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Yosemite National Park, located in California, was one of the first wilderness parks in the United States. It is a designated World Heritage Site, and for good reason.
It is best known for its waterfalls, including the spectacular Yosemite Falls, a 2,425-foot-high waterfall that is the highest in North America, Bridalveil Fall, Ribbon Falls, and others. However, within its nearly 1,200 square miles, visitors will find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, the Tuolumne and Merced rivers and big mountains.
El Capitan, a prominent granite cliff that stands 3,000 feet tall over the valley, is one of the top rock climbing destinations in the world. Granite domes such as Sentinel Rock and Half Dome rise 3,000 feet and 4,800 feet, respectively, above the valley floor.
Of Yosemite, John Muir said: “It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.”
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Here are just a handful of things to do on a Yosemite National Park vacation.
For more activities, visit MyYosemitePark.com.
Sightseeing
Yosemite National Park has enough awe-inspiring sights to fill your entire vacation, including the postcard-perfect vista of the Yosemite Valley and its famous waterfalls. Or, choose one of the many spectacular scenic drives in the region. We'll get you started.
Adventure
If it's adventure you're looking for, look no further than Yosemite National Park. Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada deliver adventures year-round. Whether it's backpacking, hiking, camping, biking, rafting, fishing, or skiing, visitors will get their fill of adventure in Yosemite.
Natural Wonders
Inspiring artists, naturalists, and poets for centuries, the beauty of Yosemite Valley is legendary. From its towering waterfalls, huge granite walls, rivers, alpine lakes and giant Sequoias, a Yosemite vacation is full of natural wonders.
Wildlife
Like so many national parks in the western U. S., Yosemite is a haven for wildlife. Visitors may glimpse a black bear, mule deer, bighorn sheep, and a great variety of birds on their vacation to Yosemite and surrounding regions.
Arts and Culture
Yosemite National Park is also a trove of cultural history. Early Native American tribes hunted and gathered in the Sierra Nevada, and later, pioneers, ranchers, and gold-seekers moved into the area, with tourists hot on their heels. Visitors will be enriched by the area's culture.
Learn from others who went before you.
To browse Trip Notes, visit MyYosemitePark.com.
Every day in Yosemite is a full day
By David Smith, Mount Juliet, TN
Yosemite is on every National Park bagger’s list and I finally made it here as part of a 2 week California family vacation last summer.
We entered through the eastern 9945ft high Tioga Pass. When we left Death Valley it was over 100 degrees and now snow was on the ground. That’s climate change!
We stopped to take in the view at Olmstead Point and saw it for the first time. Looming in the distance like a silent sentinel was Half Dome, our first taste of what was to come.
After several more hours of driving we reached the Valley floor and again met the silent sentinel, this time from the bottom. As the sun set we settled into our riverfront tent cabin at the Housekeeping Camp and fell asleep to the sounds of the rushing Merced River.
Our only full day at Yosemite was a full day! We rose early to the sounds of our neighbors fixing breakfast. Since our roadtrip didn’t allow us to have hot breakfast foods we walked to Curry Village and their delicious buffet. Now full, we rode the shuttle to Happy Isles Nature Center. The rangers did an excellent job of interpreting the natural history to both adults and kids. With new knowledge, we hiked to the iconic Mirror Lake and basked in the glory of Half Dome as our kids discovered the joys of finding small woodland creatures scampering about this watering hole.
Later in our roadtrip we would be staying at the Grand Californian Lodge at Disneyland so we wanted to see its inspiration, The Ahwahnee. We followed a peaceful trail underneath the Royal Arches and made our way to the grand old hotel. It is a stunning example of monumental rustic architecture. Though not rustic enough for me, my wife wished we had stayed here!
Next came the customary bear talk. While we didn’t see any bears...
A few key facts about Yosemite National Park
To learn more, visit MyYosemitePark.com.
One of the first designated wilderness parks in the U. S.
A designated World Heritage Site
Elevation inside Yosemite Park ranges from 2,000 feet to more than 13,000 feet
1,200 square miles in size
John Muir said of Yosemite: “It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.”
Home to hundreds of wildlife species and thousands of Yosemite plants
Home to the 2,425-foot-high Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America.
Yosemite Valley is in the shadows of huge granite monoliths, including Half Dome and El Capitan, which make Yosemite a world-famous climbing destination
Home to two Wild & Scenic Rivers, the Tuolumne and Merced rivers
800 miles of hiking trails and 350 miles of road are inside Yosemite Park
A Yosemite National Park vacation is an incredible road trip. This region is blessed with several scenic drives and designated Scenic Byways.
Here is just a sampling of scenic drive information we provide at MyYosemitePark.com:
TIOGA PASS
Travel this spectacular, 64-mile route over the Sierra Nevada mountains and California's highest automobile route. Enjoy glacier-carved granite peaks, forests, including some with giant sequoias in them, and wildflower-filled meadows while covering one mile of elevation change.
EASTERN SIERRAS-HIGHWAY 395
This 55-mile Eastern Sierra Scenic Drive follows Highway 395 through California's Mono County. This is a gorgeous drive! Travel through the beautiful high country of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Inyo National Forest to Lake Crowley.
DEATH VALLEY SCENIC BYWAY
This scenic drive is a unique experience, especially compared to Yosemite National Park's scenery and landscapes. Travelers driving through Death Valley will enjoy views of sculpted hills, shifting sand dunes, desert wildlife and expansion views in all directions, while traveling to below sea level during part of this drive.
ROUTE 1-BIG SUR COAST HIGHWAY
Visitors will travel a road that hugs the beautiful California coastline of the Pacific Ocean on this scenic byway. Views include the crashing surf of the ocean, fog-shrouded cliffs, Cypress trees, towering redwoods, and possibly glimpse sea lions. This is an amazing route that Yosemite visitors should include on their itinerary.
LAKE TAHOE-EASTSHORE DRIVE
Enjoy breathtakingly beautiful views of the clear Lake Tahoe, towering pine trees and snow-capped mountains. This drive is often called "the most beautiful drive in America" and you'll see why if you drive it! This drive is accessible year-round and follows a stretch of the original Pony Express Trail.
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