Exploring Yosemite National Park
- Written by
- On Friday, June 10, 2022
Park: Yosemite National Park
Year Established: 1864
Acres: 747,956 acres
Annual Visitors: 3.29 million
Entrance Fee: $15-$70
Located in eastern central California, Yosemite National Park is nestled in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Beloved for its waterfalls, towering sequoia trees, and iconic cliffs of Half Dome and El Capitan, Yosemite welcomes over 3 million visitors annually from near and far. Just west of the national park you will find San Francisco and Sacramento, solidifying this stunning location as a go-to getaway for locals.
Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Camping in Yosemite
Because it’s so popular, a reservation is required to drive into the park during peak hours of the peak season, 6am-4pm from May to September. There are currently no first-come, first-served campgrounds open so be sure to plan ahead! You can camp in Wawona, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, Tamarack Flat, Yosemite Creek Campgrounds, North Pines, Camp 4, Hodgdon Meadow or White Wolf. And if you’re not ready to rough it, you can find tons more lodging options in Yosemite Village.
Pro-tip: If you're in the mood for glamping in a gorgeous Airstream, be sure to check into AutoCamp in Yosemite.
Hiking in Yosemite
Some of the most popular waterfall hikes within Yosemite National Park include Yosemite Falls, the Mist Trail, and Vernal Falls. Yosemite Falls is the highest falls in North America and you can hike 7.2 miles for a round-trip to the top or the quick and easy 2-mile round-trip hike to Columbia Rock depending on your comfortability.
One of the most popular hikes for visitors is a combination of the Vernal Falls Footbridge, the Mist Trail, and then Nevada Fall to get a full and comprehensive look at tons of falls with the chance to turn back whenever necessary.
Recommended Read: Hiking 101: Tips for Beginners
For the expert hiker, the ultimate trek is taking on Half Dome. The 12-hour, 14-mile hike starts on the Mist Trail, goes up Vernal Fall, and beyond to Nevada Fall with the most treacherous stretch at the end. The final hike up the backside of Half Dome is steep and exposed with cables installed to help you climb to the very top. As such, permits are required for this advanced hike with only 300 hikers allowed beyond the Sub Dome area each day.
Yosemite Village
Not only does Yosemite Village have shops, eateries, and lodging for anyone who’s searching for comfortable digs, it also houses the Yosemite Museum and the famous Ansel Adams Gallery. You can see for yourself the photographer's iconic black and white landscapes that helped make Yosemite a national treasure.
When to visit Yosemite National Park
Winter, spring, summer, and fall all offer amazing vistas and adventures within Yosemite so you can’t go wrong no matter when you visit the park.
Winter: If you’re searching for a snowy winter fix, Yosemite National Park is a popular place to visit during the holiday season. If you’re up for a hike, you can trek through Yosemite Valley, however most other trails will be closed for the snowy season. From mid-December through April the Glacier Point Badger Pass Road is plowed for the Badger Pass Ski Area where you can cross-country or downhill ski. Chains for your tires can be required on park roads so be sure to have them on-hand just in case!
Spring: Warmer weather will start to melt the winter snow in spring which means everything from the large waterfalls to small creeks will be rushing with water. Some trails will be closed due to snow, but Mariposa Grove Road typically opens in April allowing handicap vehicle access as well as a free shuttle service from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza. Wildflowers won’t bloom until summer, and backpacking options are limited.
Summer: Believe it or not, you can still find snowy trails in June or July within Yosemite, but there are plenty of hikes that will be clear during the summer months including Wawona, Yosemite Valley, and Hetch Hetchy. The best blooms can be seen throughout the park in June and you can expect warm to hot weather with occasional showers. Warning: Summer also brings fire season for California so there’s a chance you will catch smoke or haze from nearby fires while visiting the park.
Fall: Crowds tend to thin out during the fall in Yosemite but all areas will typically remain open through October and into November with Yosemite Valley and Wawona open year round. You may catch smoke or haze from fires in surrounding areas or within the park, but firefighters work hard to suppress accidental and arson fires within the park immediately. Most waterfalls will slow to a trickle but you will see a sprinkling of autumn colors throughout the park including big-leaf maples, Pacific dogwoods, black oaks, and other trees.
If you’re ready to extend your visits to Yosemite and invest in your own cabin escape near this stunning national park, check out all cabins for sale near Yosemite in Mariposa County, CA.
