacation home is not connected to a casino.
Is there an indoor pool at this vacation home?
No, there is no indoor pool at this vacation home.
Is Lillaskog Lodge: Family Friendly Ridge Top Lodge, Near Yosemite good for couples?
Amenities that appeal to couples at this historic vacation home include a fireplace, a kitchen, and a smart TV.
Does Lillaskog Lodge: Family Friendly Ridge Top Lodge, Near Yosemite have a hot tub?
No, there isn't a spa tub at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home provide breakfast?
No, this vacation home doesn't offer breakfast.
Does this vacation home allow pets to stay for free?
Although dogs can't stay for free, they are welcome at this vacation home.
Does this vacation home have connecting rooms?
No, this vacation home doesn't feature connecting guestrooms.
How far is the airport from this vacation home?
The closest major airport to this vacation home is Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite), which is about 21.5 mi away.
Are there rooms with balconies at Lillaskog Lodge: Family Friendly Ridge Top Lodge, Near Yosemite?
Yes, every accommodation at Lillaskog Lodge: Family Friendly Ridge Top Lodge, Near Yosemite comes with a balcony with some featuring mountain views.
Lillaskog Lodge: Family Friendly Ridge Top Lodge, Near Yosemite Reviews
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers 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.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 113 out of 124 reviews
10 - Excellent
113
Rating 8 - Good. 9 out of 124 reviews
8 - Good
9
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 124 reviews
6 - Okay
2
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 124 reviews
4 - Poor
0
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 124 reviews
2 - Terrible
0
9.2/10
Cleanliness
Reviews
10/10 Excellent
Lyris R.
Jan 6, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Excellent for large families; amazing views
The lodge had more than enough space for our family of 17 plus a small pup. Not a 5-star hotel but it had everything we needed to make our two-night stay comfortable and the great room had holiday decorations which was nice. The wi-fi was spotty at times but that was expected given the location. Our favorite parts were the amazing mountain views and the proximity to Yosemite National Park. We had 3 SUVs and also appreciated the plenty of parking space inside the property. Liza and Tom were incredibly responsive when we had questions and we also met some of the staff when we were departing who were very nice! Our group enjoyed our stay and would definitely come back here again.
Lyris R.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sreenivasa M.
Jan 5, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Adventure Home
Kids and adults like this wood house, great for groups and they have all we need for cooking—nice and warm inside.
Sreenivasa M.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024
6/10 Okay
Verified traveler
Aug 13, 2024
Great Views, Sunsets and Star Gazing
I have mixed emotions about this property. It is a nice large house that needs some love. Definitely not a 10 out of 10 that some reviewers gave it.
Pros: We had six adults and six children and had plenty of room for everyone.
Kitchen is well stocked and easy to cook for a group.
The sunsets, sunrises and star gazing were amazing and we loved our evenings outdoors.
Cons: Air conditioning is by room air conditioners. None in the basement bedrooms (4). Very warm our first night there.
Mice and mice droppings, but we are in the forest so..
Two smoke alarms started beeping in the night two out of four nights staying. I think that could have been prevented by maintenance. Property manager responded quickly and replaced batteries both times.
Most of the bedroom furniture drawers don't open.
Two of the bathrooms have showers in claw foot tubs that are very treacherous.
Low water pressure in upstairs bathroom. High water pressure in basement bathrooms.
Verified traveler
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
10/10 Excellent
Irene R.
Jul 30, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness
Irene's 70th BD Celebration
Beautiful place, location, interior decor was perfect. Very appreciative of the extra care taken to provide towels, toiletries, barbecues etc.. Entire family members loved everything about this place. Thank you !
Irene R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
8/10 Good
Nancy B.
Jul 21, 2024
Beautiful views
The views are beautiful and the proximity to Yosemite is great. VRBO indicates the property has a hot tub but there is no hot tub on the property so that was disappointing. That needs to be removed from the listing. There was a mouse in the house but that is probably to be expected based on the location of the property. We enjoyed our stay.
Nancy B.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
10/10 Excellent
Sarah N.
Nov 15, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
So beautiful!
The cabin was so gorgeous, as well as the view! My husband and I stayed to host our wedding and everyone kept talking about how incredible the cabin was! Liza, of course, was great as well, she responds to texts and calls super efficiently and made sure the cabin was ready for us!
Sarah N.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
10/10 Excellent
Saketh P.
Oct 13, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous property
The house and the area surrounding it were incredibly beautiful. Liza was a great host, and made sure that everything was taken care of. Highly recommend staying here!
Saketh P.
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2023
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveler
Aug 14, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great time!
A group of friends and I stayed on this property with our kids. It was incredible as the kitchen was well stocked and the view was beautiful! The host was extremely responsive as well.
Verified traveler
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023
10/10 Excellent
Jeff J.
Jun 26, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property with amazing views
We had a family reunion and there was plenty of room for multiple families to have their own space.
I would caution anyone traveling with a small car to be very cautious on the 1/2 mile trek from 120 to the property as it is a pretty washed out dirt road.
Jeff J.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023
10/10 Excellent
David R.
May 22, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Life-long friends reunion
A group of 12-15 childhood friends get together every few years and this year we chose to be near Yosemite NP. We could not have picked a better location or space for our get together. The accommodations were more than enough to keep us all under one roof. And the views were fantastic too! I highly recommend this VRBO to anyone who asks.
David R.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
Verified traveler
May 12, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Classmate Reunion
The property was great for our high school classmate reunion: plenty of space to cook, socialize and enjoy the surroundings. The house was well-equipped for gatherings like ours (10 guests). We're already talking about scheduling another trip there next year.
Verified traveler
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
10/10 Excellent
William W.
