Yosemite, California
Yosemite National Park is in California's Sierra Nevada mountains and is famed for it's giant sequoia trees, stunning views, and the iconic Half Dome. Millions of people visit each year to enjoy it's natural beauty and untamed wilderness.
Get ready for a trip of a lifetime. Whether you're driving around with family or hiking solo into the wilderness, Yosemite has something for everyone.
About Yosemite
Yosemite was designated as a World Heritage Site in 1984. Encompassing nearly 1,200 square miles, it gives viewers a taste of everything-- mountainous cliffs, sweeping valleys, misting waterfalls, and massive sequoia trees that are over 3,000 years old. Almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness, and it is an essential habitat for over 400 species. Bears, bobcats, mountain lions, and bighorn sheep are the most commonly spotted mammals, alongside 250 species of birds. Three species of amphibians and reptiles that can only be found in the Sierra Nevada mountain range call Yosemite home.
Unlike many national parks, Yosemite has a central sprawling village with restaurants, bars, shops, campgrounds, and a hotel. It is a comfortable place to visit and have access to everything you need to enjoy yourself.
How to Get There
Yosemite is located in central Eastern California. San Francisco and Sacramento are almost directly West of the park, and about a 4 hour drive away. The park can be accessed by taking US 395 north to Lee Vining from Los Angeles or I-580 to Highway 120 east from San Francisco.
What To Do
There is enough to keep you occupied for weeks! While it's recommended to stay for as long as you can, you can easily cover the highlights in 1-2 days. Below is our list of recommended stops that we personally covered in the one day we were there.
Glacier Point-- Probably the most iconic, easily accessible trail in Yosemite. This viewpoint offers stunning views of the valley, as well a dead-on view of the famous Half Dome. Dogs are also allowed on this trail.
Yosemite Falls-- You can hike to the falls from the trailhead near the Yosemite Valley Lodge. However you can see the falls without hiking as you drive through the valley, and from the Swinging Bridge viewpoint.
Tunnel View-- This viewpoint offers sweeping views of the mountains and valley, and is easily accessible as you go to and from Yosemite village. You can see the massive El Capitan on the left side of the valley, which is 1,000 feet higher than Half Dome. Worth a stop for the photo op!
Bridalveil Fall-- Near Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall can be accessed from the trailhead near Bridalveil Creek. The viewpoint is sometimes closed, but it is still a pretty hike. Dogs are allowed on this trail.
Mirror Lake-- A great place for swimming and hiking! Park in Yosemite Valley to access the trailhead. There are different hiking options, starting at just 2.4 miles round-trip. Dogs are also allowed here.
Mariposa Grove-- This is the most popular place to go to see the giant Sequoias! It is easily accessible from the park's south entrance spring through fall.
Tuolumne Grove-- A slightly less popular (and less crowded!) place to see the Sequoias. Here you can see the famous tree with a giant tunnel cut out of it. There is a fairly easy walking trail that takes you from the parking lot into the grove, and loops back around. The loop trail is about 1.5 miles each way. Dogs are allowed here as well!
There are plenty of hikes to explore if time allows and your dog is not with you. Visit the website to see all hiking trails. A permit is required for all wilderness and overnight hiking, which you can apply for here. A permit is also required to hike Half Dome, which you can apply for here.
Where to Camp
There are plenty of places to camp in Yosemite. Check the park website for reservation camping, as well as non-reservation camping. Be sure to make reservations in advance if you can, and check to see if the campgrounds are open before you visit.
If you are looking for hotel-like lodging in the park, The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, and White Wold Lodge are great options, if they fit your budget. Visit the website to make your reservation, as rooms go fast!
You can also camp outside of the park. Stay at the Cedar Lodge in El Portal (30 minutes away), the Rush Creek Lodge along Highway 120 (50 minutes away), the Groveland Hotel in Groveland (1 hour away), or the many hotels in Oakhurst (1.5 hours away).
We stayed at Bass Lake, about 1.5 hours away from the center of Yosemite. The lake itself is a great place to stay for a few days, with boat rentals, kayaks, a restaurant, a convenience store, and various campgrounds. We stayed at Wishon Point campground.
Costs and Fees
Entrance fees: The entrance fee is $25 per vehicle (read: not per person). If you plan on visiting multiple parks, we recommend buying the America the Beautiful annual park pass for just $80. If you visit just 3 parks in the year it pays for itself, and you're able to visit unlimited parks and re-enter as many times as you want.
Camping fees: Fees will vary depending on where you stay. Our campground at Bass Lake was $35/night. Camping inside the park can range from $10/night to $50/night depending on the season and size of your group. Staying at one of the lodges can cost upwards of $300/night. You have a chance of getting lower rates if you book far in advance.
Tips and Tricks
Utilize the National Park website to get the latest updates and help plan your visit.
Bring in any food and water you want. While Yosemite has plenty of options and stores within the park, it's always good to be prepared.
You are in bear country! Dispose of everything away from your campground, and store all food in the car.
Leave everything better than you found it. Clean up after yourself your pets, and follow the Leave No Trace principle.
Note: We visited in August 2020, when there were special COVID restrictions. During this time, Yosemite released 80% of its reservations on the first of each month for arrivals the following month (for example, reservations for August were available July 1). The other 20% of reservations for that month were released on a two day rolling basis (for example, tickets for the 5th were released the 3rd). Tickets were available at 7am PST and went fast. If these rules apply for your visit, be sure to have an account made and be ready to buy immediately. The reservation fee was $2 and the camp entrance fee was $35. If you already have an annual pass, only the $2 fee was required.
Plan your visit to maximize your experience. What are you waiting for?! Yosemite is calling.
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