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14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance!

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Fireplace
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
TV, fireplace, DVD player, books
Property grounds
Property grounds

Reviews

9.0 out of 10

Wonderful

Entire home

2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 6130 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
    Parking available
  • Washer
    Washer
  • Barbecue grill
    Barbecue grill
  • Outdoor Space
    Outdoor Space
  • Kitchen
    Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
    Air conditioning

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance!

The most relaxing and amazing location to stay during your next trip to Yosemite is The Secret Meadows Retreat.

This A frame home is situated on it’s own fourteen acres of meadows and forest. It features one bedroom plus a loft bedroom, large living room with sofas and wood burning fireplace.

Frequented by deer and other wildlife this is an exclusive experience being offered as a rental for the first time, on a trial basis.

Driving through three gates and 300 yards down it’s private driveway will bring you to the home and the first meadow.

This is an old homestead site with just a handful of nearby cabins, all of which are far enough away to provide you with complete privacy (except for the deer, birds, and other wildlife). Adjacent to and surrounded by thousands of aces of Stanislaus National Forest which can accessed by trails and old logging roads from the Retreat.

Located just 400 yards from Hwy 120, approximate five miles west of the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite National Park, in the Hardin Flat area.

This is an incredible destination that may leave you content without even venturing into Yosemite Valley, even though the Big Oak Flat entrance to Yosemite is just another ten minutes down the 120.

Nearby horseback riding, river rafting and guided tours can be arranged.

The home is cozy, with one private bedroom with queen bed and TV, a loft with one double pillow-top queen and one full (plus an amazing view over the meadow), a dining room, fully stocked kitchen and a large, fourteen x twenty four foot, family room with a big wood burning fireplace, 42” flat screen TV on Dish Network, a desk with computer, and couches which can easily sleep two more.

Includes all appliances, a washer-dryer, hot water (strong pressure), central heating (plus a pellet stove in the dining room and the wood burning fireplace in the living room).

Keywords: Cabin, retreat, honeymoon, get-away, privacy, Yosemite, National Park,

Property amenities

Ski

  • Cross-country skiing and snowboarding nearby

Internet

  • Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking
  • Car required

Kitchen

  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Dishwasher
  • Toaster
  • Cookware/dishes/utensils
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Spices

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 2 bedrooms
  • Bed sheets provided

Bathrooms

  • 1.5 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Fireplace
  • Living room
  • Wood stove

Entertainment

  • TV with cable/satellite service
  • DVD player
  • Video library
  • Books
  • Stereo
  • Music library

Outdoor areas

  • Patio
  • Barbecue grill
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture

Laundry

  • Washing machine and dryer
  • Near laundromat

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • No pets allowed

Suitability/Accessibility

  • Smoke-free property
  • Note from host: No smoking

Services and conveniences

  • Housekeeping (on request)
  • Iron/ironing board
  • Phone

Location highlights

  • In the mountains
  • In a rural location
  • Near a zoo

Things to do

  • Snow sports gear
  • Scuba diving nearby
  • Snowmobiling nearby
  • Jet skiing nearby
  • Golf nearby
  • Snorkeling nearby
  • Water skiing nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Water tubing nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • First aid kit
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Unit size: 1400 sq ft (130 sq m)

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Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in available
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 10:00 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

Pets

Pets not allowed

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome
Note from host: It's an incredible place for children

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the neighborhood

Map
Groveland, CA

What's nearby

  • Rainbow Pool - 5 min drive - 5.9 km
  • Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance - 10 min drive - 11.8 km
  • Yosemite Hetch Hetchy Entrance - 25 min drive - 24.1 km
  • Pine Mountain Lake - 30 min drive - 32.3 km
  • Yosemite Valley - 37 min drive - 34.7 km

Getting around

  • Mariposa, CA (RMY-Mariposa-Yosemite) - 69 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Rush Creek Lodge - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Buckmeadows Restaurant - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪49er Restaurant - ‬2 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is 14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at 14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance! ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at 14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance! ?

Check-out is at 10:00 AM.

Where is 14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance! located?

Situated in the mountains, this vacation home is steps from Stanislaus National Forest, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Yosemite National Park and Rainbow Pool. Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance and Big Oak Flat Information Center are also within 9 mi (15 km).

14 Acre Secluded Retreat ~ Wildlife Sanctuary ~ Only 6 Miles to Park Entrance! Reviews

Reviews

9.0

Wonderful

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 11 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 5 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 55 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 2 out of 55 reviews" "

9.0/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Rita A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good base for Yosemite hiking
Best wood viewing fireplace ever! In the woods, so beautiful fsurroundings.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Curtis C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property- family enjoyed it
It is a great cabin in a great location. It was comfortable and spacious. I didn’t mind the outdated decor. Cabin needs a few minor repairs: front door difficult to open, screen door broken, some odor in carpets. Otherwise, the rest was all in order. Communication ahead of the stay was lacking. I did not get any responses except automated ones from my messages via the VRBO app or any check in info until a few hours before the stay. It had me a bit concerned. But I believe it was likely an anomaly as others rated the communication well
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ben T.

