Jackass Hostel

The bed in the second-floor co-ed dorm was comfortable enough, and the other guests were kind and considerate. I ended up sharing a few nights with people from all over, and that short-lived but caring little community was one of the best parts. Jackass Hostel felt like a home with friends, and I’d happily stay again for a Yosemite trip. Hostel stays can seem intimidating, but I enjoyed this much more than being alone in a dull hotel room. The place has a cozy, quaint feel, and you can tell the owners have put a lot of care into it. The caretaker, whose name I can’t remember, was very friendly, quick to answer questions, and ready to help. I was after an affordable, safe base for Yosemite, and it worked out perfectly. It could get pretty hot, especially at night if the windows hadn’t been opened during the day or were left shut overnight. When we opened them as needed, the room was reasonably comfortable. The owners are planning to add central heating and cooling at some point. The kitchen had everything you’d need to cook, though my trip was too short for me to make use of it, and I usually cook in big batches. North Fork has only a limited number of places to eat if you don’t want to prepare your own food. North Fork American BBQ is worth a shoutout. Oakhurst is about a 30-minute drive away and has more options, including South Gate Brewing Company.

first hostel stay and i felt right at home. it was quiet, clean, and comfortable, and everyone was really friendly. the owners clearly care about making guests feel comfy. those beds were so comfortable! absolutely loved the place and would stay again.

There’s no AC, so the cooler months might be a better time to visit. They have several fans, though my early-June stay was fine. There aren’t lockers, either, so you may want to keep your things in your car. I left my clothes in my suitcase by the bed and had no issues. The windows have no shades, which may help with getting up early, but I would’ve liked to sleep in a bit longer. The guests were all friendly, and we quickly became friends, swapping travel stories at the end of the day. It felt like a home, and the beds were comfortable. There was also a very cute outdoor cat that often hung out on the picnic table out front. It’s a good deal and a handy base for Yosemite, Sequoia National Park, and other parks nearby. Yosemite Valley took about an hour to drive to without traffic, and Sequoia was around an hour and a half away. I bought groceries near Fresno before heading up, which gave me a better price and selection than the limited local shops, so I’d suggest doing that if you can. The nearby pizza place was very good, though.

The location is nice, though Yosemite is still a two-hour drive away. It can be noisy, but earplugs did the trick. The rooms and bathrooms were clean, and there were lovely people around, plus a sweet cat who likes to come say hello. The common areas and kitchen were thoughtfully done, and the kitchen had everything, including an oven. There’s also a fireplace and a barbecue. This hostel is so cozy, I just loved it.