\Simply standing in the Yosemite Valley and turning in a circle, you can see more natural wonders in a minute than in a full day almost anywhere else. Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Sentinel Dome, the Merced River, white-flowering dogwoods, maybe even bear that tear in the bark of fallen trees or stick their snouts in hives, everything is in the valley from Yosemite.In the mid-1800s, when tourists arrived in the area, the special geological qualities of the valley and the giant redwoods of Mariposa Grove, 30 miles south, so impressed a group of influential Californians who persuaded President Abraham Lincoln to grant those two areas to the state for protection on June 30, 1864. On October 1, 1890, thanks in large part to the lobbying efforts of naturalists John Muir and Robert Underwood Johnson, editor of Century magazine, Congress reserved 1,500 additional square miles for Yosemite National Park; the valley and Mariposa Grove remained under state control until 1906 when they merged with the national park.

Yosemite National Park, one of the most formidable natural landscapes in California, has almost 1,200 square miles of wonder: towering waterfalls, ancient Sequoia trees, impressive cliffs and some of the most unique rock formations in the United States. But despite its enormous size, most of the tourist activity takes place within the 8 square mile area of the Yosemite Valley. Here you will find the park’s most famous places: Half Dome and El Capitan, as well as excellent hiking trails through natural monuments. Even inexperienced hikers can enjoy Yosemite: guided tours and climbing lessons are offered through local adventure providers. Just don’t expect to experience it for yourself. Like many other American tourist destinations, crowds are the biggest obstacles to a pleasant holiday in Yosemite: approximately 4 million people visit each year. But if you go at the right time (and start your day a little earlier than usual), the wonders of Mother Nature will be revealed to you in a miraculous and serene way.

Yosemite is full of natural wonders that are worth writing about. Travel experts and visitors agree that their to-do list should include the following: Half Dome, Glacier Point and Mariposa Grove. Hikers, follow the masses along John Muir Trail and Mist Trail, but also escape and make the trek to Tuolumne Meadows, an area that has a treasure of little-visited trails. After a long day of hiking, climbing or skiing, the adventurers can put their feet up and eat something in the Yosemite Valley, where you will find most of the park’s amenities and accommodation.

Unless you are only planning cruise expeditions during your trip to Yosemite, you are likely to end up in the Yosemite Valley at one time or another. Indeed, the Yosemite Valley presents many of the park’s main attractions, including Tunnel View Outlook and a handful of the most famous waterfalls in Yosemite, including Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls, to name a few only a few. Here is also one of the largest granite monoliths in the world, El Capitan.

The Yosemite Valley is an excellent place for new visitors to settle. In addition to hosting many of the park’s most popular points of interest, the Yosemite Valley is home to the village of Yosemite, where you will find many amenities and accommodation options, including campsites and hotels, as well as visitor centers, a few dining options, which include a grocery store and a few stores. There are also a handful of viewpoints, picnic areas and light trails, perfect for those who are not looking for strenuous hiking in Yosemite.

Many of the trails in the Yosemite Valley are short, flat and lead directly to the main attractions. You’ll find trails to El Capitan and the Lower Yosemite Falls, as well as the Valley View viewpoint located along Northside Drive. On Southside Drive, you’ll find a couple of short trails that lead to Bridalveil Fall and the Sentinel Bridge, favored by its Half Dome views. If you are looking for more than just a photoshoot or a walk, walk along longer trails, such as the Mirror Lake circuit, a 5-mile round trip or the Yosemite Valley trail. The Yosemite Valley trail is 7 miles for the half-turn and 11 miles for the full turn, taking hikers through the meadows of the valley and up to El Capital and the Yosemite Falls.

The Yosemite Valley can be accessed by highways 120, 140 and 41. The Yosemite Valley is also where you will find most of the park’s free transportation stops. The ferry stops at campsites, places to eat, as well as on the trails, including the Mist Trail. There are no fixed schedules or admission fees for Yosemite Valley, although companies have their own schedules.

