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8 best things to do in Yosemite National Park

Mar 19, 2024 • 8 min read

Yosemite is a wonderland of adventures – here are our favorites © R. Tyler Gross / Getty Images

Yosemite National Park is one of those dazzling, large-than-life destinations with a beauty that must be seen firsthand to truly appreciate it.

Renowned landscape photographer and environmentalist Ansel Adams introduced much of the public to this iconic park in the 1930s, when he began documenting its magic in black and white. Close to 100 years later, Yosemite remains an iconic photographic locale attracting close to five million visitors each year.

In California’s Sierra Mountains, Yosemite is the third-oldest national park in the US, established in 1890 and home to more than 700 miles of hiking trails, numerous waterfalls and captivating granite cliffs and buttresses with names like Half Dome and El Capitan. You’ll also find towering sequoia trees, diverse wildlife, sparkling turquoise and aquamarine lakes, scenic byways and a historic lodge that takes you back about a century in time.

Here are our top picks for the best things to do in Yosemite National Park.

1. Summit the iconic Half Dome

If you’ve seen photos or videos of Yosemite, you’ve seen the iconic granite rock that is Half Dome . Towering nearly 5000ft above the Yosemite Valley, it can be spotted from several locations around the park, including Tunnel View, Glacier Point and Mirror Lake, but none is more exhilarating than the view from the summit.

This is not a hike to undertake if you are not active or prepared. A 14- to 16-mile round trip with a 4800ft elevation gain, the trek to the summit is no walk in the park. It takes most hikers between 10 to 12 hours to hike up Half Dome and return. 

All that said, if you're looking for a challenge, this is a stupendous hike that offers stunning views of Vernal and Nevada Falls and Liberty Cap. From the shoulder and the summit of Half Dome, you’ll also have panoramic views across the Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra Mountains.

You’ll want to start this hike before sunrise and, although the trail is marked, carry a good topographic map and compass. Unless you are a rock climber with equipment, you’ll also have to use a two-cable system to climb the last 400ft to the summit.

If the cables are too much (or you can’t get a permit) you can still climb as far as Sub Dome, which is where the cable section starts. The views from here are still really impressive, and the hike is intense.    

Planning tip: You can only summit Half Dome between Memorial Day and Indigenous Peoples Day, and you'll need a permit to hike past the Sub Dome area. Apply online in March for one of the 225 hiking permits offered each day of the season. The NPS issues them via a lottery system, and competition is stiff.

2. Experience the magic of El Capitan

Yosemite’s other legendary slab of rock is El Capitan , which garnered a lot of attention after Alex Hannold’s free solo climb in June 2017. The subsequent Academy Award–winning Free Solo documentary told the story of Hannold becoming the first person to summit El Capitan using only his hands, no ropes.

Today, this nearly 3600ft sheer cliff remains a hotspot for climbers. On Yosemite Valley’s north side, it can be seen from numerous points of interest around the park, like the Tunnel View lookout and El Capitan Meadow. The latter is the best spot to photograph this massive rock (it is 1000ft taller than Half Dome’s face). You’ll find the meadow on the North Drive through the Yosemite Valley.  

Planning tip:  Bring a pair of binoculars so you can spot the climbers from a distance.

3. See the Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View Lookout 

The Yosemite Valley is where many of the park’s top attractions are located, including Tunnel View lookout. The parking lot is located right off Hwy 41, just east of Wawona Tunnel as you enter the Yosemite Valley, and it offers spectacular views of the Yosemite Valley. You’ll be able to see El Capitan to your left, Bridalveil Falls to your right and Half Dome in the distance. In the foreground is a sea of green trees and more granite cliffs.  

Try to visit just before or at sunset, when the granite monoliths glow golden from the setting sun; the green of the trees is especially vibrant. Crowds can be serious, however, in summer. If you are visiting in winter, you might have the place nearly to yourself, and the granite walls look especially magical when blanketed in snow. Come in May to see Bridalveil Falls at peak flow.   

4. Drive Tioga Road

Running east-west across Yosemite, Tioga Rd is only open in the summer. Opening and closing dates vary based on when the road can be cleared in spring and when it first begins to snow in fall. Beginning at Tioga Pass, at the park’s east entrance, with an elevation just shy of 9945ft, Hwy 120 is a wonderfully scenic 46-mile drive , and traversing it to Crane Flat in the west is well worth the park fee alone.

The drive takes you past Tuolumne Meadows, wide-open subalpine terrain bisected by the curvaceous Tuolumne River. You’ll also pass wildflower-strewn fields, deep-green forests, granite domes and hiking trails that lead to clear-blue mountain lakes, into which craggy granite peaks are reflected in the right light.

5. Photograph Yosemite Falls in spring

One of Yosemite’s most memorable sites is Yosemite Falls , and what makes it so alluring is that it only exists for part of the year. Spring is the best time to see the falls – the water is at its mightiest and most photogenic between April and June, thanks to melting snow. By August, however, the waterfall is usually down to a trickle or completely dry. Late fall storms can bring more water to Yosemite Falls, and in winter you may see an ice cone at the base of the upper falls.

One of the tallest waterfalls in the world, Yosemite Falls is made up of three waterfalls. Upper Yosemite Fall drops 1430ft down a granite wall, then the middle cascades drop 675ft before Lower Yosemite Fall drops off another ledge for 350ft.

Planning tip: There are lots of spots to photograph Yosemite Falls in spring. If you want to walk, you can take a 1-mile loop trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. This is also the start of the Yosemite Falls hike, which is a strenuous day hike of close to 8 miles. But walking to the base of the falls is easy and still gives a great perspective.

6. Stroll to Glacier Point lookout

Open only from late May through October, Glacier Point Rd is one of the park’s most famous drives. It takes you to  Glacier Point , one of the most impressive views in the entire park, looking out over Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and the park’s high country.

The lookout itself, which is 3214ft above Curry Village, is accessed from the Glacier Point parking lot via a short, wheelchair-accessible paved trail. During the months when the road is open, you can also visit the lookout on the Glacier Point bus tour. 

Detour: After checking out the viewpoint, take the Four Mile Trail down to Yosemite Valley, some 3200ft below. A little less than 5 miles long (the name is confusing), the trail is steep with some good views and drops you out near Sentinel Rock. You can also hike it up to Glacier Point. Either way, check the bus schedule to see if you can catch a ride back the other direction.

7. Hike to Columbia Rock and beyond

Yosemite National Park is a hiker’s paradise , with more than 750 miles of trails to explore. One of the top moderate hikes in the park is up to Columbia Rock, from which you have 180-degree views of Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome to the east and Cathedral Spires to the west.

The 3-mile roundtrip hike begins at the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead and gains about 1000ft in elevation as it continues onto the Upper Yosemite Falls trail, making it a relatively demanding hike complete with switchbacks. The trip takes between two and three hours, depending on how fast you walk.

Columbia Rock is also part of the trail system that initially takes you to the top of Yosemite Falls, located another two-thirds of the way on the Upper Yosemite Falls trail. You won’t be able to see the falls from the lookout, but continue for another half-mile and you’ll get great views of them. You can also continue to the top, which is a 7.6-mile round trip.

8. Bike to Mirror Lake

If you are looking for an easy, family-friendly bike ride that also offers awesome, just-in-front-of-you views of Half Dome, consider the Mirror Lake trail. The paved service road runs along the north side of the river and is part of Yosemite National Park’s 12 miles of paved bike paths.

Bike rentals are available at Curry Village. From here it is an easy .8-mile ride via Happy Isle Loop Rd to the Mirror Lake Trailhead. The path can also be walked, so keep an eye out for pedestrians. Note that to reach the upper section of the lake itself, which is known for its Half Dome reflections, you’ll need to walk the final, short portion of the trail.

This article was first published February 2023 and updated March 2024

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A Complete Guide to Visiting Yosemite National Park 

By Emily Pennington

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

As America’s first swath of public land set aside for protection, Yosemite National Park is often credited as the site that birthed the entire national park idea. Home to enormous ancient sequoia groves, glacially-carved granite domes, roaring waterfalls, and over 800 miles of developed trails, Yosemite is not only one of the best national parks in California —it's the kind of place that continually amazes, whether it’s your first time visiting or your fiftieth.

The park has dark spots on its history too, from the removal of the Ahwahneechee people , to the controversial damming of  Hetch Hetchy Valley to provide drinking water to the city of San Francisco in the 1920s. Though not always a perfect model, the park continues to be a living laboratory for conservation and stewardship to this day.

Also noteworthy: In 2023, Yosemite has elected to do away with its COVID-era  vehicle permit system , meaning that day-use visitors can enter and exit the park with ease (after paying the $35 entrance fee; valid for seven days). As such, it’s sure to be an excellent season to visit this legendary park, for locals and out-of-towners alike.

Keep scrolling for our favorite hikes, sights, and stays in Yosemite National Park.

All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Come winter, Yosemite's icons, like El Capitan, take on a whole new personality. 

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park

Like many of America’s iconic national parks, Yosemite is a land of vastly different elevations and, as a result, extremes in conditions across the park’s different zones.

The valley, home to jaw-dropping granite walls (like Half Dome and El Capitan) and sky-high waterfalls, sits at a sensible 4,000 feet. It gets hot in the summer (50 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit) and sees minimal snowfall most winters. The “high country,” located off Tioga Road to the north, is a sprawling high-altitude expanse of snow-capped Sierra peaks, dense stands of conifers, and glittering alpine lakes. As such, these byways are  typically only open from late May through October, depending on the weather.

Spring is a phenomenal time to go chasing waterfalls in Yosemite Valley, while summer brings crowds down low and excellent hiking weather up high (stick a pin in Tuolumne Meadows for some of the prettiest hiking paths). In autumn, fall colors start to shift along the Merced River in the valley, waterfalls run dry, and cooler daytime temps can make for wonderful backpacking trips across the entirety of the park. Winter is Yosemite’s quiet season, though the  Curry Village ice rink and  Badger Pass Ski Area liven things up once the first snow arrives.

How to get there

There's no sugarcoating it. California is a big place, and the Sierras are a big, protected mountain range. For better or worse, the closest airport to Yosemite is the  Fresno Airport . That’s still roughly 90 minutes from the park boundary and 2 hours and 20 minutes from its fabled valley cliffs, so you’ll want to rent a car, put on your favorite playlist, and enjoy the drive. On the plus side, you’ll be able to easily access Yosemite’s best trailheads with ease.

A handful of flights touch down in the tiny  Merced Airport , which boasts year-round  YARTS public transportation into the park. Yosemite offers a  free park shuttle around its popular valley. Those taking public transit can also opt for a paid  hiker’s bus between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows, if you'd like to hike the high country.

Things to do in Yosemite

Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most popular hikes, but there are also lesser-known backpacking trails perfect for escaping the crowds. 

Hiking and backpacking

Hands down, the best way to get out and see Yosemite is to go for a hike, and this park is home to some of the most spectacular trails in the country. If you’re looking for quick, family-friendly options, take in the powerful spray of California’s tallest waterfall on the one-mile, wheelchair accessible   Lower Yosemite Fall Trail , then head to the  Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and go for a romp along the .3-mile Big Trees Loop or the two-mile Grizzly Giant Loop.

Steph Koyfman

Shannon McMahon

Charlie Hobbs

Yosemite is also a bastion of calf-burning all-day adventures for serious hikers. Along the road to Glacier Point, trekkers can soak up gobsmacking views of the valley on the five-mile  Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop . Or, head for the high country on a seven-mile (round trip) up to  Cathedral Lakes , two postcard-worthy sapphire tarns that sit beneath a toothy granite summit.

Want to escape the crowds? Planning an overnight backpacking trip is a surefire way to experience the pristine magic of Yosemite’s wilderness, and at 747,956 acres, there’s a lot of ground to cover. Reserve a  wilderness permit for your preferred trailhead, double-check your gear, and be sure to pack (or rent) a bear canister to store your food (it’s required by law). Need some inspiration? We recommend the stunning, 6.5-mile alpine journey to  Ten Lakes or the 4.5-mile romp to  Sunrise Lakes .

Get more tips on Yosemite hikes in our complete guide.  

Scenic drives

For travelers who don’t want to dirty their loafers on a national park visit, Yosemite is full of top-notch stretches of  scenic pavement . In summer, when Tioga Road is open, visitors can motor across the “range of light,” from Lee Vining all the way to El Portal, on the western edge of the park. Along the way, enjoy purple spider lupine and brilliant pink penstemon in  Tuolumne Meadows , stopping to admire the sweeping view of Half Dome and Clouds Rest from  Olmstead Point .

If you’re dead set on exploring  Yosemite Valley by car, go early in the morning to avoid traffic jams and enjoy the peaceful light as deer graze in  Cook’s Meadow . Be sure to stop at the incomparable waterfalls (Vernal, Yosemite, and Bridalveil are our top picks), then pull over at El Capitan and try to imagine Alex Honnold scaling the 3,000-foot-tall cliff face, sans-rope.

You could go way off the beaten path and avoid crowds altogether in Yosemite’s gorgeous  Hetch Hetchy area, which sits in the park’s northwestern corner and features that aforementioned massive reservoir, punctuated by cascading waterfalls.

Cycle or drive through Yosemite National Park for miles and miles of views. 

Cycling the Valley Loop

Yosemite’s breathtaking valley is home to one of the best (and flattest)  multi-use bike paths in the national park system. BYO-bicycle or  rent one at Curry Village, Yosemite Village, or Yosemite Valley Lodge, then wheel onto more than 12-miles of designated bike trails, which wind past Half Dome, Happy Isles, Mirror Lake, Merced River, and Lower Yosemite Fall.

Guided tours

For travelers hoping to dig a little deeper or venture a little further, there are a wealth of expert-led guided tours in Yosemite, too. Those hoping to follow in Honnold’s footsteps (roped up, of course), should check out  Yosemite Valley Mountaineering School , which has been in business since 1969 and offers courses ranging from the beginner-focused “Welcome to the Rock” to big wall seminars for experienced granite aficionados. Nearby,  Southern Yosemite Mountain Guides also offers day- and weekend-long outings for budding climbers, plus day hikes and backpacking excursions.

If you’ve only got one day inside the park, book a  Grand Tour with Aramark, the park’s licensed concessionaire, for an all-day adventure (lunch included) that takes in the majestic rock domes of Yosemite Valley, the skyscraper-sized trees of Mariposa Grove, and panoramic views at Glacier Point. Just outside the valley,  Rush Creek Lodge offers a bevy of great day trips as well, ranging from sunset happy hours to view-filled snowshoe excursions.

Don’t want to overnight alone, or just prefer to hike in a group? REI offers a pretty fantastic  lodge-based hiking tour that explores the park’s most noteworthy nooks and crannies, from Budd Lake and to Glacier Point, to the Middle Earth-esque Mist Trail. However, the best stargazing (and most pristine solitude) can only be soaked up on an overnight backpacking trip, and  Wildland Trekking can throw down with the best of ‘em. Test your nerves and attempt to summit  Half Dome’s slick spine or do a deep-dive into Yosemite’s high country on the seven-day “ Wonders of Yosemite ” journey.

Rent an Airstream at AutoCamp Yosemite for connection to the outdoors—and the comforts of home. 

Where to stay in and around Yosemite

Hoping to car camp under the stars? Sleep in a vintage Airstream? Or perhaps you’d prefer a top-notch lodge, complete with a delicious dinner menu? No matter your style, there’s sure to be something to suit even the choosiest traveler in your crew.

Yosemite is home to thirteen, yes,  thirteen   car-accessible campgrounds , all of which book up within minutes and are on a reservation system from April through October. Reserving a primo spot (especially in the coveted valley) can be a bit of a headache, as  some campgrounds become available five months in advance, some two months in advance, and others just two weeks out from a trip. Plan ahead, triple-check the park website, and book early, especially if your heart is set on pitching a tent under Half Dome–at the popular Upper, Lower, or North Pines campgrounds.

In winter, many campgrounds close, but a few (Camp 4, Wawona, and Hodgdon Meadow) switch over to a first-come, first-served system. Upper Pines, located in Yosemite Valley, has reservations available year-round for those who don’t mind the cold.

