Discover Your Ultimate Guide to Yosemite National Park - Best Things to See There
Make the most out of your visit to Yosemite National Park by using this all-in-one park guide and top attractions list!
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📍- Yosemite National Park
No landscape is quite as iconic, nor national park more famous, than Yosemite. The awe-inspiring, granite-lined Yosemite Valley is recognizable for its dramatic waterfalls, unique towering rock structures, and wildflower-peppered meadows that softly ripply in response to the mood of the wind. Here, sheer marbled cliff faces lie in wait, begging to be climbed, and abundant forms of wildlife constantly forage along the valley floor, only occasionally stepping out onto a clearing for visitors to survey.
The babbling of waterfall-fed streams collides with birdsong in every corner of Yosemite National Park, overlaid in the daytime with a collision of voices. The assembly of different dialects from all areas of the globe provides proof, if you were ever in any doubt, that people from all over the world assemble here for the opportunity to see the epicness of Yosemite in person.
Perhaps you are a hopeful visitor of Yosemite National Park and are searching for the tools that will make your future visit here as magical as mother nature will allow. Today, I am pleased to report that you needn’t search any further. Consider the following blog post to be your keys to the Yosemite kingdom.
During our week-long trip to the most celebrated valley in the world, we learned what makes Yosemite one of our nation’s greatest treasures as well as some secrets to ensure that you enjoy your experience there. If that sounds like knowledge that you need, keep reading to find your ultimate guide to Yosemite National Park as well as what we consider to be the best things to see there.
About Yosemite National Park
Location
Yosemite is located in central-eastern California in the United States. It lies along the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges, just two hours north of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (which we covered in a separate park guide here). Its closest major cities and airports lie in San Fransico, which is 3.5 hours west of the park, and Fresno, which is 1.5 hours southwest of the park.
Hours of Operation
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours a day 365 days out of the year which gives you all the flexibility you could ask for when planning your dates to visit. Do note, though, that as of 2022 the park has started to implement a peak-hours reservation system that requires a reservation for every vehicle that enters the park between 6 am - 4 pm from May through September. Vehicles that enter the park outside of these times will not need a reservation. You can check the status of this program and purchase your tickets here.
Weather
Yosemite has a temperate environment with the months of June, July, and August being the warmest and driest. During this time of year, highs commonly reach the low 90s (°F) and lows drop down into the 50s. December and January are regarded as their coldest months with temperatures ranging from the mid-40s to mid-20s. Winter is also when this region receives the most precipitation. March is its wettest month, experiencing 9 rainy days on average.
Where to Stay
There are several campgrounds and hotel options within the park which you can browse here. Staying in the park is extremely competitive and requires you to be on your computer and ready to book your accommodation the moment they are available for reservation. If you missed this opportunity, or your fingers were too slow like ours were, then we suggest looking for a hotel or campground in the town of Mariposa. This small town has grocery options, convenience stores, restaurants, and gas stations within arm's reach. It also conveniently sits 45 minutes outside of Yosemite Valley, which is where the bulk of Yosemite’s iconic locations are.
Best Time to Visit
What you may consider the best time to visit Yosemite will vary depending on your preferences. 75% of visitors choose to explore this park between May and October to take advantage of the warm weather and low chance of rain. If you’re not one for crowds then the shoulder months of April and November may be your best bet to avoid congestion within the park while still getting to enjoy some, albeit chilly, temperate weather.
Pet Policy
Although pets are restricted regarding where they can venture in the park, Yosemite is actually considered one of the more dog-friendly national parks in California. Dogs are allowed in developed areas, on fully paved roads, sidewalks, bicycle paths, and all reservable campgrounds. Some of the best dog-friendly hikes that you can take within Yosemite include Bridalveil Falls, Wawona Meadow Loop, Lower Yosemite Falls, and Cook's Meadow Loop. Remember to keep your dog on a leash at all times when exploring the park.
Different Regions of Yosemite
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is what makes Yosemite National Park so famous. Here, dramatic granite cliffs encompass expansive meadows and dense forests. This is made all the more dramatic by the accompaniment of some of North America’s tallest waterfalls which cascade into the valley below. You will find remarkable views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls from various angles within the valley, and enjoy the convenience of Yosemite Village if you find yourself in need of some hiking essentials or a hot meal during your excursions. The Big Oak Flat Entrance is the most direct way into the valley coming from the west side with the Tioga Pass Entrance being the better option if you’re coming in from the east.
Wawona
Wawona is about one hours drive south of Yosemite Valley via a winding and slow-moving road. Although a natural wonder in its own right, this area is far less frequented than Yosemite Valley and may be a favorite for people who are searching for a more quiet experience. The major attractions for this part of the park include the Wawona Hotel, a spot where Teddy Roosevelt famously enjoyed lunch while visiting the park, and the Mariposa Grove, a forest dense with giant sequoia trees which rivals the better-known Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park. If Wawona is your destination for the day, you should plan on using the South Entrance off of Highway 41.
Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows is also known as the Yosemite High Country and is known for its large alpine meadow which lies along Tioga Road. This road is only open during the summer months because its high elevation means it accumulates a lot of snow and can make driving impossible. Because it sits at a higher elevation than Yosemite Valley, it also stays much cooler and is a great alternative if you are looking to take a hike on a summer day. Since the meadows are located east of Yosemite Valley, the best entrance to access them would be Tioga Pass off of Highway 120.
Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy is perhaps one of the least visited areas of Yosemite, sitting an hour northwest of Yosemite Valley just off of the Hetch Hetchy Entrance on Highway 120. Hetch Hetchy sits at the northernmost corner of the park boundaries and promises seclusion for those willing to venture to it. Once known as Yosemite Valley’s Twin, Hetch Hetchy was once a valley just as grand as Yosemite Valley before it was dammed and flooded to help regulate water flow to the surrounding cities. Today, you can hike around the Hetch Hetchy reservoir, a beautiful destination in its own right, and enjoy walking through the forests of California black oak, gray pine, and incense cedar.
How to Prepare
Pack Plenty of Food and Water
If you wander through the more developed areas of Yosemite Valley and Wawona, you can breathe easy knowing that you have options for food and drink in the established towns. Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne Meadows, however, have far fewer options and will require you to bring everything you need to sustain yourself for the day. Even in the valley, many of the most popular hikes do not have water refill stations, so carrying plenty of water with you is always a good idea. As a golden rule, always pack more food and water than you think you need. You may be surprised at how much you consume with the activity level you likely sustain from exploring this amazing park.
Download Park Maps
Do not count on having service or an internet connection within the park. While you may pick up a bar or two from time to time, the valley is full of notorious dead zones and will make navigating around the already confusing Yosemite roads a nightmare. Download the Google Maps of the area and the National Park Maps before you get there to ensure you don’t get lost on your travels.
Fill Your Tank
While there are technically gas stations within the national park, they are few and far between and their prices reflect the fact that they know they have visitors in an arm bar. Since Yosemite is so big, you actually burn quite a bit of gas by just driving from the different attractions, leaving you at risk of being stranded if you’re not careful. We strongly suggest that you top off your tank before entering the park.
Pack all the Sprays
The California sun is known to be intense and can do some serious damage to those who underestimate it. If you plan on doing any sort of exploring, we suggest lotioning up before you hit the trails and packing some for a mid-day reapplication. Even if you think you won’t be outside for very long, we’re willing to bet that the beauty of your surroundings will mean you’re in the sun longer than you even realize. In addition, mosquitos and biting flies are prevalent in the wooded areas of Yosemite, and unless you like feeling like a human buffet, bug spray should be on your list of things to pack for the day as well.
Learn Bear Safety
Bears are everywhere in Yosemite! They’re smart, they have an amazing sense of smell, and they know that humans tend to bring a tasty selection of foods with them. To prevent any unwanted damage to yourself, wildlife, and your personal property, never allow any of your packed food to be further from you than arms reach. This includes anything you have left in your car. Remove any food, or fresh-smelling items from your vehicle including chapsticks, mints, dog food, and air fresheners. If you have an empty cooler, put it in the trunk or cover it with a blanket so that it is out of sight.
Don’t walk away from your backpack on the trail to take a photo. Even if there is no food currently in your bag, bears associate backpacks with other food rewards they have gotten and they are quick to snatch unattended personal items.
Hike with someone else, or consider hiking with a bell attached to your bag to avoid surprising a bear in the wilderness. If you do see a bear, remain calm, speak firmly as you tell it to leave, and try to make yourself and your group look as large as possible as you slowly back away. Do not run as this can trigger a predator-prey instinct from the bear and you will not be able to outrun it.
While we typically recommend bringing bear spray with you, it is actually not allowed in Yosemite National Park, so leave this item at home.
Don’t walk away from your backpack on the trail to take a photo. Even if there is no food currently in your bag, bears associate backpacks with other food rewards they have gotten and they are quick to snatch unattended personal items.
Hike with someone else, or consider hiking with a bell attached to your bag to avoid surprising a bear in the wilderness. If you do see a bear, remain calm, speak firmly as you tell it to leave, and try to make yourself and your group look as large as possible as you slowly back away. Do not run as this can trigger a predator-prey instinct from the bear and you will not be able to outrun it.
While we typically recommend bringing bear spray with you, it is actually not allowed in Yosemite National Park, so leave this item at home.