Glacier Point is considered one of the best and most complete viewpoints in Yosemite. Visitors regularly describe the panoramic and panoramic views of Glacier Point as “stunning,” calling it a truly unmissable place in the park. From the point of view of the glacier, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the Yosemite Valley, as well as landmarks such as Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. Unlike many viewpoints in Yosemite, Glacier Point can be accessed by road, allowing drivers to avoid a difficult climb. This is particularly fortunate if you travel with young children who otherwise could not enjoy a panoramic view of the Yosemite Valley at high altitude.

Because this is such an accessible attraction, as well as one of Yosemite’s most popular and recent travelers urges you to visit during peak hours if you have a car. Otherwise, there is a great possibility that you will not find parking. If you visit during peak hours, they are between 10 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. From mid-May to September, park rangers can tell you to park elsewhere and take a shuttle from Badger Pass to Glacier Point. To avoid chaos, get up early or, as some travelers suggest, visit at night for an unforgettable sunset.

If you prefer to leave your car, you can reach Glacier Point through the Glacier Point Tour. It is important to know that the NPS ferry does not offer transportation to Glacier Point. The Glacier Point Tour is the only option between Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point if you don’t drive. The tour bus leaves Yosemite Lodge and costs $ 54 round trip and $ 27 one way. Many visitors choose to take the Glacier Point Tour bus to the top of the peak and then walk back down one of the many available trails. For more information on hiking from Glacier Point, visit the Yosemite National Park website. Glacier Point Road is open from May to October or November (depending on conditions) and during the winter months, it becomes a popular cross-country skiing area as part of the Yosemite ski and snowboard area.

In the east section of the park, you will find Tuolumne Meadows, known for being one of the largest high altitude meadows in the Sierra Nevada at 8,600 feet. Here, you’ll find plenty of landscapes to highlight, including peaceful grasslands, lush forests, windy and bubbling rivers and streams and scenic mountain landscapes. You can experience the landscape from the comfort of your own car, thanks to the views published along Tioga Road (Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake), or take advantage of the many trails available in the surrounding area.

Fortunately for hikers, there are a lot of trails available. The path that consumes less time is the flat walk of 1 and a half miles to Soda Springs, which crosses the meadows. Continue further along the path and you will reach the beginning of the Glen Aulin trail. Glen Aulin is a much longer walk (11 miles) but offers more variety in terms of landscape, including closer views of the dome, waterfalls and a much more active section of the Tuolumne River, such as whitewater rapids. If it’s a long walk, consider a more moderate hike to one of the many alpine lakes in the region, including the Gaylor Lakes hike, a 2-mile trail that takes visitors to an impressive collection of small alpine lakes about 500 Feet over Tioga Pass. There are also Cathedral Lakes, one of the most popular trails in the area (7 miles) and Mono Pass (8 miles), the last of which goes directly to the Sierra Nevada mountains.
Visitors strongly suggest visiting Tuolumne Meadows because it is so different from the landscape of the Yosemite Valley. Travelers found that the meadows were beautiful and incredibly peaceful, attributing the quiet atmosphere to fewer crowds. Because Tuolumne Meadows is considered part of the Yosemite camp, and 53 miles northeast (about an hour and a half by car) of Yosemite’s most popular attractions, not many travelers arrive in this part of the park. Not only that, but Tuolumne Meadows is only accessible according to the season. Tonga Road, the only road that can reach Tuolumne Meadows, is generally open during the summer months thanks to the snow that tends to stay from May or sometimes in early June.

Tuolumne Meadows has a visitor center, a natural center, the Tuolumne Meadows Grill and the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge. There are also camps available for booking. There is no entrance fee or established schedules for the region, although it is not a good idea to walk along the trails after dark. In addition to the Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows benefits from the free Yosemite shuttle.

Together with Glacier Point, Tunnel View is widely regarded as the most popular landscape in all of Yosemite. From their point of view, travelers can see the majestic Yosemite Valley, with views of famous park sites, such as Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. In addition, the picture is quite easy to reach. You can find Tunnel View along Wawona Road, which serves as the gateway to the many attractions, accommodations and services of Yosemite Valley. If you are staying in the Yosemite Valley, you are likely to travel along or near Wawona Road.

Recent visitors agreed that Tunnel View is a truly incredible sight to behold and should not be missed. Some even suggested visiting Tunnel View first, as many said it is the perfect introduction to the incredible landscape of Yosemite. Keep in mind that because the panorama is popular, there will probably never be a time when you don’t share the road with many other travelers, especially during the summer.