Read more about camping in Yosemite in our complete guide.  

Hotels, glamping, and vacation rentals

As one of the most-visited sites in the NPS system (over 3.6 million visited in 2022), Yosemite has a wealth of posh accommodations just outside the park boundary.  Rush Creek Lodge & Spa , located a mere five minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance, is a haven for foodie families looking for a post-hike massage and epic cocktail menu (there’s even an on-site pool and zip line for the kiddos). Discerning travelers seeking white glove service and excellent fine dining should head south for  Château du Sureau , a European-style castle with a phenomenal restaurant ( The Elderberry House ), set on nine private acres in the mountain town of Oakhurst.

As far as historic park lodges go,  The Ahwahnee , in Yosemite Valley, is considered the crown jewel of the bunch. Built to complement the park’s soaring granite walls and verdant conifers, it first opened in 1927 and is known for its stately dining room and incomparable location.

Intrepid park-goers craving the comforts of home (think hot showers, luxe linens, and private patios) in a more adventurous setting might prefer a chic Airstream stay at  AutoCamp Yosemite . Or, of course, you could always splurge on a vacation house rental inside the park, like  this breezy craftsman in Yosemite West or this plush log cabin in Wawona .

Read more on the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park.  

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14 Top Attractions & Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

Written by Lana Law Updated Mar 20, 2024 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Author Lana Law has spent many happy days hiking and camping in Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite has long been a place of inspiration for artists, climbers, and nature lovers, and remains one of California's most popular places to visit . Beginning in the 1920s, Ansel Adams' stunning black-and-white photographs of Yosemite drew attention to the park's breathtaking landscapes and iconic sights like never before.

For the adventurous, climbing has always been one of the most popular things to do in Yosemite. Following WWII, climbers descended on the park and agonized over how to ascend the magnificent sheer walls. In their attempts, failures, and eventual successes, they created a cult following in Yosemite like no other climbing area in history.

And all along, campers and hikers have been coming here to lose themselves in the park's magnificent mountains and valleys.

The most famous and beautiful section of the park is Yosemite Valley , home to big-name tourist attractions, like Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.

Outside the valley, Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road provide seasonal access to other areas of the park. Glacier Point Road allows access to stunning views over the Yosemite Valley. Tioga Road crosses the park in an east-west direction and runs through alpine scenery, where you can find lovely, and often less busy, hiking trails . Due to the altitude, Tioga Road opens later in the spring than Glacier Point Road.

For more details, have a look at our list of the top attractions and things to do in Yosemite National Park.

See also: Where to Stay near Yosemite National Park

1. Yosemite Falls

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Tumbling over a granite wall and pounding the rocks at the base of the cliff, Yosemite Falls is one of the most memorable and striking features in Yosemite Valley. It's also among the best waterfalls in California .

Repeatedly popping into view over treetops and around corners as you drive through the valley, the falls look different from every angle, and it's impossible to take your eyes off.

You don't have to hike or even get out of your car to appreciate this waterfall, but the most complete view, and one of the best views , of the falls is from the start of the Yosemite Falls hike , along the non-handicapped route on the left side of the river. You can walk right to the base of the falls with minimal effort and feel the mist sweeping over you.

Another outstanding perspective is from the picnic site at the Swing Bridge .

Half Dome is one of Yosemite's most famous sites and particularly well-known in the climbing world for being one of the first "big climbs."

This granite icon looks much different depending on the angle you are viewing it from. Looking up at the sheer rock face from the valley, the enormity of the wall is obvious, and you can appreciate why climbers have been drawn here.

You can also see Half Dome in the distance from Tunnel View, but the best place to view it is from the lookout at Glacier Point . From here, you get a true picture of the rock, how it looms over the valley, and how much higher it stands than the surrounding mountains. The dome shape is clearly evident, and you can easily see why it's called Half Dome.

For close-up views, the Mirror Lake hike is the best option. From this trail, you look almost straight up the rock face.

Adventurous souls can hike up Half Dome . The last portion of this hike takes you up the bald back side of the formation. This isn't your average hike, and it's not for everyone. It is considered one of the best hikes in Yosemite , but be sure to look into the details before attempting it.

Legendary among climbers, El Capitan is a 3,000-foot sheer rock face on the north side of Yosemite Valley. Although it may not seem like it, El Capitan is actually 1,000 feet higher than the face of Half Dome.

El Capitan gained interest with the free solo climb of Alex Honnold in June of 2017, and the Academy Award winning documentary film, Free Solo . He became the first person to climb El Capitan without ropes, and completely unaided. The climb took three hours and 56 minutes.

From the Tunnel View lookout, El Capitan is the massive cliff on the left side of the valley, standing notably higher than everything else in view from this vantage point.

You can see the wall as you drive through the valley, but many people stop and view it or photograph it from El Capitan Meadow off the North Drive through Yosemite Valley. Since this is a one-way road, it's best to view it on your way out of the valley. At certain times of day, rangers set up in the meadow and offer talks on El Capitan.

If you want to get up close to the wall or even touch it, you can park on the right side of this same road, beyond the El Capitan picnic area, and walk up to the wall .

The short trail is marked as far as an open field, not far from the face, and rudimentary trails from here lead up through trees and boulders to the base of the wall. Climbers are almost always set up here. This trail is not promoted by the park.

The most classic view of Yosemite Valley is from Tunnel View. This vista, which will feel very familiar to most visitors, stretches out to El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, Half Dome in the distance, and also takes in the lush valley at the base of the huge granite walls.

Although it's an incredible sight at any time of day, in the morning, the walls are mostly in shadow. The best time to appreciate this scene is in the afternoon , when the walls are bathed in sunlight.

The parking area is just beyond the tunnel as you enter Yosemite Valley from Wawona Road. If you are heading out to Glacier Point from the valley, you will pass Tunnel View just before you enter the tunnel.

A drive through Yosemite Valley generally entails looking up to see the sites. Glacier Point, at an elevation of more than 7,200 feet , gives you the grand view over the entire valley, as well as many other sites beyond, and provides a whole new perspective.

This is one of the most incredible views in Yosemite National Park and is an absolute must-see sight.

In 2022, the Glacier Point Road closed for a massive construction project. The road, dating from 1936, requires significant structural rehabilitation. The work continues into 2023, however, vehicles will be allowed on the road but significant delays of 30 minutes or more are expected from January through to October. The portion of the road leading to Badger Pass Ski Resort will be open during the ski season.

Typically, the drive from Yosemite Village to Glacier Point takes about an hour, but you'll also find hikes and other lookouts in the area worth exploring.

Four Mile Trail hike runs from Glacier Point down 3,200 feet to Yosemite Valley, coming out near Sentinel Rock. Despite the name, the trail is almost five miles. It's also a steep grade and in relatively poor condition.

Not far from Glacier Point, Washburn Point is an equally spectacular lookout with incredible views over Vernal Fall.

Another classic sight in Yosemite National Park is Bridalveil Fall, on the south side of Yosemite Valley.

In 2019 the park undertook a two-year but long-overdue project to rehabilitate and revitalize this trail, which was truly showing the signs of overuse. It's expected that the new trails will still deliver you to the base of the falls where you can feel the spray hitting you and hear the pounding water as it crashes on the boulders.

From Tunnel View, you can also get a good look at the falls from a higher vantage point.

Read More: Best Waterfalls in California

It's hard to imagine visiting Yosemite without hitting some of the best hiking trails .

The park has a full range of hikes, from quick and easy, including some with wheelchair accessible paths, to full-day or multi-day hikes. The most popular trails involve hiking to waterfalls or out to high overlooks, but you can also hike to alpine lakes and meadows.

The shorter and easier trails in the valley are always the busiest, but it is possible to escape the crowds if you tackle some of the longer hikes, or those with more elevation gain. Hikes along the Tioga Road are also less busy, but only accessible in summer.

One of the park's most well-known hikes is the hike up Half Dome ; a huge day hike with 4,800 feet of elevation gain and an open section with cables (reservations required).

Easier, more family friendly hikes include Mirror Lakes , the hike to the Vernal Fall Footbridge , and beyond the footbridge to the Mist Trail .

In summer, when the Tioga Road is open, you can hike through some beautiful alpine scenery. Also seasonal, but usually with a longer season, the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point hikes along the Glacier Road are popular sunset trails.

If you don't want to hike alone or would prefer to go with a guide, you can sign up for a Yosemite Hiking Excursion designed to meet your ability .

Read More: Top-Rated Hiking Trails in California

Yosemite is the most famous rock climbing destination in the United States , and for many climbers, it is the pinnacle of their climbing careers. Half Dome and El Capitan have been luring climbers for decades.

Climbing legends and leaders in the sport, like Royal Robbins, Warren Harding, Jim Bridwell, and Alex Honnold, all made names for themselves on Yosemite's walls.

Camp 4 campground , the place where climbers have been pitching their tents since the 1950s, is listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its significance in the sport of climbing. It's hard to imagine another location so closely associated with the sport of climbing.

Rock climbing is still as popular as ever in Yosemite, even more so since the release of the documentary film Free Solo , following Alex Honnold's historic free solo climb of El Capitan in June of 2017.

The stunning alpine scenery along Tioga Road, Highway 120, running in an east-west direction through Yosemite, is a wonderful place to visit for summer hiking and camping. Wildflowers bloom in the open meadows, and pristine lakes reflect the mountain peaks.

Due to the elevation, this road is only open in the summer , and it opens later than Glacier Point Road. At the east entrance to the park is Tioga Pass, with an elevation of 9,945 feet.

Highlights along here include the views from Olmsted Point, and Tenaya Lake and the surrounding hiking trails.

Near Tuolumne Meadows , you can hike to Lembert Dome and walk up the swooping back side of the dome.

Although Mariposa Grove is located quite a distance from the main attractions in Yosemite, it's well worth the effort to get there. The size and grandeur of the trees, many of which are over 2,500 years old , is hard to explain unless you've actually seen them.

A variety of trails wind their way through the grove and past iconic trees like the Grizzly Giant, the California Tunnel, and Telescope Trees.

If you are up for it, consider hiking the seven-mile round-trip all the way to Wawona Point . Along the way, you'll pass stunning trees that most people never get to see and be rewarded with incredible views at the end.

To avoid congestion, a shuttle system has been put in place from the main parking area to the trailhead, a distance of two miles.

Tourists, families, and climbers have been camping in Yosemite for decades. It's a great way to experience the park, and it allows you to wake up on-location, ready for a day of exploration or hiking.

The park has some excellent campgrounds to choose from. The most popular campgrounds for visitors are North Pines, Upper Pines , and Lower Pines . Climbers head to the infamous Camp 4. It's also possible to rent tents and cabins at Curry Village .

If you have your heart set on camping but can't get a campsite in the park, you can find a few good campgrounds or RV parks outside the gates. For complete details on campgrounds in the park and nearby, see our guide to the best campgrounds at Yosemite National Park .

While most people only think of Yosemite's natural wonders, the Sierra Nevada region in and around Yosemite has been inhabited for more than 3,000 years.

You can learn all about the first peoples of the valley at the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village . The museum displays artifacts, and docents are on hand to give demonstrations and answer questions.

Behind the building are some bark-covered dwellings, built in the traditional style used by the Miwok people, who once lived in the area, as well as their later, Euro-American-style buildings.

The museum is free and conveniently located in Yosemite Village.

Families looking for things to do in Yosemite may want to consider some easy bike riding. In addition to biking on the roads, the park offers 12 miles of paved paths .

One of the most popular areas for casual biking is along the paved service road on the north side of the river, which leads to Mirror Lake . Many people walk this stretch, but you can easily bike in to the start of the lake and walk the final short portion to the upper section of the lake.

Another loop, east of Curry Village (formerly Half Dome Village), skirts the Upper Pines Campground and runs past the trailhead for Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and the John Muir Trail. This road is only open to bikes, pedestrians, shuttle buses, and wheelchair-transporting vehicles. Bicycle rentals are available at Curry Village.

Although Ansel Adams' photography went far beyond Yosemite, his name and works are closely associated with this park, where he created many famous images. His powerful black and white images of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and Jeffrey Pine are some of his most well-known works.

The small Ansel Adams Gallery makes an interesting stop if you are in Yosemite Village. Even if you are not looking to buy a piece of art, you may be inspired to create your own masterpieces after seeing some of the artwork on display in this store. The shop sells Ansel Adams original photos, reproductions, posters, books, and more.

The best place to stay, if it falls within your budget, is right in the park. This allows you to bypass the traffic getting in and out of the park, forget about having to find a parking spot, and it takes the stress out of almost every aspect of a visit to Yosemite.

If staying in the park doesn't suit your spending plan, you will have to commute. Hotel options near Yosemite are surprisingly limited, but you can find a few good hotels in the nearby small towns.

In the Park:

• For a combination of luxury, convenience, and history, you can't beat The Ahwahnee , classified by the National Parks system as a Premier Lodge. Built in 1927, this outstanding property, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and also a National Historic Landmark, is set in the heart of the Yosemite Valley, surrounded by the iconic sites of the park. The stone façade and open-beamed ceilings blend beautifully with the scenery, while the rooms offer modern comfort and elegance.
• Another classic choice is the Wawona Hotel. The hotel was built in 1876 and has been in operation ever since. The rooms are decorated in Victorian style, and many of the 104 rooms have balconies. A nine-hole golf course is across the street.

El Portal :

• One of the best options for people day tripping to Yosemite is the Cedar Lodge in the small town of El Portal, just 30 minutes from Yosemite Village, along Highway 140. This is a mid-range motel-style property with a pool. Rooms are large, and some come with full kitchens and a separate bedroom.

Highway 120 and Groveland:

• Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite is located along Highway 120, about 50 minutes west of Yosemite Valley. The hotel features rooms and suites with balconies, a large outdoor pool, games room, and restaurant.
• Farther on, in Groveland, The Groveland Hotel is modest but cute.
• Although commuting this far makes for a long day trip, you can find some decent hotels in Oakhurst, about a 1.5-hour drive from the main section of the park. Two good options here include the Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn and the Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites .

Showcasing the splendor of the Sierra Nevada Mountains in California, Yosemite National Park is a beautiful place to visit no matter the time of year. The months between Memorial Day and Labor Day are the peak visiting season at Yosemite . Between June, July, and August, the park receives over a million-and-a-half visitors each year.

Yosemite's high country and Tuolumne Meadows are snowcapped throughout the winter. Tioga Road, which accesses this northern part of the park, is generally open to vehicles between May and November. Places at lower elevations of the park, like the illustrious Yosemite Valley, are open the entire year. Looming rock formations like El Capitan and Half Dome are also impressive features to see no matter the season.

Perfect summer weather and the full accessibility of a snow-free park make summer a great time to go to Yosemite. Visitors in summer will need to pack some patience and plan for crowded conditions. Spring and fall in Yosemite feature fewer crowds and pleasant weather, and the months of May and September are some of the best times to visit Yosemite .

Winter visits are often deterred by road closures, variable driving conditions, and cold weather. With the right preparation and warm layers, though, the winter is the best time to visit Yosemite to avoid the crowds . Alongside a fraction of park visitors, Yosemite in winter provides scenic appeal with fresh layers of snow.

Looking for inspirational travel ideas to add to your bucket list? How about hiking below the tallest trees on the planet in Redwood National and State Parks or camping with the largest trees on Earth in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park ? These are experiences you won't forget!

Hit the hiking trails at Lake Tahoe to wander along the shores of the deepest alpine lake in the United States.

To discover the wonders of the desert , head over to the fascinating landscape of Joshua Tree National Park . This park is a true gem, and one that people often forget to include on their itinerary. The park is home to outstanding hiking trails of varying length, perfect for all levels of hikers. Or, plan a bit of time here and camping under the star-filled sky

More on California

Yosemite Itinerary: Ultimate First Time Visitor Guide (1, 2 & 3 Day Itinerary)

by Mark and Kristen Morgan

Published: July 29, 2020

Yosemite is a treasure trove of beauty and one of the crown jewels among the very best USA National Parks . This Yosemite itinerary will help you plan the most efficient way to spend your time in this spectacular corner of California. 

