Yosemite National Park

State: California. Type: National Park, managed by the U.S. National Park Service. Established as a national park on October 1, 1890; the original Yosemite Grant protecting Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove was signed by President Lincoln in 1864. Covers about 1,187 square miles in the central Sierra Nevada. Elevations range from roughly 2,000 to over 13,000 feet. About 3.9 million visitors were recorded in 2023. As of research, standard vehicle entrance was $35 for 7 days.

Yosemite National Park protects one of the most celebrated landscapes in the American West: a glacier-carved valley ringed by towering granite walls, framed by some of the tallest waterfalls in North America. At its heart, Yosemite Valley draws the majority of visitors to see icons like El Capitan and Half Dome rising thousands of feet above the valley floor, along with Yosemite Falls cascading down in multiple tiers. Beyond the valley, the park's nearly 1,200 square miles encompass high alpine country in Tuolumne Meadows, three groves of giant sequoias including Mariposa Grove, and hundreds of miles of hiking trails ranging from short paved loops to multi-day backcountry routes. The park's story is tied closely to the conservation movement in the United States: it was the site of the country's first legislative act to set aside natural scenery for public use and enjoyment, a precedent that helped shape the entire national park system. Today Yosemite functions both as a globally significant natural preserve and as a heavily visited recreational destination, with the contrast between quiet high country and a sometimes crowded valley floor being part of what defines a visit here.

Yosemite National Park sits in the central Sierra Nevada of California, spanning parts of Mariposa, Tuolumne, Madera, and Mono counties. The park has several entrances: the South Entrance near Wawona and Mariposa Grove, the Arch Rock Entrance along the Merced River from the town of El Portal, the Big Oak Flat Entrance from Highway 120 to the west, the Tioga Pass Entrance from the east (seasonal, as Tioga Road closes in winter), and the Hetch Hetchy Entrance in the northwest. Yosemite Valley, the most visited part of the park, is roughly a 3 to 4 hour drive from the San Francisco Bay Area and about the same from Fresno or Sacramento depending on route and season.

Yosemite has a Mediterranean-influenced climate with dry summers and wet, often snowy winters, though conditions vary greatly with elevation. At park headquarters in Yosemite Valley (around 4,000 feet), mean temperatures range from about 38°F in January to roughly 73°F in July, with average annual precipitation near 37 inches, most of it falling as rain or snow between November and March. Higher elevations such as Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass stay much colder and hold snow well into late spring, which is why Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road typically close for the winter. Summer days in the valley can get warm, while high-country nights remain cool even in July and August.

Late spring, roughly May into June, is popular for seeing waterfalls at their fullest from Sierra Nevada snowmelt, though this is also a busy and sometimes crowded period. Summer (June through August) is when the entire park, including high-elevation roads like Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, is generally accessible, but it is also the most crowded and warmest season in the valley. Fall (September and October) tends to bring smaller crowds, clear weather, and waterfalls that have often slowed to a trickle. Winter offers a quieter, snow-dusted valley and opportunities like ice skating near Half Dome Village, but many roads outside the valley close and tire chains may be required. Whatever season is chosen, arriving early in the day and checking current road and weather conditions before travel is recommended.

People have lived in the Yosemite area for thousands of years; the Ahwahneechee and other Sierra Miwok and Paiute groups had established communities in the valley long before European Americans arrived. Contact turned violent in 1851, when the state-sanctioned Mariposa Battalion entered the valley in a campaign against local Native communities, an episode that also brought the area wider public attention. As accounts of the valley's scenery spread, conservationists including Galen Clark lobbied for its protection, and in 1864 President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, transferring Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias to California to be held "inalienable for all time" for public use and recreation. This is widely regarded as an early precedent for the entire concept of a national park. Naturalist John Muir later campaigned for stronger federal protection of the surrounding high country, and in 1890 Congress established Yosemite National Park, though the valley and Mariposa Grove itself remained under state control until 1906, when they were folded into the federal park. Since then, Yosemite has been continuously managed by the federal government (through the National Park Service since 1916) and has become one of the most visited and studied national parks in the world.

Hiking is a centerpiece of a Yosemite visit, with options from short, flat walks like the Cook's Meadow Loop to strenuous routes such as the Mist Trail past Vernal and Nevada Falls, or the multi-mile push to the top of Half Dome (which requires a permit). Rock climbing draws visitors from around the world, with Yosemite Valley regarded by many climbers as among the best big-wall climbing destinations anywhere. Scenic driving is popular too: Tunnel View offers a classic panorama of the valley, Glacier Point (when its access road is open) gives an elevated view over Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, and Tioga Road crosses the high country to Tuolumne Meadows. Many visitors also simply walk among the giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove, photograph the valley's waterfalls in spring, or take a ranger-led program to learn about the park's geology and wildlife. In winter, there is ice skating near Curry Village/Half Dome Village and, snow permitting, skiing and snowshoeing at Badger Pass.

Yosemite Valley itself is the main draw, with landmarks including El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Mirror Lake all visible from the valley floor or short trails. Glacier Point, reached by a seasonal road, provides one of the park's most sweeping overlooks. Mariposa Grove near the South Entrance protects several hundred giant sequoias, including some of the largest trees in the world, along a network of accessible paths and a shuttle. Tuolumne Meadows, a large subalpine meadow along Tioga Road, offers a completely different high-country landscape of granite domes and lakes, generally open only in summer and early fall. Hetch Hetchy, a lesser-visited reservoir valley in the park's northwest corner, is often compared to a quieter version of Yosemite Valley itself.

