If you only plan to do a few hikes and drive around to see the sights, three days is enough to see most everything. If you’d like to linger, you’ll have time to enjoy more ranger-led activities, attend evening programs, take tours, and hang around enjoying the scenery.
What is the easiest drive into Yosemite? Highway 120 will be the best way to approach Yosemite if you are coming from the big cities of San Francisco or Sacramento and their major airports. This scenic route skirts around the Northern edge of Mariposa County and passes through the lovely towns of Buck Meadows and Groveland.
Consequently, What is the best month to visit Yosemite? If you don’t want your Yosemite experience to be limited by road, trail, and campground closures, your best bet is to visit between June and September, when everything is typically open and accessible (and several degrees warmer).
What is the best month to go to Yosemite? The best times to visit Yosemite are May and September, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.
FAQ
What should I not miss in Yosemite?
4 Things not to miss in Yosemite National Park – The Wild Passage
- HALF DOME. Half Dome is a well-known rock formation famous for its distinctive shape, one side being perfectly flat whereas the other three sides are round and smooth. …
- Upper Yosemite Falls. …
- Tunnel Viewpoint. …
- Glacier Point.
Is the drive into Yosemite scary? In general, the roads are fine – and worst thing you will find is being behind a super slow vacation recreational vehicle). If you are going to Sequoia as well this trip use 180 in and out of the park only (the road to 3 Rivers area is scary – and not worth driving.).
Is Yosemite closer to LA or San Francisco? Yosemite is a pretty straightforward drive north from Los Angeles. The South entrance is closest to Los Angeles and is open year-round via Highway 41. This is also the nearest entrance to the Badger Pass Ski Area, Glacier Point, and the Bridalveil Creek campground.
How do I sneak into Yosemite? Here are your alternatives:
- Take the Back Roads. Not every road into Yosemite is bisected by an admission booth. …
- Catch the Red Eye. The Yosemite entrance booths aren’t manned round the clock. …
- Hike In. The Pacific Crest/John Muir Trail runs right through the heart of Yosemite. …
- Bus In. …
- Trash Talk Your Way In.
Where should I stay in Yosemite for the first time?
The short answer: The BEST place to stay in Yosemite is INSIDE the boundaries of the national park. The long answer: Yes, staying inside Yosemite National Park is more expensive than staying in one of the small towns just outside the park.
What months does it snow in Yosemite? Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)
Is Yosemite Falls running right now?
Yosemite is open with some services limited due to COVID-19.
Is there a train from San Francisco to Yosemite? No train goes all the way from San Francisco to Yosemite, but your Amtrak ticket provides you stress-free, seamless bus and train transportation into the heart of the Yosemite Valley. Your ticket includes a ride on the Amtrak Thruway bus from downtown San Francisco to the Emeryville train station.
Is Yosemite too crowded in July?
July in Yosemite is hot and dry, and is the peak of the spectacular, but busy summer season.
What is the biggest attraction in Yosemite?
Glacier Point
Glacier Point, at an elevation of more than 7,200 feet, gives you the grand view over the entire valley, as well as many other sites beyond, and provides a whole new perspective. This is one of the most incredible views in Yosemite National Park and is an absolute must-see sight.
How many waterfalls are in Yosemite? There are more than 25 waterfalls at Yosemite National Park, ranging in size from the 100-foot-tall Alder Creek Falls to the 2,425-foot-tall Yosemite Falls. Many of the most famous waterfalls at Yosemite can be seen from designated viewpoints or after a short walk along paved, often-accessible trails.
Can you visit Yosemite without hiking? The route to Lower Yosemite Falls is easy and accessible for wheelchairs or if you travel to Yosemite with children. If you want to catch a view of this magnificent waterfall without any hike, the Yosemite Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge are good spots.
What is the best month to visit Yosemite National Park?
The best times to visit Yosemite are May and September, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.
Do I need AWD in Yosemite? Any time chain controls are in effect, all vehicles must have chains in possession, including four-wheel drive and rental vehicles. Chains are often required on roads both inside and outside of Yosemite from November through March, less often in October and April, and rarely in September or May.
Is 120 or 140 better for Yosemite?
120 is more going up/down mountains. 140 is a gentler grade, going up along the Merced River. 140 distance is slightly longer, though not too much.
Can you drive your car through Yosemite National Park? You can drive your car into and around Yosemite, although some roads are closed from around November through May/June and tire chains may be required on open roads from around October through April (depending on conditions). You can use public transportation to get to and around Yosemite all year.
What is the best entrance into Yosemite?
Your most direct route to Yosemite is through the Big Oak Flat Entrance or the Arch Rock Entrance, which is located southeast of Big Oak Flat.
What city is closest to Yosemite National Park? Nearby Towns
- El Portal, CA.
- Lee Vining, CA.
- Oakhurst, CA.
- Bass Lake, CA.
- Mariposa, CA.
- Groveland, CA.
- Twain Harte, CA.
- Yosemite West, CA.
