Everything you should know about Yosemite National Park

It wasn’t the first national park. But Yosemite’s granite walls and giant sequoias were so extraordinary that Abraham Lincoln took time out from his presidential duties during the Civil War to sign an 1864 bill authorizing their preservation and public useeight years before Yellowstone became the first official national park.

Yosemite made a lasting impression on Teddy Roosevelt too. During his 1903 camping expedition therehe hatched ideas that would lead to the creation of the National Park and National Forest systems.

In a speech afterRoosevelt told the crowd that he wanted the giant sequoias preserved “because they are the only things of their kind in the world.” The same could be said for all of this iconic national park. Here’s everything you need to know to make the most of your visit.

Best times to visit Yosemite National Park

The Park Service reports that around 75 percent of Yosemite’s four million annual visitors enter the park between May and October. Within that timeframeJune-August is the peak time.

It almost goes without saying that if you don’t want to fight the crowds in Yosemite Valley and other popular parts of the parkyou should plan to visit in early springlate fallor even winter.

It may be chillybut winter is a magical season in the park. Snow blankets the meadows and mountaintopswhile waterfalls freeze solid. With very few peoplevisitors who brave the temps find plenty of room for snowshoeing and skiing at Badger Passice skating at Curry Villageand the possibility of walking through a snowy redwood grove.

(How do you avoid the crowds in national parks? Visit during winter.)

Where to find the best views in the park

Is there a bad view anywhere in the park? Visitors would be hard-pressed to find one. Howevera few views are legendaryincluding Glacier Point (accessible by car) and the summit of Half Dome (a 16-mile return hike from the valley)—both offer panoramic views of Yosemite Valley below and the Sierra crest on the eastern horizon.

From the valley’s south rimSentinel Dome and Taft Point are two of the park’s more vertiginous views. Two-mile-long trails connect these viewpoints from a small parking lot along Glacier Point Roaddirectly opposite El Capitan.

Taft Point is a great place to watch climbers scaling the famed vertical face. Just as incredible are the views from the north rimlike the top of El CapitanNorth Domeand the top of Yosemite Falls. But reaching these requires a steep uphill hike or long overland hike from Tioga Road.

No view is quite as striking as seeing Yosemite Valley for the first time while exiting the Wawona Tunnel. Stretching all the way to Half Domethis sight impressed even the great Ansel Adams. For an even better view (and far fewer people to share it with), hike the short trail to Inspiration Point from the tunnel’s upper parking lot.

Along Tioga RoadOlmsted Point renders a glimpse down Tenaya Canyon to the backside of Half Domeas well as a chance to watch the yellow-bellied marmots hanging out on the granite around the viewpoint.

Where to find the best hiking trails

In the same vein as viewpointsYosemite offers an awful lot of cool trails.

Among the easier walks are the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (1 mile/1.6 km)the recently upgraded Bridalveil Fall Trail (0.5 miles/0.8 km)and the route to Mirror Lake (2 miles/3.2 km).

Visitors fiind plenty of easy walks beyond the valleyon routes like the Parsons Lodge & Soda Springs Trail (1.4 miles/2.3 km) across Tuolumne Meadow and the Grizzly Giant Loop (2 miles/3.2 km) in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias.

The park’s most iconic day hike rises from the valley floor to the summit of Half Domea strenuous trek of around 16 miles (25 km) that involves scaling steel cables on the mountain’s backside. Because only 300 hikers per day are allowed on that final ascentall hikers must obtain a permit via lottery on the website Recreation.gov.

Another tough but spectacular day hike is the Yosemite Falls Trail (7.2 miles/11.6 km) to the top of the towering cascade. Best of allno permit is required to tackle this route.

The Pohono Trail (13.8 miles/22 km)across the south rim between Glacier Point and Wawona Tunneloffers more acrophobia-inducing views as it makes its way along the edge of Sentinel DomeTaft Pointand Dewey Point.