Yosemite has no major airport inside the park; visitors typically fly into San Francisco (SFO or OAK), Sacramento (SMF), or Fresno (FAT) and then drive. From the San Francisco Bay Area, a common route follows I-580 and I-205 to Manteca, then Highway 120 east toward the Big Oak Flat Entrance, a trip of roughly 3.5 to 4 hours to Yosemite Valley depending on traffic and time of year. From Fresno, Highway 41 leads north to the South Entrance in a similar timeframe. There is no train service directly into the park, but Amtrak and connecting bus services (including YARTS, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) link several gateway towns to the valley, letting visitors avoid driving and parking inside the park. Once inside Yosemite Valley, a free shuttle system connects the main trailheads, campgrounds, and visitor facilities.

As of research, the park itself is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, though the Hetch Hetchy entrance operates only during daylight hours and many roads (Tioga Road, Glacier Point Road) close seasonally for snow, typically from around November until late spring. Confirm current road and facility status on the official NPS site before visiting.

As of research, the standard entrance fee was $35 per private vehicle, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person on foot or bicycle, valid for 7 consecutive days; a Yosemite Annual Pass and the America the Beautiful interagency annual pass are also accepted. Fees are subject to change and the park has moved to card/mobile payment only (no cash) — confirm current pricing on the official site before your visit.

Many visitors see the highlights of Yosemite Valley in a single long day, but 2 to 3 days allows time for a substantial hike, a scenic drive to Glacier Point or Tuolumne Meadows, and a visit to Mariposa Grove without rushing.

Inside the park, lodging ranges from the historic, upscale Ahwahnee hotel and the more casual Yosemite Valley Lodge, both in Yosemite Valley, to rustic High Sierra Camps and campgrounds throughout the park (campground and popular lodge reservations can book up months ahead). Outside the park, gateway towns such as El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland, and Oakhurst offer a range of motels, cabins, and vacation rentals, generally at lower cost than staying inside the park boundary and requiring a drive of anywhere from 20 minutes to over an hour to reach the valley. Booking well ahead, especially for summer visits, is strongly advised.

Dining options inside the park include full-service restaurants at the Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge, as well as more casual cafeteria and grab-and-go options at Curry Village/Half Dome Village and Yosemite Village. Grocery and general stores in the valley sell picnic supplies and basic groceries. Outside the park, the small gateway towns along Highways 120, 140, and 41 have a limited but growing selection of diners, pizza places, and casual restaurants; options are far more limited than in a typical city, so many visitors plan to pack food for trail days.

Related destinations elsewhere in California that pair well with a Yosemite trip include the giant sequoia groves of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks to the south, the alpine scenery of Lake Tahoe to the north, and the coastal landscapes of Big Sur and the wine country of Napa Valley, though all of these require substantial additional driving time. Within a shorter radius, the gateway towns of Mariposa, Oakhurst, and Groveland offer additional lodging and small-town character.

The nearest major airports are in Fresno (Fresno Yosemite International, roughly 1.5 to 2 hours from the South Entrance) and in the Sacramento and San Francisco Bay Area, each 3 to 4 hours away by car. YARTS operates seasonal bus service connecting Merced, Mariposa, Fresno, and other gateway communities to Yosemite Valley, with connections to Amtrak trains for visitors without a car. Once inside the valley, the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle is the main way to reach trailheads and facilities without adding to the valley's parking congestion.

Yosemite's terrain and wildlife create real hazards: swift, cold rivers near waterfalls have caused fatalities among visitors who leave marked trails or overlooks, so stay behind railings and out of fast water. Weather at higher elevations can change quickly, so carry layers even in summer. Bears are present throughout the park, so food and scented items must be stored in bear-proof lockers or canisters, not left in vehicles or tents. Cell service is limited or absent in much of the park, so download maps and tell someone your hiking plans in advance. Summer crowding brings heavy traffic and full parking areas in Yosemite Valley, so arriving early or using the shuttle system helps avoid delays.

Layered clothing for changeable mountain weather, sturdy hiking shoes or boots, a refillable water bottle (water is available at various points but trails can be long between refill stations), sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses at elevation), a paper map or downloaded offline map given limited cell coverage, and a bear-proof storage plan for any food if camping. A physical entrance pass or printed reservation confirmation, if required for your travel dates, is also worth carrying since connectivity at the gate can be unreliable.

Fill up on gas before entering the park, as fuel options inside are limited and can be pricier. Reserve lodging, campgrounds, and any required wilderness or Half Dome permits well in advance, particularly for a summer trip. Use the free Yosemite Valley Shuttle rather than driving between valley attractions to reduce time spent looking for parking. If visiting mainly for waterfalls, plan for late spring, since flows drop dramatically by late summer and into fall. Check current road status before you go, since Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road are only open seasonally and can close again suddenly for early-season storms.

For any life-threatening emergency, dial 911, the nationwide emergency number in the United States. For general park information you can also call the Yosemite National Park visitor information line at 209-372-0200 (as published on the official NPS Yosemite site).

U.S. National Park Service — Yosemite National Park: https://www.nps.gov/yose/

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.