Tunnel View Outlook does not have a set schedule and there is no admission fee.

Hiking The route of Yosemite’s half-dome cables has been described as unforgettable and even that changes the lives of travelers. But this expedition is not for the faint of heart. The trail is approximately 14 to 16 miles long and has elevation gains totaling 4,800 feet (for reference, the elevation gain on the fog trail is between 1,000 and 2,000 feet, depending on the waterfall you visit). On this hike, the challenge begins immediately with a steep climb up the path of fog, which serves as a good litmus test to see if you are fit for the remaining trip. The hike continues to the top of Nevada Fall, followed by a long and flat section through the Yosemite Valley. When you finally reach the base of the dome, a steep rocky climb finally takes you to Half Dome Cables, a vertical rock face and exposed scalable by two steel cables.

If you are afraid of heights or are not in excellent physical condition, do not climb the cables. You can still enjoy many of the tamer sections of the dome, such as the trip to Nevada Fall. If you are going to try the entire walk, you must allocate at least 12 hours. The National Park Service recommends that you leave just before or at dawn, and recommends that you bring all the necessary hiking equipment, including durable hiking boots, a flashlight and good grip gloves for the cables. You will also need at least one gallon of water, and do not depend on the park facilities to hydrate or rest from the bathroom (the NPS suggests bringing your own toilet paper).
Recent travelers said this hike is a very strenuous but incredibly rewarding trip. Hikers who have completed the hike echo the NPS warnings: bring lots of water, boots with great traction (the granite that goes up the wires are slippery) and gloves for the wires (those who did not report that their hands burned afterward of climbing). It is also suggested to bring lots of food and snacks, as travelers said they will walk for a long, long time. Some even recommended, if possible, train before the walk to prepare for the hard lifting gains of Half Dome. Half Dome becomes incredibly dangerous to climb when rain is forecast, and especially thunderstorms. If any of those begins to occur during your walk, the NPS strongly recommends hikers to turn around and leave the area. It is also important to know that the summit can be between 15 and 20 degrees cooler than the Yosemite Valley, and sometimes windy, so bring a jacket or windbreaker to the top.

The Half Dome is generally accessible from the end of May to October. A permit is required if you want to walk to the top of Half Dome and a maximum of 300 hikers are allowed per day. Permits are distributed by an NPS lottery; There is a pre-season lottery and a daily lottery, and you can find more information about the lottery draws and requirements on the NPS website (some fees apply). If you are not driving, you can take the transportation to Happy Isles, stop Np. 16, which is three-quarters of a mile from the Mist Trail. The application fee for the permit costs $ 10; If selected, you must pay an additional $ 10.

Mist Trail is one of the most popular trails in the park. What makes The Mist Trail so unique is not its sites, Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, but how to get there. To get to the top of the falls, hikers must climb a 600-step granite staircase that winds along with the hundred-foot-high dive, bringing visitors close enough to the place where the fog from the falls extends down the path Hence the name, the path of fog. The falls reach their peak from late spring to early summer, so if you want the traditional Mist Trail experience, with a light and natural shower while walking, come during that time.

Because the hike is predominantly uphill, many hikers tend to take the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall and go back, a round-trip hike of almost 2½ miles, which the NPS estimates will take approximately three hours. For a major challenge, you can continue your walk further up to Nevada Fall, which takes between five and six hours to complete and presents an elevation gain of an additional 1,000 feet (to Vernal Fall, the elevation gain is 1,000 feet from the level from the sea) . If you don’t want to walk along the often slippery foggy path to Vernal and the Nevada Falls, you can always take the John Muir trail, which has panoramic views of the falls, as well as fantastic views of the forest and the surrounding valley.
Many travelers say that Mist Trail is one of the best walks they have done, but they advise being prepared. While visitors say that they walk through the falls is as scenic as ever, it is definitely strenuous. Even when the falls are not in full swing (from late spring to early summer), it can still be quite wet, so make sure you have shoes with good traction and bring a poncho or clothes that can get wet.

