300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite

Family-friendly stay with in-room kitchens in Coulterville

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Photo gallery for 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite

A wooden deck with outdoor seating, overlooking a grassy area and trees.
A spacious living room with wooden flooring, a large gray sectional sofa, a small wooden table, and a fire extinguisher mounted on the wall.
A room with a wood-burning stove, wooden flooring, a bookshelf, and a door with a window.
A spacious dining area with a long wooden table, multiple chairs, and ceiling fans.
A house with a green roof, surrounded by a forested hillside.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Popular amenities

  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

View in a map
Coulterville, CA
  • Place, Northern Mariposa County History Center
    ‪46 min drive‬
  • Place, Merced River
    ‪51 min drive‬
  • Place, Pine Mountain Lake
    ‪55 min drive‬

Room options

About the area

Coulterville

On river.Stay at this Coulterville lodge and you'll be within 16 miles (25 km) of Merced River Recreation Area and Rainbow Pool. Northern Mariposa County History Center and Merced River are also within 20 miles (32 km).

What's nearby

  • Northern Mariposa County History Center - 46 min drive - 36.5 km
  • Merced River - 51 min drive - 24.0 km
  • Pine Mountain Lake Golf Course - 54 min drive - 44.3 km
  • Pine Mountain Lake - 55 min drive - 44.7 km
  • Merced River Recreation Area - 57 min drive - 26.8 km

Getting around

  • Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 64 min drive

About this property

300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite

Welcome to **Kowana Valley Lodge**, a private 300-acre wilderness retreat in the Sierra foothills near Yosemite National Park.

Surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest, Kowana Valley offers something increasingly difficult to find: hundreds of acres of private wilderness where your group can hike, explore, swim and reconnect with nature without ever leaving the property.

The approximately 2,700 sq ft lodge sleeps up to 10 guests and was custom designed to operate completely off-grid while providing the comfort and familiarity of a modern mountain home.

## 300 ACRES TO CALL YOUR OWN

At Kowana Valley, the property isn't just where you sleep. It's the experience.

Step outside the lodge and explore **300 private acres of Sierra wilderness**, with miles of maintained hiking trails winding through the property.

Follow the trails through the forest. Walk along the creek. Find a swimming hole on a warm afternoon. Explore the property's limestone cave. Or simply find a quiet place where the only thing around you is wilderness.

You can spend an entire day exploring without getting into your car.

## YOUR OWN CREEK, SWIMMING HOLES & TRAILS

A **year-round creek** runs through Kowana Valley, with multiple swimming holes and places to explore throughout the property.

The landscape changes with the seasons, making every visit a little different.

Spend warm days hiking and swimming. Slow down beside the creek. Explore the trails with the family. At night, enjoy the darkness, quiet and star-filled skies that come with being far away from city lights.

This isn't a landscaped resort. It's a genuine wilderness property where grasses, wildflowers, trees, rocks, wildlife and forest debris are all part of the experience.

## A COMFORTABLE OFF-GRID LODGE

Kowana Valley Lodge was purpose-built to operate in the middle of the Stanislaus National Forest without conventional utility service.

The property operates on a **100% off-grid system**, giving guests the rare opportunity to experience remote wilderness without giving up the basic comforts of home.

Inside you'll find a fully stocked kitchen, comfortable gathering spaces and a recreation room with ping pong for evenings and downtime between adventures.

Outside, the lodge becomes your starting point for exploring hundreds of acres of private land.

Off-grid living does mean being thoughtful about resource and energy use. Guests looking for a conventional suburban home or full-service resort experience may be happier elsewhere. Guests who value privacy, nature and adventure tend to understand exactly what makes Kowana special.

## SLEEPS UP TO 10 GUESTS

The lodge offers **3 bedrooms plus bunk sleeping arrangements**, making it particularly well suited to families and groups travelling together.

The combination of private bedrooms and bunk accommodation gives adults and children different sleeping options while allowing the entire group to stay under one roof.

It's a natural fit for extended families, two families travelling together, groups of friends and anyone looking to escape somewhere genuinely private.

## MADE FOR ADVENTURE

Kowana Valley is particularly well suited to guests who would rather explore than sit beside a hotel pool.

Your stay can include:

• Miles of private hiking trails
• A year-round creek
• Natural swimming holes
• A limestone cave to explore
• 300 acres of private wilderness
• Forest and wildlife exploration
• Ping pong and indoor recreation
• Outdoor gathering areas
• Incredible night skies
• Easy access to the surrounding Sierra Nevada

There is no need to schedule every hour of your trip. Walk outside and choose a trail.

## A DIFFERENT KIND OF YOSEMITE GETAWAY

Kowana Valley works equally well as a destination in its own right or as a wilderness home base for exploring Yosemite National Park and the surrounding Sierra.

Spend one day experiencing Yosemite's iconic granite cliffs, waterfalls and trails.

Spend the next without going anywhere.

