Discover Yosemite offers a variety of tours and activities to explore Yosemite National Park, including family tours, fishing tours, guided snowshoe hikes in winter, walking tours, and more. The Yosemite Vacation Planner provides a variety of experiences tailored to your liking, starting with the Valley Floor Tour, an open-air tram tour from April through October, and a guided bus tour from Half Dome to El Capitan.
To get the most out of visiting Yosemite Mariposa County, take a guided tour, including backpacking and bus tours. Private, guided hiking tours of Yosemite National Park can be tailored to your interests and abilities. Yosemite Guided Bus Tours provide the best way to experience all the wonders of the park, with expert tour guides sharing their knowledge.
The Yosemite Conservancy offers custom adventures such as birding quests, challenging hikes, and more. Yosemite Tours offers the best tours of Yosemite National Park out of San Francisco, exploring the majestic landmarks and sequoias. Discover Yosemite Tours offers expert guides, delicious picnic lunches, and pickup and drop-off services at local Oakhurst and Bass Lake hotels.
In addition to guided tours, Discover Yosemite also offers exclusive, all-day tours of Yosemite highlights, such as Yosemite 360 Tours and Tenaya at Yosemite’s Yosemite 360 Tours. Book your tour online now and make your trip unforgettable with Discover Yosemite!
📹 YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – Travel Guide for first-time visitors (watch before you go!)
Yosemite National Park is one of the most breathtaking and magnificent destinations on earth. This video is the perfect guide for …
Do you need a guide in Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for hiking, offering well-maintained trails and a staff that can provide recommendations and maps for various routes. Nevertheless, it is advised that visitors to Yosemite engage the services of a knowledgeable guide at least once during their stay. Guides are able to customize a route based on the client’s specific interests and desired hiking distance. Additionally, they can identify wildlife, offer insights into the park’s history and geology, and recount personal experiences from their time in the park.
How many days in Yosemite is enough?
To fully experience the breathtaking views of Yosemite National Park, it is recommended to spend two to four days. This includes visiting Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and hiking trails. An itinerary has been created for those with two, three, or four days to experience the park’s breathtaking views. The most important sights are placed on day one and two, while additional attractions are planned for those with more time.
Yosemite National Park is part of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and is located on the east side of California, about a four-hour drive east of San Francisco. To ensure a successful visit, it is essential to know the park’s history and attractions before embarking on your Yosemite National Park adventure.
Does Yosemite have tour guides?
Yosemite National Park offers guided hikes and guided bus tours to explore its natural history, indigenous peoples, and wildlife. The Valley Floor Tour, led by park rangers or naturalists, operates on open-air trams from mid-April to mid-October. During wet or cold weather, tours are on buses with knowledgeable drivers. A tour reservation does not include park entrance reservations, so a Peak Hours Plus entrance reservation is required for the bus tour date. For more information, visit nps. gov/yose/planyourvisit/reservations. htm.
Are there guided hikes in Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park offers over 800 miles of hiking trails with stunning mountain peaks and waterfalls. Guided day hikes range from a few hours to full-day trips, with the option for extended backpacking trips. The High Sierra Camps provide tent cabins and food for a lighter backpacking experience. Private hiking guides can design customized hikes tailored to individual preferences and abilities. Guided group hikes are available from late May to early September for hikers of all experience levels.
Do you need a guide for Yosemite?
It is recommended that visitors to Yosemite National Park engage the services of a knowledgeable and experienced guide during their visit. They can customize the hike to align with the visitor’s preferences, highlight wildlife, provide insights into the park’s history and geology, and share personal stories. A guide with eight years of experience can recount past incidents such as forest fires, elucidate the seasonal transformations in the landscape, and identify flora and fauna.
What is the best way to see Yosemite?
Yosemite offers over 800 miles of world-class trails, making it a paradise for hikers of all fitness levels. For those looking for a short walk, consider easy trails like Lower Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall, which are fully paved, pet-friendly, and wheelchair accessible. For more adventurous hikes, the Mist Trail is a popular choice, offering several options depending on the length of the hike.
It can be hiked to the base of Vernal Fall, which is about 2 miles roundtrip or continue to the top, offering stunning views of rainbows and refreshing spray. The trail is usually fully accessible starting in early spring and offers some of the best views in the Valley.
Can you do Yosemite without hiking?
Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for non-hikers, as its famous spots are easily accessible through roads and pathways. The park offers a variety of experiences for everyone, including exploring the park as a non-hiker. Some ways to enjoy Yosemite as a non-hiker include visiting the park’s trails, exploring the park’s natural wonders, and exploring the city’s attractions. For inquiries about Yosemite excursions or San Francisco tours, contact the park’s staff for more information.