The spellbinding awe of Yosemite’s landscapes, smooth domed rock formations and unspeakably majestic valley have to be seen in person to be believed.

We will show you the best way to spend 1, 2 and 3 days at Yosemite to cover day trips, weekend breaks and those fortunate to have an extra day.

No matter how long you spend here, we know you will be swept off your feet – just like the great writers and photographers who immortalized Yosemite before you.

2023 Update : You  do not  need an advanced reservation to visit Yosemite National Park this year. The only exception is weekends in February for those who want to see Horsetail Fall on fire.

Why Visit Yosemite National Park?

Yellowstone is arguably the King of US National Parks – being the first established and immensely popular – but every King needs a Queen and Yosemite National Park’s astonishing grandeur is regal enough for our vote .

The park has something for everyone, from family vacations and couples who love hiking , to expert rock climbers and pro photographers.

Beloved panoramas of sweeping valleys, waterfalls and famous granite monoliths steal the show at Yosemite. Photography enthusiasts will be blown away.

El Capitan and Half Dome are even more impressive than you imagine but simply driving through Yosemite valley is scenic enough to justify a visit.

Various stop-off points around the valley scenic loop road are perfect for the less able or young children.

Yosemite is the gift that keeps on giving. It also happens to be a hikers paradise with hundreds of epic miles of trails with awe-inspiring climaxes to spur you on.

In summary, you should visit Yosemite National Park in California because it is a natural wonder perfect for everyone!

Yosemite National Park Factfile

Address : PO Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 Website : nps.gov/yose Phone : (209) 372-0200 Park Hours : All day, every day Entrance Fee : US$ 35 Vehicle 7 Day Pass (or free with America the Beautiful Pass ) Campgrounds : Yes, spread across the park (see campgrounds) Accommodation : Notoriously challenging, some lodging in Yosemite Valley, more in surrounding areas Backcountry camping : Backcountry Use Permit Required Top Activities : Hiking, Camping, Rock Climbing, Stargazing, photography Annual Visitors : 4.5 million

How To Get To Yosemite National Park

Flying / Closest Airports to Yosemite

Smaller –  Fresno-Yosemite International, Merced and Modesto airports are all under 3 hours drive from the National Park.

Larger –  San Francisco, Oakland, San Jose, Sacramento and Reno-Tahoe airports are all under 5 hours drive. More flights and of course the only options for those traveling from further afield.

• We always use and recommend searching for flights with  Skyscanner  for best prices, options and user experience.
• If you plan to hire a car and drive to Yosemite, compare prices and options with Rental Cars for best value.

Related : Save money with our 15 expert tips on finding cheap flights

Driving Entrances to Yosemite

There are a total of 5 entrances to Yosemite National Park but we will focus on the 4 with access to Yosemite Valley.

Tioga Pass Entrance (East, only open May-October, crosses Sierra Nevada);  Big Oak Flat Entrance (Northwest);  Arch Rock Entrance (Southwest) and  South Entrance (South).

Hetch Hetchy is the 5th entrance to park boundaries but it is a secluded and does not lead to the main Yosemite attractions.

• Los Angeles, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, Joshua Tree and San Diego – enter via Fresno and South Entrance
• San Jose – enter via Arch Rock entrance
• San Francisco and Oakland – enter via either Arch Rock Entrance or Big Oak Flat Entrance
• Sacramento (and North to Oregon/Washington) – enter via Big Oak Flat Entrance
• Reno, Las Vegas, Death Valley (and East to all US) – enter via Tioga Pass Entrance (May-Oct)

Read about the best things to do in  San Francisco , Los Angeles and San Diego to help plan your California road trip.

Public Transport Options to Yosemite

Amtrak offer a train/bus combination from most major cities around California. Be aware there could be a number of transfers and it will take between 5-7 hours from San Francisco.

Alternatively, you can book a greyhound to Merced and hop on a Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS).

This would pass though Mariposa, Midpines and El Portal (all places you might be forced to stay in Summer with lack of accommodation options) and enter via Arch Rock.

YARTS also runs services from Sonora (Big Oak Flat entrance), Mammoth Lakes (Tioga Pass entrance) and Fresno (South entrance). More information on YARTS .

Yosemite Valley Shuttle

Yosemite provides a free shuttle bus which loops around the valley regularly, saving on congestion and pollution.

Especially in Summer, you will need to arrive very early and if you are fortunate enough to find a parking space near Yosemite village, do not move your car until you are ready to leave!

Take the shuttle bus that you can hop on – hop off at each stop.

Do you need help planning your visit to Yosemite National Park? Our popular 50 page Yosemite Guidebook and Itinerary covers every aspect of planning a trip to Yosemite including hikes, hotels, restaurants, getting around, things to do and so much more!

Best Time To Visit Yosemite National Park

Close your eyes and point to an annual calendar … it doesn’t matter which date you choose, Yosemite is going to blow you away. Every season offers its own unique take on the park and you will have to compromise one thing for another.

Summer is renowned for being unbearably packed so we advise if possible to plan your Yosemite itinerary in Spring or Fall.

• Spring – The best time to visit for waterfalls in full flow, spring bloom, fewer crowds than Summer, will need layers for hot/cold/hiking.
• Summer – Slightly longer daylight hours, warmer weather, overcrowding problem, busy trails, traffic jams, book accommodation way in advance to stand a chance.
• Fall – Gorgeous autumnal foliage colors, barely any water flowing, comfortable temperatures and crowd levels, layers required.
• Winter – Unique time to visit Yosemite with Skiing, Ice Skating and Snowshoeing very popular. Expect fewer crowds, stunning winter wonderland scenery and cold weather.

We first visited Yosemite National Park in October at the heart of the Fall season and like many places in the US at this time of year, it was beautiful. However, we were (extremely!) disappointed the postcard perfect waterfalls were bone dry.

But hey, that’s the trade off. And you can see how pretty the autumnal foliage is in this Yosemite itinerary. Next time we will visit in Spring!

Best Things To Do In Yosemite National Park

The overwhelming majority of best things for you to do on your Yosemite itinerary are within Yosemite Valley itself. However, there are other amazing places to explore away from the valley that are far less crowded.

Here are some of the top highlights for you to consider in Yosemite:

Half Dome Hike

Half Dome is Yosemite’s iconic granite dome at the far end of the valley appearing as though a meat cleaver sliced it precisely in half.

Standing proudly at just under 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley and dominating most nearby viewpoints, Half Dome is one of the most sought after and amazing hikes in the world.

What was once considered inaccessible can now be accessed by multiple rock climbing routes and one hiking path. This hiking path is only open between Memorial Day and Columbus Day (May-Oct) and is not for the feint hearted.

Cables are inserted each May to aid hikers with the final stretch to Half Dome summit and it is steep. Extremely steep.

Many take this hike on and have to be assisted by park rangers each year because they underestimated either its difficulty or they were afraid of heights.

Half Dome Lottery Permit

In order to summit Half Dome, you will need a permit and they are not easy to acquire. To be in with a chance, you have to enter a lottery in March for the upcoming season. Only 300 hikers are permitted to summit Half Dome per day, consisting of 225 day hikers and 75 backpackers.

You can apply for up to 6 people and you can only apply once.

If you are successful, you will become the permit holder and everyone else in your party become alternates. This is important because the permit holder must be present on the day for any of the group to summit.

If you are unsuccessful, you can take your chances by applying for a permit in the daily lottery. You can apply 2 days before the date you want to hike Half Dome.

For example, you apply on Monday to hike on Wednesday. You find out the same day if you are successful. Read NPS guidelines for Half Dome to plan your hike.

Half Dome is one of the best hikes in the world but it isn’t easy. To reach the base of Half Dome, you can either take:

• John Muir trail (longer but more gradual) at 16.4 miles roundtrip
• Mist trail at 14 miles roundtrip (shorter but steeper)
• Or a combination of both trails in a loop

Most people take between 10-12 hours total time for this round trip route to Half Dome summit.

Leave at sunrise and give yourself / your group a non negotiable turn around time. For example, if you haven’t summited by 2pm, turn around.

Check Yosemite sunrise times before your visit.

The Mist Trail / John Muir Trail Loop

Half Dome is the quintessential Yosemite hike but don’t sweat it if you can’t get a permit or you visit out of season. Yosemite has a ton of awesome alternatives and here’s something to remember:

You can’t see Half Dome from the top of Half Dome!!

Mist trail is Yosemite’s signature hike and therefore the most crowded trail in the park. You will pass two of Yosemite’s rock-star status waterfalls in Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls on this fantastic hike.

Views over Yosemite Valley and the back of Half Dome from Nevada Falls are worth the effort.

• Trail Distance : 7 miles roundtrip / 8 miles roundtrip Mist up, John Muir down loop (add on 1.5 miles roundtrip if walking from Curry village and not taking park shuttle to trailhead)
• Elevation Gain : 1,900 feet to Nevada Falls
• Trail Time : 4-6 hours if loop completed
• Trail Difficulty : Moderate / Strenuous

In peak season or weekends through Spring/Fall be sure to set off either very early or later in the afternoon to avoid the mid-morning rush.

Read our complete Yosemite Mist Trail hiking guide to learn more, featuring John Muir Loop, Vernal and Nevada Fall, maps and tips to help plan your hike.

Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Fall will be the very first waterfall you see as you enter Yosemite Valley. It is the iconic waterfall to the right of famous valley images taken in Spring when the fall thunders.

During Summer and Fall Bridalveil Fall is wispy and a light spray trickles from 189 meters above a viewing area.

The trail is just 0.5 miles roundtrip close to a car park which makes it perfect for young children or those with less able family members.

Yosemite Falls

The mighty Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America and the fifth tallest in the world.

However, you will only see water here between November and July – as you can see in our photo above taken in October the falls were bone dry.

You can hike to Lower Yosemite Falls, an easy 1 mile flat round trip trail (where the photo above was taken) or hike a strenuous 6-8 hour / 7 mile roundtrip trail to Upper Yosemite Falls.

“El Cap” is one of the most impressive and iconic monolithic features in all of Yosemite.

If you hadn’t heard of it a few years back, you certainly have now thanks to nail biting television productions bringing extreme rock climbing to a wider audience.

Watch The Dawn Wall and Free Solo before visiting El Capitan.

When you arrive at the base of El Cap after a short easy hike from a nearby car park, look up and you will really appreciate what these climbers achieved!

Aside from its notoriety, El Capitan is a mightily impressive granite feature in Yosemite. It is best viewed from El Capitan Meadow, Tunnel View and Valley View (more on these later).

Sunrise is the most beautiful time to photograph El Cap as the pink rays of first light illuminate its famous wall. 

For those with more time in Yosemite who want to say they’ve walked on the summit of El Cap, you can either climb it or hike a 13.5 strenuous round trip trail beginning close to Yosemite Falls.

Views are not as impressive as at the summit of Half Dome but hey, you’re standing on top of El Cap!

Tioga Pass Road

Tioga Pass Road runs from Yosemite’s Northeast entrance (near Mammoth Lakes) to Big Oak Flat Road close to Yosemite Valley entrance.

Use this entrance if also visiting Lake Tahoe, Death Valley or the best natural northern California hot springs around Mammoth Lakes.

This road is also known as CA Highway 120 and is incredibly scenic with plenty of awesome stops along the way.

Although the majority of Yosemite’s highlights are in the valley, Tioga Pass Road – known as the High Sierra – is a fantastic place to begin/end a 3 day itinerary if you have the spare time.

Here are some recommended highlights:

• Hike to Dog Lake and Lembert Dome Summit – 4 mile roundtrip with awesome views.
• Cathedral Lakes hike – 7 mile roundtrip and one of the most popular in the area.
• Olmsted Point – Fantastic viewpoint featuring huge cracked and smooth boulders.
• Others to consider include Tenaya Lake, Gaylor Lakes and Mono Pass (but you can’t do them all!).

Note : Tioga Pass Road is only open May-October. You will not be able to cross the Sierra Nevada on this road between November and April.

Sequoia Tree Groves

Although not on the scale of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, Yosemite has its own fair share of gigantic Sequoia Trees.

There are three main areas you can walk among Yosemite’s Sequoias:

1. Tuolumne Grove – Located at the joining of Tioga Pass Road and Big Oak Flat Road. A 2.5 mile roundtrip trail with a sharp descent to the grove (and sharp ascent back to the car park) is home to around 30 mature Sequoias.

One dead Sequoia has had a tunnel cut through its base so you can pass underneath and appreciate the circumference of these enormous trees.

2. Mariposa Grove – Located near South entrance. This is the largest and best Sequoia grove in Yosemite with over 500 mature giant Sequoias.

Hike the Big Trees Loop trail if short on time, otherwise, hike the 2 mile Grizzly Giant Loop trail. There are longer trails for those with more days.

3. Merced Grove – The smallest Sequioa grove is located further up Big Oak Flat Road on the way in or out of Yosemite. There are only 20 Giant Sequoias but it is by far the least crowded of the three groves.

You know they’re going to be massive, everything you see and read tells you that, but when you see one in person you will still be shocked!

Glacier Point

Glacier Point boasts the best panorama in all of Yosemite, arguably on par with Half Dome. However, getting to Glacier Point is not the easiest or most enjoyable.

You have to drive 16 miles up Glacier Point road – a very congested, constantly winding and at times extremely narrow road. That being said, it is without question worth the drama!

Access to this road is 23 miles from South entrance and best driven either at the beginning or end of your Yosemite itinerary.

Magnificent 270 degree views over Half Dome, Yosemite Valley and the Merced River are unbelievable. Glacier Point and nearby Washburn Point are the best places in Yosemite to watch sunset.

There are a number of hikes at nearby trailheads: 

• Sentinel Dome – 2.2 mile roundtrip, moderate and find Jeffrey Pine (one of the most photographed trees in the world).
• Taft Point and the Fissures – 2.2 mile roundtrip, easy and stunning views without guardrails found at Glacier Point.
• Four Mile Trail – You can hike to Glacier Point from Yosemite Valley if you take this strenuous 9.6 mile roundtrip trail.
• Panorama – This is an extension of Mist/John Muir trail which can be joined close to Nevada Falls and hiked to Glacier Point, but its 8.5 miles one way and strenuous.

One tip for photographers is to consider the time of your visit because huge valley covering shadows appear in the later afternoon. Astrophotography would be perfect at Glacier Point.

Yosemite Valley

Do not entirely disregard Yosemite Valley in favor of hikes and domes. There are a number of fantastic photography spots around the Merced River, often with reflections of granite monoliths or beautiful autumnal foliage.

Yosemite’s one way loop means you can pull the car over as often as you like. It is perfect for families with older or younger members to enjoy the beauty of this National Park.

Some of the notable stops include Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach, Swinging Bridge, Sentinel Bridge, El Capitan Bridge and Valley View (the best one).

You can see the likes of El Capitan and the Three Brothers reflect perfectly on still water in Fall.

Yosemite is one of the top places to visit in the US and you will be blown away by the sheer beauty inside Yosemite Valley. Plan to spend a lot of time here.

Best Yosemite Photography Locations

Yosemite national park is a beautiful part of America, the perfect environment for landscape and nature lovers. Photography doesn’t get much easier than inside the valley, looking up at waterfalls and towering granite domes.

We truly enjoyed taking photographs around Yosemite and will definitely be back in future for many more.

If you would like to see all of our favorites from the park in more detail, read our complete guide to Yosemite Photography next.

Tunnel View

Tunnel View is the quintessential Yosemite photograph made famous by Ansel Adams.

You will see the majestic flat face of El Capitan to the left, straight ahead at the end of the valley is Half Dome on a slight angle and Bridalveil Fall to the right.

Vistas don’t get any better than this wobbly-knees-moment anywhere in the world.

Spring is the best time to capture this iconic image at its most powerful. Bridalveil fall takes the photograph to another level and you won’t get it in Summer or Fall.

Winter is another excellent time to photograph Yosemite Valley from Tunnel View as it is shrouded in mist and a light sprinkling of snow.

There is no hiking involved, you simply park at one of the lots close to Wawona/Yosemite Tunnel just a few minutes drive from the Valley. Arrive at sunrise to avoid the crowd. Sunset will inevitably be busy, particularly in Summer.