Mar 24, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Incredible Stay
I booked this trip for my family (9 adults and 3 kids) to go see Yosemite. In the run up to our trip, California was hit with record storms and Yosemite was closed and the property was damaged. Liza, the property manager was exceptionally communicative, letting us know well in advance the extent of the damage and how it could effect our trip. Liza and the property caretaker worked hard in the days leading up to our trip to resolve all of the damage issues and gave frequent updates on the progress, including offering to let us reschedule or cancel.
Check-in and check-out were extremely easy, the property is immaculate, and the views are astonishing! The house is exceptionally well stocked with amenities from firewood, to puzzles, board games, and books, to the most well outfitted kitchen I have seen in a rental property.
The kids brought snow gear and spent every minute they could sledding down the rapidly melting snow and Liza was able to give advice on where they could go to find more snow as well as additional hiking options with Yosemite closed. Liza really did everything she could to make our stay special.
My only complaint is that we want to go back and it's hard to find a free weekend given the properties popularity. A huge thank you to the folks that make Liliskag so special!
William W.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
10/10 Excellent
Suzan B., san francisco
Feb 7, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful place with ambiance and nice view
Magical view, cute indoor and outdoor spaces, very nice ambiance. I will defiantly be back.
Communication was smooth, Liza was very responsive.
you get full privacy, no other close properties near the lodge, surrounded in beautiful nature.
Suzan B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jan 2023
10/10 Excellent
David S., Bay Area, California
Jan 3, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness
Great Family Gathering
This was the third time we gathered our clan at Lillaskog for a Holiday get together. As usual, all had a great time. I highly recommend this place if you need a large clan to gather and it has a great view. The hosts go out of their way to make you feel welcome. The only very slight negative is we had to wait 10 minutes to get into the house as they were finishing cleaning. On the other hand, it was Christmas Day and we understand that everyone was with their family in the morning. We will be back -- again!
David S.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Chris L.
Dec 5, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic lodge in a great location, well stocked kitchen
Liza was very communicative and helpful in planning the trip. They clearly put lots of care into the property. The living space is cozy with great views, the aesthetic is pleasant, and there’s ample space for a large group. Definitely recommend.
Chris L.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2022
10/10 Excellent
Michael A.
Sep 6, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing holiday weekend
Rental process was perfect from start to finish. The cabin was clean, organized and extremely well stocked to entertain a large group. The location was perfect for enjoying Yosemite and the many other local hikes and swimming holes. The cabin hosts took incredible care of us making sure we had everything we needed. We can’t wait to visit Lilliskog again. Thank you Liza, Tom and Scott!!
Michael A.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022
10/10 Excellent
Judith V.
Aug 14, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Making Memories
Lillaskog was perfect for our family. Plenty of space for everyone. Liza answered all of our questions as we were preparing for our trip. The kids enjoyed picking grapes and blackberries. Sunsets were beautiful. It was nice to have two sets of washers and dryers for our size of group. The kitchen was big and stocked with many essentials. Overall a great experience. It's all about making memories!
Judith V.
Stayed 8 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Max C.
Aug 6, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Annual family multi generational vacation
2 grand parents, 4 married children, 9 grandchildren. 11 of the group climbed Half Dome. All 19 enjoyed the associated Tuolumne river whole day rafting trip. Yosemite access is close by. Swimming holes nearby. Management removes garbage daily. Beautiful views. Adequate housing for all of us. Kitchen is the best supplied of any VRBO that we have attended. Would definitely return to this property the next time we vacation at Yosemite.
Max C.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Pushan J.
Jul 28, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Great location, ample bedrooms, photogenic locations
Pushan J.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Paul J., Orland Park
Jul 21, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Janski V (Summer Edition)
The views from the deck were fantastic. The house made our annual family vacation fun and easy. Big spacious kitchen, multiple places to dine, great living room for everyone to visit and everyone had their own bedroom. Only suggestion would be an upgrade on the bathrooms.
Paul J.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
jeffrey g.
Jul 10, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect stay.
We had a great stay Lillaskog lodge. The place fit our large group perfectly. It had everything we needed and was a short drive to Yosemite. The views are amazing and we spent the evenings watching the sunset over the mountains. The kids loved swimming at Rainbow pool which is only a mile down the road. Liza the owner was really nice and made everything so easy. I would definitely recommend staying here if you're visiting Yosemite or just want a place for some peace and quiet.
jeffrey g.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022
10/10 Excellent
Jacob A.
Jun 13, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
We will be back!
This place is amazing and we had a really great stay at the lodge. We had 14 people ages from 2 - 70 and everyone stayed comfortable the entire time. Access to the park as well as many other areas for fishing, hiking, etc were all great for our purposes. We plan to make this an annual tradition and hope the lodge will be our go-to spot.
Jacob A.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
10/10 Excellent
Eric N.
Feb 15, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Gorgeous property
Large, cozy, and beautiful cabin on a very isolated and very large property with front courtyard area that is located on a hill with virtually no neighbors. Views were outstanding. Owner was very friendly and easy to work with. Hope to come here for many years to come
Eric N.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022
10/10 Excellent
Becky T.
Feb 6, 2022
Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful
The views were beautiful. Lots of games for our family to play together. Rainbow Pools hike was perfect for our whole family.
Becky T.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2022
10/10 Excellent
Mark R.
Dec 15, 2021
Liked: Cleanliness
Greatest family Christmas
The property was perfect for our family Christmas get together. It was the ideal size for our large group and Diane could not have been more accommodating for anything we needed. I would recommend this beautiful lodge with amazing views to any large group(or small) that would like to feel like you are in the wilderness with spectacular views, while only being 12 miles from a town where you could find whatever you need.