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Plan a Road Trip > Explore America > National Parks > Yosemite National Park |
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P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Phone: 209-372-0265 or 209-372-0200
Fax: 209-448-4333
Open All Year
Overview. Sequoia groves, wildflower meadows, and towering granite peaks leave no doubt that nature reigns in Yosemite National Park. In springtime, brodiea and thimbleberries dot the valley floor, and snowmelt creates a torrent of waterfalls with poetic names such as "Bridalveil." The verdant summer meadows give way to crisp, autumn weather, perfect for hiking. In winter, the park is covered in a mantle of snow, and cross-country skiers and snowshoe hikers make their way along park trails to unparalleled views.
Yosemite Valley was an ancestral home to a large Miwok tribe, and is thought to have been inhabited by them for some 4,000 years before the Spanish arrived in California. When the first Europeans allegedly caught sight of the valley in 1833, Chief Tenaya and about 300 members of his tribe were living there. Territorial disputes brought about by the California Gold Rush destroyed the placid life of Tenaya's people and brought the military into the valley in the 1850s. Soldiers brought back tales of Yosemite's breathtaking beauty and, after Tenaya's death in 1853 ended the fight for his land, tourists began to venture in to see it for themselves. In 1864, Lincoln signed legislation to preserve Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove; on October 1, 1890, it became a national park. Today, millions of visitors come each year to see Yosemite Valley, but the park has much more to offer.
Yosemite's lowest terrain lies among the foothills below Arch Rock, 2,000 feet above sea level, while its highest point reaches the windy summit of 13,114-foot Mount Lyell. Located in the heart of eastern California's Sierra Nevada, it is home to a vast array of plants and animals. Through most of the park, great forests of pine, fir, and incense cedar flourish; below Yosemite Valley you'll encounter brushy chaparral, while the high elevations yield flower-strewn alpine meadows. Bears, mule deer, Steller's jays and many other small animals and birds are among the park's year-round inhabitants.
What to see and do. Connoisseurs of the park say that visits during the off-season are a real treat. By this time, summer crowds have long gone and snow cover has transformed domes, trees, and foothills into a winter wonderland. The valley remains relatively temperate in winter, so hiking there is usually possible; most of the time the snow is limited to the park's upper reaches where cross-country skiing and snowshoe hiking become favorite activities. Badger Pass Ski Area, on the road to Glacier Point, is a popular winter destination in Yosemite, and offers nine downhill ski runs as well.
Over 800 miles of hiking trails, including the John Muir and Pacific Crest National Scenic trails, lead you through meadows, along the Merced River, past waterfalls, or to the base of any one of the mountain lookout areas. Hiking is relatively easy along the flat floor of Yosemite Valley; hardier individuals venture into the foothills and backcountry where terrain is more rugged.
Climbing enthusiasts flock to the park each year to take advantage of the sheer granite walls that characterize Yosemite's peaks. Half Dome, El Capitan, and Washington Column are among the most popular.
Individual and group campgrounds are located throughout the park. Several are open year-round and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Most Yosemite Valley campgrounds take reservations only. Wawona and Bridalveil group campgrounds are also available only by reservation; a maximum of 30 people is allowed at each group campsite. Campsites are limited in winter and many are booked well in advance, especially during the holidays. All facilities along the Tioga Road (SR 120--usually closed from November to late May or early June) are closed in winter. For campground reservations or additional information, call 800-436-7275. Occasional spots can be found by calling after April for same season openings.
If you'd like to experience the high country without roughing it completely, try to book a space at one of the park's five High Sierra Camps. You must hike into these locations, which offer tent-cabins, but once you're there, breakfast and dinner are provided. High Sierra Camps are open from late June until Labor Day, and are so popular that you must win a lottery to reserve a spot at one. Contact Yosemite Reservations' High Sierra Desk, 209-454-2088, for more information. You'll find these camps marked with maroon tent/white background camping icons on the interactive map.
The park offers four visitor centers: the Valley Visitor Center, the Big Oak Flat Information Station, Wawona Information Station, and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. Additional concessions and facilities include the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley and the Yosemite Association Bookstore at the Valley Visitor Center. Other valley amenities include a grocery store, a mountain gear shop, and a children's store.
Yosemite has four entrances. The south entrance is off of Highway 41, the Arch Rock entrance is near Highway 140, and the Tioga Pass and Big Oak Flat entrances are located off of Highway 120. All entrances may have weather related delays and closures in the winter.
Yosemite is one of the most popular national park destinations, with over four million people now visiting every year. The summer crowds, especially in the valley, far exceed what the park can actually handle. Your best bet is to visit in the fall, winter, or spring, when visitation is lower and you can actually enjoy the landscape without being jostled by crowds. If you must visit in summer, please park your car and walk or use the network of shuttle buses. Tourists and motorists are encouraged to see Yosemite via shuttle buses. You'll find your visit is more leisurely and more rewarding when you don't have to contend with traffic jams. Some of the trails are wheelchair accessible. Bus transportation is available from gateway communites. Contact Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) at 877-98-YARTS or 877-989-2787.
It is recommended calling to obtain updated information regarding road closures, shuttle availability, events, permits, etc., as this changes frequently.
| Activities and Services |
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Archeological Sites |
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Bicycle Trails |
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Bird Watching |
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Climbing |
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Cross-country Skiing |
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Downhill Skiing |
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Fishing |
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Food Service |
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Geological Sites |
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Gift Shop |
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Guided Tours |
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Hiking/Nature Trails |
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Historic Sites |
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Museum/Exhibits |
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Non-motor Boating |
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Picnic Sites |
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Programs/Talks |
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Self-guided Tours |
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Snowboarding |
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Swimming |
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Visitor Center |
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Whitewater Sports |
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Wildflower Viewing |
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Wildlife Viewing |
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Please call ahead to confirm details. We do our best to give you current information, but facts can change. Please let us know if you find something's changed.
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