Go to Tunnel View instead of driving to Glacier Point for stars, which would be amazing but a lot of effort.

T he Milky Way will appear over the tunnel and you can get a great night shot with the tunnel in your foreground.

Also, if you take a long exposure over Yosemite Valley with a wide angle lens, you will see white streaks on El Capitan – they are rock climbers making a night climb to El Cap’s summit. Pretty cool, right?!

Valley View

Depending on the type of photography you prefer, Valley View could beat Tunnel View when you consider how much more you can capture in the foreground.

With still water at sunrise, you can compose an image with a reflecting El Capitan glowing red. This place gets busy and there’s not a lot of room to park so plan accordingly, particularly around sunset.

Take a sturdy tripod and wade out into the river – if it is safe to do so – for enhanced composition. Maybe even walk out to a rock and get a photo of yourself in the foreground?!

Various Yosemite Valley / Merced River Rest Areas

As we mentioned earlier, these Valley floor stop offs aren’t to be missed!

You will see plenty of pro photographers at various points of the day wading through the shallow Merced river (in Fall) searching for the best river reflection shots of towering granite rocks.

Yosemite Valley Meadow

Walk out into the meadows around Yosemite Valley using wooden boardwalks. You will be able to shoot different perspectives of the valley and all of the major features within it.

When we visited in Fall, the meadows had turned yellowy-brown and straw like. Barely anyone will be around and you can get creative with your images.

Yosemite Itinerary Broken Up Into Regions

Phew! That’s a lot of information to digest. Yosemite is a big park and it helps to understand the layout.

Above is a map of Yosemite broken into 3 regions: North, Valley and South. You will find each of the 4 entrances labeled to give you an idea of the routes around Yosemite.

Note : This is separate to the Interactive Map at the end of this article on which you can zoom in / out and move around to orientate yourself with Yosemite, accommodation options and itinerary highlights.

How Many Days For The Perfect Yosemite Itinerary?

Yosemite is an incredible place, if there’s ever been a true ‘bucket list’ destination, this is it. You could easily spend weeks here and not get bored. However, that is entirely unrealistic for the majority of visitors.

Personally, we believe three days is the perfect amount of time to spend at Yosemite, considering work/life/family commitments and what you can achieve here in 3 days.

However, 2 days will allow you to hit most of the major sights and even in one day you can still get through a big slice of Yosemite pie.

Let’s get stuck into the most efficient way to visit Yosemite for each of those timeframes and make the most of your trip.

Yosemite Itinerary Assumptions

The following itineraries do not include hiking Half Dome. If you are hiking Half Dome it will take one full day but you can pick up the 2 or 3 day itineraries around the big hiking day.

One and Two Day itineraries should begin and end either at Big Flat Oak, Arch Rock or South entrances; a common loop route from San Francisco.

Three day itinerary should begin at East entrance and end at South entrance or vice versa for maximum efficiency, ideally as part of a wider US road trip .

An example route would be Las Vegas – Death Valley – Yosemite – San Francisco .

Yosemite Itinerary Map

We have created a 3 day Yosemite Itinerary map to show you how we would spend 3 days in the park.

Please note the map is based on our 3 day itinerary listed below. Our 1 and 2 day Yosemite itineraries do not feature in this map.

Click into the interactive map, zoom in / out, scroll around and click on any icon to see details of attractions on days 1 -3.  Follow the points each day from morning to evening for the most efficient way to see Yosemite.

We always find that spending just a few minutes working out where things are really helps when we arrive.

One Day In Yosemite Itinerary

Morning – Day 1

• With just one day available, you will need to arrive early and expect to leave late.
• Drive straight to Yosemite Valley and watch sunrise at Tunnel View .
• Right next to Tunnel View you can park up at Bridalveil Falls trailhead and hike the short trail.
• Drive around the one way loop and take the first left as if leaving the park. Stop at El Capitan meadow/bridge to see the impressive granite tower contrast against the shadowy foreground you are standing in.
• Continue as though you are leaving the valley and stop at Valley View for the other spectacular viewpoint in the park for photography.
• Do not leave the valley, instead drive round in a loop to join back up where you were not long ago. Frustrating to be retracing steps but necessary.
• Drive past the turn you made to El Cap and stop at Cathedral Beach or Sentinel Beach to see reflections of trees and granite towers in the Merced River.
• Continue to the Visitor Center parking lot and park up. Take the shuttle to Mist/John Muir trailhead.

Afternoon – Day 1

• Hike to Vernal Falls and if you’re quicker you can make it up to Nevada Falls . Go down on whichever trail you didn’t go up on to complete the loop.
• Drive to Lower Falls trailhead and walk the short loop to see the tallest waterfall in North America. You won’t have time to hike to Upper Falls.
• On the way out of Yosemite Valley, stop at El Capitan and walk to its base so you can appreciate the sheer scale.
• Drive through Wawona Tunnel and take Glacier Point Road all the way to the end in time for sunset over Half Dome.

2 Days In Yosemite Itinerary

M orning – Day 1

• Enter via Big Flat Oak entrance before stopping at Tuolumne Grove to see Giant Sequoias.
• Drive down into Yosemite Valley, stopping first at Bridalveil Falls, then El Capitan Meadow and Valley View.
• Loop around, stop at every turn off along the valley until you reach either your hotel, lodge or campground. From your hotel or campground, make your way to Mist Trail and hike up to Vernal Falls / Nevada Falls.

A fternoon – Day 1

• Drive the loop, stopping at Cook’s Meadow Loop and Lower Yosemite Falls.
• Walk to the base of El Capitan, stop once more at Valley View and head up to Tunnel View for amazing vistas.
• Head back towards your hotel/campground but stop to watch sunset at either Stoneman Meadow near Curry Village or Sentinal Bridge close to the visitor center. You will have an excellent view of Half Dome at both.
• If you want to stargaze or take astro shots, Summer is best and head to Sentinel Dome / Glacier Point (a long drive) Valley View, Tunnel View or Sentinel Bridge (closer).

M orning – Day 2

• Grab an early start and hike to Upper Yosemite Falls or even further to El Capitan summit. In Spring definitely hike the Falls and only the quicker hikers should continue to El Capitan on the morning of day 2.
• That will take up your entire morning!
• Alternatively, spend the morning walking around the visitor center, Ansel Adams gallery (we bought an awesome astrophotography book here!) and more time in the meadows/valley floor for amazing photography.

A fternoon – Day 2

• Drive through Wawona Tunnel (stopping again at Tunnel View – time of day impacts images) and onto Glacier Point Road. Stop at Taft Point / Sentinel Dome trailhead and choose one of them to hike. Both are great choices.
• Continue to Glacier Point before the huge shadows of late afternoon arrive for the best photographs of Half Dome. It will be busy up here!
• Leave via South entrance but stop at Mariposa Grove to hike the 2 mile Grizzly Giant loop among Giant Sequoia Trees.

Yosemite 3 Day Itinerary

• Enter via South entrance, stop at Mariposa Grove and hike among Giant Sequoias including Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree.
• Head North and take Glacier Point Road all the way to the end. Enjoy sweeping views over Half Dome and the 3,000 feet drop to Yosemite Valley. The views are simply stunning.
• Hike to either Sentinel Dome or Taft Point for more astounding views.
• Drive all the way into Yosemite Valley, stopping at Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan Meadow/Bridge, Cathedral Beach and Sentinel Beach.
• Check in to your hotel or campground before walking around the Visitor Center and Ansel Adams gallery.
• Sunset at Sentinel Bridge or Stoneman Meadow with great views of Half Dome and stargaze at any of the places mentioned earlier.
• Wake up early to hike up Mist trail before the crowds arrive. Vernal and Nevada Falls, Liberty Cap and the backside of Half Dome await you.
• Return via the John Muir Trail to complete the loop.
• Expect between 4-6 hours of total hiking time.

Afternoon – Day 2

• Walk the Lower Yosemite Falls loop. We saw a mountain lion cub on the loop when we visited. Fortunately we avoided the mother!
• A little further round the loop, hike to the base of El Capitan to see how frightening the prospect of free climbing it would be! More than likely there will be climbers on the wall. Take a telephoto lens or binoculars.
• Spend the remainder of the afternoon around Yosmite Valley’s many meadows, special viewpoints and river reflection spots.

Morning – Day 3

• If you’re a big hiker and don’t mind early starts – wake up and hike to Upper Yosemite Falls as early as possible. Alternatively, hike Four Mile Trail to Glacier Point.
• Both are strenuous and will take a good few hours.
• For those who prefer an easier morning / if you missed Mariposa Grove at the beginning of Day 1 – drive to Mariposa Grove at the start of Tioga Pass Road to walk among Giant Sequoias.

A fternoon – Day 3

• Before lunch both of the above would converge around Mariposa Grove (hikers wouldn’t have time for the Sequoias). Begin the drive up Tioga Pass Road.
• Stop at Olmsted Point for more awesome views including Half Dome and walk around Tuolumne Meadows.
• Choose either Cathedral Lakes trail (7 mile popular roundtrip) or Dog Lake and Lembert Dome(4 mile roundtrip with excellent views from dome summit).
• Leave via East entrance.

Note: This 3 day Yosemite itinerary can easily be done in reverse (East to South entrances)

Yosemite National Park Map of Key Locations and Accommodation

Spend a few minutes studying our interactive itinerary map of Yosemite National Park and its surrounding areas.

Click on the map, zoom in / out and move around to orientate yourself with the park.

• Hotels and Campgrounds in and around the National Park – Purple Markers
• Gas Stations (don’t run out!), Entrances, Visitor Center and Car Parks – Black Markers
• Hiking Trails, Domes, Photography Locations, Major Points of Interest – Orange Markers

Learning the local geography is the best way to save time when you actually arrive into Yosemite.

Where To Stay For Your Yosemite Itinerary

Yosemite’s beauty is revered on a global scale but its popularity means finding somewhere to sleep can be a real problem, particularly in peak season.

We’ve written an extremely popular guide to the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park which we highly recommend as a very useful planning resource.

Campgrounds are notoriously difficult to book and often hotels close to the park charge exorbitant fees.

Whether you prefer camping or hotels, the earlier you know your Yosemite itinerary dates, the better. Be as organized as humanly possible – we’re talking months in advance here! 

Our example

We visited Yosemite in October and began to look for accommodation around 1 week before but barely anything was available.

We lucked out with a spot at Upper Pines campground on 1 of our 3 nights but no other spaces at any campground opened up for our other nights.

So, we spent a night in one of the top hotels in Mammoth Lakes the first night and began Day 1 very early entering from East entrance.

Night 2 we spent in a less than perfect yurt-like cabin (yes it was very cold!) between El Portal and Incline, and night 3 was in Upper Pines campground.

From experience, we can tell you how inconvenient driving in and out of the park is each day. But it will be far cheaper.

Another trade off!

Mariposa is a great place to base yourself to save money. We stayed at Best Western Plus  Mariposa on night 4 and enjoyed a pizza at Pizza Factory after a few days of camp food!

Book in advance if you don’t want to be traveling long distances or moving every night.

Yosemite Campgrounds

If you know your dates early and are certain you want to camp, book immediately. The same goes for backpackers and Half Dome hikers. The earlier the better in all circumstances at Yosemite!

Here are the 4 campgrounds in Yosemite Valley:

• Upper Pines – Reservations required, available to book 5 months in advance, 238 sites, US$ 26 / night.
• Lower Pines – Reservations required, available to book 5 months in advance, 60 sites, US$ 26 / night.
• North Pines – Reservations required, available to book 5 months in advance, 81 sites, US$ 26 / night.
• Camp 4 – Late May to early September campsites are only available through a daily lottery one day in advance ( information here ). September to May is first-come, first-served but fills early and is only US$ 6 / night.

There are more camping options North and South of Yosemite in Wawona and Tioga Pass road. Check NPS for all Yosemite campground information .

Camping Exclusive

Would you like to camp in Yosemite National Park but can’t find any campsite availability?

We have teamed up with The Dyrt to offer our readers the chance to take advantage of our exclusive  30 day free trial of The Dyrt PRO , which can help you get reservations at sold out campgrounds in Yosemite National Park by using a fantastic new feature called Dyrt Alerts.

You can create alerts to notify you of any cancelations at campgrounds in Yosemite, which is huge. When a space becomes available, you simply book it right away to snag a near impossible campsite in Yosemite.

You can try The Dyrt PRO for free, no strings attached!

Hotels Near Yosemite

Booking hotels in and around Yosemite takes a bit of perseverance and a lot of patience. Usually, we would say being flexible gives you the best chance of grabbing a good deal.

However, unless you book a long way in advance, you might not have a choice to be flexible.

Your first step should be to take a look at  hotels and lodges in Yosemite Valley for availability and prices. These hotels and lodges are booked through the National Park Service.

Availability and prices for your selected dates may not work for you. In that case you will need to find a hotel as close to the park as possible .

Your best bet is to find any hotels that have availability for your travel dates. Here’s a complete list of all hotels near Yosemite National Park .

• Input your dates
• Search by list or better yet by map
• Find a hotel (or hotels) in the best regions of the park to suit your itinerary

Cabins / Lodges / Yurts Near Yosemite

A decent compromise between high prices in Yosemite Valley and long drives in/out from the likes of Mariposa is to stay in a yurt, lodge or tent.

There are plenty of these small lodge grounds in places like El Portal, Incline, Yosemite West, Wawona and Fish Camp.

More From Yosemite

• Yosemite Mist Trail: Fun Hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls (John Muir Loop)
• Where To Stay At Yosemite: Best Places, Hotels and Lodging Options
• Yosemite In October: 10 Important Things To Know Before You Go
• Yosemite Photography: Best Locations, Iconic Landmarks and Epic Vistas

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• San Francisco Itinerary: 15 Amazing Things To Do In 3 Awesome Days
• 10 Unmissable Things To Do In Los Angeles For First Time Visitors
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Need Help With Planning Your Trip To Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite is a spectacular landscape and a firm favorite among nature enthusiasts. But it is also one of the more challenging US national parks to plan.

We have created a 50 page guidebook and itinerary filled with key information and expert advice, example itineraries for hikers and non-hikers, and all essential things to know for both planning and when you are on site in Yosemite.

If you want to make the most of your trip to Yosemite, our guidebook is the perfect resource for you.

We hope this helped you plan your Yosemite National Park itinerary!

Have you been to Yosemite? What was your favorite part?

Please let us know if you have any questions or need any help planning your visit to Yosemite in the comments below.

Happy Travels ,

Mark and Kristen

Was This Post Helpful? Pin It For Your Visit to Yosemite!

Note : This article contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase using one of these affiliate links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.

All Rights Reserved © Where Are Those Morgans, LLC. Republishing this article and/or any of its contents (text, photography, maps, graphics, etc.) in whole or in part is strictly prohibited.

Mark and Kristen Morgan are travel, hiking and photography experts. Over the last 6 years traveling full time, they have explored more than 40 countries and 30 US states.

Where Are Those Morgans has been featured in USA Today, Gestalten, Get Your Guide, CityPASS and Condé Nast Traveler along with various other publications. Read more about us .

12 thoughts on “Yosemite Itinerary: Ultimate First Time Visitor Guide (1, 2 & 3 Day Itinerary)”

Hello Mark, I want to come from San francisco to yesemite for 2 days and then go to lake taho via tioga pass from October 17th to 18 ( at yosemite) and leave either on 19th or 20th to lake taho. I just need little help to let me know how to exit the park for tioga pass to Lake taho. I have seen your maps but i just needed littel help. YOU have done such a wonderful job of visiting yosemite in october…thank you Mark

Hi Anjana, we’re glad to hear you will be visiting Yosemite in October, the valley is beautiful and a little less crowded this time of year. You should be fine leaving Yosemite via Tioga Pass Road on October 20th (the earliest they have closed that road in the last 10 years is October 21 but it is usually November). You will exit Yosemite Valley on Big Oak Flat Road and take a right turn onto Tioga Road near Tuolumne Grove. That road will take you all the way out of the park to the northeast. Once you reach Lee Vining, take a left onto US-395 N heading for South Lake Tahoe. Have a great time!

