Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite

What Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite does

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite is a privately held destination resort operated by First Light Resorts and located at the Highway 120 West entrance to Yosemite National Park in Groveland, California. The property sits on a 20-acre forested hillside less than a mile from the park boundary, offering 143 lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas, and is positioned as a "destination within a destination" with a captive amenity stack including a full-service restaurant, tavern, seasonal pool bar, general store, a 2,400-square-foot year-round heated saltwater pool, an award-winning indoor/outdoor spa, and an on-property recreation program featuring guided naturalist excursions and equipment rentals. The business is a Certified B Corporation that self-funds a youth employment program and operates one of the most comprehensive commercial greywater systems in California, with 100% of onsite water repurposed.

Revenue is generated across multiple streams: lodging, food and beverage (restaurant, tavern, pool bar, general store), spa day passes ($50-$70) and massage treatments ($90-$275), guided excursions ($135-$225 per guest), equipment rentals ($15-$60), packaged add-ons (Romance, Wine, Local Brew, Hiker's Trail, Kids Adventure, Snuggle Time, Bundle of Fun, Sleep-cation, Glass Blowing), and a dedicated events line that includes weddings (50-200 guests), elopement packages ($7,500 base), intimate celebrations (up to 48 guests), proposal planning, corporate retreats, and a Holiday Party Package ($268 per individual or $350 per couple). Distribution is primarily direct through the proprietary booking engine and a 7am-7pm phone reservations team, with supplemental reach through the Synxis/Sabre third-party booking engine, TripleSeat for event requests, FareHarbor for excursions, a seasonal YARTS public-transit partnership (May 15 through September 29), and a group sales function led by a Groups and Events Director targeting weddings, meetings, and corporate retreats.

The target customer base spans individual leisure travelers and families, couples and wellness visitors seeking day-spa experiences, wedding couples and their guests across three venue tiers, and corporate groups holding meetings, retreats, and social gatherings across event spaces ranging from the Bridal Veil Room (up to 15) to the Event Hall (up to 200). Marketing is concentrated on the lodge's owned website and social channels (Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest), TripAdvisor (Travelers' Choice 2026), and an email newsletter, with photographer partnerships and content marketing around Yosemite conditions driving top-of-funnel demand. Sister-property relationships with Evergreen Lodge and Firefall Ranch under First Light Resorts provide operational depth, while B Corporation status, TripAdvisor recognition, and sustainability infrastructure form the brand differentiators.

Name

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite

Legal name

Rush Creek Lodge & Spa

Website

https://rushcreeklodge.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2016

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite is a 143-room privately held destination resort at the Highway 120 West entrance to Yosemite National Park, operated by First Light Resorts and offering lodging, dining, spa, guided excursions, equipment rentals, and group events for leisure travelers, families, wedding parties, and corporate groups.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Resort and Spa Hospitality

NAICS

Hotels (except Casino Hotels) and Motels (72111)

SIC

Hotels, Rooming Houses, Camps & Other Lodging Places (7000), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Destination Spa Resorts (THAGAMAA), National Park & Conservancy Lodges (THAGAIAI)

Keywords

• Resort lodging
• Destination spa
• Guided excursions
• Wedding venues
• Eco-friendly hospitality