Serious backpackers make for the legendary John Muir Trail (JMT)a 211-mile (340-km) journey through the High Sierra from Yosemite Valley to Kings Canyon and Sequoia national parks that terminates at the top of Mount Whitney. For much of its lengththe JMT shares the path with the Pacific Crest Trail.

(Before you go hikingread these life-saving tips from first responders)

The best spots to see wildlife

Like anywhere in the great outdoorsspotting wildlife in Yosemite is largely a matter of lucklocationand timing.

To increase your chanceshang out at dawn and dusk around the edge of the 3,000-plus meadows scattered across the park. There are seven big meadows in Yosemite Valley. Tuolumne Meadows in the backcountry is another great spot for glimpsing animals at sunrise and sundown.

Mule deersquirrelsand chipmunks are the most common mammalsbut you may be lucky enough to see a black bear or coyote lumbering across the meadow. Be sure to look upwards for some of the 262 bird species that have been recorded in the park.

(Birdsbisonand bears—here’s how to see wildlife from your car)

Some animals are best spotted in specific places. Yellow-bellied

s tend to hang out at Olmstead Point while Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep roam the rocky heights around Tioga Pass.

Visitors should always be careful around bears. Do not approach them or try to snap selfies. Don’t leave food in your vehicles. Follow park instructions for storing food overnight at campgrounds. Learn more here.

Expert recommendations and tips

Cory Goehringthe outdoor programs manager and senior naturalist at Yosemite Conservancy emphasizes the importance of getting into the park before 8 a.m. “That sort of ensures that you’ll get in before the line builds up at the entrance gates and you’ll also be able to find parking.

He adds that it pays to linger in the park. “Bring a picnic for dinner or pick up something from one of the grocery stores or food vendors here and have a picnic at sunset,” he suggests. “Even in July and Augustright around sixseven o’clock when it starts to get towards sunsetyou almost feel like you have the park to yourself.”

Goehring recommends less busy areas. “Yosemite Valley gets over 90 percent of the visitation to the parkbut the valley is only a very small percentage of Yosemite. It’s a huge parkthe size of the state of Rhode Island—1,200 square miles. If you get outside of Yosemite Valleyyou can find areas like Hetch Hetchyor up at Crane Flator Tuolumne Meadows that not as many people are going to visit.”

“My favorite hike is taking the Four Mile Trail up to Glacier Point and then hiking down the Panorama Trail. That’s like a 14-mile [22.5-km] day with a lot of elevation gains. So it’s not for the faint of heart.” He also recommends the short trek to May Lake (2.4 miles/3.9 km) off Tioga Road in the high countrya hike that can be extended by summiting nearby Mount Hoffmann.

Things to do in Yosemite

Stretching nearly eight miles (12.8 km) from east to west and with granite walls more than twice the height of the Empire State BuildingYosemite Valley is one of the wonders of the natural world. Carved by glacial dynamicsweatherand erosion spanning 30 million yearsfew other places reflect so remarkably the geological forces that have shaped our planet.

A circular one-way road system cruises past all the valley’s major landmarks. The first of the many astonishing sights is the aptly named Bridalveil Fallwhich tumbles down a granite face beneath the Cathedral Rocks.

The road eventually leads into Yosemite Villagethe valley’s human hub and home to the new Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. In addition to a grocery storegas stationpost officemedical clinicand other facilitiesthe village offers the Yosemite Museumthe Ansel Adams Gallery of photographic artand the Yosemite Wilderness Centerwhere backpackers can obtain wilderness permitsbear canistersand other backcountry essentials. The village’s latest addition are the interactive exhibits of the Yosemite Exploration Center & Theater.

(These are the best stargazing sites in North America)

Many of the landmarks scattered around the valley’s eastern end are best reached on foot or via shuttle from Yosemite Village. Tumbling down an enormous rock face just west of the villageYosemite Falls is impressive not so much in water volume but the sheer height from which it falls. Split into three sectionsthe cascade plunges 2,425 feet (739 meters)the highest waterfall in North America and fifth tallest on the planet.

