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.

How many steps are on the Mist Trail? To proceed directly to the top of Vernal Fall, follow the Mist Trail 0.5 mile (0.8 km) up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps. Prepare for slippery footing and a tremendous amount of waterfall spray in spring and early summer.

Then, How many days do you need at 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.

Can you do Yosemite in two days? The minimum time to really enjoy the park is two days. 2 days in Yosemite will let you see the main sights, however if you’re into hiking I would suggest spending 3 days or more in Yosemite National Park.

FAQ

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.

Can you swim in Emerald Pool Yosemite? Emerald Pool is not a swimming pool. Other swimmers have drowned after discovering the challenge of cold and current when it was too late. Warning signs are a good indication of a tragic history.

Can I drive to Glacier Point Yosemite? When open, you can drive to Glacier Point by traveling on the Wawona Road (the continuation of Highway 41 within the park)—either north from Wawona or south from Yosemite Valley. After traveling about 13 miles, turn on to the Glacier Point Road at the Chinquapin intersection.

Can you go to Yosemite right now? Yosemite is open with some services limited due to COVID-19

Masks are required for everyone, regardless of vaccination status, in all public buildings, crowded outdoor spaces, and enclosed buses.

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.

What city do you fly into for 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.

Is there a fee to enter Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park has had an entrance fee since 1913. The current rate of $30 per vehicle or $25* per motorcycle has been in effect since 2015. The park is one of 117 in the National Park System that charges an entrance fee. The remaining 300 sites are free to enter.

Where is the best part of Yosemite? Along with Glacier Point, Tunnel View is widely considered to be the most popular outlook in all of Yosemite. From its vantage point, travelers get an eyeful of the majestic Yosemite Valley, complete with views of famous park sights, such as Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.

How do I survive in Yosemite?

Seek shelter in low forested areas, but avoid tall, solitary trees. By setting up camp in a safe location before lightning begins, you can enjoy the power and spectacle of a mountain thunderstorm without apprehension. Even during spring and early summer, large areas of Yosemite may retain significant snow cover.

How much does it cost to visit Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite Entrance Fees

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.

Can you stay overnight in Yosemite? When you stay overnight at Yosemite Park you have a few options for lodging. You can stay at a hotel-type of lodging, cabin, or tent camp. Getting the Yosemite reservation you want can be a dog-eat-dog event. Reservations are required year-round for all Yosemite Valley’s properties.

Can you drink Yosemite water?

Our water is perfectly safe to drink, bath and swim in, but we recommend that you bring bottled water for drinking, due to the fact that our water has a high mineral content.

How deep is the Emerald Pool? Emerald Pool, a hot spring named for its emerald green color, is one of the main attractions at Black Sand Basin in Yellowstone National Park. Its temperature is 154.6 °F and its dimensions are 27×38 feet with a depth of 25 feet.

Can you swim Sentinel Beach Yosemite?

With various sandy beaches and numerous water holes, the Merced River is one of the best places to swim in Yosemite. Examples of Merced River’s popular swimming areas include Diana Falls and Swimming Hole, Sentinel Beach, Merced Lake in High Sierra Camp, and Housekeeping Camp Beach.

Is Glacier Point Road scary? There’s one spot called Darwin’s Curve that gets some attention, but overall most people will not consider the Glacier Point road to be scary. By comparison it’s no worse than other local roads like route 120 (Tioga Pass, Tuolumne Meadows) or route 41 (Wawona, Mariposa Grove).

Why is Glacier Point Road closed?

Glacier Point Road Closed For Rehabilitation & Needed Improvements. Glacier Point Road is getting some much-needed rehabilitation in 2022. Time to explore other parts of Yosemite Mariposa County!

Is Four Mile trail scary? The path is quite steep in 95% of the way with LOTS of switchbacks all the way up to near Glacier Point. The last quarter of a mile or so is quite flat without switchbacks in comparison to the rest of the trail, although you’ll still be in a steep-ish road.