However, two days will be enough time for one great hike (the best way to see Yosemite) and a few other glimpses into what this 1,200 square-mile UNESCO World Heritage site and natural wonder reveals to visitors.
How many days should I spend in Yosemite? 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.
Consequently, 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.
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.
FAQ
Can you just drive through Yosemite?
Can I drive my own vehicle into the park? You can drive your own vehicle into and around Yosemite. Shuttle buses are not mandatory, but are recommended (except in 2021, when they are not available).
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.
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).
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.
How much does it cost to enter Yosemite park?
Yosemite Entrance Fees
| Description | Good For: | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Individual (on foot, horseback, or bus) | 7 Days, Yosemite National Park | $15 |
| Motorcycle | 7 Days, Yosemite National Park | $30 |
| Automobile | 7 Days, Yosemite National Park | $35 |
| Yosemite Pass (automobile) | 1 Year, Yosemite National Park | $70 |
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.)
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.
Do I need a reservation to just drive through Yosemite?
Do I need a day-use reservation if I am just driving through the park? You can drive through the park to reach a destination on the other side of the park without a reservation. The entrance station ranger will provide a time-stamped permit valid for the time needed to travel from entrance to entrance.
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.
Can you walk into Yosemite? If you have a lot of energy, you can walk, ride a bike, or take a horseback ride with Yosemite Trails into the park without a reservation.
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.
Is Yosemite Falls running right now?
Yosemite is open with some services limited due to COVID-19.
Is Yosemite closing due to fires? There are trail closures in effect. All fires may be visible from Tioga Road (Highway 120 through Yosemite National Park), Glacier Point, and high country vistas.
How do you drive in Yosemite?
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.
Where do you fly into to go to Yosemite? The closest airport is the Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT), which is about 65 miles south of the park (about a 1½-hour drive). San Francisco International Airport (SFO), Oakland International Airport (OAK) and San Jose International Airport (SJC) are also within driving distance of park.