Any chance you have a similar guide for Kings Canyon/Sequoia and Joshua Tree?

Hi Kyle, Unfortunately we do not, but we hope to have more Guidebooks published later this year. In the meantime, feel free to reach out with any questions 🙂

Great article!!

We are coming in from Monterey and staying 1 night in Mariposa… Which entrance and itinerary would be best suited to us please!

Thanks, Vish! If you are coming in from Monterey, the best entrance to use is Arch Rock entrance on El Portal Road. Assuming you have 2 days including travel both ways we would suggest spending the first day exploring all of Yosemite Valley after arriving, staying in Mariposa, heading back into Yosemite via Oakhurst and Fish Camp so you can do the Mariposa Grove of Sequoias and Glacier Point, before maybe hiking another trail in Yosemite Valley. We would then leave via El Portal Road to head back to Monterey. It is a lot to drive in just 2 days and staying in Mariposa means you have to drive back out and in again then next morning, but you will still be able to see the top sights easily, especially if you don’t take on any of the longer hikes. Let us know if you have any more questions and have a great trip!

Thank you so much!! This really helps to plan our 3 day trip to Yosemite! Great information and details!

Hi Shrenik, we’re very happy to help and hope you have a fantastic trip to Yosemite!

Enjoyed this so much! My granddaughter is a ranger at Wawona. Her mom and I are hoping to travel to Yosemite this summer. Thank you for all your travel tips!

Thank you Sylvia, Yosemite is a beautiful park – your granddaughter has a great job! We really hope you are able to make it this Summer and enjoy your trip!

An amazing national picture perfect park, almost everything you could wish to see in one place. Excellent pictures once again, keep it up.

Thanks Graham! Yosemite really is difficult to beat for landscapes and photography. Hope you get to use this Yosemite itinerary one day!

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Entry reservations no longer required: A beginner’s guide to visiting Yosemite National Park

Editor's Note

Few national parks loom quite as large as Yosemite National Park.

Located in the High Sierra of Northern California, Yosemite is one of the country's oldest and most visited national parks. Outdoor adventurers and nature lovers flock to the natural wonders of Half Dome, El Capitan and the park's many waterfalls .

I began visiting Yosemite with my husband nearly two decades ago, not long after he finished a summer working in the park's High Sierra Camps in college. After moving to the San Francisco Bay Area just 3.5 hours away, we returned for a number of visits in the years that followed. We recently took our kids with us for their first Yosemite trip last summer when the park reopened after its COVID-19 closure.

If you've never been to Yosemite National Park, here's everything you need to know to plan your first visit.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our daily newsletter .

Yosemite National Park basics

At nearly 1,200 square miles, Yosemite is one of the larger national parks and definitely deserving of much more than a day trip. The park averages between 4 and 5 million visitors in a typical year, making it one of the most visited national parks in the U.S.

The park is best known for its many waterfalls and granite monoliths like Half Dome and El Capitan, which climbers dream of conquering . Yosemite also has a number of epic hiking opportunities as well as abundant wildlife, including bears that are masters at breaking into cars if you dare leave any leftovers behind.

Yosemite entry costs $35 per vehicle. Consider purchasing an America the Beautiful annual pass if you plan to visit a few other national parks or public lands within the same 12-month period. At just $80, it's a solid value and a great way to visit the nation's parklands for less . Also, remember that 4th graders get free entry to national parks if they register with the Every Kid Outdoors program .

The park was closed for several months in the spring of 2020, but it reopened in June under special coronavirus restrictions. Visiting Yosemite during COVID-19 definitely means a few differences from usual operations, but those differences are overwhelmingly positive.

Advance park entry reservations were previously required for anyone not staying in lodging located within the park's boundaries, but as of March 1 , that's no longer the case.

Related: 7 trips to take right now if you want to escape the crowds

How to get to Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is enormous, so before you decide how to get there, you need to decide which parts of the park you want to visit.

Most first-time visitors head to the Yosemite Valley, taking either Highway 120 or 140 into the park from the west. There's also a south entrance at Wawona, an entrance on the northwest into the Hetch Hetchy Valley and an eastern entrance at the Tioga Pass that's only accessible in the summer.

The closest airport to the park that offers a reasonable amount of commercial service is in Fresno, California. The Fresno-Yosemite Airport (FAT) is approximately a 1.5-hour drive to the southern entrance at Wawona or 2.5 hours into the Yosemite Valley.

Many visitors arriving by air opt to fly into one of the San Francisco Bay Area's airports, which offer more airlift and usually cheaper fares. Oakland International (OAK) is the closest at 3.5 hours away from the valley, but San Francisco International (SFO) or Mineta San Jose International (SJC) are both viable options at about 4 hours away.

Related: National parks are reopening: Here's everything you need to know to plan a trip

Top things to do and see in Yosemite National Park

Given its size, it really does take nearly a full week to get a glimpse at the entirety of the park.

Yosemite Valley

If you only have a day or a weekend, the most popular area of the park is the Yosemite Valley. Here you'll find creature comforts like shorter paved trails, restaurants, stores and car-accessible stops. But some incredibly challenging hikes start here as well, so more adventurous travelers shouldn't write off the valley.

You can take a shuttle around the valley or walk or bike parts of it, though the shuttle is not running during coronavirus restrictions. Some of the highlights in the Yosemite Valley include:

• Tunnel View : The car pullout at Tunnel View on Highway 41 offers the quintessential Yosemite backdrop for a photo, with El Capitan and Half Dome in view.

• Bridalveil Fall : Stroll a half-mile on a paved (but not wheelchair accessible) trail to view this famous waterfall.
• Sentinel Beach : In the summer months, set up a towel on the banks of the Merced River that flows through the valley. Sentinel Beach is one of the top spots for wading or tubing when the water isn't flowing too fast.
• Mist Trail (Vernal & Nevada Falls) : The Mist Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the valley, ascending up two waterfalls. The roundtrip climb is 5.4 miles and fairly strenuous due to elevation changes. If you aren't up for a full day hike, consider doing the round-trip to the footbridge that offers views of Vernal Fall. It's less than a mile each way but is rated as a moderate hike due to the vertical climb (my 6-year-old did it, but not without some complaining and a few breaks).

• Yosemite Falls : One of the easier and most popular hikes in the valley is the stroll to Lower Yosemite Fall. The 1-mile loop is paved and mostly stroller and wheelchair accessible. Hikers looking for a bigger challenge can ascend the longer trail to the top of the upper fall, a 7.2-mile hike with 2,700 feet in elevation change.
• Mirror Lake : One of the most photographed spots in the valley is the reflection of Half Dome in the water at Mirror Lake (which becomes Mirror Meadow later in the summer and fall when the water recedes). Take the short interpretive nature path to view the closer end of the lake, or hike the mostly flat longer trail that circumnavigates the water.

• Half Dome : Ascending Half Dome is a bucket list hike for many travelers. But at 14 to 16 miles round-trip, it's one of the most strenuous hikes in the park and requires substantial preparation. In order to prevent overcrowding on the cables that help hikers climb the last part of the trail, the park instituted a permit system a few years ago. You must now enter a lottery in March each year for a chance to hike Half Dome.

Glacier Point

Perched high above the valley floor is one of the park's most popular drives to Glacier Point. Even though Glacier Point is only a few miles from the Yosemite Valley, the drive itself takes 45 minutes to an hour from Yosemite Village due to the elevation change.

Glacier Point has a short, easy trail from the parking area to a variety of lookout points. Both a side view of Half Dome as well as Vernal and Nevada Falls are visible.

Parking can be a major challenge at Glacier Point, so when shuttles and tours are running again, shared transportation is the preferred way to see it. Taking a shuttle to the top is also the best option for hikers who want to take one of the many trails down into the valley. In particular, the Panorama Trail (8.5 miles) and Four Mile Trail are popular options. Some more ambitious hikers will take one of those trails up and the other down!

There are other hikes available on the road to Glacier Point as well. In particular, the trailhead about a mile from the top of Glacier Point is an excellent choice for the moderately adventurous, with 2.2-mile hikes leading to either Sentinel Dome or Taft Point.

For now, during COVID-19 restrictions, shuttles are unavailable, but there's ample parking at Glacier Point for the park's limited number of visitors. Note that the road to Glacier Point will be closed all of 2021 to make improvements.

Mariposa Grove

One of the draws of California's outdoors is its enormous and imposing trees . The giant sequoias located at Mariposa Grove are excellent specimens. The famed Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree that visitors can walk through are just two of 500 trees protected within this area of the park.

Under normal park conditions, there's a shuttle from the Mariposa Welcome Center that delivers guests to an arrival area. There are a variety of trails that originate here, including the easy Big Tree Loop (a third of a mile) or the moderate 2-mile Grizzly Giant Loop Trail. During COVID-19 restrictions, however, your only option is to hike 2 miles each way from the parking area to the arrival area, making hikes here a much longer time investment.

Tuolumne Meadows & Tioga Road

Visitors looking to escape the hustle and bustle of Yosemite Valley often head for Tuolumne Meadows. Located past the Big Oak Flat entrance to the park on Highway 120 along Tioga Road, this high elevation alpine meadow area is accessible only in the summer and early fall.

After leaving Crane Flat, stop at either Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias or Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias as you make your way along Highway 120. Picnic by Tenaya Lake and stop by Olmstead Point for a very different angled view of Half Dome. There are a number of moderate and strenuous hikes along Tioga Road as well as plenty of car pullouts with magnificent views.

There's a visitor center at Tuolumne Meadows as well as a wilderness center.

Related: I went to Glacier and Yellowstone during COVID; 6 ways visiting national parks is weird right now

Where to stay in Yosemite National Park

Of course, camping is a popular choice for many travelers in Yosemite. Reserved RV and car campsites are available at many locations within the park, although a number of campgrounds closed in 2020 due to the park's capacity restrictions. Check availability before your trip. Wilderness permits are also available for backcountry hikers camping overnight.

For guests who prefer four walls and a bed during their overnight stay, there are two hotels in the Yosemite Valley: the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Village Lodge. The Ahwahnee is an iconic national park lodge that exudes old-world charm. At over $500 a night, however, it's also an expensive choice, and it doesn't exactly meet modern luxury hotel standards. That said, my family thought it was worth the splurge for the historic experience and central location on our most recent trip.

Rooms at the Yosemite Village Lodge are less expensive (around $250 per night for standard rooms) but in a more rustic setting with basic amenities. The location of this hotel is truly ideal, within an easy walk or bike ride of many of the valley's top sights.

Also in the valley is Curry Village, which offers lodging mostly in tented cabins . The experience is somewhere in between car camping and a motel. The private cabins have concrete floors and basic beds with frames, but they also have tent walls and bathrooms are communal. I probably wouldn't recommend Curry Village to families with very young kids due to the noise and challenges of communal living, but it's a fun option for families with older kids, backpackers and anyone on a tight budget.

To the south, the other in-park hotel is the charming Victorian-era Wawona Hotel. There are also some private cabins in the Wawona area available for rent as well.

Ultimately, there really aren't enough places to stay within the park to accommodate Yosemite's many annual visitors. That's why a lot of visitors choose to stay in lodging just outside the park's several entrances.

To be sure, points-friendly hotels are few and far between in the area. Most lodging is independently owned, motel-style and budget-friendly. Two of the newer and higher-end properties for travelers seeking extra creature comforts are Tenaya Lodge, near the south entrance, and Rush Creek Lodge near the Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120. Coming soon is an upscale glamping camp from Under Canvas.

Related: Exploring national parks: Where to stay using points

The best times to visit Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is open year-round, but the high season is undoubtedly the summer. Legions of families and international visitors on summer break flock to the park in the summer months. Of course, this can mean some pretty crushing crowds. In fact, one of the major reasons my own family had not returned to Yosemite with our kids until this year was the uncomfortable crowd levels.

If you must go in the summer (in non-COVID times), pack your patience and allow extra time for everything. Try to go on a weekday to avoid some of the worst chokepoints and start early in the morning. Also plan to get out of the valley, where crowds will be lighter.

Shoulder season in spring and fall can be an excellent choice for travelers with more flexible schedules looking to dodge even more crowds. In fact, the very best time to visit Yosemite might just be late spring. The month of May, especially, is when waterfalls are often at their highest flows from snowmelt, and the weather is mild for hiking.

Winter in Yosemite is a very different national park experience. Tioga Road closes from about November to late May or early June every year. But much of the rest of the park is accessible, with opportunities to snowshoe or even cross-country ski. The park also is home to a ski resort, Badger Pass, that's less expensive or overwhelming than the mega-resorts elsewhere in California in Lake Tahoe or Mammoth.

Bottom line

Yosemite is certainly a national park worthy of its placement on many travel bucket lists. With both easy and challenging hikes and an array of breathtaking sights, it's a national park that has something to offer a wide variety of travelers.

Just be sure to make plans for crowds when coronavirus restrictions are lifted. And if you're able to safely and responsibly travel to Yosemite while park capacity is limited like my family was, the payoff is pretty tremendous.

Read on for more tips on visiting America's National Parks :

• Guide to visiting Redwood State and National Parks
• Guide to visiting Zion National Park
• Guide to visiting Glacier National Park
• Plan a camping trip to Yellowstone National Park
• Beginners guide to Rocky Mountain National Park
• Where to camp, stay and play at the Grand Canyon
• Top tips for taking kids to National Parks

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The Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park

When to visit Yosemite National Park for camping, great weather, fewer crowds, and more.

Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel.

It's hard to top the beauty and magic of Yosemite National Park. Granite monoliths jut out of the ground, giant sequoia groves dot the landscape, and waterfalls topple off cliffs. The park has 747,956 acres or 1,169 square miles of near-complete wilderness, making it impossible to explore in full over a weekend (or even a week). But Yosemite can enchant on even a brief visit.

At just over an hour north of Fresno and around three hours from both San Francisco and Sacramento, the park is surprisingly accessible. And since it's open year-round, it doesn't matter when you go — just that you go. Yosemite's basic tourist seasons can be broken down as follows.

• High Season: Late May to early September
• Shoulder Seasons: April to early May and late September to October
• Low Season: November to March

Below, we've compiled a guide to help you nail down the perfect timing for your first (or 25th) Yosemite National Park getaway.

Vince Fergus/Travel + Leisure

Best Times to Visit Yosemite National Park for Smaller Crowds

According to National Park Service statistics, nearly 75 percent of visitors to Yosemite come between May and October, meaning the park is wonderfully crowd-free from November through April. A winter visit may look different from the sunny summer trips that many associate with the park, but don't worry — the splendor and beauty of Yosemite remain even in the cooler months. You can head out on a serene winter hike or watch the plunge of Yosemite Falls, a seasonal waterfall that begins flowing in late autumn. For extra peace and quiet, visit in January, which is typically the park's least busy month.

Just keep in mind that, while the Yosemite Valley and Wawona areas are accessible by car all year, some more remote and challenging roadways, like Tioga, close for the winter (usually starting in November). The road to Glacier Point also sees winter closures, though during ski season — typically mid-December through early April — the park plows the Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road as far as Badger Pass Ski Area .

For manageable crowds without wintry weather, try visiting during the shoulder seasons of late spring and early fall. The park won't be as empty then as it is during winter, but since the busiest season runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day, you can expect a shoulder-season trip to grant you more breathing room than a high-summer visit.

Best Times to Visit Yosemite National Park for Good Weather

Because the park covers more than a thousand square miles and a large variety of elevations and landscapes, the weather will vary based on where you plan to spend the day. That being said, Yosemite typically receives 95 percent of its total precipitation between October and May, with the significant majority falling between November and March.

So if you want a drier trip, the best time to visit Yosemite is from June to September. This time of year also offers optimal conditions for outdoor recreation. Summer highs usually range from 80 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit in the Yosemite Valley, and in the higher-elevation Tuolumne Meadows, the mercury tends to top out in the 70s. Freezing temperatures are possible in the summer at high elevations, particularly in June and September, so keep that in mind if you're planning mountain adventures.