Liked: Cleanliness
Family Base Camp
This was a good spot to base out of when visiting the park. It was fairly close to the park. There is a gas station between the house and the park which is very handy. The owner was very helpful and attentive over email. We did not hang out at the cabin much. We did cook our breakfast and supper meals there. The kitchen and laundry facility’s worked well. It is a quiet spot so sleeping after a hard day of activity was not an issue. I recommend this place. Especially if you like privacy.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

8/10 Good

Mandar M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Lynn T.

Liked: Cleanliness
beautiful
everything was great, location was an hour from the village, best place to come back to after a great day of hiking
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Claire H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely wilderness cabin
Easy drive into Yosemite. Lovely and quiet spot with everything you need. Was great for our family trip!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

8/10 Good

Jorge N., United States

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location & nice cabin
Our family had a great time here. We’re hoping to return soon!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Gem in a meadow
We had a lovely time in the house that accommodated our family of 4. Dan's communication was friendly and superb as we thought Yosemite would not be an option for visiting due to a road closure. He sent us a detailed email walking us through everything to do in the area that was not Yosemite valley; places to eat, hikes at Hetch Hetchy, etc. His knowledge of the area is vast and very helpful. There is a lovely meadow on the property and our only regret is we did not get a chance to explore the acreage on the property. The location is so close to the entrance. It made going into the valley super easy as we got lucky and the road opened.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

diana g.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, quiet cabin!
This is such a lovely and comfy cabin! Big windows look out onto a wonderful meadow. Very quiet. Great location! Dan was terrific - responded quickly and helpfully. While it is not that long into Yosemite Valley, if you get tired of the drive, there are lots of other hikes closer, too. (We did both and loved it!) The bed downstairs (the only one we used) has a very comfortable mattress. Be sure to sit out on the deck for happy hour or your meals and breathe in the mountain air! We totally enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

6/10 Okay

Wendy F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Mostly accurate
You're staying here for the location. While the listing includes wifi and laundry as amenities, there is a note stating that no streaming or excessive internet is allowed, and overage charges will be passed on to the guest. This made it tough for working remotely while visiting. The washing machine was not in working order. The kitchen is equipped and we had no trouble cooking, but the entire place could use a lot of updates. (Upstairs mattress, pots and pans with , general decor...) The family of deer that live in the area were fun to watch from the windows and the neighbors were friendly.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Autumn H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Secret Meadow is a gem!
We had a wonderful time in this sweet cabin in the in a magical setting. Accommodations are very comfortable. and clean. The quiet, serene setting really makes it unique find. Dan was super kind and very easy to communicate with. We look forward to coming back.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful and convenient
We really enjoyed our stay at this clean, comfortable, rustic home. It's located in a beautiful natural setting which feels remote, but is very conveniently situated off Route 120 and near the Yosemite National Park entrance. We enjoyed watching the deer in the backyard! (We had some trouble with a gate when checking in due to a one-time fluke situation related to the recent record snowstorms which the owner was very helpful in resolving.)
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sylvia K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great!
Very enjoyable
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2022

10/10 Excellent

Geneviève L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location to visit Yosemite
The location is perfect to visit Yosemite. The place looked better in person than on the pictures. Old cabine but this was perfect for what we were looking for. I would go back without hesitation
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2023

8/10 Good

Emineh G.

Cabin right outside of Yosemite West entrance
This property is at prime location, less than 6 miles from Big Oak Flat entrance (on the west side of the park). The property is relatively clean but old! The Owner is very friendly and responsive. He even helped us with suggestions on how to plan our trip which was helpful. I think the price is high for the condition of the property. Only reason for the mark up is the location and closeness to the entrance.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Karen S., Grand Rapids, MI

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful wilderness setting!
The cabin was the perfect location to relax after our busy days at Yosemite! Dan, the owner was very helpful and responsive to our questions and gave us good suggestions on restaurants and other areas to see! We we very happy with our 3 night stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Holly H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great property - everything we needed for a perfect stay!
From the initial communication, the property owner has been responsive and helpful. Dan provided recommendations and responded to every question we had - prior to and during our stay. SMR is very clean, organized, and has everything a family would need. While the loft does get hot during sunny days, it cools down nicely in the evening (and there's a fan up there). The beds are very comfortable! We enjoyed making our own meals and exploring the property after meals with long walks. Beautiful property!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Sharon R.

Disliked: Cleanliness
A Mountain Meadow Haven
Beautiful spot nestled in nature--it is very private. We had a comfortable stay here while exploring Yosemite and it was perfect for us to come "home" to such a tranquil setting. I especially appreciated walking the land at twilight with the solar lights leading us up to magnificent sunsets. Also in the morning as we breakfasted and looked out over the meadow, the sun refracts off the glass dining table and the reflection of the trees that surround the house is so lovely.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Harry K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great spot!
Close to the park and has everything you need!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth D.

