Two Schoolteachers Built This Rustic Tent Village That’s Now a Beloved Yosemite Experience

Curry Village, Yosemite

At the heart of Yosemite Valley sits Curry Village, a historic camp spot that’s been housing adventurers since 1899.

With its signature canvas tents and cozy cabins beneath Half Dome’s watchful gaze, it’s the classic way to crash in the park.

The village mixes old-school charm (communal fire pits and bear-proof food lockers) with modern perks like pizza spots and hot showers.

It’s peak Yosemite without the luxury price tag, and here are some interesting facts about it.

Former teachers created an affordable lodging

David and Jennie Foster Curry, both former educators, started a lodging revolution in Yosemite when they opened Camp Curry in 1899.

Their initial rates were just $2 per day (about $76 in today’s money) including “a good bed and clean napkin with every meal.”

By 1915, thanks to the Yosemite Valley Railroad and automobile travel becoming available, they expanded to accommodate 1,000 guests.

After David’s unexpected death in 1917, their son Foster took over and added bungalows, a bowling alley, and a social hall between 1917 and 1929.

The property is self sufficient and independent

Inside Curry Village, you’ll find shops, restaurants, a tour and activity desk for booking adventures, bike rentals, and a swimming pool all within walking distance.

The Mountain Shop sells and rents camping equipment and there’s even a post office operating since 1909 where you can mail postcards from your adventure.

The front desk is staffed 24/7 during the operating season. Curry Village is also a transit hub with stops for the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle and YARTS.

They don’t burn no embers anymore

From 1899 until 1968, each night at 9 PM, burning embers (or the Firefall) were pushed from Glacier Point, creating what looked like a waterfall of fire.

The ceremony began with a call-and-response between Camp Curry and Glacier Point:

“Hello, Glacier Point!” “Hello, Camp Curry!” “Is the fire ready?” “The fire is ready!” “Let the fire fall!” “The fire falls!”

In the 1920s, fire builder Alex Beck hauled red-fir bark to the cliff edge, lit it an hour before showtime, and slowly pushed it off with a long-handled rake.

The tradition ended on January 25, 1968, due to environmental concerns.

Evening programs continue a 100-year entertainment tradition

The Currys started with campfire entertainment to create community among guests, and this tradition continues today at the outdoor Amphitheater.

By the 1920s, Camp Curry featured a dance pavilion, pool hall, soda fountain, and nightly movies, creating a vibrant social hub amid nature.

The 1913 dance hall eventually became the Stoneman House, now containing 18 motel units, preserving the historic entertainment venue in a new form.

Bunk down in rustic to semi-luxurious cabins

Today, lodging options go beyond the famous tent cabins, featuring modern conveniences like electric heaters, outlets, lighting, and private decks or patios.

They come in three layouts: one double bed, one double plus a single, or two double beds, accommodating 2–4 guests, depending on your needs.

Stoneman Cottage provides rooms with either one or two double beds, private bathrooms with showers, daily housekeeping, and proper heating systems.

Accessible rooms feature wheelchair-accessible roll-in showers, grab bars, and lever door handles across all accommodation types.

Booking requires a deposit of 100% of the first night if paid by credit card, with standard hotel rooms starting at $229 per night as of 2025.

Wake up to Half Dome views every morning

The eastern Yosemite Valley location puts you front-row to many spots in Curry Village, where you can catch Half Dome and Glacier Point.

The village sits at 4,003 feet elevation on a talus cone of debris from old rockfalls, giving you a unique perspective of the surrounding granite giants.

Morning light creates dramatic shadows on these massive stone faces, while morning mist often adds an ethereal quality to your views.

Find trailheads right at your doorstep

The Mirror Lake Trailhead sits at Shuttle Stop #17 or you can walk directly from your cabin, adding about a half-mile to your trek.

This 5-mile loop trail has only 100 feet of elevation gain, making it doable for most visitors while delivering spectacular up-close views of Half Dome.

For a more extensive journey, hop on the Valley Loop Trail that connects the entire Yosemite Valley floor in a 13-mile circuit along the Merced River.

Ambitious hikers can tackle the Lower Mirror Lake–Upper Yosemite Fall view loop, a 5.8-mile intermediate trail that takes about 2.5 hours.

Eat at multiple restaurants that serve comfort foods

When hunger hits after a day of hiking, the Pizza Deck dishes out hand-tossed pizzas, fresh salads, and drinks on an outdoor deck facing Glacier Point.

They run their operations daily from 11:00 AM to 10:00 PM from January through November and during holidays.

Need your morning caffeine fix? Coffee Corner offers Peet’s Coffee drinks, fresh pastries, and hearty oatmeal.

For a hearty meal, visit the newly renovated Seven Tents Pavilion, serving breakfast and dinner with options like roasted meats, salads, pastas, burritos, and rice bowls.

Don’t miss Jennie’s Ice Cream, open June 6 to September 7, 2025, serving frozen treats daily from 11:00 AM to 8:30 PM.

Make winters rich at a historic ice rink

Try skating at Curry Village’s (80-by-40 feet) outdoor ice rink starting from November through early March which started back in 1928.

Warm up by the cozy fire pit adjacent to the rink where you can buy s’mores kits. In 2013, The Huffington Post recognized it as a great spot.

Skating sessions run daily from 8:30–11:00 AM, 12:00–2:30 PM, and 3:30–6:00 PM, with additional evening sessions from 7:00–9:30 PM on weekends.

For 2025, admission costs $10 for adults and $9.50 for children.

Drop by Mirror Lake for a seasonal experience

Only a brief walk from Curry Village, sits Mirror Lake, a seasonal pool along Tenaya Creek at Half Dome’s base that creates stunning reflections.

In the 1860s, the area featured an artificial dam, boat house, and dance hall, though these structures were eventually removed.

Water levels vary dramatically throughout the year but late summer and fall transform it into what locals sometimes call “Mirror Meadow” with a sandy creek bed.

The easy 2-mile round-trip hike follows a paved service road, while the full 5-mile loop provides a more immersive experience.

Explore 100+ years of village history on tour

Take advantage of the complimentary one-hour walking tours led by knowledgeable Yosemite Naturalists to uncover Curry Village’s rich history.

The tour highlights key historic structures including the 1914 entrance sign, 1904 Old Registration Office, and 1913 dance hall (now the Stoneman House).

You’ll see numerous tent cabins and their framed bases, plus bungalows from 1918 and 1922 featuring half-log frames in distinct herringbone patterns.

Tour schedules appear in the seasonal Yosemite Guide available at park entrances and visitor centers, typically running several days weekly during peak season.

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