Get Your Permits
As mentioned above, Yosemite has started implementing a peak-hour reservation system that requires every vehicle that enters the park between 6 am - 4 pm from May through September to have a pre-purchased reservation. These tickets go on sale several months before your arrival date. We suggest checking the current status of this program here and adding a reminder to your phone for the date that they go on sale. Like most other activities in Yosemite, they tend to sell out quickly.
Other activities that require pre-arranged permits within the park include the famous hike atop Half Dome, as well as any backpacking trips that require overnight camping in the Yosemite wilderness.
Other activities that require pre-arranged permits within the park include the famous hike atop Half Dome, as well as any backpacking trips that require overnight camping in the Yosemite wilderness.
Best Things to See in Yosemite National Park
Glacier Point
Without a doubt, if I could recommend one place to see in all of Yosemite National Park, I would tell you to go to Glacier Point. In a typical year, Glacier Point is easily accessed via a shuttle system. In 2022, the road leading up to Glacier Point was closed for construction, and the only way up to the lookout was via a strenuous, 10-mile, roundtrip hike counterintuitively named the Four Mile Trail. While this hike is a challenge for most people, hikers are rewarded for their efforts with breathing views of Yosemite Falls, Royal Arches, and Half Dome for most of the trip, giving them the encouragement to continue their journey.
You’ll likely reach the summit sweaty and out of breath, making the sweeping view of the complete Yosemite Valley all the more striking as you conquer this unmissable hike
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is one of the most famous waterfalls in the world and is known as the tallest waterfall in North America. Separated into two sections, you can choose to explore Lower Yosemite Falls, a short and easy hike that is dog-friendly and accessible to a vast range of visitors. If you are feeling adventurous, you can even venture past the end of the trail to climb on the boulders and feel the mist of the falls on your face.
If you’re up for a challenge, then the trail to Upper Yosemite Falls requires a 7-mile trek that gains 2,700 feet of elevation. We didn’t get the chance to do this particular hike but have heard nothing but great things about it.
If you’re up for a challenge, then the trail to Upper Yosemite Falls requires a 7-mile trek that gains 2,700 feet of elevation. We didn’t get the chance to do this particular hike but have heard nothing but great things about it.
Tuolumne Meadows
Walking along a Yosemite meadow is a necessary experience for any trip to Yosemite National Park. The largest and most vast meadow within Yosemite is Toulumne Meadows, a lush, sub-alpine meadow full of diverse fields of green grass and wildflowers, ornamented with inviting lakes of crystal clear water. Because this meadow is out of the way from the Yosemite Valley region, we recommend exploring the more centralized Cook’s Meadow if you are short on time or only plan to visit the valley. In this meadow, there are great views of El Capitan and Half Dome at various points throughout the Cook's Meadow Trail.
Tunnel View
One of the most famous views in all of Yosemite, Tunnel View is easily spotted when coming into the park from the Tioga Pass entrance. You know of its approach when you start to pass through the Wawona Tunnel, a 4,200-foot tunnel that is the longest highway tunnel in all of California. Tunnel View is visible as soon as the tunnel opens up and gives visitors coming in from this entrance their first glimpse of the Yosemite Valley. This is one of the best views which encompasses El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, and Half Dome all in one iconic vista.
Merced River
We regard the Merced River as a must-see location within Yosemite because of its obvious beauty, central location, and opportunity for summertime activities that can help you survive the balmiest of summer days. Easily accessed off of Cook’s Meadow, the turquoise waters of the Merced River reflect the towering Yosemite Falls and is a popular area to bring a kayak, canoe, or paddle board. It is also one of the most picturesque places to swim in Yosemite and its many sandy beaches make for great opportunities to enjoy a packed lunch.
Mist Trail
Mist Trail is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite National Park because it is the starting point of many larger trails including the John Muir Trail and the famous hike to Half Dome. Because of this, the Mist Trail has gained international fame, recognizable by its views of Vernal Falls. This trail gets its name from the mist coming off of the falls which notoriously sprays hikers during their trip. Many people will actually bing ponchos to keep themselves dry, but the choice is ultimately up to you.
Mariposa Grove
While there are countless towering rock faces in Yosemite, there is just something different about feeling small next to a living organism that feels magical. For that, you’ll have to venture to Wawona and explore the Mariposa Grove which is stocked with some of the world’s largest giant sequoia trees. With some of the oldest trees thought to be around 2,000 years old, this grove is accessible either through a shuttle system or via a 2-mile easy trail. Unless your trip through California includes the world-renowned Giant Forest within Sequoia National Park, seeing these mammoth-sized trees in person is a necessity for any trip to Yosemite and is sure to make you walk slower as you crane your neck up to the treeline and contemplate how so much beauty could exist in one single place on earth.
We hope you enjoyed this guide to the iconic Yosemite National Park. If you have any questions or want to share a tip for other travelers I may have missed, please comment below!
Thank you for joining us at Discovery Detour, where the destination is always unknown.
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