Headquarters

HQ city

Located just a 1/2 mile from Yosemite's Hwy 120 Park Entrance, CA

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Lodging and Accommodation: 143 rooms including lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas featuring decks overlooking nature with sunset views. Revenue from overnight stays with varying rates based on room type and season.
2. Food and Beverage: Full-service restaurant serving California lodge cuisine with indoor/outdoor dining. Tavern for casual dining. Pool Bar operating seasonally. General Store for provisions and grab-and-go items.
3. Spa Services and Treatments: Day use spa passes (Morning Family Time $50 adults/kids 6+, Early Afternoon $70 ages 16+, Late Afternoon and Twilight $50). Massage treatments ranging from $90 (25 min hand/foot/scalp) to $275 (80 min signature/deep tissue). Enhancements and add-ons available.
4. Guided Excursions and Tours: Professionally guided Yosemite tours including Wonders of Yosemite Hike & Tour ($215 adult, $135 youth), Yosemite High Country Naturalist Tour ($225 adult, $135 youth), and Mono Pass Naturalist Hike ($225 per person). Includes transportation, guide, and lunch voucher.
5. Equipment Rentals: Bike rentals ($20-40), paddle boards ($60), strollers ($35), snowshoes ($20-40), trekking poles ($15), backpacks ($15), baby carriers ($20-35), binoculars ($15). Recreation desk open daily 8 AM to 9 PM.
6. Events and Group Hosting: Weddings (large 50-200 guests, elopements 20-40 guests, intimate celebrations up to 48 guests), meetings, retreats, and social events. Venue rentals, catering, and coordination services. Yosemite Elopement Package at $7,500 before taxes and 22% gratuity.
7. Holiday Party Package: Yosemite Holiday Party Package priced at $350 per couple or $268 per individual, inclusive of taxes and gratuity for one-night stay including Lodge King Room lodging, private event space, and 4-course dinner.
8. Packages and Add-ons: Bed & Breakfast package, Romance Pack, Wine Pack, Local Brew Pack, Hiker's Trail Pack, Kids Adventure Pack, Bundle of Fun, Sleep-cation Pamper Package, Glass Blowing classes, and various upgrade options.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Rush Creek Lodge & Spa operates a 143-room destination resort on a 20-acre wooded hillside less than half a mile from the Highway 120 West entrance to Yosemite National Park. The property delivers lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas together with a full-service spa, four dining venues (restaurant, tavern, pool bar, general store), a year-round heated saltwater pool, equipment rentals, and professionally guided Yosemite excursions. It also hosts weddings, corporate retreats, and social events across multiple indoor/outdoor venues accommodating groups from 15 to 200 guests.

Product overview

Rush Creek Lodge & Spa is a destination resort at Yosemite's Highway 120 West entrance offering 143 lodge rooms, suites, and hillside villas. The property features a full-service spa, multiple dining venues (restaurant, tavern, pool bar, general store), heated saltwater pool with hot tubs, and professionally guided Yosemite excursions. Event services include meetings, retreats, and weddings (large, intimate, and elopement packages). The resort offers numerous enhancement packages for guest stays including adventure activities, equipment rentals, food/beverage packages, and spa treatments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Rush Creek Spa: Full-service spa offering massage treatments, day use, skin care, and spa celebrations featuring indoor/outdoor amenities inspired by Yosemite.
• Rush Creek Tavern
• Rush Creek General Store