Keep in mind that because this trail is so popular, it fills up quickly. Take the walk slowly and keep in mind the humidity and the ground: the rocky and loose terrain is present in some parts of the trail. There are bathrooms posted at the beginning of the trail, as well as vault baths at the top of the Vernal and Nevada Falls. The NPS estimates that it should carry approximately two quarts of water if it walks to Vernal Fall and three to four quarters if it walks to Nevada Fall. It is important that you stay on marked trails and do not swim anywhere in the falls, it is illegal. To get to Mist Trail, you can take the Valley Visitor transportation service, available from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. throughout the year, for transport stop No. 16. There are no established schedules for this trail, but the NPS recommends not doing this tour at night.

“Giant” seems to be a euphemism for this extensive forest of Sequoia trees in the southernmost section of Yosemite. Mariposa is one of the three groves in the park where visitors can see redwoods. The distinction between Mariposa Grove and the others is that Mariposa is the largest, which houses around 500 mature giant redwoods that are thousands of years old. Highlights include the Fallen Monarch (a giant tree that fell hundreds of years ago) and the Grizzly Giant, which is estimated to be around 1800 years old and has a circumference of approximately 90 feet. There is also the fun California Tunnel Tree, which is the only redwood in Yosemite that features an artificial tunnel carved in the middle of the trunk. Admire the imposing trees on one of the many hiking trails in the area. The trails vary from easy to strenuous, the Big Trees Loop Trail being the easiest. This 30-45 minute walk (which is paved) takes travelers beyond a variety of giant redwoods, including the Fallen Monarch, with interpretive panels explaining the life of the redwoods parked along the route.

Previous travelers strongly recommend a visit, even though it is a little drive from the Yosemite Valley (approximately one hour).

There is limited parking in the Mariposa Grove arrival area. Between March and November, there is a free shuttle service that offers services from Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, near the south entrance, in Mariposa Grove.

The best times to visit Yosemite are May and September when the park is accessible but not crowded. It is important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed most of the year due to snow. The snow can arrive as early as October and arrives with full force in November, usually, it remains until March. But the fact that the snowstorms stop in March does not necessarily mean that closed parts of the park suddenly open their doors. Depending on the conditions, all roads and trails closed seasonally do not open until May or June.

Seasonal park closures are precisely the reason why so many travelers visit during the summer months, making it the busiest time of the year of the park (think of crowded trails, road traffic, very high hotel rates and more). To avoid this, the best time to visit is before or after the arrival of the summer crowds, which is usually at the end of May and September. At the end of May and beginning of June is the best time to see waterfalls, roaring through the freshly melted snow, and September offers cooler temperatures ideal for hiking (summer temperatures can reach 80). If you can only visit in the summer, be sure to book several months in advance. It is known that campsites reach their capacity at the time they are available to reserve. If you are looking for a bargain in accommodation, winter is the best time to visit Yosemite.

U.S. News & World Report ranks the top hotels in Yosemite based on an analysis of industry awards, hotel ratings, and user ratings. The hotels that received 10% of the best hotels in the United States. They got a gold badge. The hotels that appear after the classified hotels are classified by hotel class and then by user rating, as provided by TripAdvisor.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

1849 Condos – Mammoth Lakes

The Majestic Yosemite Hotel

Evergreen Lodge Yosemite

Sierra Park Villas

Double Eagle Resort & Spa

Juniper Springs Resort

The M Mammoth Motel

Camping in the rough park (which includes bringing your own tent, food and supplies) is the cheapest way to experience the Yosemite. Just be sure to reserve a spot early, especially if you want to visit during the high summer season.
Don’t visit during the summer Summer is the peak travel season in Yosemite, so expect the accommodation costs to be the highest. To avoid this, come during the fall or late spring.
Take advantage of public transport Yosemite’s bus service is extensive and free and takes visitors to popular points of interest, such as Mist Trail and Tuolumne Meadows.

The best avenue to get around Yosemite is by car. Unless you are taking a private car or public transportation from one of the nearby airports in the park, it makes no sense to get rid of your rental car (although expensive) and takes Yosemite transports through the park, especially after a long walk. However, during the park’s high travel season, these shuttles will be your friend. It is known that road traffic during the summer causes significant delays and parking lots can be filled quickly. If you are not interested in getting up early to get to popular places or the trails (which is highly recommended by park officials to avoid crowds), park transfers can save you serious time.