Explore your own 300-acre valley, hike through the forest, follow the creek and cool off in a swimming hole before heading back to the lodge for dinner.

That combination makes Kowana very different from a typical cabin or holiday rental near Yosemite.

## PERFECT FOR

Kowana Valley Lodge is especially well suited to:

• Families looking for an outdoor adventure
• Groups visiting Yosemite National Park
• Multi-family getaways
• Hiking and nature trips
• Wilderness retreats
• Friends travelling together
• Guests looking for privacy and solitude
• Travellers wanting an unusual Yosemite experience
• Anyone who wants to disconnect from city life and reconnect with nature

## PLEASE KNOW BEFORE BOOKING

Kowana Valley is a **remote wilderness property**, and that is fundamental to the experience.

The lodge is completely off-grid and surrounded by forest rather than conventional residential development. Guests should expect the realities of staying in a natural environment, including wildlife, uneven terrain, grasses, wildflowers and seasonal changes throughout the property.

The nearest medical facility is at least approximately 45 minutes away, so guests with medical needs should take the remote location into consideration when booking.

Open fires may also be prohibited during Mariposa County fire season. Guests must observe all applicable fire restrictions during their stay.

If you're looking for shops, restaurants and resort amenities immediately outside your door, Kowana probably isn't the right choice.

If you're looking for **privacy, wilderness, adventure and hundreds of acres to explore**, you've found something special.

## YOUR PRIVATE SIERRA WILDERNESS

There are plenty of places where you can book a cabin near Yosemite.

There aren't many where you can wake up with **300 private acres outside your door**.

Hike your own trails. Follow the creek. Find a swimming hole. Explore the cave. Spend the day in Yosemite or spend it without seeing another person beyond your own group.

Then come home to the lodge, make dinner together, play ping pong and step outside beneath the Sierra night sky.

**Kowana Valley Lodge isn't simply somewhere to stay near Yosemite. It's an adventure of its own.**

Similar properties

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
  • Available in some public areas: Internet access

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Books
  • Games
  • Table tennis

Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • 2 steps to reach entrance
  • Handrails in stairways
  • Hardwood flooring in public areas
  • Smooth flooring in public areas
  • Upper floors accessible by stairs only
  • Well-lit path to entrance

Room amenities

Bedroom

  • Bedsheets provided
  • Sofa bed

Bathroom

  • 4.5 bathrooms
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shower
  • Towels provided

Food and drink

  • Chef service
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dining table
  • Dishwasher
  • Ice maker
  • Kitchen
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Separate dining area
  • Spices
  • Stovetop

More

  • Desk
  • Desk chair
  • Dryer
  • Fireplace
  • Heating
  • Mobile key entry
  • Office
  • Water-efficient showers
  • Water-efficient toilets

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 21

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

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
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

Guest must sign Renter's Agreement.
Security deposit required up to $750.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Service animals are exempt from fees
  • Note from host: clean up after your dog! although we are in the wi

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

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
Cashless transactions are available
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Safety features at this property include a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children; if you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room
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
Charges for extra guests may apply and vary according to property policy.
A cash deposit, credit card, or debit card for incidental charges and government-issued photo identification may be required upon check-in.
Special requests are subject to availability at the time of check-in. Special requests can't be guaranteed and may incur additional charges.
    This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business, or profession. This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios, terraces which may not be suitable for children. If you have concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm they can accommodate you in a suitable room. Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited. For guests' safety, the property includes a carbon monoxide detector, a fire extinguisher, a smoke detector, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock in each accommodation. Cashless payment methods are available for all transactions and guests can access their rooms with a mobile device.

Property is also known as

Vrbo Property
300-acres Homestead near Yosemite National Park Lodge
300-acres Homestead near Yosemite National Park Coulterville
orp5b4c6f6x

Frequently asked questions

How close is 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite to the airport?

This lodge is 29.1 mi (64-min drive) away from the Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) airport, the closest popular airport to the property.

Does 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite have an airport shuttle?

Airport shuttle services are not available at this lodge.

Does 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite offer free breakfast?

This lodge does not offer free breakfast.

Is there a casino at 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite?

No, there is no casino at this lodge.

What time is check-in at 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

Is there free parking at 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite?

Free parking is not available at this lodge.

Does 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite have a pool?

This lodge does not have a pool.

Does 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite have a spa?

There are no spa services available at this lodge.

How close is 300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite to downtown Coulterville?

This lodge is 11.6 mi away from Coulterville.

300-Acre Wilderness Retreat Near Yosemite Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 16 out of 17 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 17 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 17 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 17 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Brent J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Host is welcoming, communicative, and great!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Isabel E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place

We had a terrific quiet vacation in this beautiful vast property. Great trails to go for a hike with my dogs. I would love to go back. Beautiful views.
Stayed 7 nights in Jan 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Preston N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A great place!