Perched along the south side of the River are the Sierra Club’s Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (interpretive programsnatural history exhibitslibrary) and Curry Village with its myriad foodbeveragerecreationand accommodation options. During the winterthe village ice rink hosts skating under the stars.

The bulk of Yosemite National Park lies above the valleya vast expanse of high-country meadowsmountainsand forest that includes the headwaters of several mighty rivers and more than 1,100 square miles of designated wilderness. Most of this region is accessible only by foot or horse. But two longwinding roads open up much of the backcountry to motorists and casual hikers too.

Tioga Road, one of the nation’s most scenic highwaysliterally splits the park in halfbetween Crane Flat near the park’s western border to Tioga Pass at the crest of the High Sierra. Often closed until early or even midsummer due to snowpackthe road is the only drivable route between Yosemite Valley and the eastern side of the Sierra.

Flanking Crane Flat are two of the park’s lesser known wonders: Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove. These are the only spots in Yosemite where you can occasionally have the redwoods to yourselfespecially during the snowy winter months.

The largest of the park’s water bodiesTenaya Lake is ideal for a picnic or paddle—and perhaps swimif you can stand water that’s chilly even at the height of summer. A 2.5-mile (4 km) trail leads around the lake.

With its visitor centercampgroundtented lodgeand other servicesTuolumne Meadows is the “Times Square” of the high country. Trails meander across the giant meadow to Sunset LakesSoda SpringsLembert Domeand other natural landmarks. Both the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail transit the meadow.

(Here are some expert tips for navigating the wilderness alone)

The wild and scenic Tuolumne River runs slow and gentle close to its source in the High Sierra. The river eventually tumbles through the remote Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne (accessible only by hiking) down into deep Hetch Hetchy Canyonan almost identical twin of Yosemite Valley until it was dammed and transformed into a lake in 1923 to provide water for San Francisco.

Wawona Road climbs the valley wall into the park’s low-key southwest corner. Roughly 7.6 miles beyond the tunnel lies the turnoff to Glacier Point Roadwhich follows the southern edge of Yosemite Valley to the awe-inspiring Glacier Point.

About halfway along Glacier Point Roadvisitors find the Badger Passa winter sports area originally developed for Yosemite’s failed bid to host the 1932 Winter Olympics. In addition to family-oriented skiing and snowboardingBadger Pass also facilitates ranger-led snowshoe tours and cross-country skiing along the road (closed to vehicles in winter) to Glacier Point.

Yosemite’s frontier side is on display in Wawona Villagewhere the Yosemite History Center offers horse-drawn carriage ridesa working blacksmith shopcovered wooden bridgeand other relics of the era before National Park status. Wawona’s nine-hole golf course (created in 1918) is one of the few found in the National Park System.

Among other Wawona activities are horseback and mule rides through the sur­rounding woods and wandering the Mariposa Grovethe park’s largest stand of giant sequoias (more than 500 trees). The grove’s most celebrated tree is the Grizzly Giantestimated to be around 3,000 years old (plus or minus a few centuries). A free shuttle runs between the grove and the new welcome plaza.

The nonprofit Yosemite Conservancy—the largest “friends” group of any national park—offers hundreds of programs each year. They range from short naturalist walks and multiday backpacking and field school scientific adventures to astronomy sessionsart classesand children’s activities at the Happy Isles Art & Nature Center.

Best things to do for families

Just being in Yosemite is enough to blow the minds of most kids. But there are ways that families can enhance their stay in the parkstarting with three ways to move around.

During the warmer monthsrental bikesattachable trailersand strollers are available at Curry VillageYosemite Villageand Yosemite Valley Lodge for cruising the 12 miles of flat bike trails that loop around the valley.

The slow-flowing Merced River provides plenty of scope for swimmingtubingraftingand fishing during the valley’s hot summer months. Would-be river rats can hire four-person rafts at Curry Village in June and July (but usually not August because the water level is too low).

