Top El Portal Hotel Deals

Make the Most of Your El Portal Stay

Gateway to natural grandeur

El Portal exists for one purpose: providing comfortable access to Yosemite National Park. This small community along the Merced River sits just outside the Arch Rock Entrance on Highway 140, where the canyon walls narrow and anticipation builds. The town's history as the terminus of the Yosemite Valley Railroad from 1907 to 1945 shaped its identity as a transportation hub. Today, it functions primarily as a National Park Service administrative site and lodging alternative to the valley itself.

Riverside accommodations and practical amenities

The lodging here focuses on riverside properties like Cedar Lodge and Yosemite View Lodge, where rooms often feature balconies overlooking the rushing Merced River. These establishments provide the amenities travelers expect—pools, casual dining, and reliable connectivity—without the premium prices or reservation challenges of in-park accommodations. The atmosphere remains decidedly low-key, with limited dining beyond hotel restaurants and a small market for essentials.

Strategic positioning for park exploration

Staying in El Portal means you're minutes from Yosemite Valley's iconic landmarks while maintaining the flexibility of a car-accessible location. The YARTS bus system connects to regional airports, though most visitors arrive by rental vehicle. Members can apply miles toward accommodations that position you perfectly for early morning entries to the park, beating crowds to destinations like Glacier Point and the valley floor.

Frequently Asked Questions about El Portal

Can I use my miles on Delta Stays to book hotels in El Portal?

Yes, you can book your hotel stay in El Portal using your Delta miles, either for the total amount or in combination with money to reserve your stay. Simply log in to your SkyMiles® account, where you will also discover Member-only offers at select properties that could enhance your travel experience.

What is the benefit of booking my El Portal hotel directly on Delta Stays?

SkyMiles Members can earn 2 miles per $1 spent on completed hotel stays and vacation rentals booked through Delta Stays, get access to Member offers at select properties, and can pay with miles, cash, or a combination of both. To ensure you earn miles when paying fully with cash, simply sign in to your SkyMiles account or enter your SkyMiles number at checkout. Please allow up to 8 weeks after completing a stay for miles to appear in the SkyMiles account provided. Please also note that if you use miles to pay for any portion of your stay, you will not earn miles on that reservation, including any amount paid with cash.

Is it possible to change or cancel my hotel booking made through Delta Stays?

Each property maintains its own cancellation policy. Be sure to check the cancellation policy listed under the hotel’s details before booking. You'll find that some rates are refundable, while others are non-refundable. Any modifications or cancellations to your reservation may affect the mileage credits you earn and receive in your account.

Can I use my Delta SkyMiles® American Express® Card to book?

Yes, your Delta SkyMiles® Gold, Platinum, or Reserve American Express® Card provides you with additional miles and valuable benefits, including an annual statement credit of up to $200 that you can apply toward prepaid hotels or vacation rentals when booking through Delta Cars and Stays. Please note that terms apply to these offerings. To gain a full understanding of your card's complete benefits package, we recommend visiting the Delta SkyMiles® American Express Credit Cards page where detailed information about all your cardholder privileges is available for review.

Can I earn MQDs on Delta Stays hotel bookings?

From time to time, Delta Stays may present special opportunities for SkyMiles Members to earn Medallion® Qualification Dollars on their hotel and vacation rental bookings made through Delta Stays. We recommend accessing the Delta Stays MQD Offer page to view current MQDs promotions and examine their terms and conditions.

Do I need to have a Delta SkyMiles account to book hotels on Delta Stays?

No, anyone can book hotels through Delta Stays. However, only SkyMiles Members can earn miles and access Member-only prices and offers. As a SkyMiles Member, you will receive 2 miles per $1 spent through Delta Cars and Stays (not including taxes and other charges). Joining the SkyMiles program is entirely free. Become a Member today by visiting the delta.com.

On Delta Stays, can I book a vacation rental?

Yes, Delta Stays offers a wide selection of vacation rentals in addition to hotels. You can explore a variety of homes, condos, and specialty lodging powered by Vrbo by visiting the Vacation Rentals page.

What's a good time of year to visit El Portal?

To experience El Portal and Yosemite during peak conditions, consider visiting from May through September when the weather is favorable and park amenities are fully accessible. For off-peak prices and fewer crowds, consider visiting from November to April when you'll find better deals and more solitude throughout the area.

*Terms and conditions:

Mileage Offer:

SkyMiles Members will earn two (2) miles per US$1 or equivalent foreign currency spent at https://carsandstays.delta.com/Opens in a new window on the base hotel rate for a completed hotel stay. Base hotel rate is the cost of the hotel room, before taxes and fees, charged at the time of booking or upon checkout. Taxes and fees, gratuities, room service other booking charges, or any bookings which are paid or reduced by miles, redemption vouchers or discount codes are excluded from mileage credit. For clarity, if miles are used as a form of payment (whether for all or a portion of the booking), no portion of the booking will be eligible to earn miles under this offer. Except with respect to the Hertz Mileage offer (listed below), SkyMiles Members will earn two (2) miles per eligible US$1 or equivalent foreign currency spent at https://carsandstays.delta.com/Cars on the base car rental rate for a completed car qualifying rental booking (“Qualifying Dollars”). A qualifying rental booking includes rentals at a participating location for one or more days at rates other than travel industry rates or discounts, wholesale of tour package rates or discounts, wholesale tour package rates, insurance/dealer replacement rates, corporate and government rates, group travel discounts, or rentals in conjunction with a frequent flyer car award, or other corporate agreements applicable to the respective car company. Calculation of the applicable standard mileage offer is listed below by car rental company. Qualifying Dollars include the base car rental rate, which is the cost of the car rental before taxes and fees, charged at the time of booking. Taxes, fees, other incidental charges, or other booking charges or any bookings which are paid or reduced by redemption vouchers or discount codes are excluded from mileage credit and are not included in the Qualifying Dollars.

This mileage offer does not apply to stays or car rentals booked through Delta Vacations or any cruises booked through Delta Cruises.

Standard mileage offer for car rentals booked at https://www.delta.com/Opens in a new window or https://carsandstays.delta.com/Opens in a new window:

Hertz Reservations:

• General SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Silver Medallions earn 5 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Gold Medallions earn 6 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Platinum Medallions earn 7 miles per Qualifying Dollar

• Diamond Medallions earn 8 miles per Qualifying Dollar

Dollar and Thrifty Reservations:

• All SkyMiles Members earn 4 miles per Qualifying Dollar

Alamo, Enterprise, National, Avis, Budget, Payless and SIXT Reservations:

• All SkyMiles Members earn 2 miles per Qualifying Dollar