Traveling To Yosemite Park? Here’s What You Need To Know

Yosemite National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring geological wonders of the world, with cathedral-like formations and gigantic waterfalls. There’s stunning views from the Yosemite Valley, massive Sequoia trees of Mariposa Grove, and a sprawling backcountry brimming with a montage of wilderness. This beautiful park is located within the famed Sierra Nevada Mountains and draws millions of visitors each year worldwide.

In fact, Yosemite was one of the first wilderness parks preserved within the National Park system in the U.S. It was the paradise of John Muir, a famous naturalist and advocate for the protection of these beautiful wilderness parks that span across the U.S. Deemed as the “Father of the National Parks”, Yosemite is heavily protected because of his efforts.

“There is a love of wild nature in everybody, an ancient mother-love showing itself whether recognized or no, and however covered by cares and duties.”

John Muir

This exquisite outdoor travel destination is one of my favorite wellness travel destinations for a nature retreat, a digital detox, a quiet solstice, or as a place to balance inner wellness and health.  With this in mind, Yosemite undeniably tugs on my heart strings since Evan and I vacation here often with our family.

We’ve been visiting for years, exploring various Yosemite hiking trails, winter activities, and more. While Yosemite Park offers picturesque views and sights, it’s also extremely vast with a plethora of incredible things to do and see within park.

Here’s a first timer’s guide to understanding Yosemite National Park, including where to go, what to pack, where to stay and some travel inspiration for your future trip.

Feel free to jump ahead to the various sections.

When is the best time to visit Yosemite Park

First off, the park is open the entire year! Whether it’s scorching hot, pouring rain, or high gusty winds, the park is open during every season. While the park is open yearly, each season has its unique wonders and there are different ways to interact with Yosemite in each season. So pick your favorite seasonal vibe, plan your trip and enjoy the natural beauties ahead.

Summer & Spring

Each of these seasons typically brings large crowds of tourist and overflowing waterfalls. You’ll find refreshing raging water, sprouting new shrubbery, and pleasant weather. In addition, the weather of Yosemite National Park ranges from fair to hot, with the Yosemite Valley weather leaning towards sunshine and warmer air.

Moreover, spring and summer offer some of the best Yosemite hikes because all the hiking trails are open and you’re able to hike at higher elevation. During winter and fall some of the top Yosemite hikes are closed due to the snow, so if you’re an avid hiker, I recommend visiting during the summer or spring. During summer you can raft down the rivers or go kayaking at Tenaya Lake  

Winter & Fall

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Differing from the previous seasons, winter and fall are the low tourist season.  In particular, fall sees the Yosemite Valley weather shift to luminous fog and drizzling rain. This is when the weather is most inconsistent, swinging from frigid morning temperatures to the scorching afternoon sun. 

However, during the fall, some of the Yosemite hiking trails have generous sightings of colorful fall foliage in hues of bright yellows and zesty shades of orange. 

If you’re visiting Yosemite during fall in California, here are some other exciting activities to add to your fall bucketlist in California.

Furthermore, winter time in the national park brings fresh white snow and thick ice. It leaves the back country around Tuolumne Meadows and Tioga Pass nearly inaccessible. In order to clear the thick snow and ice, the snowplows work extremely hard to give visitors access to Yosemite Valley and Badger Pass, a little known ski area within the park.

Winter is a time of peace and quiet within the park, as well as an excellent time to enjoy winter sports such as sledding, skiing, and even ranger-led snowshoe expeditions.  If you’re visiting during winter in the early morning, you may even hear the thunderous sound of giant sheets of ice crashing down when the ice melts from the waterfalls! Evan heard this when hiking the Mist Trail Yosemite hike, completely stunned by the beauty of nature.

Pro tip: If you need some Christmas vacation inspiration, consider visiting the enchanting German Christmas markets found all over Europe.  I recommend planning a holiday market tour (I’m also slightly obsessed with Christmas and want it to never end since secretly I listen to Christmas music in July… shhh!), but here’s an extensive list to get you started.

How to get to Yosemite Park

Getting to Yosemite Park is relatively easy since there are only five entrances – Hetch Hetchy Entrance, Tioga Pass Entrance, Big Oak Flat Entrance, Arch Rock Entrance and South Gate.

The Tioga Pass Entrance is by Mono Lake and Mammoth Lake. It’s receives the least amount of traffic since it’s only open from May to October– aka minimal waiting time in lines to get in!