Do I need a tour guide for Yosemite?
It is recommended that visitors to Yosemite National Park engage the services of a knowledgeable and experienced guide during their visit. They can customize the hike to align with the visitor’s preferences, highlight wildlife, provide insights into the park’s history and geology, and share personal stories. A guide with eight years of experience can recount past incidents such as forest fires, elucidate the seasonal transformations in the landscape, and identify flora and fauna.
When not to go to Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park is a popular vacation destination for families, with crowds starting to decrease in September when kids return to school. The park’s beautiful scenery is enjoyed in peace, but daytime highs and nighttime temperatures vary significantly. Trail and road closures typically start in October or November, leaving the park increasingly empty due to snow. Winter sports enthusiasts will enjoy the snow-blanked park, especially the Badger Pass Ski Area, where visitors can partake in downhill and cross-country skiing.
Daytime temperatures from December to March are in the mid-40s, and nighttime temperatures remain in the low 20s. April sees a slight increase, with lows in the mid-30s and highs in the mid-50s. Most of the park is closed to cars except for the Yosemite Valley and Wawona areas. Tire chains may be needed to access park roads during this time. Despite the conditions, accommodations are at their lowest rates and there are no crowds.
Is a guided tour of Yosemite worth it?
Yosemite and its surrounding areas offer a rich history and numerous attractions, making guided tours a great way to fully experience the area. Public transit, such as the Yosemite Area Rapid Transit System (YARTS), offers convenient access to all four gateways, with schedules and routes varying. YARTS is available seasonally from May 10 through September 10 for the Highway 41 route, ensuring accessible travel. To make a reservation or learn more, contact 989-2787 or visit YARTS. com. The bus offers low rates, an included entry fee, and a relaxing ride.
Can I just walk into Yosemite?
A reservation is required for visitors to enter or drive through Yosemite National Park between the dates of April 13 and October 27, 2024. It is required that visitors arrive at an entrance station (excluding Hetch Hetchy) before 5 a. m. or after 4 p. m. After peak hours, vehicles that impede the flow of traffic will be subject to citation. From April 13 to June 30, a reservation is required between the hours of 5 a. m. and 4 p. m. on Saturdays, Sundays, and federal holidays (May 27 and June 19). From July 1 to August 16, a reservation is required between the hours of 5 a. m. and 4 p. m. on a daily basis.
📹 Complete Travel Guide for Yosemite Valley | Yosemite National Park
My complete travel guide for Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park. Check out these classic 16 stops located in Yosemite …
*2022 UPDATE: Starting May 20, 2022 through September 2022, day-use reservations will again be required to get into the park before 4 pm. If you have a Half Dome or wilderness permit, overnight lodging reservation, or camping reservation, you do NOT need a day pass. Day pass reservations go on sale for all arrivals May 20th through September 30th beginning on March 23, 2022 at 8 am PT. If you don’t score a reservation on March 23 or after, no need to panic! Beginning May 13th, an additional batch of reservations is available every day 7 days in advance of arrival. It sounds scary to wait until that close to your trip, but this is how we got ours and there were plenty at that time. Here is the link to get them: recreation.gov/timed-entry/10086745
Well done guide for a first-time visitor, I’m impressed! When it reopens, the Sentinel Dome and Taft point trails will be accessible again. Sentinel Dome is hands down THE best view (of the easily accessible trails) in the park. You have to put in a little work (90% of visitors will never see it). It is way better than Glacier Point and you should plan to be there for sunset. Edit: Do NOT swim in the Emerald Pool! It can and has been DEADLY. Look it up.
Mom here! You captured our awe at this amazing place so well! A couple tips to add- we all picnicked at the Swinging Bridge park during our bike outing. Lots of ppl swimming there. We also hiked up to Mirror Lake and swam and relaxed there that day. It was hot so that cold water felt good! Can’t wait to go back with you and hike Half Dome💪
A lot of great information in this article. Thank you very much! After learning about Taft Point and Sentinel Dome through this article I did some research and found the following information 🙁 Glacier Point Road is closed The entire Glacier Point Road is closed in 2022 to rehabilitate and improve the road. The only access to Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, and other Glacier Point Road destinations is via a long, strenuous hike. No water or toilets are available at Glacier Point.
