Yosemite National Park earned its status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1984. Yosemite boasts five of the planet’s tallest waterfalls, pristine streams, three sequoia groves, picturesque meadows, and rich biological diversity. As one of the first national parks, Yosemite helped pave the way for the National Park System, and over its sprawling 1,200 square miles — equivalent to the size of Rhode Island — the park offers abundant activities and experiences.
To enjoy all Yosemite has to offer, here are important things you should know, including logistics, trails, and places to stay by experts
A standard entrance pass costs $20-35, depending on whether you enter on foot, motorcycle, or in a private vehicle with fewer than 15 passengers. The pass covers everyone inside the vehicle and is valid for seven consecutive days. An annual entrance pass that costs $70 grants access to Yosemite for 12 months. The park is open year-round, though certain roads, like Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road, close for the winter season due to snow.
Driving into or through Yosemite requires a reservation from April 13 through Oct. 27, with a few exceptions:
From April 13 through June 30, you need a reservation only on weekends and holidays.
From July 1 through Aug. 16, you need a reservation every day of the week.
From Aug. 17 through Oct. 27, you need a reservation only on weekends and holidays.
Reservations cost $2 each — a small price for the significant benefit of limiting vehicle congestion, but securing one can be tricky during peak months.
How to Get There
Yosemite has five main entrances:
Hetch Hetchy Entrance: Access this seasonal entrance via Highway 120, which traverses the park.
Big Oak Flat Entrance: This is off Highway 120 and an easy entry point if you’re coming from the Bay Area.
Arch Rock Entrance: If you’re coming in the wintertime, opt for this all-year entrance off Highway 140. “That is the lowest elevation entrance into the park,” Goehring said. At higher elevations, you’re more apt to encounter tricky winter conditions.
South Entrance: This entry point works best if you’re driving from San Diego or Los Angeles.
Tioga Pass Entrance: This eastern entrance is accessible via Highway 120 and is open May through October. “That is probably my favorite entrance because I’m a bit biased towards the higher elevations of the park,” said Goehring.
If you’re flying, “Fresno, San Francisco, or Oakland are probably the best places to arrive,” Augustine said. Once you park in Yosemite Valley, you can take the free shuttle throughout the day and avoid driving around the park.
You can also take public transportation, which many people don’t realize.
Winter and early spring are some of Goehring’s favorite times to visit the park, and indeed, a surprise snowstorm can create spectacular scenes.
Explore Yosemite Valley.
See giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove.
Watch the sunset at Glacier Point.
Drive to the Tunnel View.
Take a guided hike.
Join an astronomy program.
Wildlife and Natural Features
Best Hikes
The Yosemite Valley Loop Trail offers full- and half-loop options, spanning 11.5 miles or 7.2 miles, respectively. Experience lush forests, meadows, and picturesque footbridges across the Merced River. Cathedral Lakes Trail takes you to Yosemite’s alpine region on a 9.5-mile, out-and-back through Tuolumne Meadows. Mist Trail to Vernal Falls is a three-mile, round-trip trek to the majestic Vernal Falls. Sentinel Dome and Taft Point are gentle trails with beautiful vistas, and a small trail hidden behind Happy Isles Nature Center will bring you to The Fen, a serene area teeming with wildlife.
Of course, you could also enter the permit lottery to challenge any fear of heights with the iconic Half Dome Hike, a 14- to 16-mile round-trip hike where you’ll tackle the steep final ascent using metal cables installed on the dome’s smooth granite face.
Château du Sureau
Head to Château du Sureau, a Relais & Châteaux property. This nine-acre country house resort evokes the South of France with 10 guest rooms and an uber-luxe 2,000-square-foot manor.
Firefall Ranch
A new rustic-chic retreat called Firefall Ranch near Yosemite’s northwest entrance offers 55 cottages and villas on a spacious 300-acre property. Each accommodation features luxurious amenities like indoor/outdoor fireplaces and covered decks.
Tenaya Lodge
Situated outside the south entrance of Yosemite, Tenaya Lodge offers a variety of accommodations, plus three different restaurants, including a pizzeria. The Cottages feature private entrances, outdoor sitting areas, and fireplaces. For added privacy, you can opt for the Explorer Cabins, which offer two-bedroom accommodations with a cozy living room and a private deck.
Rush Creek Lodge
Near the northwest entrance at Big Oak Flat, Rush Creek Lodge offers cozy cabins and villas and an intimate lodging experience amidst Yosemite’s natural beauty.
Upper and Lower Pines Campgrounds
Family-friendly and easily accessible, Upper and Lower Pines Campgrounds offer a communal atmosphere.
Camp 4
Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, Camp 4 is a first-come, first-served campground near Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Valley Lodge at 4,000 feet. Famous climbers like Yvonne Chouinard and Alex Honnold once pitched their tents on the 11-acre campground.