Similarly, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance to the north of the park has limited hours during the winter, but it’s still open throughout the year. It’s accessed via Highway 120.

On the western side, the Big Oak Flat Entrance is the most accessible to visitors coming from Northern California, the Bay Area, or from any states north of California.  The Highway 120 has a beautiful scenic drives that gentle curves around the mountains as you enter the park.

However, the Arch Rock Entrance located on Highway 140 from Merced and Mariposa is possibly the most historic and secluded route into the park. It also features El Portal, the town closest to the park of any of the outside communities.

Additionally, the South Gate provides access from the south and west via Fresno, Oakhurst, and several other communities. This is the route most of the people coming from Southern California take, providing easy access from Fresno via northbound Highway 41.

Flying to Yosemite National Park

For those flying in from around the globe, there are no direct flights to Yosemite National Park. The quickest route to the park is to fly into Fresno Yosemite International and rent a car with Hertz, Enterprise, Avis or another rental car company. Then, hop on Highway 41 for an hour and a half, and you’ll arrive at Yosemite’s South Gate.

There’s also a shuttle from the airport to Tenaya Lodge, Oakhurst and Yosemite Valley. The YARTS bus schedule can be found – here.

Besides Fresno airport, there are smaller airports to fly into, but they are often more expensive. There is:

• Merced Regional Airport – 1.5 hours
• Mammoth Yosemite Airport – 45 minutes
• Stockton Metropolitan Airport – 2 hours

Bigger airports include:

• Los Angeles International Airport – 5 hours
• San Francisco International Airport – 3.5 hours
• Reno-Tahoe International Airport – 2.75 hours
• Oakland International Airport – 3.25 hours

Pro tip: Take in mind that from the Yosemite Gate, it takes about an hour to reach the Yosemite Valley. The above times only include the time to the nearest gate.

How to get around the park

First of all, the park is ginormous and filled with the fresh scent of the dogwood trees and giant oak trees! After a pit stop at Tunnel View, I always feel awestruck by how huge this natural wonder is. In fact, the park is around 1,200 square miles, which is 750,000 acres big!

While the park is huge, most of the annual visitors explore near Yosemite Valley. In case you’re wondering, the park receives 4 million visitors annually. Hence, Yosemite Park has set up an excellent shuttle service to take you around. If you’re planning to stay around the valley, I highly suggest finding a parking spot and leaving it there for the day since parking can be difficult.

Normally if we’re only exploring the Yosemite Valley we’ll take the shuttle, but if we’re exploring Tuolumne Meadows we’ll drive.

Tip: Take the shuttle as much as you can. It comes often, it’s reliable, and it’s easy to navigate.

Cost of the park

To enter the park its $35 per vehicle for seven days, $30 per motorcycles for seven days and $70 for an annual pass only to Yosemite.

There’s also an option for the America the Beautiful National Parks which is $80 for a year and allows you to visit all US National Parks and Federal Recreation Areas. If you’re planning to visit multiple parks, or want to visit during different seasons, I would highly recommend buying the America the Beautiful National Park pass.

For instance, Evan and I purchased this and couldn’t get enough of our pass visiting Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and more. It’s well worth it if you’re a national park lover, and it’s budget friendly!

Where to stay near/in Yosemite Park

Since driving to Yosemite Valley from the gates takes an hour, finding accommodations within the park is an easy travel tip to cut down the long commute. It will save you time, even though it does cost a more to stay inside the park.

Because we have family nearby, we don’t normally stay in the park and opt for day trips to Yosemite. We’re planning one day to stay in the park so we don’t have to wake up at 6:00 am to get to arrive at the Valley floor at 8:00 am. Personally, I’m super excited about this so we can wake up at 6:00am and get hiking right away instead of driving!

Camping

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For a connective and rustic experience, consider camping in the park. There are 13 camping sites, 7 of which can be reserved here. Keep in mind, these campsites fill up fast! I highly suggest planning your reservations far in advance.

The cost for these sites ranges from $6 per person to $50 dollars per night, but most are around $26.

Hotels & Airbnb’s

However, if you prefer to book lodging at a hotel, there are three beautiful hotels within the park –The  Wawona Hotel (a historic landmark), the Ahwanee Hotel (the only luxury hotel in the park), or the Yosemite Valley Lodge.

In addition, there are several great hotels outside of Yosemite Park that are located in Oakhurst and Mariposa. For those wanting the best eco-friendly experience, I recommend checking out the Tenaya Lodge near the South Gate. It has great amenities, a commitment to green practices, and stellar service. While it is pricier, the experience here I’ve heard is well worth it.

Besides lodging at Tenaya Lodge, here are some other ways to incorporate wellness and health into your stay.

There are also several Airbnbs near Yosemite too! Here’s a coupon for up to $50 your first stay.

Some are located in Oakhurst near the South Entrance Gate, while others are in downtown Mariposa and enter the park via the Arch Rock Entrance and El Portal. For a detailed list of the best Yosemite Airbnbs — see this blog post.

Below are some choices for lodging in the mountain communities near the park (all ratings are from Trip Advisor):

Comfort Inn Yosemite Area (Oakhurst)

• Rating: 3.75/5 stars
• Pricing starts at $90 per night

Yosemite South Gate Hotel and Suites (Oakhurst)

• Rating: 4/5 stars
• Pricing starts at $96 per night

5^th Street Inn (Mariposa)

• Rating: 4.5/5 stars
• Pricing starts at $99 per night

Quality Inn Yosemite Gateway (Mariposa)

• Rating: 4/5 stars
• Pricing starts at $90 per night

What to pack for Yosemite Park

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Once you’ve booked your accommodations, you’ll need to plan the essentials for your trip. Remember, Yosemite National Park is massive! It has hefty elevation and impressive weather patterns due to its various biomes sometimes making its weather tricky to predict.

As an avid hiker, here are some of my favorite resources for hiking.

Clothing to bring:

Hiking boots. I’ve also used running shoes with that have excellent traction, but I still prefer hiking boots. Packing good footgear is essential for keeping your toes and feet happy while hiking in Yosemite.

Light breathable clothing. When you’re visiting the Yosemite Valley or day hiking in the high country, aim to pack light and breathable clothing that doesn’t chafe your skin. During summer and spring you can opt for lighter clothes, but during winter pack layers.   

Jacket or sweatshirt. In any season, the park can change weather suddenly, so be sure to at least bring a sweatshirt and pants for the chilly evening hours.

Snow gear. During winter, warm snow gear is the best way to stay insulated from the ice conditions that exist in the park. This includes – mittens, thick and warm socks, scarf, warm hat, heavy coat, long sleeves, warm pants, snow boots or hiking boots.

Items for Yosemite Park:

Sun protection. Bring plenty of sun protection – wear a hat, pack sunscreen, Chap Stick, cover your shoulders if they burn easy, and maybe pack a bandana or another piece of clothing as shade for you neck.

Reusable water bottle. Pack a large water bottle (Camelback, canteen, Nalgene, etc.), and keep additional water in your vehicle just in case you run out. I ran out once on a hike, but luckily I didn’t get dehydrated! It was a friendly reminder to pack more than I think when adventuring around the park.

Nutritious snacks. Be sure to pack nutritious snacks that will maintain your body’s wellness and health while hiking. Food is fuel, so refuel with your favorite healthy snack options. Here’s my personal hiking and travel snack list to use.   

Backpack. Bring your favorite backpack or daypack with you into Yosemite Park, so you can carry your water, snacks, sun protection and whatever else you need.

Camera. For pictures!

First aid kit. Here you can include – bandages, Neosporin, allergy medicine, and any other health supply you may need. I often carry an emergency allergy kit because of my severe allergies.

Iconic sights to visit in the National Park

Finally, there are several locations that are essential to a Yosemite visit. If you only have one day, here are the spots you simply must stop at for picturesque photos, natural inspiration, and Yosemite education.

Viewpoints

Tunnel View – Perched on the hillside of Hwy 41 as you enter the valley from the South Gate, this overview is an essential stop to see the length of the Valley in its full glory. It features uncompromised views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls.

Base of El Capitan – This massive monolith stands sentinel over the head of Yosemite Valley, offering impressive views. Here you can find the most ambitious climbers, scaling its sheer face. Many visitors will take binoculars to watch as these daredevils advance straight into the sky clinging El Capitan.

Glacier Point– Glacier Point provides incredible views of the park and a great launching point for several hikes with unique views and perspectives of the park. Half Dome looms, the backcountry soars, and the Valley seems miniature in the distance below.

Olmstead Point– this viewpoint is a great stopping point to view the Valley from the east, the backside of Half Dome, and various other points throughout the park.

Waterfalls & lakes

Bridalveil Falls – This gorgeous fall has a clean cascade without any breaks. It’s a medium sized waterfall, that’s magnificent to enjoy up close. It’s about a 0.3 mile journey round trip.

Lower Yosemite Falls – Here you can witness the bottom section of the tallest waterfall in North America. You can listen to the roaring sounds, while basking in the steady mist. This sight is wheelchair accessible and easy to walk to.

Mirror Lake – While the “lake” has become more of a pond in recent years, and is well on its way to becoming the next meadow (don’t worry, this is how most meadows form), it provides incredible views from the base of Half Dome. If you go during spring, you can see the mirror like reflection of the massive cliffs on the water.

Tenaya Lake– a stunning alpine lake of substantial size, the clear blue waters invite many visitors to kayak and paddleboard on its placid surface. Steep mountains and the Pywiack Dome guard this lake with their grey and solid countenance.

Within the Valley

Curry Village – This village is the Valley floor hot spot with shuttle access, restaurants to buy food and stores with supplies. There you can also rent bikes in the summer, go ice skating during the winter, and prep for any adventures you want to enjoy for the day.

Yosemite Museum – This educational site, opened in 1926, is home to a variety of artifacts, lessons, and education on the past history of Yosemite. The museum was designed to encourage visitors to view the exhibits chronologically. It begins with geological exhibits describing the formation of the Yosemite Valley, then proceeds through time to antique stage coaches that brought early visitors to the park. If you love history and learning, there is no better place to visit.

Yosemite Valley View– similar to the Tunnel View, this is one of the best places to take in the majesty of the Valley as you enter the park along Highway 140. Stop for some of the best pictures you can enjoy.

Best hiking trails in Yosemite Park

Here’s some of the must do Yosemite hikes (read here to learnabout each hike trail in detail) within the park. Some of these are easy Yosemite hikes, while others are more strenuous.  

• Panorama Trail
• Cathedral Peak
• Taft Point
• Sentinel Dome
• Glacier Point
• Meadow Loop
• Half Dome (requires a permit to climb)

Tips for first time visits to Yosemite

• Bring your car and drive responsibly. No matter the direction you take into the park, having a car is almost vital to seeing the vast expanses of this natural wonderland. There are only two shuttles in the park, one in the Valley and one to take people back into the Mariposa Grove.
• Be sure to go early! Parking fills up quickly as there are a limited amount of spaces in the parking lots. Consider getting there earlier in the day (around 8 am) to claim your spot.
• Opt for taking the free shuttle. During 9am-5pm are the peak hours in Yosemite and it can be extremely difficult to find parking. Instead of driving around, park in Yosemite Valley and take the free shuttle around the park.
• Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate! Having proper hydration while visiting means you can see more of the beauty in the park on foot and maximize your experience. It’s key to fighting off elevation sickness, getting quality sleep, and recovering from daily hikes in Yosemite Park. Tip: Pack twice the amount of water you think you need!
• Leave wildlife alone. It’s always best to practice safe hiking while in Yosemite. Don’t leave the trails and don’t feed any animals in the park. Not only is it unsafe, but you can also trample other form of wild life and cause animals to become more comfortable with humans. No one wants a gigantic animal begging them for food, so don’t feed them and let the animals stay wild!

A few more general tips:

• Plan far in advance. Yosemite can get crowded, especially during spring and summer. Make sure to plan your trip well in advance as hotels and campsites can fill up at 6 months in advance.
• Connect with nature. Find some space to connect with the power of nature in this cathedral of creation. Simply take in the beautiful sights, relax in the calming nature sounds, and breathe in the smells of the giant sequoia trees.
• Unplug because there’s no service. Yup, you read that right! The service in Yosemite is extremely limited. Whenever Evan and I travel to Yosemite we’re probably able to send a maximum of 2 texts, so we don’t even bother anymore. We only use it if we’re trying to communicate while we’re in a group or with our family. Besides that we set a plan beforehand explaining our end points and meeting points, that way everyone is clear about the day in Yosemite. 
• Throw your trash away. Don’t leave trash in the park. There are bins located throughout the park and at all the picnic sites, viewpoints and campsites. We want to leave the park just as majestic and clean as it was when you arrived.

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