Yosemite National Park!

What Is Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite, California’s oldest and most visited national park, spans a vast stretch of wilderness in the central Sierra Nevada range. It is most famous for Yosemite Valley, which glaciers have carved into majestic cliffs and crags that rise even above the local sequoias!

What Makes It Beautiful?

The untamable jaggedness of the Sierras and the breathtaking heights of the granite cliffs have inspired the works of John Muir, Ansel Adams, and Bill Beaver. Well, I won’t get too far ahead of myself here, but no matter how crowded this park may get during the summer, there are hundreds of places in the park that feel untouched.

By all means, take in Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridal Veil Falls from below, but my rule of tranquility is: the higher the better. Also, winter is particularly lovely, not only for the delicious snowcones that form under the waterfalls but also for the incredible Firefall effect that only happens once a year!

How Can I #HelpTheHelpers?

Pay the entrance fee to help maintain trails, signs, structures, and other visitor services!
Volunteer with the Yosemite Volunteer Program!
Donate to the Yosemite Conservancy!
Be a responsible visitor! Remember the old adages: Pack out what you pack in! Take nothing but pictures and leave nothing but footprints!

How Do I Get There?

Yosemite is about as accessible as it gets. You can get there by bus or by Amtrak, and the park shuttle operates year-round. Of course, if you wish to visit by car, you have a bunch of options:

Yosemite Valley:

The Arch Rock Entrance is located about 3mi (5km) east of El Portal on CA-140.
The South Entrance is located about 16mi (26km) north of Oakhurst on CA-41.

Tioga Road (Seasonal)

The Big Oak Flat Entrance is located about 23mi (38km) east of Groveland on CA-120. (Also a way to access Yosemite Valley!)
The Tioga Pass Entrace is located about 13mi (21km) west of Lee Vining.

Hetch Hetchy

The Hetch Hetchy Entrance is located 31mi (50km) northeast of Groveland on Hetch Hetchy Road.

(Take Me There!)

When Should I Visit the Park?

It really depends on what you want to see and do. If you want to see Firefall or snowcones, go in February. If you want to see the waterfalls at their peak, go between April and June. If you want to see the gorgeous fall colors, try October. Of course, bear in mind that while Yosemite Valley is open year-round, during the winter, CA-120 is completely closed, and you may be required to rent tire chains on all other roads.