Escape to the serene surroundings of The Secret Meadows Retreat, nestled on 14 acres of meadows and forest near Yosemite. Unwind in the cozy living room with a wood-burning fireplace or explore thousands of acres of Stanislaus National Forest via trails and old logging roads.
Reviews
9.09.0 out of 10
Wonderful
Entire home
2 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 61400 sq ft
Popular amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free Wi-Fi
Air-conditioning
Outdoor space
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary
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 nearby
Snowboarding nearby
Internet
Available in the house: Free WiFi
Parking and transport
Car required
Parking on site
Kitchen
Coffee/tea maker
Cookware, dishware, and utensils
Dishwasher
Hob
Microwave
Oven
Refrigerator
Spices
Toaster
Dining
Dining table
Bedrooms
2 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1.5 bathrooms
Hair dryer
Towels provided
Living spaces
Dining table
Fireplace
Living room
Wood stove
Entertainment
Books
DVD player
Music library
Stereo
TV with cable/satellite channels
Video library
Outdoor areas
Barbecue grill
Garden
Outdoor furniture
Patio
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
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 a rural location
In the mountains
Near a zoo
Things to do
Snow sports gear
Birdwatching nearby
Ecotours nearby
Fishing nearby
Golfing nearby
Hiking/biking trails nearby
Horseback riding nearby
Hunting nearby
Ice skating nearby
Jet skiing nearby
Kayaking nearby
Motor boating nearby
Mountain biking nearby
Mountain climbing nearby
Rafting nearby
Rock climbing nearby
Scuba diving nearby
Sledding nearby
Snorkelling nearby
Snowmobiling nearby
Spelunking nearby
Swimming nearby
Water skiing nearby
Water tubing nearby
Wildlife walks nearby
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
An adult aged 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
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
There's no trash pick up so please leave as much as possible before returning to the house each day and remove as much as you can. Definitely do not leave any foodstuffs outside or in the basement.
Any foodstuffs can be left in the refrigerator to avoid odor that might attract animals.
Please be sure to turn off lights, except for the labeled one, and to return the keys to the lockbox. - THANK YOU1
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
Rules
No outdoor fires or smoking.
Quiet time is Sunset.
First gate to be kept locked.
Please review ALL house rules before booking your stay. We will verify ALL reservation details after the booking.
Pets
Pets not allowed
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Note from host: It's an incredible place for children
Events
No events allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
No smoking
Important information
You need to know
This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
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 transport to and from this property
About the area
Located in Groveland, this holiday home is in a rural area and in the mountains. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance. Enjoy the area's slopes with cross-country skiing and snowboarding, and don't miss out on the snowmobiling and ice skating. Visit our Groveland travel guide
Is 6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
How much is parking at 6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at 6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at 6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is 6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary located?
Situated in the mountains, this holiday home is within 9 miles (15 km) of Rainbow Pool, Yosemite National Park and Yosemite Big Oak Flat Entrance. Big Oak Flat Information Center and Tuolumne River are also within 12 miles (20 km).
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6 Miles to Yosemite Entrance 14 Acre Private & Gated Retreat Wildlife Sanctuary Reviews
Reviews
Wonderful
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
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.
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
Curtis C.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Alex
25 Sept 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
Our family really enjoyed our stay in this rustic home. We were able to easily get back and forth to Yosemite. The grounds are beautiful and the home was comfortable and had everything we needed for our three day stay. We'd definitely come back again.
Dan was easy to communicate with, cabin was rustic and cozy. The surrounding area was quiet and beautiful, as described in the listing. We would stay here again!
Great large cabin, very private but still close to the NP entrance. Nice trails with seating areas around the cabin. Washer and dryer (outside basement entrance) were awesome to have on a long trip. Make sure to get detailed directions and info on getting in the gates and the house ahead of time, because there is basically no cell service anywhere nearby. WiFi in the cabin worked well.
Beautiful location and close to Yosemite park entrance. We stayed two nights and it was a great place to come back to at the end of a few long days. Be sure to get your directions laid out ahead of time due to spotty service in the area and reach out to the owners for instructions on how to operate the AC. The owner is very accommodating and will help with whatever questions you have
Only a couple of miles from the Oak Flats gate and this made a huge difference. You don’t realize how long it takes you to get around Yosemite. Great communication with the owner, perfect directions. Overall a great stay.
Location was excellent for access to Yosemite NP. Facilities were good, although, furniture was a bit uncomfortable. Listing indicated internet, however, not working and could not reach owner to resolve. Very limited cell service. We also ran out of drinking water. Shower hand sprayer was broken.Would stay there again due to location.
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
This was a great place for my husband and I to spend a romantic, secluded weekend together. The property was as it is described. I would recommend this for a couple or a family.
The property itself was great; fantastic location with good amenities. The place was well stocked with clean items. The main issue I had was the AC. Turns out someone turned off the faucet to the heat exchanger but that left my family and I in a house that would get to about 95 inside. Overall a fantastic experience in a rustic cabin in the woods. It was just hot!
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.
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.
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.)
Steve S.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023
Verified
8/10 Good
Alison M.
10 Apr 2018
Very comfortable 2 bedroom , 2 bath cabin. Nothing fancy but everything you need to relax.
The cabin is situated in a beautiful area. Just up the way are amazing vistas along the basically private mountain road. Deer and beautiful stars; Peace and Quiet. Not far from the Valley floor ~45 minutes , Close to Hetch Hetchy resevoir and the Tuolomne Valley there are numerous options for day hikes and exploration. The loft has two beds in a shared space and works best for families or kids. Owner was helpful and very responsive. Overall a positive experience
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.
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.