(How to plan an epic summer trip to a national park)

Numerous kid-friendly trails include Lower Yosemite Fall (1 mile/1.6 km) through towering trees to the mist zone at the base of the falls; Mirror Lake (2 miles/3.2 km) along the base of Half Dome; the Big Trees Loop (0.3 miles/0.5 km) and Grizzly Giant Loop (2 miles/3.2 km) in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias; and the Parsons Lodge & Soda Springs route (1.4 miles/2.3 km) across Tuolumne Meadows in the high country.

In the winterCurry Village opens its outdoor ice skating rink. Considered one of the best places in California for beginner skiers and snowboardersBadger Pass offers lessons for children aged 7-12and adult lessons for teens.

Opened in 2024the year-round Yosemite Exploration Center & Theater was designed with interactive exhibits on park history and nature.

Cory Goehring of the Yosemite Conservancy often takes his son to Happy Isles Art & Nature Center at the eastern end of the valley. “We have all sorts of awesome free art programs along with hands-on activities that are great for kids. You can hang out there for two to three hours just doing art activities and exploring the nature center.”

Where to stay

Hotels: For reservationscall 888-413-8869 or book online here. Travelers have many options within the parkincluding The Ahwahneethe historic 1920s lodge in Yosemite Valleywith a poolrestaurantand bar. Curry Village has cabinstent cabinsand Stoneman House roomsalong with a pool and a restaurant. Wawona Hotel is a vintage 1876 wilderness retreat with a poolgolfand a restaurant.

Yosemite Valley Lodge is a motel- accommodation in the village with a pool and restaurant. High Sierra Camps consist of five remote tent-cabin camps along the John Muir Trail in eastern Yosemite accessible only by hiking. The lodging price includes three daily meals.

Camping: Thirteen campgrounds are spread across the parkincluding Yosemite ValleyTuolumne Meadowsand Wawona. To reservecall 877-444-6777 or book online here.

(Iffy about camping? Here’s how to dip your toes in.)

Outside the park: Evergreen Lodge is a historic 1920s family-friendly resort near Hetch Hetchy and Big Oak Flats. AutoCamp Yosemite offers kid- and dog-friendly glamping in comfy Airstream trailersplus yoga classesa swimming pooland nightly live music around a campfire.

Under Canvas Yosemite has safari- tents with full bathrooms and king bedsplus an onsite bar and restaurant. Tenaya Lodge is a modern luxury retreat seven miles south of Wawona.

What else you need to know

Entrances: The park has five entrance gates: Hetch Hetchy and Big Oak Flat in the northwestArch Rock/El Portal in the westthe South Entrance near Fish Campand Tioga Pass in the east.

Visitor centers: Yosemite Valley Welcome Center (year-round)Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio and Big Oak Flat Information Station (May–October)Tuolumne Meadows (June or July–late September).

Entrance fees: $35 per vehicle$30 per motorcycle$20 per person for those without their own vehicle. In addition to those feesnon-U.S. residents must now pay $100 per person. All visitors are now required to present an ID at entrance gates. Reservations are no longer required to enter the park during peak hours in peak season.

Are pets allowed: Dogs are allowed only on paved roadssidewalksand bicycle paths and in campgrounds.

How accessible is the park?

Yosemite offers a wide range of accessibility options including wheelchair accessible YARTS public transit buses and Yosemite Valley Tram Tour.

Accessible trails include the paths to Lower Yosemite FallsGlacier PointMirror LakeBridalveil Falland various meadows in Yosemite Valley. There are also accessible lodging and campgroundsfood and grocery outletsrestrooms and picnic areas.

Online resources include a comprehensivedownloadable Accessibility Guide (also in Braille)a deaf services programa visual guide to Yosemite Valley for visitors with aphasiaand a version of the Junior Ranger Handbook with activities for kids with communicationlearningmotor and/or sensory needs. The park map and brochure is also available in Braille.