Beautiful ranch, beautiful drive in, very quiet in the woods---the only sound was from the nearby stream. Bring bug spray!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Oscar R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing and Beautiful Gateway

My Family enjoyed our stay in this beautiful and scenic lodge. I would totally recommend visiting Yosemite while you stay. Besides that the cabin is very cleaned and spacious for a family. The Owner was super friendly and super fast to reply to my questions or concerns.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Swatee K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome stay!!

Just had an amazing off-grid experience at this property! The secluded location offered a perfect escape from the hustle and bustle. The sustainable features and eco-friendly design added a unique touch. The serene surroundings and lack of modern distractions allowed me to truly connect with nature. A perfect retreat for those seeking a peaceful getaway off the grid.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Heather D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serene Seclusion

Wow! I've tried to think of better words to describe this vacation property but I'm nearly speechless at it's utter perfection. My Husband and our 2 labradors had the time of our lives during our stay and are already planning our next trip. From staring at the beautiful views during morning coffee, enjoying ourselves on multiple daily hikes through the meadows, to our labradors favorite part, the daily swims in the river, our stay was nothing less than serene, secluded perfection. The house had everything needed and we found ourselves barely dipping into the solar battery reserves. Edmund was a much gracious host, answering all of our texts regarding where to hike. Thank you so much for allowing us to experience your beautiful rental and hopefully will see you again soon.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2023
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Tamrynn C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

We Will Definitely Be Back

We fell in love with this rental. If you’re comfortable with a 20 minute “dirt” road drive and are looking for a secluded getaway, this place is for you! (On the highways in and out of the area, chains will likely be needed if expecting snow) The house had plenty of rooms and bathrooms for our party of 7. It’s dog friendly, our pup had ultimate zoomies space. There is rich history, native plant life, and easy water access for lots of wonderful play. We had some issues with the solar/generator but the Host was there every step of the way to help. Ultimately we had to leave a day early due to an unexpected April snowstorm that came early and the power issues - we were so sad to leave, we could’ve spent a week+ up there. The hospitality/accommodations were well thought out. Each bed had lots of linens and towels, the pillows were comfy, the kitchen was extremely well stocked, the local info/history was so cool to read, instructions were clearly written, and the host was very attentive and available for help. Things we were glad we brought - water shoes for the creek, slippers/fuzzy socks for inside the house, headlamps/lanterns, and a hatchet to make kindling. Our favorites: many easy access points for the creek, listening to the creek from the lodge, lots of native plants to identify, very secluded/private area, having a stove and fridge, having warm water for a quick shower after a swim, big rooms, lots of restrooms, screened porch, family style dining.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jason F.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Trip to Yosemite

This place is great, very clean and just our family was looking for. A bit off grid the house is solar powered with batteries but they work perfect. Amazing views and definitely a good way to reset and close enough to Yosemite
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Jessica K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Long Weekend

We loved staying at Kowana Valley. The creek was beautiful and the kids and dogs loved hiking and seeing tiny trout, California quail, blackbirds, a jackrabbit, and beautiful native flowers and trees. The house was great. Comfortable living space, nicely stocked kitchen, and awesome outdoor space for birdwatching and just relaxing. We can’t wait to go back.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Lynette H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Time away with family

Perfect place to unplug and hang out with family. The kids loved the ping pong table and the adults loved sitting on the deck and listening to the creek.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2022
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Doug S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Review

Beautiful property. Ideally located near Yosemite. We stayed here right after Christmas and got a bunch of snow. The kids loved it. We plan on making this an annual trip.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2021
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Sandeep K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay with nature unplugged

Property is deep in nature, completely off grid but with all facilities you can think of. The host Edmund was very gracious and helpful.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2021
Verified review

8/10 Good

Nancy B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Remote family fun

Edmund was a great host! Very communicative with helpful information for planning purposes. The space was great and we thoroughly enjoyed bbqing on the back deck and stargazing at night was phenomenal! Only thing is we wish we would have known about the dusty, windy road leading into the property before booking since a couple of family members are sensitive to movement and got car sick. Other than that, my family and I enjoyed our stay!
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Hugo G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Truly a Slice of Nature

The Kowana Valley lodge is an amazing experience!! Our family of 4 adults, 3 teenagers and 1 child and 2 dogs had the most amazing time. Edmund, the host, was fabulous!! He was there welcoming us to the property and giving us a detailed tour of the cabin, the amenities and showing us the amazing 300 acres, and surrounding things to do. Edmund showed several refreshing water areas where we were able to endure the 106 degree heat. The home was super clean, and had space to spare. All amenities necessary were there to enjoy 4 days of nature at its best, The property is in a history location and a town not so far. We really enjoyed staying at the Kowana Valley. Thank you Edmund.
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Frank S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful private setting

Edmund is super helpful. The house is spacious and comfortably fit our group of four adults and five teenagers. The house was clean, stocked and well organized. We left wishing we had more time to explore the grounds.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2021