Rush Creek Lodge to Open at Gateway to Yosemite National Park in Spring 2016

SAN FRANCISCO, CA--(Marketwired - Mar 17, 2015) - The Yosemite landscape is preparing to welcome a vibrant addition to the popular region. Rush Creek Lodge, a fresh take on the Yosemite experience, is slated to open at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park, California, in spring 2016. The contemporary mountain resort is the first resort to open in the park's vicinity in more than twenty-five years, offering Yosemite explorers a new lodging option with 143 rooms, as well as amenities for travelers, such as a dining destination to enjoy California lodge cuisine, a general store for provisions on the way to the park and a full service guided recreation program. Guests are invited to make reservations starting summer 2015.

Rush Creek Lodge, a newly developed resort in a coveted Yosemite location, features spectacular sunset views, a forested hillside setting and a breathtaking expanse of nature. Inspired by the mountain backdrop, Rush Creek Lodge marries an authentic, timeless feel with modern amenities for a consummate national park lodge experience that is both relaxed and sophisticated. Located less than a mile from the park's Highway 120 West entrance, Rush Creek Lodge is a scenic three-hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and is a sister property to the nearby historic Evergreen Lodge. Both properties are owned and operated by First Light Hospitality. The spring 2016 opening coincides with the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service and marks the 126^th anniversary of Yosemite, one of the nation's original National Parks.

Rush Creek Lodge Welcomes Yosemite Enthusiasts
The new lodge provides a "resort base camp" at the doorstep of Yosemite National Park. Set on twenty woodland acres, the hillside resort boasts a grand main lodge and a mix of 143 rooms, suites and two-bedroom villas, ideal for families, couples and individuals alike. Inspired by the breathtaking natural surroundings, Rush Creek Lodge embodies a sophisticated, modern approach to design that integrates natural and raw materials to achieve an authentic feel and a distinct overall sense of place.

Yosemite activities create robust appetites, and the on-site restaurant and tavern at Rush Creek Lodge are set to tantalize with fresh, hearty and sophisticated California lodge cuisine. The restaurant's open display kitchen showcases a wood-fired oven and cozy hearth, and both tavern and restaurant feature indoor/outdoor seating options to accentuate every dining experience with a distinctive High Sierra flair.

Ideal for destination events, retreats and weddings, Rush Creek Lodge features customizable, full-service meeting and event space for groups up to 250. Guests may select open air meeting options or indoor settings.

"We are honored to have the opportunity to create a destination lodging experience that gives everyone the chance to enjoy Yosemite in a fresh, new way," said Lee Zimmerman, one of the lodge's owners. "The enchantment of Yosemite is embodied at Rush Creek Lodge. We're excited for visitors to discover this one-of-a-kind 'destination within a destination' as a remarkable place to explore, relax, have fun and reconnect with self, loved ones and nature."

Guests will appreciate Rush Creek's many characteristics that are designed to create an outstanding getaway for kids and adults alike:

• Every room features a deck overlooking nature, and the majority offer hillside sunset views
• Convenient location off of Highway 120
• California lodge cuisine: fresh, hearty, healthy and delicious
• Guided recreation programs, "recreation concierge" advice desk and daily on-site activities
• Wellness and yoga programs
• Cozy, spacious lounge, fun-filled game room, outdoor seating areas and fireplaces
• Innovative play areas, gold panning stream, fly-casting pond and other diversions for discovery, entertainment and relaxation
• Solar-heated salt water pool and hot tub
• General store with everything you need to make the most of your adventures in Yosemite

Rush Creek Lodge continues the social and environmental missions set forth by its sister property, the Evergreen Lodge. The resort is a Certified B corporation, meeting social sustainability and environmental performance standards, and is committed to accountability and transparency regarding this distinguished benchmark. The property's dedication to social enterprise, using business as a force for good, is further enhanced by a fully self-funded on-site youth employment program and a host of environmental initiatives. For example, Rush Creek's water re-use program will be one of the most comprehensive commercial greywater systems in California; charging stations will be available for electric vehicles and solar panels will supply a portion of the property's power needs.

With the opening of Rush Creek Lodge, Yosemite National Park gains a new ambassador and launch point for memorable moments, including once-in-a-lifetime occasions and year-round outdoor adventures. Rush Creek Lodge will be available for reservations starting in summer 2015 at www.RushCreekLodge.com.