Products and services

• Lodge Rooms and Hillside Villas 143 tastefully appointed lodge rooms, suites, and hillside Yosemite villas featuring private decks overlooking nature with sunset views, offered as the primary overnight accommodation at the resort.
• Rush Creek Spa Award-winning full-service indoor/outdoor spa offering massage treatments, skin care, day-use passes, and spa celebrations, featuring Himalayan salt block sauna, aromatherapy steam room, cool mist shower, sensory room, warm waterfall coves, and a granite waterfall mineral hot tub inspired by Yosemite.
• Restaurant On-site full-service restaurant serving California lodge cuisine with indoor and outdoor dining and locally-sourced dishes for resort guests and visitors.
• Tavern Casual lodge tavern offering classic American fare, California craft beers, cocktails, and a lively mountain-lodge atmosphere for guests.
• Pool Bar Seasonal poolside bar serving signature cocktails, craft beers, and non-alcoholic mocktails in the resort's pool area.
• General Store On-site store offering provisions including freshly-made sandwiches, wraps, salads, snacks, coffee, and outdoor adventure essentials for resort guests and visitors.
• Guided Yosemite Excursions Professionally guided Yosemite tours including the Wonders of Yosemite Hike & Tour, High Country Naturalist Tour, and Mono Pass Naturalist Hike, with transportation, guide, and lunch voucher included for resort guests and outside visitors.
• Large Wedding Venue Service Full-service destination wedding venue for 50-200 guests with planning assistance, dedicated Wedding Day Assistant, exclusive event facilities, and catering services for couples.
• Yosemite Elopement Package Intimate elopement package for 20-40 guests (Sunday-Thursday) including a 4-course dinner for up to 20 guests, a 2-night stay for the wedding couple, beer/wine/champagne toast, and full decor for $7,500 before taxes and 22% gratuity.
• Meetings and Retreats Corporate meetings and retreat venue service offering multiple event spaces with capacity from 15 up to 200 guests, full catering services, and access to recreation and team-building activities for business groups.
• Heated Saltwater Swimming Pool and Hot Tubs 2,400 square foot heated saltwater swimming pool (30x80 feet, suitable for laps) with a family-friendly hot tub, an adult quiet-relaxation hot tub, a seasonal pool bar, and a fire pit, open year-round.
• Massage Treatments Signature, Swedish, deep tissue, hot stone, pregnancy, hand/foot/scalp, and chair massages ranging from $70 to $275, including 20% service fee except for chair massage.
• Equipment Rentals Outdoor gear rentals including adult and youth bikes, stand-up paddle boards, strollers, snowshoes, trekking poles, backpacks, baby carriers, and binoculars, available through the recreation desk from 8 AM to 9 PM daily.
• Yosemite Holiday Party Package Seasonal holiday celebration package including one-night Lodge King Room lodging, 3 hours of private event space, a 4-course dinner, dessert, and optional add-ons (Group Stargazing $590/hour, Group Karaoke $295/2 hours) priced at $350 per couple or $268 per individual inclusive of taxes and gratuity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% water repurposed onsite through comprehensive greywater system
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration4 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transport Service)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 May 2024Public transportation partnership providing bus service to Yosemite Valley from the lodge property. YARTS stops at Rush Creek May 15 through September 29 with multiple daily departures. Includes park entry for riders. One-way fare $5, round-trip $10. Children 12 and under ride free with paying adult.
• Evergreen LodgecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister property relationship with Evergreen Lodge, operated by the same management team. Evergreen Lodge has been hosting weddings for over a decade, providing operational expertise. Both properties share social and environmental missions and B Corporation certification. Recreation services including some guided excursions are coordinated across both properties.
• Firefall RanchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSister property listed alongside Evergreen Lodge on the Rush Creek website. Firefall Ranch is a Yosemite National Park property featured as an additional accommodation option.
• Kyle Khalil PhotographyminorGTM or Marketing PartnerRecommended adventure photographer for capturing proposal experiences and Yosemite adventures. Specializes in authentic, cinematic moments in iconic natural settings.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Evergreen Lodge: Sister property under the same First Light Resorts parent, operated out of Groveland at the Highway 120 West Yosemite entrance with comparable cabin/lodge-style lodging, on-property dining, guided recreation, and B Corp credentials — effectively the closest comparable operator by model and mission.
• The Ahwahnee (in-park, Yosemite): Iconic historic in-park resort with full-service dining, event and wedding venues, and high-end accommodations that sit at the top of the Yosemite lodging comp set, anchoring premium pricing and large-scale group events in the corridor.
• Firefall Ranch: Yosemite-area sister property listed alongside Rush Creek on the First Light Resorts portfolio, providing additional cabin/lodging capacity that competes (and complements) Rush Creek within the same owner and visitor funnel.
• Yosemite Valley Lodge (in-park): In-park lodging option at Yosemite Valley offering rooms and casual F&B plus guided activities, providing the in-park benchmark Rush Creek competes against for visitors deciding whether to stay inside or outside the gate.
• Tenaya at Yosemite: Upscale year-round resort at the south entrance to Yosemite offering lodge rooms, suites, and on-site dining, spa, and activities — competes head-to-head for the same gateway-lodge visitor against Rush Creek's Highway 120 West footprint.

Others

• Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite: Self-reference: the same property; included only to surface the property's own public booking website as a comparable distribution touchpoint.

Regional players

• Pines Resort at Bass Lake: Full-service Sierra-region resort at Bass Lake ~30 miles from Yosemite offering rooms, dining, spa, and event venues — overlapping customer base of Central California drive-to leisure and wedding travelers.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/RushCreekLodge
• Instagraminstagram.com/yosemite_rushcreek
• Pinterestpinterest.com/rushcreeklodge
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rush-creek-lodge-at-yosemite

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite