The Hostelz.com Review
At the Yosemite Bug Hostel, nature lovers are served! This hostel is perfect for people who want to visit Yosemite National Park but do not want to pay for an expensive hotel room within the park.
The Location
The hostel is located directly in the forest, past Mariposa toward Yosemite National Park. It is about an eighty-minute ride from Merced, CA, on a Yarts bus that is run by Yosemite National Park. The hostel is located at a ten-minute uphill walk from the bus stop, which may be strenuous if you are carrying a lot of baggage. Most buses that go toward the Bug Hostel run in the morning and become sparser in the afternoon. You can also take the same Yarts bus all the way into Yosemite National Park and the fare includes park entrance fees. The first bus leaves from the Bug Hostel at 7:30 a.m. and the last bus from Yosemite Valley leaves at 7:50 p.m., leaving you plenty of time to hike any day-hike trail in Yosemite.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Each dorm sleeps six people and has a shower and a toilet. There is also another building with more showers in case it is needed. There is a locker box if you want to use it. The restroom is quite very large.
Common Spaces
There is a kitchen if you want to cook your own meals, and a restaurant (which includes vegetarian options and which serves alcohol) for those who do not. They have board games and a computer if you want to access internet. They also offer free Wi-Fi in their cafe. Most people at the hostel are exhausted from their day at Yosemite National Park and want to go back the day after. So it is definitely more fit for a person who wants to enjoy nature. Other backpackers are quite friendly and you can definitely meet some hiking partners there.
Summary
The hostel is definitely a good option if you are traveling on a tight budget to enjoy nature at Yosemite National Park. It is conveniently located, not too expensive, and offers the opportunity to meet other backpackers with similar interests.
The Location
The hostel is located directly in the forest, past Mariposa toward Yosemite National Park. It is about an eighty-minute ride from Merced, CA, on a Yarts bus that is run by Yosemite National Park. The hostel is located at a ten-minute uphill walk from the bus stop, which may be strenuous if you are carrying a lot of baggage. Most buses that go toward the Bug Hostel run in the morning and become sparser in the afternoon. You can also take the same Yarts bus all the way into Yosemite National Park and the fare includes park entrance fees. The first bus leaves from the Bug Hostel at 7:30 a.m. and the last bus from Yosemite Valley leaves at 7:50 p.m., leaving you plenty of time to hike any day-hike trail in Yosemite.
Rooms and Bathrooms
Each dorm sleeps six people and has a shower and a toilet. There is also another building with more showers in case it is needed. There is a locker box if you want to use it. The restroom is quite very large.
Common Spaces
There is a kitchen if you want to cook your own meals, and a restaurant (which includes vegetarian options and which serves alcohol) for those who do not. They have board games and a computer if you want to access internet. They also offer free Wi-Fi in their cafe. Most people at the hostel are exhausted from their day at Yosemite National Park and want to go back the day after. So it is definitely more fit for a person who wants to enjoy nature. Other backpackers are quite friendly and you can definitely meet some hiking partners there.
Summary
The hostel is definitely a good option if you are traveling on a tight budget to enjoy nature at Yosemite National Park. It is conveniently located, not too expensive, and offers the opportunity to meet other backpackers with similar interests.
— Exclusive Hostelz.com Review
July 2008
Their Description
HI - Midpines Hostel - Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort Details
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Hostelz.com Guest Reviews
Obnoxious person I stayed at the bug in 2007 what spoiled a good experience was an obnoxious person some how involved with the white water rafting company recommended by the hostel who sat in the lounge area one evening making disgusting comments about those who has been on the trip. I couldn't even repeat some of the comments and if i hadn't been alone i would have challenged his behavior, i was left very red faced. — chrisie , british (2010-10-06) Going back next month! Friendly and casual, definitely not for the luxury-inclined but comfortable and clean, and easily accessible to Yosemite. The onsite cafe is very friendly in the best way, with an amazingly active scene of it's own, including both young and old, families on vacation, and traveling college students listening and dancing to lively local bluegrass. The only issue we had was mold-growth spotted in our shared bathroom which we told the staff about and they seemed genuinely concerned, making notes for the manager and cleaning crew. Otherwise our cabin room was smallish but very clean with eclectic furnishings and a comfortable bed. Much recommended! Have fun!! — Minximal , California! (2010-09-13) Not an adventure I want to repeat Rented the Starlite House and the staff couldn't find a key to open the place. Finally after 2 hours we got a key that opened one of the 4 doors. Only once did staff go with us to help, we were pretty much left on our own to try the keys and get in. I talked to others and many were given rooms they hadn't reserved. Make sure and check reservations carefully and call ahead and have documentation of reservations made. If you check in late they will give your room away. Food quality is ok at best and very little variety. The drive to Yosemite is only 20 miles, but takes an hour, so be aware of that. My estimate is management is very unprofessional and unresponsive to needs of its customers. I realize this is a hostel, but we paid $300/night for the house for 6 of us. The house