Yosemite National Park
Discover Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Sierra Nevada mountains in east-central California. Approximately four million visitors each year come to Yosemite to marvel at its spectacular granite cliffs, towering waterfalls, remote wilderness, massive sequoia trees, and high mountain meadows. The park encompasses a massive 750,000 acres (300,000 hectares), 1,200 sq mi (3,100 km) area and contains thousands of lakes and ponds, 1,600 mi (2,600 km) of streams, 800 mi (1,300 km) of hiking trails, and 350 mi (560 km) of roads.
What to Experience in Yosemite National Park
Taste of Yosemite National Park...
Groceries can be purchased in Yosemite Village, Crane Flat, Curry Village, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows. Demand for lodging in Yosemite Valley in both the hotels and the campgrounds is extremely heavy during the peak season, so you need to book well ahead of time during the late spring, summer and early fall; vacancies are more common during the off-season. As an example, by mid-May in 2015 not a single reservation remained in any campground for any night during the summer season. Cancellations occur on a random basis, so it is also advised to call back frequently for a desired reservation date. Cheaper and more abundant lodging can be found outside the park. The nearby towns of El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland, Fish Camp, and Lee Vining have lodging. In addition, the community of Yosemite West borders the park and offers numerous rentals; it is accessible only from within Yosemite and provides a convenient option to visitors planning to stay near Wawona or Yosemite Valley. Be aware that despite names like "Yosemite View", no lodging outside the park has a view of the Valley. Lodging is particularly close to the park near the Route 140 entrance and the Route 120 East entrance; for those approaching from the Route 41South entrance, there are many affordable lodging options in Oakhurst, but at the cost of a longer commute distance. In addition, Yosemite is surrounded by national forests that offer numerous campgrounds.
A Rich Past
Explore the historical roots that shaped Yosemite National Park into what it is today.
Humans may have first visited Yosemite as long as 8,000 years ago, and there is evidence that people have lived in the area for nearly 4,000 years. In 1849 the lives of the native Miwok population changed dramatically as the California Gold Rush brought thousands of miners into the region, resulting in a massive disruption to the way of life practiced by the existing people. By the 1930s the population of Native Americans had dwindled to the point that the last Indian village was disbanded, and by 1969 the last private Indian residences (by then solely inhabited by park employees and their families) were abandoned. The beauty of Yosemite Valley inspired early visitors to the area and led to concern about exploitation by commercial interests. After prominent individuals advocated for its protection, on June 30, 1864 President Abraham Lincoln signed a bill granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to the State of California as an inalienable public trust. This was the first time in history that the US federal government had set aside scenic lands for the purpose of preservation and public use. Following further lobbying by the conservationist John Muir, additional restrictions were put in place against grazing in the subalpine meadows surrounding Yosemite Valley, and on October 1, 1890 the area was declared America's third national park....
Climate
Weather can change rapidly during all seasons of the year, and will also vary greatly with elevation. When visiting it is wise to pack for any season with clothing that can be layered, ready to peel off or add on as conditions dictate. Always include some kind of rain gear; the park receives most of its precipitation in the winter months, but storms are common during the transitional spring and fall seasons, and spectacular thunderstorms may occur during summer. For Yosemite Valley and Wawona (subtract 10-20°F (5-10°C) for Tuolumne Meadows), average weather is as follows: Warning: There are no gas/petrol stations in the Yosemite Valley! There are four major entrances into the park. All of these routes are relatively winding mountain roads and appropriate time should be budgeted for them. A secondary entrance exists to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir exclusively (no Yosemite Valley access) off of State Route 120 from the west.
Essential Information
Best Time to Visit
Year Roundbest time to see the waterfalls at their strongest....
Getting There
Multiple OptionsWarning: There are no gas/petrol stations in the Yosemite Valley! There are four major entrances into the park. All of these routes are relatively winding mountain roads and appropriate time should be budgeted for them. A secondary entrance exists to Hetch Hetchy Reservoir exclusively (no Yosemite Valley access) off of State Route 120 from the west. It requires taking a side road near the main Route 120 west entrance of Yosemite. Hetch Hetchy has restricted hours for access due to security for the Reservoir. During the snow season, usually November through March, snow chains may be required. Chain requirements are strictly enforced in Yosemite with potential fines being as much as $5,000, so chains should be carried during those months. During summer months traffic becomes heavily congested in Yosemite Valley, and parking can be nearly impossible to find....
