Travel Guide for Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. The park covers approximately 1,200 square miles. Yosemite is best known for its stunning waterfalls, large sequoia trees, and majestic cliffs. Yosemite is a must-see national park and a great vacation for everyone. 

When traveling to Yosemite, there are numerous ways to get to the park, but there are a few things visitors should know before they start their journey:

The easiest way to get to Yosemite National Park is by car. Depending on when you’re visiting Yosemite you might be required to have a reservation. During April 13th through October 27th certain days and weekends require visitors to have their vehicle registered before entering the park. Parking your car costs $35, it's essential to get to the park earlier to get a parking spot because they fill up fast. If you choose to fly for your trip to Yosemite the closest airport is Fresno Yosemite International Airport. This airport is close to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Park and gets you away from the considerable city traffic.

There are five different entrances to Yosemite National Park. Each of them offers something different.

Hetch Hetchy Entrance is off Highway 120 and is the farthest north of all the entrances on the west side of the park. The Hetch Hetchy Entrance leads visitors to one of the more quiet areas in the park, which only sees 1% of total park visitation. This entrance is open year-round through daylight hours. Due to the snow, some roads will be closed from November through May or June.

Big Oak Flat Entrance is also off Highway 120. This entrance is one of the best if you're traveling from the San Francisco Bay Area.

Another entrance if Traveling from the San Francisco Bay Area is the Arch Rock Entrance. This entrance is off Highway 140 and will lead you to Yosemite Valley.

If you find yourself traveling from Los Angeles or San Diego area the closest entrance will be the South Entrance off of Highway 41. The closest town when traveling in the direction of the South Entrance is Fish Camp. Fish Camp offers different types of lodging and unique experiences for your Yosemite travels. 

The final entrance is the Tioga Pass Entrance. Traveling from the Lake Tahoe, Las Vegas, or Death Valley areas in May through October this is the best entrance for you. 

There are many options when it comes to places to stay while in Yosemite. Many of the lodging options are located in Yosemite Valley, right in the heart of the park offering visitors a walkable distance to many popular attractions. Staying in Yosemite Valley is the best option for travelers because it eliminates travel time and allows for more time in the park. A popular lodging option is the Ahwahnee Hotel. This hotel offers fine dining and handcrafted cocktails. This hotel is a short distance from popular spots in Yosemite such as Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and Half Dome. To be even closer to Yosemite Falls check out Yosemite Valley Lodge. This lodge is great for families and offers many amenities like a seasonal swimming pool. Curry Village is the largest lodging facility in Yosemite Valley and offers motel-style rooms and wood-sided cabins with private bathrooms. Curry Village offers a seasonal ice skating rink and a swimming pool. Those who enjoy camping have many different campsites to choose from. Horseshoe Bend Camping and Recreation is the perfect spot for those looking for a quiet and scenic getaway on the lake. Many recreational activities such as swimming and hiking.

Yosemite even offers glamping, which is a luxury alternative to camping. Wildhaven Yosemite gives visitors the experience of camping but with luxury amenities such as electricity and WI-FI. Wildhaven Yosemite is located in the town of Mariposa, California, and just 45 minutes from the park entrance. For other options on where to stay during your trip to Yosemite, check out b0arding.com.  

Yosemite Valley is a very popular spot to visit. The Valley is home to many cliffs and waterfalls. Yosemite Valley is accessible by car and bus year-round. Just visiting the valley you will be able to see many of the famous attractions located in Yosemite Park. Yosemite Falls is a stunning waterfall that is a must-see. One of the tallest waterfalls in North America making it a must-visit. Half Dome is a granite dome and stands as a symbol of the park. Those with an adventurous spirit can apply for a permit to hike the dome. Those not interested in hiking can still admire the dome from various viewpoints. Tunnel View gives visitors a panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, featuring popular sites like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome in the distance. While on your vacation in Yosemite, you might encounter some wildlife. Yosemite is known for its population of black bears. If you encounter a black bear, it is essential to follow guidelines to avoid conflict with them, as they can be very dangerous. Mule Deer are a common animal to see in the park, especially in open areas and meadows. Yosemite is home to the bald eagle and they can be seen flying around bodies of water where they can fish. Many more amazing animals can be seen at Yosemite but it's important to remember to keep a safe distance from these animals and to never feed them. 

Yosemite National Park offers many different styles of tours to best explore the park. The Yosemite Grand bus tour is a full-day tour that will allow visitors to explore Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Riding a bike is also a great way to explore the park. Bike rentals are available at multiple locations in the park. Rafting down the Merced River is a great family activity. The river offers different levels and is a great starting river for those who have never been rafting before. Horseback riding is a peaceful activity for everyone. Yosemite is the perfect place to get in some horseback time to help melt away the stress of everyday life. 

It can feel overwhelming trying to navigate a trip to a national park; here are some tips to make your travels less stressful. Make reservations beforehand. Many people are eager to explore the beautiful sites Yosemite has to offer. Making reservations months ahead of your trip is necessary to secure spots at places to stay. Arrive at the park early or after peak hours. Peak hours in the park are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Plan to arrive early or arrive after peak hours to avoid traffic jams. When driving in Yosemite it is important to obey all traffic laws. If you are exploring the park in your car and want to take photos it's important to utilize the pullout zones and allow other cars to pass. Cellular service is limited in the park. Making sure you know where you are located in the park and how to get back with limited cellular service is important for your safety. Park experts also recommend ditching the GPS when navigating through the park. Paper maps are the best and most effective. 

Anytime is a great time to visit Yosemite National Park, but some months stand out. The summer months are great if you want the best chance of blue skies. May and June are the best months for the waterfalls as they are at their peak flow during these months. Yosemite attracts 75% of its annual visitors from May through September. As mentioned earlier these months are going to give visitors the best chance at the most enjoyable weather. All the roads, trails, lodgings, shuttles, and attractions are open during these months as well. On the downside of things, the park will be extra crowded during these months. If this trip will be your first time visiting Yosemite coming the summer months is not a bad idea. Overall, February is the best month to visit the park. Visiting in February will allow you to see the firewall that happens at sunset at Horsetail Falls and less crowds. 

Making sure you have all the necessary items can also make your trip less stressful. Water shoes are important if you plan on checking out some of the waterfalls. If you plan to stay away from the waterfalls a comfortable pair of hiking or tennis shoes are important. You'll be doing lots of walking and exploring during your trip and do not want to have uncomfortable shoes. Binoculars are used to see sites from far away as well as wildlife. It's important to stay away from wildlife for your safety. Being able to catch a better glimpse through your binoculars is a great alternative instead of putting yourself in danger. 

Being able to visit a national park is such a great adventure. I hope some of these tips and must-see attractions leave you feeling ready for your visit to Yosemite National Park!