Best Times to Visit Yosemite National Park for Affordable Prices

As an outdoor destination where the focus is more on camping and hiking than hotel stays and fancy dinners, Yosemite is a fairly affordable getaway year-round. You can save money with a winter trip, though, since flights to the area and accommodations nearby often lower their prices in the off-season.

Within the park, one of the best ways to score a deal is to plan ahead if you're a regular visitor. Entry passes to the park cost $35 year-round for private vehicles, but for just $70, you can purchase an annual pass that grants unlimited entrances for one calendar year. Yosemite also offers occasional "fee-free days" when no pass is required — though very crowded, they can be a good way to save.

Best Times to Visit Yosemite National Park for Camping

Camping in Yosemite is extremely popular, and believe it or not, you can camp year-round at the park. Typically, the Hodgdon Meadow, and Yosemite Valley's Upper Pines and Camp 4 campgrounds are open all year. But if you don't want to worry about finding winter camping gear or you're planning to camp deep in the park — at White Wolf, for example — it's best to schedule your trip during the summer, when inclement weather is least likely.

Opening dates for Yosemite's seasonal campgrounds change each year and can vary significantly between sites. Some open as early as April and stay in use until November or December, while others may launch their season in August and remain open for just a few weeks. Information on each campground's availability — and on reservations, which are required in most cases — can be found on the park's website . Be warned: spots fill up quickly for the period between April and September.

Best Times to Visit Yosemite National Park for Driving Tioga Road

Tioga Road is the only road that traverses the entire park, making it perfect for visitors who want to see as much of Yosemite as possible in a short amount of time. The 47-mile road stretches from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass and gives drivers a chance to view some of hundreds of animal species native to the park, from black bears to great gray owls. Along the way, you'll pass the stunning Tuolumne Meadows, the massive Lembert Dome, and the beautiful Siesta and Tenaya lakes.

Due to snowfall, Tioga Road is closed during the winter months. Depending on conditions, the open season lasts from roughly May or June to sometime in October or November — and if you don't mind sharing the road with other drivers, summer is the best time to visit in that span. The months of June, July, and August see the best weather and the greatest volume of services and attractions open along the route.

Best Times to Visit Yosemite National Park for Seeing Wildflowers

Thanks to Yosemite National Park's varying elevation (from 2,000 feet in the west to 13,000 on mountaintops in the east), wildflowers can be spotted most of the year — you just have to know when and where to go.

In the spring, head to the hiking trails in the park's lower elevations — Cook's Meadow Loop in the Yosemite Valley, Wawona Meadow Loop in Wawona, and Wapama Falls in Hetch Hetchy — to see the first colorful signs of the spring season. Even at higher elevations, you might be able to spot bright patches of color peeking out of the snow. Along the McGurk Meadow, Taft Point, and Sentinel Dome trails, which are all found along Glacier Point Road, the reddish-pink snow plant makes its bright entrance.

In the summer, Tuolumne Meadows is rich in wildflowers. You'll find pink shooting stars in the early months and columbine, fireweed, and dog violets in the late summer. In the middle of summer, the highest points of the park come alive with alpine laurel, yellow mountain monkeyflowers, and angelicas.

Worst Times to Visit Yosemite National Park

If crowds aren't your cup of tea, avoid visiting during July and August, when the number of visitors can be five or six times as high as in the quiet winter months. June and September are the next busiest months for the park, and it's worth noting that Christmas and New Year's also draw in comparatively large crowds for the off-season.

If you don't want your Yosemite experience to be limited by road, trail, and campground closures, though, your best bet is to visit between June and September — the park's attractions and amenities are typically all open at that time of year. Options for what to see and where to stay are more limited in the winter, which makes it a less ideal time for visitors hoping to check off all the park's highlights. Winter should also be avoided (at high elevations especially) by any travelers who lack the experience and gear required to get outdoors in chilly weather and deep snow.

Yosemite National Park   Travel Guide

Courtesy of 4kodiak | Getty Images

Best Times To Visit Yosemite National Park

The best times to visit Yosemite are May and September, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It's important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow. Snow can come as early as October and arrives in full force in November, typically remaining until March. But just because the snowstorms stop in March doesn't necessarily mean closed parts of the park suddenly swing their doors open. Depending on conditions, all seasonally closed roads and trails don't open until May or June.

Seasonal park closures are precisely why so many travelers visit during the summer months, making it the park's busiest time of year (think packed trails, road traffic, sky-high hotel rates and more). To avoid this, the best time to visit is before or after the summer crowds come, which is typically late May and September. Late May and early June is the best time to view waterfalls, roaring from freshly melted snow, and September offers cooler temperatures ideal for hiking (summer temps can reach the 80s). If the only time you can visit is during the summer, be sure to book several months in advance. Campsites are known to reach capacity the moment they become available for booking. If you're looking for a bargain on accommodations, winter is the best time to visit Yosemite. 

Weather in Yosemite National Park

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

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Popular Times to Visit Yosemite National Park

Tourism volume is estimated based on in-market destination search query interest from Google and on travel.usnews.com in 2015-2016. Hotel prices are sourced from a sample of U.S. News Best Hotels rates through 2015-2016.

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• Park History
• Giant Sequoias
• Rock Formations & Cliffs
• Accessibility Information
• Bear Information
• Cellular Service & Internet Access
• Food Storage Facilities
• Health & Safety
• Getting Here
• Cornell Lab Bird Tracking
• Leave No Trace
• Yosemite Lodging Experience
• History & Architecture

Yosemite Valley Lodge

• Housekeeping Camp
• White Wolf Lodge
• Glacier Point Ski Hut
• Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
• High Sierra Camp Lottery
• High Sierra Camp Lottery FAQs
• Trip Preparation
• RV & Campgrounds
• Yosemite Dining Experience
• The Ahwahnee Dining Room
• Wawona Hotel Dining Room
• Curry Village Dining
• Yosemite Village
• High Sierra Camps
• Food and Wine Events
• Experience Yosemite National Park
• *NEW* Sample Itineraries
• Backpacking
• Cross-Country Skiing
• Guided Bus & Tram Tours
• Horseback & Mule Riding
• Ice Skating
• Naturalist Walks & Programs
• Photography
• Rock Climbing
• Shopping & Supplies
• Shop Online
• Snowshoeing
• Food & Wine Events
• Holiday Events
• Upcoming Events
• Yosemite Winter Experience
• Curry Village Ice Skating Rink
• Badger Pass Ski Area Webcam
• Winter Travel Conditions
• Backcountry Ski Tours
• Cross-Country Ski Trip to Glacier Point
• Downhill Skiing & Snowboarding
• Season Passes & Discounts
• Ski School & Lessons
• Snow Tubing
• Travel Trade Group Tours
• Reunions & Socials
• Request Information
• Photos & Videos
• Email Sign Up
• Retrieve Reservations

Things to Do

Astonishing views of the falls, operating season:.

• Open All Year

Yosemite Valley Lodge is a favorite choice for families and large groups. Its close proximity to Yosemite Falls makes it the perfect base camp for exploring Yosemite National Park. Its glass and wood architecture work in unity with the surroundings and the ample windows allow in the bright mountain sunshine while providing remarkable views. Yosemite Valley Lodge includes 245 available accommodations with rooms ranging from traditional, family size, and ADA accessible options.

Amenities at Yosemite Valley Lodge

*NOTE: WiFi bandwidth is limited in Yosemite National Park. WiFi is only available in the lobby, dining areas, and amphitheater. It is only recommended for checking email or some (very) light web browsing. Due to the limited WiFi bandwidth, hotel guests will likely not be able to stream movies or download/upload large files. Enjoy the digital detox!

Room Amenities

NOTE: Yosemite Valley Lodge does not have air-conditioners in the hotel rooms. Fans are provided in each room for your comfort. Heaters are provided in each room. 

Traditional Rooms

Traditional rooms provide the comfort of a city hotel in the heart of the beautiful national park. Each room is surrounded by gorgeous Yosemite flora, is in view of incredible mountains, and is a short walk away from the Yosemite Falls or Merced River. Choose between varying options of our Traditional Rooms, which include rooms with 2 double beds, 1 king-size bed, or 1 queen-size bed.

Some of our Traditional Rooms are set up to be accessibility compliant, which include one queen bed, widened doors, grab bars in toilet stalls, raised toilet seats, and low-density carpet.

Family Rooms

The Lodge has 4 Family King Rooms. These are located only upstairs and have large windows that enable the beautiful mountain sunshine to fill the rooms. The Family King Rooms have a king-size bed, a Bunk Bed (double-size on bottom bunk, single size on top), a sofa, a dining table, and a large TV with DVD player.

Bunk Rooms are perfect for small groups. The Bunk Rooms are closest to the Merced River and have a queen-size bed and a Bunk Bed (double-size on bottom bunk, single size on top).

• Property Map

A - Yosemite Valley Lodge

Learn about Yosemite Valley Lodge .

Guest Services

Hours of operation.

The front desk is staffed 24 hours a day.

Guests staying at Yosemite Valley Lodge are welcome to use our free parking lot. Guests not staying at the Lodge, should use the day lots in the Yosemite Village area. From there, you’ll enjoy easy access to the rest of the Yosemite Valley on the free shuttle bus.

WiFi Internet Access

Here’s where you can get a Wi-Fi signal for checking email or visiting websites:

Yosemite Village:

• Complimentary WiFi is available at Degnan's Kitchen (bandwidth is limited).
• You can also use the Internet at the   Mariposa County Library .

Curry Village, Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee:

• Internet access provided to only guests staying at the hotel.

*NOTE: WiFi bandwidth is limited in Yosemite National Park. WiFi is available in the lobby, dining areas, and amphitheater. It is only recommended for checking email or some (very) light web browsing. Due to the limited WiFi bandwidth, hotel guests will likely not be able to stream movies or download/upload large files. Enjoy the digital detox! 

Post Office

Yosemite valley lodge post office hours, cancellation policy.

Cancellations or changes in reservations must be received 7 days prior to reservation arrival date to assure refund of deposit. Refunds on cancellations or changes made less than 7 days in advance will be forfeited.

Check-In & Check-Out Policy

Check-In at 4:00 pm

Check-Out by 11:00 am

Deposit & Payment Policy

A deposit of 100% of the first night is required at the time of booking if paid by credit or debit card. If a deposit is made by check or money order, it can take up to 10 days for the money to be received and applied to the reservation.

Pets are not permitted on property, with the exception of service animals. Read about pets in Yosemite  here.

Smoking Policy

Smoking is strictly prohibited at all accommodations and buildings in Yosemite.

Taxes & Fees

12% Occupancy Tax

1.5% TBID (Tourism Business Improvement District) Assessment

0.2% California Tourism Assessment Fee

Reservations

Lodging in Yosemite National Park can be reserved 366 days in advance.

A local’s guide to Yosemite National Park

John Muir, often known as “the father of national parks,” described Yosemite National Park as “by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature [he] was ever permitted to enter,” and it’s not hard to see why. Nestled right in the central Sierra Nevada, the park is roughly the same size as Rhode Island, though most of its visitation is focused on the seven square miles of Yosemite Valley. If there was one word to describe Yosemite — and the waterfalls, cliffs, meadows and trees within it that make it so special — it would be BIG.

It’s hard to shut your eyes with so much to gawk at, but my top recommendation is to find a quiet spot away from the roads to do just that. The smells of bay leaves and campfires, and the sounds of woodpeckers and flowing water, make Yosemite a treat for all our senses.

Though Yosemite’s natural beauty may seem wild and untamed, it’s important to remember that the systematic removal of Yosemite’s Indigenous communities created this false sense of humanless wilderness. The Yosemite Valley — called Ahwahnee by its native people — is the ancestral and present-day homeland of seven traditionally associated tribes. Visiting Yosemite today is an opportunity to connect with its complicated history, changing climate and hopeful aspirations for the future.

How to get there

Depending on your direction of travel, you’ll pass through one of Yosemite’s four gateway towns. Because lodging and camping in the park is in short supply, bunking down in one of these stops is your best bet.

From the south (Los Angeles and Fresno), you’ll come through Oakhurst, the largest of the gateway towns. If coming from the west (San Francisco) or the north (Sacramento), Groveland will be your gateway. In between the two is Mariposa, the closest to Yosemite Valley. The fourth spot, Lee Vining, is only accessible from Yosemite in the summer once Tuolumne Meadows and Highway 120 have opened. In years with little snow, this could be as early as May; in big snow years (like the 2022-2023 season), expect June or July.

The best time to visit

Yosemite is beautiful in all seasons — and each has its challenges. In spring, expect raging waterfalls, colorful wildflowers, lingering snow and mild crowds. Summer is the busiest season: Bring water, sunscreen and patience for traffic and big crowds. Consider, instead, heading to Tuolumne Meadows, where you’ll find cooler temperatures, afternoon thunderstorms and beautiful geology. Fall is similar to spring in crowds and temperatures; just swap the waterfalls for vibrant leaves and crisp nights. (My favorite season, hands down.) Winter is variable, as snowfall can make travel both beautiful and difficult, but Badger Pass Ski Area offers downhill and cross-country skiing for all levels.

Where to stay

Curry Village canvas tent cabins

Located in Yosemite Valley, Curry Village puts you in the center of the action. These canvas-walled cabins are the perfect blend of rustic and comfortable; they have lights and beds, but share a central bathhouse. Curry Village has a small grocery/convenience store, a number of restaurants, easy-to-access bike rentals and a bus stop for the free shuttle service, and it’s in proximity to popular trailheads. As with all accommodations inside the park, these cabins book fast.

Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | 888-413-8869 | Website

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

Tucked into the hills of Midpines, the Yosemite Bug offers a beautiful option close to the park. There’s something for almost any budget here: From cabin rentals to a hostel-style dorm to private rooms, this is one of the area’s more affordable options. The best parts? The Bug’s on-site spa and the June Bug Cafe — one of the area’s best restaurants.

6979A State Highway 140, Midpines, Calif. 95345 | 209-989-3598 | Website | Instagram

Upper Pines Campground

For those looking to camp in Yosemite, Upper Pines offers year-round beauty along the Merced River. The downside? All campgrounds in Yosemite book incredibly fast (often within minutes), so plan ahead. Campsites in Upper Pines, and its neighbors, Lower and North Pines, open on the 15th of each month for reservations up to five months ahead.

Curry Village, Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | Website

AutoCamp Yosemite

Converted Airstream suites, tents and cabins provide glamping experiences for those looking to connect with nature without sacrificing comfort and modern amenities. AutoCamp’s location in Midpines is ideal: It’s close to the park and all the amenities of Mariposa. From $153 for a canvas-walled tent to $479 for a cabin, the experience is a splurge.

6323 State Highway 140, Midpines, Calif. 95345 | 844-993-9888 | Website

Visit the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir

The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir is a hidden gem, located near the Big Oak Flat entrance station and the town of Groveland. It was once a valley as pronounced as Yosemite Valley, and in 1923, the Tuolumne River was dammed amid much controversy. Today, the water from Hetch Hetchy is the primary water source for San Francisco. A visit to Hetch Hetchy guarantees a significantly less-crowded day. Make the five-mile round-trip hike to Wapama Falls in the spring or summer and allow yourself to be cooled by the spray.

BTW: Getting to Hetch Hetchy requires a car because there is no public transportation. The road is only open during daylight hours.

Evergreen Road, Groveland, Calif. 95321 | Website

Climb with Yosemite Mountaineering School

The towering granite walls of Yosemite have made the park a bucket-list destination for rock climbers. Yosemite Mountaineering School has been around since 1969 and is the only authorized climbing guide service in the park. The expert staff of guides can outfit and prepare you for a day on the rocks no matter your skill level. Climbing in Yosemite Valley is perfect in the spring and fall, with crisp temperatures ideal for spending time on the sun-kissed granite walls. The summer is a great time to try out climbing on one of Tuolumne Meadows’ iconic domes.

BTW: If the vertical wilderness isn’t your thing, YMS also offers guided overnight backpacking trips and daily hiking tours.

Curry Village, Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | 209-372-8344 | Website

Connect with Yosemite’s Indigenous history

The Yosemite Museum and Indian Village provide an important way for visitors to connect with Yosemite’s past. One of the oldest museums in the National Park Service, it has landscape paintings, photographs, artifacts and Indigenous baskets that help tell the story of the park. Behind the museum lies a re-creation of a Miwok village where visitors can explore Indigenous buildings and history.