There are a variety of airport options around Yosemite, which makes the park one of the most convenient to visit in the US. UU. The nearest airport is the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT), which is located about 65 kilometers south of the park (approximately 1 hour and a half by car). San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC) are also within easy driving distance of the park. However, know that the trip will be considerably longer, recording more than three hours on the road.

Having a car is essential for getting around Yosemite, especially if you are visiting outside of the summer months when the park buses and some of the YARTS routes are not working. If you are visiting during the summer, having a car can be a nuisance thanks to the crowded parking lots. To avoid road congestion, park officials urge visitors to visit the park’s popular attractions early.

There are no car rental facilities in or near the park. Your best option is to rent a car at the airport or the city where you arrive. Keep in mind that car rental at the international airport will be more expensive than at the nearby regional airports in the park. If you don’t want to drive from the airport to the park, you can take alternative transportation, but it could take much longer. You can take the Amtrak to Merced station and from there take the YARTS blue line bus to Yosemite Valley, which costs $ 25 round trip. The seasonal yellow line, operating from mid-May to mid-September, also takes visitors to the Yosemite Valley from Fresno, with a cost of around $ 30 round trip.

Led by the National Park Service, the Yosemite Valley shuttle offers free service to and from all major valley views, shops and accommodations from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. all year. There is also the free seasonal El Capitan shuttle service, which stops at the start of the Four Mile Trail and the Valley Visitor Center from mid-June to early October. Other seasonal ferries the Yosemite Ski and include the Tuolumne Midos shuttle service (available from mid-June to early September) and Snowboard Resort shuttle service (which runs from mid-December to March).
In addition to the NPS shuttles, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System ( YARTS) also offers routes to and around the park. You can take the YARTS buses from Sonora, Merced, Fresno and Mammoth lakes directly to the park. Once inside, you can reach points of interest such as the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center or the Half Dome Village. The prices depend on the destination. Note: the blue line (from Merced to Yosemite Valley) is the only YARTS bus that runs all year.

Compared to other national parks, Yosemite offers a good amount of dining options. You’ll find many of Yosemite’s best restaurants in the park’s hotels and lodges, including the Dining Room in the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, the Mountain Room in the Yosemite Valley Lodge or the Dining Room in the Big Trees Lodge, to name a few. Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and White Wolf Lodge also offer dining rooms, but they are much more informal compared to the larger shelters found in the Yosemite Valley.

There are also a handful of independent restaurants in Yosemite and Half Dome Villages, including Pizza Deck and The Loft at Degnan’s, but they are generally few and far between in the park. Half Dome and Yosemite Villages also have general stores and grocery stores that sell food and supplies for walks, such as camping services and dehydrated food and water.

Whenever you are outdoors, you should have common sense and caution. Never walk or climb alone or without an experienced guide, especially at night, and make sure you are equipped with the right clothes, sturdy shoes, sunscreen and an adequate amount of water (the NPS recommends 1 quart for every two hours of hiking ) before entering the desert. Also, know your limitations. Many of the walks and trails in Yosemite, such as the walk to Half Dome, are very strenuous and are not for everyone. And if you go on an excursion to one of Yosemite’s many beautiful waterfalls, don’t swim in any body of water connected to the falls. Even streams, rivers, ponds and lakes that look calm and shallow bring unsuspecting swimmers to the falls, resulting in death. For more information on hiking security, visit the Yosemite National Park website. And although it is tempting to want to disconnect from Yosemite, it is recommended to have a cell phone charged with you at all times in case of emergency. The cellular service is available in Yosemite, but access and quality depend on your operator. For more information about the service and Wi-Fi connection in the park, see this guide.

It is also very important to observe local laws and regulations regarding what you can do, as well as entering and leaving Yosemite. Approaching wildlife and collecting plants, including pine cones, are illegal. If you are camping, know that it is illegal to drive off the road, stay in undesignated camps and if you are staying in designated camps, you must keep your food locked in food cabinets. The NPS reports that even items that are not food, but that smell bad, attract bears. Failure to comply with these regulations will result in a substantial fine.