Plan Your Visit

Overall, there are quite a bit of activities that you can enjoy at Yosemite National Park. The key to a “successful” trip is to plan your itinerary well in advance. If you plan to visit the just for a day, a week, or even a month, its crucial that you put together a very detailed itinerary of what and when you are going to be doing. There are quite a bit of activities that are available and planning wisely will help you get the most out of your stay.

Hotels – The first think on the list should be finding a place to stay. Yosemite National Park is the most majestic of all rivals in the U.S. National Park System. Nearly as beautiful and intriguing as Yosemite’s landscape, the range of accommodations in and around the park runs from the exceptionally stylish to the rustic and remote...READ MORE

Restaurants – The second item on your list should be tracking dining locations, for some unknown reasons when we travel we need to eat seven times a day. There are lots of reasons to write Yosemite National Park across your vacation calendar. The views are phenomenal. The hiking, cycling, climbing, camping, and paddling are, too. Would you be surprised to learn that some people come just for the food? Yosemite’s restaurants are second only to the...READ MORE

Now you have a roof over your head, a full stomach, and are anxious for an adventure. You will be quite happy to know that there are a variety of activities for all personalities that will range from the calm type “I like to sit down and watch the birds land on my nose,” to the more adventurous type “I’m not sure in how many pieces we will come back tonight.”

Yosemite Valley – Yosemite Valley is where the most famous cliffs and waterfalls are located. You can watch the water gush through Ribbon and Bridalveil Falls or look up to see the magnificent El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks. For those who enjoy action, Yosemite Valley provides a wide range of activities, including art and photography, bird watching, hiking, ice skating, star gazing, and water activities. However, keep in mind that most of these activities are available on a seasonal basis. On the other hand, if you’d rather stay indoors, you’re welcome at the Valley Visitor Center, Yosemite Museum, LeConte Memorial Lodge, and Nature Center at Happy Isles...READ MORE

Yosemite Half Dome – It’s definitely a hike. Getting to the top of Yosemite National Park’s Half Dome summit requires a sturdy body and a sound mind. Successful summits also include sticky-soled shoes, grippy gloves, a water bottle, and a lottery ticket. That’s right. Access to the summit is awarded by a lottery process through Recreation.gov for a modest fee. Two hundred and twenty five hikers and seventy-five backpackers win each…READ MORE

Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias – Located close to Yosemite’s South Entrance, Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias. They are known to be the largest living things on the planet and one of the oldest specimens with 3,000 years in age. Here, you can either go on a hike to get up close and personal with the sequoias or catch an hour-long tram tour…READ MORE

Glacier Point and Badger Pass – Glacier Point offers visitors a unique view of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite’s high country. You can experience the view via car during warmer seasons or watch them as you ski down Badger Pass in winter. In addition to driving and skiing, you can enjoy hiking backpacking, or even stargazing. You can also attend a ranger program to learn more about this park.

Hetch Hetchy – Similar to Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy is home to less used wilderness trails and the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the latter which supplies the San Francisco Bay Area with drinking water...READ MORE

Wawona – For history buffs, Wawona is a great place to be as it’s where the 19^th century Wawona Hotel is located. You can also stroll by the Pioneer Yosemite History Center and visit its collection of historic buildings. The attractions are open all year round and are accessible by car.

Crane Flat – Crane Flat is a forest and meadow that is 30 minutes away from Yosemite Valley. While visiting it, you can move a little further towards the Tuolumne and Merced Groves. There is also a snow play area that you can check out during the colder season...READ MORE

Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows – If you enjoy long, scenic drives, Tioga Road is where you should be driving. The road allows you to soak in natural beauty extending on 39 miles towards Tuolumne Meadows. Expect to see forests, past meadows, lakes, granite formations and much more. Then, when you reach Tuolumne Meadows, you can revel in the calm, winding Tuolumne River and its surrounding peaks and domes...READ MORE

Yosemite in Winter – So many activities to keep you busy during winter, including skiing, ice skating, and interesting winter hiking. The solitude and serenity of a cross country or snowshoe outing highlights the beauty of Yosemite National Park wrapped in a stunning winter coat. Whether glittering in the daytime sun, or …READ MORE