BTW: Head to the Visitor Center next door for more exhibits and to connect with rangers and shop for books.

Yosemite Village, Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | 209-372-0200 | Website

Create art in the park

For me, there’s no better way to etch a place into my memory and appreciate its beauty than by drawing. The Yosemite Conservancy, the park’s nonprofit partner, hosts a number of art classes for all ages that help visitors see the park anew. The programs are taught by a rotating cast of visiting artists and include topics such as outdoor painting and poetry, watercolor nature journaling, and painting and printmaking. Kids’ art classes are free, and programs for adults range from $20 to $52.

BTW: The Paint and Sip program on summer Fridays comes with a drink and a snack.

See Yosemite’s giant wonders

So much of what makes Yosemite’s natural wonders so spectacular is their size — such as the tallest waterfall in North America (Yosemite Falls) and the largest granite monolith in the world (El Capitan). And the trees are no exception. The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest grove in the park and is home to trees up to about 3,000 years old and over 280 feet tall. Travel via a gentle walking path and imagine what the world was like when these giants were but wee saplings.

BTW: The Big Trees Loop Trail is relatively flat, paved and wheelchair accessible, and visitors with a disabled placard can drive in farther to reach the Grizzly Giant via a short paved path.

Mariposa Grove Trail, Fish Camp, Calif. 93623 | Website

Hike the Mist Trail

You can see a lot in Yosemite from your car, but to really see the park’s majesty, you’ve got to get out on the trails. The Mist Trail is one of the park’s most popular for a reason. Hiking to Vernal and Nevada falls means steep elevation gain, getting misted by spraying water (in spring and summer), and lots of people. To avoid crowds, start early, and instead of hiking back down the way you went up, make a loop with the John Muir Trail. It’ll be gentler than descending the slick granite steps next to Vernal Fall, and you’ll avoid the congestion of midday hikers trying to make their way up.

BTW: Be prepared! If you’re stepping away from the valley floor, you’ll need some essentials, such as ample water and nutrition. With scant cellphone service, be self-sufficient every time you head out.

Happy Isles Loop Road, Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | Website

Where to eat

Breakfast: Sticks Coffee

Sticks is an adorable shop right in the heart of historic Mariposa. Its coffee menu includes a number of unique choices (such as the Sticks latte, with fennel and star anise), and the outdoor patio is the perfect place to enjoy them. The breakfast menu is elevated but simple: yogurt and granola, a variety of sourdough toasts, and an incredible sandwich. It’s open for lunch, too. With all the local art on the walls, you might even find the perfect keepsake.

BTW: On Thursdays and Fridays, Sticks is open for happy hour with small bites, wine and beer.

4993 7th St., Mariposa, Calif. 95338 | 530-510-3186 | Website | Instagram

Breakfast: Mountain Sage

Mountain Sage is local favorite for coffee, homemade pastries and breakfast, plus locally made arts and crafts, which is great for picking up gifts to bring home. Grab a cup and stroll around the nursery where they stock native plants, garden favorites and vegetable starts.

BTW: It’s all about the quiche. Enough said.

18653 Main St., Groveland, Calif. 95321 | 209-962-4686 | Website

Lunch: Degnan’s Deli

Located in the heart of Yosemite Village, Degnan’s is the one-stop shop for lunch on the go. The first floor features a deli with sandwiches and pizzas, plus a coffee bar for quick bites. In the summer, head upstairs for an eclectic arrangement of dishes. The outdoor seating makes it a nice place to take a breather midday before you head back out for more sightseeing.

BTW: About a half-mile down the road is Yosemite Lodge, which has even more dining options, including the Base Camp cafeteria and the Mountain Room restaurant, one of the park’s best dinner options.

9015 Village Dr., Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | Website

Lunch: Priest Station Cafe

Located at the top of the Old Priest Grade — a road so steep and winding that it’s off-limits to large vehicles — the Priest Station Cafe is a Yosemite institution. Established in 1853 and currently being run by the sixth generation, the cafe serves up classic American dishes like cowboy burgers and brisket sandwiches. A rotating list of specials keeps things fresh, and the view makes this stop one-of-a-kind.

BTW: They have cute cabins for rent, too.

16756 Old Priest Grade, Big Oak Flat, Calif. 95305 | 209-962-1888 | Website

Dinner: Curry Village Pizza Patio

Yosemite Valley’s “pizza deck” is a long-beloved favorite. Nothing hits better after a long day hiking, climbing or sightseeing than a slice and the view from Curry Village. Build your own pizza or choose from a classic combo, such as the “Mother Curry,” with mushrooms, black olives and arugula.

BTW: Bar 1899 right next door offers craft cocktails and appetizers to complete the dining experience.

9010 Curry Village Dr., Yosemite Village, Calif. 95389 | Website

Dinner: Grove House

“Local” is the perfect word to describe the Grove House. The rotating farm-to-table menu showcases the best of the foothills. Even the ketchup is made fresh. Check their website for the latest menu; dishes includes short ribs, fried chicken, hot wings and salads. Their beer and cocktail menus highlight local establishments, and the impressive lineup of live music makes this a must-visit.

BTW: Their house cocktail, Driveway Vacation, is made with whiskey, Aperol, orange and rosemary. Trust me, get one.

4993 5th St., Mariposa, Calif. 95338 | 209-742-9463 | Website | Instagram

Provisions: High Country Health Foods & Cafe

High Country is one of Mariposa’s true gems. It has an impressive selection of organic produce and bulk foods for such a small town, but it’s really all about the cafe. It’s the perfect place to stop before heading into the park: Grab a Morning Star burrito for breakfast and an El Capitan sandwich to-go for lunch.

BTW: This family-owned business has expanded a number of times since its opening in 1991 and has remained an important community staple.

5186 Highway 49 North, Mariposa, Calif. 95338 | 209-966-5111 | Website

Provisions: Village Store

The Village Store in Yosemite Valley has the greatest selection of provisions, albeit with the steep prices common in hard-to-reach destinations. The stores in Groveland, Mariposa and Oakhurst — Yosemite’s three western gateway towns — each have a greater selection of groceries that make it preferable to stock up before heading into the park.

BTW: Yosemite Valley is remote, which makes food and groceries expensive. You’d be wise to shop at your local grocery store ahead of time and shop sparingly in the park.

9011 Village Dr., Yosemite Valley, Calif. 95389 | 209-372-1253 | Website

About this guide

Editing by Amanda Finnegan. Photo editing by Lauren Bulbin. Design by Stephanie Hays. Copy editing by Jamie Zega. Design editing by Christine Ashack and Matt Callahan.

PRESENTED BY TRAVELODGE BY WYNDHAM

How to plan an epic summer trip to a national park

We’ve got insider tips on the best times to visit the most popular parks, timed entry passes, and where to stay.

As summer approaches, the siren call of national park adventures grows stronger. However, these iconic sites are bringing in unprecedented crowds.

In 2023, the National Park Service (NPS) reported over 300 million visits , a four percent increase from the previous year. This surge isn’t limited to famous spots; lesser known parks such as Congaree and Dry Tortugas are also experiencing record-breaking numbers. To manage the influx, park authorities are implementing innovative strategies to improve the guest experience.  

( These are the 10 most popular national parks .)

From snagging the perfect stay to timing your bookings just right, we’ve got insider tips to ensure your national park vacation is nothing short of epic. Here’s what you need to know.

Best time to visit

Timing is crucial in planning your summer getaway, especially if you’re eyeing popular national parks. Finding affordable lodging and activities during the high season can be tricky.

During the shoulder seasons—early- to mid-spring and late fall—you can expect pleasant weather and a reprieve from the crowds, but there are a few trade-offs to consider. Some hotels and lodges might close during the off-season and reopen later in the year, potentially limiting your accommodation options. Additionally, parks at higher elevations, such as Glacier or Lassen Volcanic , may not have all their trails open and could require snowshoes or traction cleats to get around.

( Here’s why Yellowstone in the off-season is great for families .)  

Arriving before sunrise has its perks, too. Typically, most visitors don’t arrive until mid-to-late morning, allowing you to enjoy attractions like Arches ’ Windows or Delicate Arch with minimal crowds, provided you arrive early enough.

When permitted, exploring the parks in winter offers a unique perspective that few experience. Yosemite Valley, for instance, transforms into a winter wonderland —a sight cherished by photographers and nature enthusiasts alike.

Tony McDaniel, a Yosemite   Mariposa County spokesperson, says the best way to plan a visit is to avoid taking a “checklist approach” to your visit.

“Slow down and immerse yourself in the destination,” McDaniel says. “There’s no place on earth like Yosemite National Park , and it’s best seen slowly and outside of a vehicle where you can fully embrace the sights, sounds, and smells.”

What parks require timed entry passes?

Timed entry reservations typically provide access within a two-hour window. The price of the pass, however, does not include the standard park entry fee. But, a separate timed entry permit is unnecessary if you already have campground reservations, a wilderness permit, or bookings for a pre-arranged, park-sponsored activity. Additionally, if you plan to stay inside the park for multiple days, only one timed entry reservation is required—just make sure not to leave the park during your visit.

Although these passes can reduce a trip’s spontaneity, NPS spokeswoman Kathy Kupper says they also lead to better park experiences.

“Visitors love the timed entry system,” Kupper says, “because it gives them increased confidence that they’ll be able to get in and get where they want to go.”

If you miss out on a timed entry reservation, don’t fret. Ditch your car and opt to walk or bike into the park at any time of day. Glacier National Park adjusts its timed entry program annually, including relocating entry gates beyond the visitor center, where guests can hop on a shuttle bus to access the park.

( Ready to plan your fall hike? Read this safety advice first .)

Arches: Timed entry reservations will be required from April 1 to October 31. The reservation system operates on a rolling basis. For example, June 1–30 bookings opened March 1; July 1–31 reservations opened April 1. A limited number of reservations will also be released at 7 p.m. MST the day before, providing some flexibility for last-minute planners to Utah.

Glacier: For travelers intending to drive along the iconic Going-to-the-Sun Road or head to North Fork, Montana, a vehicle reservation is mandatory between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. from May 24 to September 8. Similarly, from July 1 to September 8, a reservation is required to access Many Glacier between 6 a.m. and 3 p.m. These reservations can be secured up to 120 days or approximately four months in advance, starting at 8 a.m. MST. Additionally, a limited number of next-day vehicle reservations will be released at 7 p.m. MST for those seeking entry on the following day on a rolling basis.

Mount Rainier : Two areas of this Washington State park—Paradise Corridor from the south and Sunrise Corridor from the northeast—will require reservations from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., May 24-September 2, and July 4-September 2, respectively. Each corridor requires a separate vehicle reservation, valid for a single day per vehicle. Note that reservations are unnecessary when entering the park from a different entrance.

Rocky Mountain :   Between May 24 and October 20, reservations are required for entry into this Colorado park. Two types of reservations will be available: one granting access to the entire park, including the bustling Bear Lake Road Corridor from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m., and another from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. that excludes access to this corridor. Reservations for May 24 to June 30 can be secured starting at 8 a.m. on May 1. Subsequent reservation releases will follow, with reservations for July becoming available on June 1, and so forth.

Yosemite: Reservations are needed from April to October. On Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (May 27, June 19, September 2, and October 14) from April 13 to June 30 and August 17 to October 27, reservations are required from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. From July 1 to August 16, reservations are needed daily during the same hours.

( Discover the best day hikes in Yosemite National Park .)

What parks require a specific area pass?

Acadia : In Maine, Cadillac Mountain Summit Road vehicle reservations are required from May 22 to October 27. About one-third of them can be purchased 90 days in advance, while the rest become available two days before, starting at 10 a.m. Reservations cost $6 and are sold only at https://www.recreation.gov/timed-entry/400000 .

Great Smoky Mountains : While you don’t need a timed entry reservation to enter this Tennessee-North Carolina park, you will need a parking permit to stop for more than 15 minutes. Passes are $5 (daily),   $15 (weekly), and $40 (annually). Permits can be purchased in person or online . Passes are good for one vehicle only.

( See fireflies magically light up this national park .)

Haleakalā : To park at Hawaii’s Haleakalā summit for sunrise, you’ll need a parking pass from 3 to 7 a.m. throughout the year.

Shenandoah : Visitors hiking Virginia’s Old Rag Mountain must obtain a $2 day-use ticket in advance from March 1 to November 30. Of the 800 tickets issued daily, 400 will be released 30 days in advance, with the remaining 400 released five days beforehand on https://www.recreation.gov/ticket/10088450/ticket/10088451 .

Zion: You’ll need a timed permit to hike Angel’s Landing in Utah. Lotteries open for June-August hikes on April 1, September-November on July 1, and December-February on October 1. A limited number of next-day licenses will be available at 12:01 a.m. the day before. Hiking groups of up to six people can apply for a permit. Winning groups will be charged an additional $3 per person.

( Not a hiker? That’s not a problem at these eight national parks .)

Best alternatives to national parks

If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t have a reservation, and couldn’t get into the park early enough, you still have options. State parks and national forests surrounding official national parks often offer similar views but with few visitors.  

( Go wild—and skip the crowds—at these 7 spectacular parks .)

For example, if you get shut out of Utah’s Bryce Canyon , you can always drive 15 minutes away to the picturesque Dixie National Forest . Instead of being shoulder-to-shoulder with thousands of other visitors on the trails, you’ll be almost entirely alone while overlooking nearly identical scenes.

Where to stay in or near a popular park

Most NPS campgrounds can be reserved six months in advance on a rolling basis through Recreation.gov, but the most popular sites, including Yellowstone ’s Slough Creek or Watchman in Zion , can sell out within minutes. Even if you miss out, you still have plenty of options.  

“For something similar to camping in Yosemite Valley, Housekeeping Camp or Curry Village are as close as you’ll get to camping, plus you don’t need to bring a tent,” says McDaniel. “In areas like Wawona, Yosemite West, and Foresta, there are cabin rentals that will still get you into the park. Outside the park, there are hundreds of more options in great locations and historic towns that are generally more budget-friendly and put visitors close to more dining options.”

( These historic lodges are the perfect way to see North America’s wild parks .)

Nearby national forests and Bureau of Land Management areas typically offer established campgrounds or free dispersed camping (areas outside a designated campground). Sites are generally first-come, first-served. Arrive at an established campground between 10 a.m. and noon to score a recently vacated site.

Apps like AllStays and sites like freecampsites.net and Campendium can help tremendously. Signal Mountain Campground in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park sells out almost immediately, but on a recent trip to the park, I found an incredible mountaintop dispersed campsite, in   Bridger-Teton National Forest . The view of the Tetons was spectacular, made even better because the campsite was free.

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The 11 best Airbnbs near Yosemite National Park

From glamorous resorts to cute A-frame cabins, these are the finest Airbnb rentals to stay in near Yosemite

It’s time to don some practical clothing, slip on your hiking boots, and prep some mid-trek snacks – Yosemite National Park is calling. One of the most spectacular areas of natural beauty in the entire US of A , Yosemite has everything from glaciers and waterfalls to vast lakes and eerie giant sequoia groves . Whether you’re a nature-mad adventurer or simply a curious explorer, the California park is an essential bucket list stop.

When visiting Yosemite , there are quite a few options for accommodation, from glamorous hotels and cozy cabins to back-to-basics camping . For comfort, independence and practicality, however, there are few better ways to truly make the most of Yosemite than by renting yourself an Airbnb. 

One of the most popular areas to stay when visiting Yosemite National Park is, naturally, the rental community inside the park’s boundaries – Yosemite West – but there are plenty of other options. From facility-heavy areas like Oakhurst to Ahwahnee in Yosemite Valley or the further-out likes of Mariposa, Yosemite’s surrounding area is littered with fabulous rentals. Below are the ten best Airbnbs in Yosemite and its nearby towns.

Updated April 2024:  Ready for two hot new properties? Of course you are . Good luck choosing your favourite Airbnb near Yosemite with these latest additions to the list – both being deluxe cabins in Groveland. 

