Lillaskog Lodge

Lillaskog Lodge sits on a forested mountaintop 11 miles from Yosemite National Park's Big Oak Flat entrance, surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest in the Sierra Nevada foothills near Groveland, California. The lodge was built by hand over six years by founder Bill Charlson — a retired park ranger who purchased fire-damaged acreage, planted approximately 20,000 trees, and milled timber from the land to construct the building. Current owners Liza and Tom have stewarded the property since late 2021, continuing the tradition of hosting more than 25 weddings each year. The venue accommodates celebrations of up to 150 guests across two outdoor event areas: the Lower Lawn, anchored by a gazebo set against sweeping mountain views and frequently used for ceremonies and photography, and the Upper Lawn, a cobblestone-lined space well-suited for dining and receptions under the open sky. The lodge's indoor Dining Room and Great Room — featuring floor-to-ceiling windows and a stone fireplace — provide additional gathering space for smaller groups. Wedding packages include two-night lodge rental, tables, chairs, linens, staff setup and breakdown, and on-call weekend coordination. The large, well-equipped kitchen accommodates self-catering, and extras such as an event tent, patio heaters, and a neighboring cabin are available as add-ons.