Getting Around & Staying
Getting Around
Yosemite has grown from a little visited, yet historically significant, park to one of the "crown jewels" of the US National Park System. With this stature comes difficulties; Yosemite is the third most visited national park in the United States, with an annual visitation of approximately 4 million, and a majority of those visitors are concentrated in the 12 sq mi (31 km) within Yosemite Valley (about 1% of the total park land). With most of the park visitors destined for Yosemite Valley, traffic and parking are significant problems during the busy summer season. As a result, while a car is a great way to tour the park, if visiting the Valley, taking YARTS and the shuttle bus may be a vastly better option. Be aware that the Tioga Pass Road and the road to Glacier Point are seasonal and close as soon as the first major snow falls. Other park roads may close during storms, but in general are always open.
Where to Stay
Demand for lodging in Yosemite Valley in both the hotels and the campgrounds is extremely heavy during the peak season, so you need to book well ahead of time during the late spring, summer and early fall; vacancies are more common during the off-season. As an example, by mid-May in 2015 not a single reservation remained in any campground for any night during the summer season. Cancellations occur on a random basis, so it is also advised to call back frequently for a desired reservation date. Cheaper and more abundant lodging can be found outside the park. The nearby towns of El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland, Fish Camp, and Lee Vining have lodging. In addition, the community of Yosemite West borders the park and offers numerous rentals; it is accessible only from within Yosemite and provides a convenient option to visitors planning to stay near Wawona or Yosemite Valley. Be aware that despite names like "Yosemite View", no lodging outside the park has a view of the Valley.
Money & Budget
Souvenir shops abound in Yosemite. Stores are run by the park concessionaire (Aramark), the Yosemite Conservancy, or the Ansel Adams Gallery, with a few smaller family stores. Aramark, YC, and the Ansel Adams Gallery offer some form of mail order. The Yosemite Conservancy stores specialize in educational materials about Yosemite, many of which are published by the organization; membership offers a 15% discount on most purchases. Gas is available for purchase at Crane Flat, Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, and in towns outside of the park. Gas prices tend to be 60 cents to 1 dollar higher than communities like Fresno, Merced, and Modesto. Groceries can be purchased in Yosemite Village, Crane Flat, Curry Village, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows.
Safety Information
Safety Overview
For any emergency in Yosemite National Park, dial 911 from most phones (hotel and retail phones may require 9+911). Yosemite NPS runs its own dedicated emergency dispatch. If you dial from a cell phone, first mention that you are in Yosemite as many cell phones route to a call center in your number's area code. Over the years the park's bears have become accustomed to scavenging trash and food left out by humans, and will even break into cars and tents to get it. While not the larger grizzly bears that once roamed California, black bears are strong enough to tear a door off of a car with ease. Luckily they usually prefer to avoid humans, so they'll most likely do their work on vehicles left at trailheads or in parking lots. Prevention is remarkably simple: never leave food or scented items (deodorant, air fresheners) in your car or bring them into your tent.
Nearby Destinations
Glimpses of Yosemite National Park
A bit less edited version of the the Yosemite Valley.
I arrived in Yosemite at 5:20 a.m. in order to catch the sunrise at Tunnel View, but the clouds ruined the view. So I wandered the valley for some other sight to behold and found this beautiful reflection in the flooded waters of Yosemite valley.
El Capitan on a sunny afternoon
Yosemite Fall Colors
green pine trees near mountain during daytime
mountain with waterfall under white clouds and blue sky
Planning Patience always pays off. Cloudy day with no chance of sun’s light and it was almost dusk and the cool breeze open up the clouds and the Magic unfolds in Yosemite Valley !
green grass field near rocky mountain under white clouds and blue sky during daytime
An amazing view witnessed first hand that I wish to share with everybody
I think the best time to visit Yosemite is February. There is still some snow around the valley. The trees and the snow shine mystically because of the sun rays through the patchy clouds. Certainly a sight to behold. Yosemite National Park
A bit less edited version of the the Yosemite Valley.
I arrived in Yosemite at 5:20 a.m. in order to catch the sunrise at Tunnel View, but the clouds ruined the view. So I wandered the valley for some other sight to behold and found this beautiful reflection in the flooded waters of Yosemite valley.
El Capitan on a sunny afternoon