RECOMMENDED: 🌳Read the best time to visit Yosemite 🏕Stay at the  best campgrounds in Yosemite 🥾See our list of the best hikes in Yosemite

Who makes the cut? While we might not stay in every Airbnb featured, it’s our mission to help you make your trip as smooth sailing as possible. For this, we've based our list on top reviews, hosts and amenities to find you all the best stays whatever your budget. You might come across the odd affiliate link but rest assured, they have no influence on our editorial content – we pinky swear. For more info, see our  affiliate guidelines .

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Best Yosemite National Park Airbnbs

1.  The micro-cabin glamping in Ahwahnee

Midway between a cabin and glamping, these micro-homes in Ahwahnee are perfect for those who want to holiday on the cheap but don’t want to get down and dirty with an actual tent. Guests share a bathroom with other tiny home villagers, but that inconvenience is made up for within the rentals themselves, which have plenty of home comforts like memory foam mattresses, Wi-Fi, mini-fridges, and climate control. Ahwahnee is about half an hour’s drive from Yosemite’s south entrance.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps two.  Best for:   b udget-conscious couples. Location perks? At mealtimes, you can make use of the picnic tables with adorable fairy lights.  Budget range? Enjoy a cozy two nights for under $300. 

2.  The stripped-back nature cabin in Oakhurst

Venturing out into nature and going off-grid certainly isn’t for everyone, but if you do want to go AWOL for a while, head to this simple Oakhurst cabin. Perfect for getting away from it all, the cabin doesn’t even have a supply of electricity – instead guests use lanterns, gas stoves, and BBQs to get by. If you do want to stay connected to the outside world, it’s probs best to bring a portable charger.

Rooms?   One bedroom. Sleeps two guests.  Best for:  going off-grid and tech-free. Location perks?  The roaming deer may pay you a little visit during your stay, which defo adds to the charm of this peaceful retreat in nature. Budget range? Another great affordable option – great for those flying solo or in a couple. 

3.  The enormous in-park house in Yosemite West

This rental isn’t so much near Yosemite National Park as it is actually in it. Part of the in-park settlement of Yosemite West, this tall eight-bed house sits on a hillside and has views out over the forested valley below. The rest of the house has Wi-Fi, air-con, satellite TV, and a back-up power generator, but its finest perk is that you’re already in the park so don’t have to worry about queuing up at the gates to get in.

Rooms?  Three bedrooms. Sleeps eight guests.  Best for:   big groups wanting to be in the heart of the action. Location perks?  The best spot for catching sunsets? The wraparound deck of course.  Budget range?  A luxury family vacation rental. 

4.  The space cube in Mariposa

Has a UFO crash-landed in Mariposa, ready to spook unsuspecting Yosemite trekkers? Nope, that’s just an exceptionally modern, stylish cabin that combines tip-top design with high levels of practicality. The rich wooden inside décor contrasts beautifully with the rental’s cold, metallic outer shell, while the huge windows offer views out over both the mountains and a nearby lake. This being in Mariposa, it’s about a 45-minute drive from Yosemite Valley and about one hour 40 minutes to the park itself.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps two guests.  Best for:   a space-age couple. Location perks? Step into the future with this custom build envisioned by an architect in San Fran.   Budget range?  Moderately priced. 

5.  The supremely comfy A-frame in Oakhurst

There are few more iconic cabin designs than the A-frame – and this one, called ‘The Winnie’, shows exactly why they’re such a popular kind of rental. Sitting beneath oak, pine, and manzanita trees, The Winnie is well-designed inside and out and is a comfortable base ideal for either jaunting around Yosemite or chilling with a book. It’s in Oakhurst, so the park is about half an hour’s drive away.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps four guests.  Best for:   small families. Location perks? This cozy spot lives just 30 minutes outside of Yosemite National Park. Budget range?  On the higher end, but so worth it. 

6.  The MARS in Mariposa

Best for: spiritual holidaymakers

Yosemite doesn’t have to be about sweaty hiking and all-action treks: it’s also a very serene place, perfect for reconnecting with yourself and nature. This ‘Mariposa Relaxation Suite’ (‘MARS’, for short) aims to take full advantage of Yosemite’s spiritual side, offering 80 acres of space with 360-degree views by day and crystal-clear stargazing at night. It's about an hour’s drive from Yosemite National Park.

Rooms? . Three bedrooms. Sleeps six guests.   Best for:   spiritual holidaymakers. Location perks? Want an eco-friendly getaway? This sweet dig runs entirely on solar energy.  Budget range?  A cheap and cheerful group getaway. 

7.  The affordable loft in Yosemite West

A compact but well-equipped rental in Yosemite West, this rental loft is hotel-esque in just how many amenities it packs into its three-room space. Ideal for couples or small families, as with the other in-park rentals in this list, there’s a huge benefit to being inside the park and therefore not having to queue when you’d like to visit.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps six guests.  Best for:   small families hunting for cozy convenience. Location perks? Atop a mountain at an elevation of about 6,000 ft to offer you dreamy vistas of the surrounding mountains and forestland.   Budget range?  An affordable steal. 

8.  The ginormous lakeside cabin near Bass Lake

This one’s for you and your trekking posse. A huge cabin in Bass Lake, it’s a three-floor, four-bedroom, three-bathroom pad with tons of cooking and lounging facilities ­ and mountain and lake views. Sure, the price tag might seem a little steep – but this place comfortably sleeps 12, so, if you can get a big enough group together, it’s really quite affordable. Bass Lake is just half an hour’s drive from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park.  

Rooms? Four bedrooms. Sleeps four guests.   Best for:   big groups looking for convenience. Location perks? Expect sparkling lake views, large helpings of natural sunlight and a two-minute drive to the private marina. Budget range? Not too shabby when you split the bill. 

9.  The neat couples retreat in Yosemite West

Best for: all-action couples

Not only is this neat little rental in Yosemite West, giving its guests unrivaled access to the surrounding national park, but the home itself is simply delightful. The recently renovated space is bright and airy, with sizeable windows, swish modern décor, and practical areas for getting changed and storing muddy boots. It’s a fab meeting of splendor and convenience.

Rooms? One bedroom. Sleeps two guests. Best for:   all-action couples. Location perks? This convenient location puts you within a short drive of Yosemite Valley.  Budget range?  A pretty penny for a prime location. 

10.  The deluxe grand cabin in Groveland

Enjoy some peace and quiet among the pine trees at this perfectly placed cabin. For anyone that's expecting to be left to fend for themselves, think again; this property is kitted out with all the mod cons you need, with the addition of some luxury items including a huge comfy sofa, marble dining table and even fancy room-darkening blinds. Take to the fire pit or BBQ when you're ready to brave the outdoors. 

Rooms?  Three bedrooms. Sleeps six guests.  Best for:   campers who hate tents.  Location perks?  Close to Pine Mountain Lake with its championship golf course, community pool, tennis courrts and grill restaurant. 25 miles to the gate of Yosemite.  Budget range?  A reasonable price. 

11.  The modern cabin in Groveland

Picture the interiors of your dream home; now imagine them inside an ultra-modern chalet-style bungalow with a hot tub and fire pit out back. Sound like perfection? Then we've found the Airbnb for your look-forward-to-all-year vacation. The whole property couldn't be any trendier, and to top it off, you'll have access to the amenities at Pine Mountain Lake, including the communal pool and hiking trails. 

Rooms?  Three bedrooms. Sleeps eight guests.  Best for:  adventurous folk who need a hot tub to sooth their aching muscles.  Location perks?  13 miles to Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance, in the heart of Pine Mountain Lake.  Budget range?  On the expensive side, but checks out. 

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Visitors Can Expect Significant Improvements In Yosemite This Year

New Yosemite Valley Welcome Center

Yosemite, CA — In 2024, Yosemite National Park will see significant improvements, including renovations to some of the park’s most visited spots.

“This year, park visitors will experience restored access to park landmarks and enhanced visitor facilities that spotlight cultural history, protect natural resources, and add enjoyment to any visit,” said Yosemite National Park Superintendent Cicely Muldoon. “A prime example is a dramatically improved experience at Bridalveil Fall after a multi-year renovation.”

The Yosemite Conservancy, a nonprofit organization, has announced $18 million more in support for the park, with 60 new projects aimed at restoring trails and ecosystems, advancing scientific and historical research, protecting wildlife, and enhancing visitor experiences. One area given a facelift is Bridalveil Fall, now open to visitors and offering a front-row view of the 620-foot roaring waterfall that millions see each year entering Yosemite Valley. The base at the fall now features safer, less crowded, and more defined viewing areas, modern flush toilets, wayfinding, and wider hiking trails. The ADA-compliant loop trail and viewing platform offer improved access, and new interpretive exhibits are scheduled for installation this summer. The new complex is conveniently located near the central parking lot, providing easy access and information for visitors.

The Yosemite Valley Welcome Center offers a one-stop shop for planning outings, while the renovated Yosemite Exploration Center, formerly the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, features new science and history exhibits.

Yosemite Conservancy President Frank Dean says the new Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, which opened in winter, is “a great gathering place where visitors can plan itineraries or regroup after a day in the park.”

The renovated Yosemite Exploration Center, hosted by the Conservancy staff, anchors the Yosemite Village area, which also houses the Yosemite Museum and the Yosemite Theater. The new science and history exhibit, “Yosemite Now,” tells conservation stories of towering trees, courageous creatures, wild waters, magnificent meadows, and the people of Yosemite through the ages. Visitors can examine a device scientists use to test water and determine what creature’s DNA is present, get a close-up look at the bones in a bear’s paw, and rotate wheels that show seasonal meadow, tree, creature, and waterflow patterns.

“This is the first time we have worked with the National Park Service to design a space that is meant to educate and engage, as well as showcase Conservancy merchandise, which helps raise money to continue funding park projects,” said Yosemite Conservancy Chief of Yosemite Operations Adonia Ripple. “We’re excited to greet visitors.”

This year, the Yosemite Conservancy’s support spans projects, programs, and services, including efforts to repair trails, restore wetlands and wilderness, study and protect wildlife, make Yosemite’s outreach more inclusive, and inspire the next generation of park champions. Among them is the continued restoration of Ackerson Meadow, the largest wetland restoration project in Yosemite’s history.

With over 850 Conservancy-funded projects completed, the Conservancy’s contributions now total over $200 million in the past decade. Notable past projects include the restoration and protection of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, renovated overlooks, restored meadows in Yosemite Valley and the high country, and protection of peregrine falcons, red-legged frogs, and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.

The Conservancy also supports the park through various visitor programs and retail operations, offering naturalist-led outdoor adventures, art classes, donor events, volunteer programs, physical bookstores, an online store, and managing the online wilderness permit reservation process. Four webcams, which show El Capitan, Half Dome, the High Sierra, and Yosemite Falls, also help people connect with the park from afar.

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Environment | cal poly humboldt closes campus for rest of semester over gaza protests, subscriber only, environment | yosemite national park: $32 million in new upgrades renovate famed waterfall area, construct new visitor center, as summer nears, new facilities and features come to the famed sierra nevada destination.

Before they see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, giant sequoias or other jaw-dropping attractions, the first stop for millions of visitors as they enter Yosemite National Park is Bridalveil Fall.

Yet for generations, the amenities at the base of the thundering, 620-foot waterfall on the western edge of Yosemite Valley have been a raging disappointment: Foul-smelling pit toilets dating back to the 1960s, crumbling asphalt pathways, a crammed dirt parking lot and narrow, slippery trails.

But now all of that is a bygone memory. Crews have finished a $19.3 million renovation, constructing a larger parking lot, modern flush toilets, interpretive signs, viewing platforms, wooden boardwalks, and wider hiking trails with more accessible features designed in the classic granite and timber national park style of the 1930s.

Both the falls and the new “Welcome Center” were funded by federal dollars, and matched with $12.2 million in private donations from the Yosemite Conservancy, a San Francisco-based nonprofit group that for years has helped improve the park’s features.

“Yosemite is a world-class destination,” said Frank Dean, president of the conservancy, and a former Yosemite ranger. “But it gets a lot of visitation, so things can tend to get worn down. You want to make a good first impression and do it well. The park just needs some TLC sometimes.”

At Bridalveil Fall, construction crews expanded the parking lot by 24 spaces to hold 80 cars. The infamous compost toilets with four stalls were torn down and replaced with 14 flush toilets in a modern building.

A new gathering, viewing, and orientation plaza was built near the restrooms. It includes benches and signs describing the history, wildlife and geology of the area. There are animal-proof trash and recycling receptacles, and re-routed loop trails, with two viewing platforms instead of one near the base of the falls.

The work was completed in November. But because of winter snow, it is just being discovered by many visitors for the first time as spring has arrived.

“It’s spectacular,” joked Susan Codeglia, of Walnut Creek, who was beaming after finishing a hike to the falls on Tuesday afternoon. “If there was a drinking game every time somebody said ‘wow,’ we’d all be drunk.”

She was joined by her sister-in-law, Harriet Codeglia, of Groveland, a former Mountain View human resources manager who moved to the Sierra after she retired.

“It’s perfect. It’s fabulous,” she said. “It was treacherous before. The trails were slippery. I’ve been here when people fell down. It’s more accessible now. And so well thought out, the way everything is integrated with the rocks and the trees.”

Bridalveil Fall isn’t as tall as Yosemite Falls — which is four times as high. But it is remarkable in its own right, taller than the Washington Monument, three times taller than Niagara Falls, and one of the only waterfalls in Yosemite Valley that flows year round, whether or not California is in a drought — its swirling mists often producing rainbows in the afternoon.

It was named in 1856 by Warren Baer, editor of the Mariposa Democrat newspaper, who described the picturesque waterfall’s cascades as full of “ample folds, of the finest texture, the purest whiteness, and fringed with silver fleece or silken floss” like a bride’s veil.

“Bridalveil Fall is one of the iconic attractions of the park,” said Scott Gediman, a Yosemite spokesman. “There’s a lot of history here.”

President Teddy Roosevelt camped near the base of the falls with Sierra Club founder John Muir during a visit in 1903. The two sat around a campfire late into the night.

The other major new feature in Yosemite this spring is the Welcome Center. The $12.2 million facility, built in a former sports equipment shop in Yosemite Village, is intended to be an introduction to the park for many of the 4.5 million people who come each year from around the world.

Visitors walk inside the new Yosemite Valley Welcome Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

An interior view of the new Yosemite Valley Welcome Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Visitors shop at the new Yosemite Valley Welcome Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Souvenirs are displayed inside the new Yosemite Valley Welcome Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Yosemite’s first visitor center, a rustic stone building, was built in 1925 in Yosemite Village. Another was built next door in 1966. The original building became the park’s museum, which today features Native American artifacts, paintings and photography exhibits. The 1966 building is now called the Exploration Center and features exhibits about history, geology, plants, wildlife and cultural heritage.

For decades, people could drive up and park outside both, then walk in, talk to rangers, ask questions about hikes, camping or other issues, and pick up maps and learn about the geology, plants, animals and human history of the famed 748,000-acre park.

But those parking spaces were removed when the park put in a shuttle bus system in the 1970s to deal with crowds and traffic. It became a half-mile walk from the main Yosemite Valley parking lot, tucked away amid groves of trees, shops, employee housing and park offices.

An interior view of Yosemite Exploration Center is seen on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

Visitors look at the new exhibit at Yosemite Exploration Center on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

A part of the new exhibit at Yosemite Exploration Center is seen on Tuesday, April 23, 2024, in Yosemite National Park, California. (Dai Sugano/Bay Area News Group)

“People say ‘I’m here for a day, or 2 hours, or 4 hours. What can I do?” said Adonia Ripple, chief of Yosemite operations for the Yosemite Conservancy. “This helps them find a ranger — a flat hat — to ask. Before, the old visitor center was tucked away and kind of hard to find.”

Including the two new projects, the Yosemite Conservancy has provided $162 million since 2006 to renovate Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, Olmstead Point, Mariposa Grove, and other iconic park locations.

“You don’t want worn-out, underserved facilities, or long lines for restrooms,” Dean said. “You want to make sure the experience is really up there, so that the accommodations match the scenery.”

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