had a recent makeover and the stain was still wet and sticky on the stairs, the cabinet doors were not on and the we couldn't get the washer to work. Sparse cooking utensils in kitchen. I had to go out and buy more. Overall this was not a positive fun experience. Thank God it was only 3 nights. — Anonymous , Texas, USA (2010-07-25) Great rates, great times! I stayed at the Bug while part of one of the tours they operate. The tour itself was amazing -- round-trip transport to San Francisco, guided hikes, all meals, and accommodation for 2 nights for only $200! Definitely recommend looking into that. The hostel was a lot of fun, nestled in the woods with stunning views. The food is delicious and the beer is quality and reasonable. Saturday night there was a live band which was lots of fun. The dorms are comfortable with en-suite bathrooms and showers so you don't have to wander outside in the cold of the night. All in all, a great place to stay when visiting Yosemite! — captainwinter364 , Canada (2010-06-03) Special Place with excellent food I like the Bug a lot. I've stayed a dozen times in all seasons. Winter is great. The improvements made are nice but they need to put new mattresses in most of the rooms I've had. Definitely worn out and hard on the back. — Ricco , USA (2009-11-29) Great place, great price, Don't miss this place. Great place to stay at when visiting Yosemite. They just opened a spa, hot tub, sauna, herbal baths, showers, massage, yoga. Most services are all half price for a hostel guest. As a HI member I stayed here for $15 a night, what a great deal. — Enlight , United States (2007-10-21) Best hostel, nicest staff (especially the Irish lady who runs it and the guy on reception). Excellent, healthy food, clean dorms, good kitchen facilities. — mle (2007-02-11) Was at the Hostel back in June 2004 but couldn't stay there since there was a wedding party that booked the whole place. I went there in the morning for breakfast, it was very good. They also have free wi-fi internet. If I go back, I would stay there. — Brad (2006-09-12) I stayed at the Bug in Jan '05 and cannot say enough good stuff about it. It is staffed with friendly, knowledgable people who seem to enjoy their work and, more so, their surroundings. The atmosphere is laid back, and the food in the restaurant is excellent, especially at the price. And they have yummy beers on tap (also at fair prices). I look forward to staying here again -- it's a nice part of my Yosemite experience. — Marty (2006-08-28) I've been staying in hostels since 1968 and the Bug is one of my favorites. A stuffed pig's head over the fireplace stares down on a room full of relaxed and varied travelers. I recall sinking deep into the comfy couches and chairs, feet up on the coffee table, feeling blissful after a day hiking in Yosemite, after eating a delicious meal cooked by a guy who used to work in a 5-star hotel kitchen. Dorm rooms are fine, private rooms a real value, and there is a kind of outdoor theater where you can build a fire outside and whoop it up if you are so inclined. Great wooden deck for hanging out and eating. The Bug is almost a destination in itself — add an outdoor hot tub and I may not even make it into the Valley. Love the cat and dog, too! — Cheryl Chester (2005-11-22) This is a wonderful hostel, tucked away in some very quiet woods on a hillside. It is really easy to get to without a car and you can catch a bus from just down the hill from the hostel to the Amtrak station at Merced in one direction, or Yosemite in the other. There is a beautiful cat and a friendly little dog that enthusiastically invited itself on a walk around the hiking trails on the hostel grounds, and then got us lost by scampering off with complete certainty in the wrong direction. There's a nice kitchen, or a good value cafe that also serves beer. The room we stayed in was in a log cabin, so you had to walk outside to get anywhere, including the bathroom. But it wasn't far and it added to the outdoorsy feel of the place. — Mary and Dan (2005-11-17) The Bug is as good as it gets in hostel world. We met an endless stream of fascinating international people, many of whom we've stayed in touch with or visited in their countries. It's difficult if not impossible to imagine that anyone would feel uncomfortable there. We met very wealthy senior citizens, business people, globetrotters of all stripes and they all got along famously. The environment is relaxed, the location superb, the rooms rustic to exquisite and the food and drink in the main lodge is good and copious. The owners are a couple of stellar people who have the gift of making you feel at home and welcome. All in all, a smashingly good place to stay and be among kindred spirits. — Anonymous (2005-06-23) It may have been five years next year since I traveled here all the way from Australia, but I have recommended Caroline's hospitality and The Bug to countless friends. The food, folk and accommodation rate number one among the hostels I've stayed at around the world. And the location is perfect, too. Visit the little park (what a park!!!), which is a short drive down the road from The Bug.
Keep up the great work. I hope to be back in 2005 with some friends for them to experience your great place. — Martin (2004-11-25) What a great surprise it was to find the Bug Hostel nestled in the woods and close to a stunning segment of the Merced River. The food was good and there was so much of it. After sharing a cabin at a stuffy resort it was good having a private room with a bathroom and the company of people of all ages. I plan to return with one or two of my grown kids. — Vera Selig (2004-11-09) One of the best places I have ever stayed. The lodge is great, cozy, and a wonderful place to meet up with hikers if you are traveling alone. YARTS takes you easily into the park without having to take your own vehicle. The food is great! My favorite hostel during my cross-country (FL to CA) trip! — Cristina (2004-08-10)