Yosemite National Park is one of the most renowned and beloved national parks in the United States. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California, Yosemite is celebrated for its stunning natural beauty, iconic landscapes, and rich ecological diversity. Yosemite also played a pivotal role in the early development of the conservation movement, with figures like John Muir advocating for its protection.
How to get to Yosemite:
Driving is the best and honestly only option.
From San Francisco: The most common route from San Francisco is to take Interstate 580 East to Interstate 205 East, which connects to Interstate 5 South. Then, take Highway 120 East (known as the Big Oak Flat Road) or Highway 140 East (known as the All-Weather Highway) to enter the park through the western entrances. The drive is about 4 hours
From Los Angeles: The most common route from Los Angeles is to take Interstate 5 North to State Route 99 North, and then take State Route 41 North to enter the park through the southern entrance. The drive is about 5 hours.
Where to stay:
There are a few little cities outside of the park including:
Oakhurst, 16.0 mi/ 28 min
El Portal, 14.9 mi / 29 mins.
Yosemite West, 17.6 mi / 36 mins.
Wawona, 28.2 mi / 54 mins.
Mariposa, 43.3 mi / 1 hour 10 mins.
Groveland, 47.8 mi / 1 hour 12 mins.
Bass Lake, 48.9 mi / 1 hour 26 mins.
You also can camp in Yosemite at their campsites in the valley and throughout the park
All the information is on their website https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/camping.htm
We stayed in Oakhurst in an Air BnB which was perfect but camping in the valley is next on my to-do list.
How to Get into the Park:
Yosemite National Park has multiple entrances. The entrance you pick will depend on where you are coming from and where you are going.
Arch Rock Entrance (El Portal Entrance): Located on Highway 140 on the western side of the park, this entrance is often used by visitors coming from the west, including those traveling from the San Francisco Bay Area.
Big Oak Flat Entrance (Highway 120 Entrance): Situated on Highway 120 on the park’s northwest side, this entrance is a common choice for travelers coming from the San Francisco area via Highway 120.
South Entrance (Highway 41 Entrance): This entrance is accessed via Highway 41 from Fresno, California, and is often used by visitors coming from the south.
Tioga Pass Entrance (Tioga Road Entrance): Located on the park’s east side, this entrance provides access via Tioga Road (Highway 120) and is usually open seasonally, typically from late spring to early fall.
Yosemite National Park charges an entrance fee like all other National Parks. The entrance fee for a private, non-commercial vehicle (valid for 7 days) is $35. You can also use a valid National Park Pass, such as the ‘America the Beautiful National Parks’ and Federal Recreational Lands Pass’ if you have one. These passes provide access to multiple national parks. If you don’t already have a valid pass, you will have to purchase one at the entrance station. They typically accept credit cards and cash. Once inside you can stop at the visitor’s center or head straight to a viewpoint or destination.
- Note that during the summer there is lots of construction and road repairs that cannot be done in the winter so be prepared to stop.
– Popular Hikes –
Half Dome: One of the most famous hikes in Yosemite, the Half Dome hike is challenging but rewarding. It involves ascending the iconic granite dome, often using cables to reach the summit. Permits are required for this hike, and they are distributed through a lottery system.
Mist Trail: This popular trail takes you past two of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. The hike can be extended to reach the top of Half Dome or the scenic John Muir Trail.
Glacier Point: While you can drive to Glacier Point for spectacular views of Yosemite Valley, a hike to Glacier Point offers a unique perspective. The Four-Mile Trail and the Panorama Trail are two options that lead to Glacier Point.
Sentinel Dome: A relatively short hike takes you to the top of Sentinel Dome, offering stunning 360-degree views of the Yosemite Valley, including Half Dome and El Capitan.
Taft Point: This hike leads to a dramatic viewpoint with sheer cliffs and breathtaking views of El Capitan and Yosemite Valley. It’s particularly stunning at sunset.
Vernal and Nevada Falls via the John Muir Trail: An alternative route to Vernal and Nevada Falls, this trail offers beautiful views and is often less crowded than the Mist Trail.
Cathedral Lakes: Located in the Tuolumne Meadows area, this hike takes you to two pristine alpine lakes with views of Cathedral Peak and surrounding granite formations.
Bridal Veil Falls: Located right past tunnel view, Bridal Veil Falls has a small hike to the base of the water fall.
– Popular View Points –
Tunnel View: This iconic viewpoint along Wawona Road (Highway 41) provides a breathtaking panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome. It’s accessible by car.
Glacier Point: As mentioned earlier, Glacier Point offers stunning vistas of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra peaks. It’s a must-visit viewpoint in the park.
Washburn Point: Located near Glacier Point, Washburn Point offers slightly different, views of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.
Tunnel View Overlook: A pullout along Wawona Road provides another perspective of Tunnel View and is a great spot for cute pics.
Olmsted Point: Located along Tioga Road, Olmsted Point offers views of the high country, including Clouds Rest and the backside of Half Dome.
Yosemite Falls Viewpoints: Several viewpoints near Yosemite Village offer different angles of Yosemite Falls, especially during the spring when the waterfall is at its peak flow.
Glacier Point Road: This road, open seasonally, offers various pullouts and viewpoints, each providing unique views of the surrounding landscape.
– Visiting Mariposa Grove –
Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias, making it one of the largest groves of these enormous trees in the world. These trees are among the oldest and largest living organisms on Earth, with some of them exceeding 2,000 years in age and standing over 270 feet (82 meters) tall.
To visit you have to park in the parking lot by the Mariposa Grove Gift shop and then take a shuttle bus into the grove.
There is a super nice walking path through the grove and a couple of connecting trails if you want a longer hike.
I’ll see you