Liked: Cleanliness
A perfect getaway
My family & I chose Secret Meadow Retreats for a long weekend getaway. Our 11 yr old daughter passed away in 2020 after a long battle with a rare disease and we wanted a place to celebrate what would have been her 13th birthday where it was peaceful and we could unplug and just be together on such a difficult day for our family. This was the absolute perfect place to do so. We all felt so comfortable and at peace there. It really was so quiet and peaceful. The cabin was just exactly what we needed. Everything was extremely clean. The communication with Dan was excellent. The only issue we had was resolved very quickly. We had difficulty connecting to the DirecTV (because with a 6 yr old - there is only so much unplugging you can do!), but Dan was so responsive to our issue and even sat in on a 3-way call with Dish to get it working properly. We had it back up and running in no time. The location was close to Groveland and Yosemite. We spent an entire day in Yosemite and it took no time to get there. If going in February, be sure to time it for the Firefall - it was such a unique experience! We all have very fond memories of a weekend full of fun - playing board games in front of the fire, taking walks around the property and spending quality time together. Overall, it was such a wonderful experience for us to stay here. We will absolutely be back.
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2022

10/10 Excellent

Brady P.

Liked: Cleanliness
A Fantastic Yosemite Gateway Stay
If you are searching for an exclusive get away among the redwoods, if you long to see majestic stars at night (shooting stars included), if you area searching for a a stay that is a hop, skip, and short jump to one of the world's most beautiful locations, this is the place for you. Secret Meadow's Retreat boasts a beautiful meadow view and a short travel time to Yosemite Valley, about 30 minutes away. You will also get a restful and quiet night's sleep upon return from your park adventure. The property manager is a frequent visitor to this property and wants you to love the experience just as much as he does. He is accessible and provides a lot of information to be sure your stay is a fantastic and memorable. If you want to watch a movie in the evening remember to bring your discs or download your favorite movies (Free Solo, maybe Cliff Hanger) before heading up the mountain, and/or bring board games for your group to enjoy. My family and I enjoyed the august views of Yosemite National Park and our stay at beautiful Secret Meadows Retreat. We have rented many a VRBO property and this is one of our favorite trips. We hope you will have just as wonderful an experience as we did at Secret Meadow Retreat! We very much recommend it.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2021

6/10 Okay

Amanda H.

Location to Yosemite was great but not the house.
The location was great and the homeowner was very nice and helpful but the house needed a lot of work. The washer and dryer were not convenient as they are under the house and not accessible through the house and the area that they were in was very junked up. The washer also leaked and had standing water that we told the owner and it was fixed but the water was left there along with one of the toilets that must have been leaking as we found a bowl under the supply line. The kitchen is not fully equipped to cook meals and what is there some of the bowls were plastic with cracks in the bottom making them unusable. The upstairs bedroom was very warm while we were there in June, I can’t imagine during hotter months. The house was not supplied with trash bags or other things that as a renter you wouldn’t want to buy because it is in bulk. There was not much lighting in the house and what was there was still dark in the dining area. The outside of the house was junky with things sitting around growing weeds around them. There was a hot tub there that appeared to be broken down. The WiFi is also only able to use for social media as the owner doesn’t want you to watch movies etc. or he will charge you extra if you do. The house on the inside was fairly clean just very outdated. This could be a very nice place to stay if there was some upgrades made and just cleaned up around it. The owner was very nice and helpful. I don’t want to discourage anyone from renting this house but I wanted to give an honest review so that when you are looking to rent you know what you are looking at. We were a little caught off guard from the reviews that we read and had we have had an honest review this would have not been our choice of places to stay.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2021

10/10 Excellent

Janet B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Perfect Cabin Vibe
We so appreciated the comfy beds after climbing up Half Dome in Yosemite. A short power outage brought out our headlamps one night, part of the fun memories. Secluded and perfect getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

8/10 Good

Meaghan B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Lovely, as listed - but you should be aware of their trash arrangement
Hi - The property is as described, lovely, perfectly located to Yosemite, slightly dated decor but very well maintained and clean and comfortable. The owner is incredibly responsive (THANK YOU Dan!) Only item I think that should be added to the listing is that there is no on-site garbage pickup, and as a result they ask that you dispose of your own garbage at park or other dumpsters. Dan let us keep our small trash bag there since he was coming in soon after us, but it would've been incredibly uncomfortable to transport a bag of trash on my passenger's lap in our small car on the way out if he hadn't. I imagine this would be more challenging for larger families that stay longer/cook on-site/also have small cars. Just useful for you to be aware of!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2021

10/10 Excellent

Sara A.

Liked: Cleanliness
AMAZING STAY- CLOSE TO YOSEMITE
My friends and I stayed here for 2 nights and it was AMAZING. The amazing view to nature and deers, the isolation of the house, the overlooking balcony to great view, the cleanliness of the place, the comfortable beds. Everything was amazing about this place. Definitely recommend and coming back
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2021