Being a true nature lover and a hiker I’ve never been to the US and Yosemite is on my top list of hiking spot I was truly happy when you said: I truly wish everyone get the chance to experience it once-in-a-lifetime thank you so much for such a lovely and touching words. I’m now a subscriber 🙂 greeting from Algeria 🇩🇿
Awesome review. I have camped in Yosemite Valley and in Tuolumne Meadows going back decades and every trip I see or learn something new. So beautiful. I do highly suggest staying out of the water above or near waterfalls. The swimming segment in Emerald Pool and the Silver Apron area is dangerous to promote and swimming there is actually prohibited. In fact there are No Swimming signs in this area and others (Nevada Falls too). Unfortunately water has taken many lives in Yosemite…it’s well documented in a book called “Death in Yosemite”. A must read for parents with young children and teenagers. Many souls have gone over the falls, whether it be Vernal, Nevada, Upper Falls, etc. I must say it is tempting to enter the water, especially after a good hike on a hot day…but resist the temptation if the water is moving fast and definitely above or near waterfalls. Even getting too close to the waters edge can be deadly as granite is slippery when wet and there’s always the moss / slime to deal with. If you want to swim, then head to Tenaya Lake or one of the many other lakes in the High Sierras. Swimming in certain segments of the Merced River during high water flow periods can also be also dangerous….submerged trees, branches, logs and rocks can easily snag your foot and trap you under fast moving water. Not to mention the water can be very cold and hyperthermia can set in quickly. So be careful. Yosemite is such a wonderful place that taking chances is not worth it…..plus you’ll miss all the awesome future campfires at night time.
Thank You Crosby for Sharing your visit and Family with us. You get so much in during the article, and all great tips. But for some of us that may never get a chance to go, you provide us with so much info and views it is amazing. Love the fact you tell us about your mistakes, only way to learn. Can’t wait for the next one
JUST got a sequoia seed ring and fallen sequoia bark necklace from an etsy shop called ‘growgoodcalifornia’ because i miss this national park SO much. im so happy to come across your article! thanks for sharing :,) it brings back good memories! This is so amazing keep it up, I just sent this to the grandkids so they can prepare to go next year
Get the pass at the entrance dont pay for shipping. That place is magical you are right at least once in your life you have to go there. We just came back from yosemite and i never get bored we always discover something new. Thank you for this article i will check some of this places next time we visit.
I personally find August the best time since Tioga Pass Road will be open and stream crossings on hikes are way easier plus you’re not dealing with snow on the high country trails. My favorite dayhike in the park, Clouds Rest, for instance will have easy stream crossings in mid to late August but if you go there in May or June when Tioga Pass Road just opens you could have a neck deep wade through the freezing cold outlet of Tenaya Lake on that trail per trip reports I have read from people who hike it early season. While coming in May or June when the waterfalls are raging is an unforgettable experience, August when you can do the hikes in the high country is pretty can’t miss too whether it’s for the best view of Half Dome you can get on a trail with the hike to North Dome, the impressive ridge with huge dropoffs on each side as you make the final push to the summit of Clouds Rest, the the views of both Clouds Rest and Half Dome from Mount Hoffmann, the views of Mono Lake one way and the Lyell Glacier the other from Mt Dana, etc. And those are all dayhikes, no need to backpack (though the backpacking is unreal too). I love camping at Tuolumne Meadows too, and spend a day or two at the backpackers camp to acclimate to altitude and do some dayhikes before doing backpacks there. Also last time I was there it was 100 in the valley but a nice comfortable 75-80 or so in the high country off Tioga Pass Road, just a night and day difference. Since you bring up safety, that Emerald Pool above Vernal Fall is very dangerous when the falls are roaring, and people get swept over Vernal Fall from time to time.
We love Yosemite! Love seeing it in Summer from your vlogs..we usually go in the Spring (and there is usually still snow on the ground!) no crowds at all! My husband was stationed at Travis AFB for years (prior to my meeting him..) so he knew all the good stuff to see at Yosemite. Tip: If you are military (active or retired) the yearly National Park Pass is absolutely FREE! Last trip we stayed at the infamous Cedar Lodge which is not too far from the El Portal gate at Yosemite. Can’t wait until I retire in 3 years and we can travel out to California during all the seasons (we live in Ga) in our Imagine 17MKE camper. Yes, your model is the same one that we have decided on after looking at probably 500 different camper configurations. We kept going back the 17MKE as the best one going! I started perusal your website because of the Imagine but love your content!
Glad the Youtube algorithm brought us to your website. We will be travelling to the US this September, and Yosemite is part of our itinerary. Thank you so much for the tips, as this will be our first road trip, and first national park to visit. We will comb through more of your articles as we also have a road trip coming up to Arizona and Portland. Subscribed! 🙂
Great article Grace, We are from the UK and heading to CA for 4 weeks this summer, your articles are really what I was looking for so many great tips and good advice! I wish I had booked earlier as all the hotels are fully booked in Yosemite valley, anyway!- We are starting in San Fran for a few days then heading to Yosemite, we are then going to head back and go down route 1 to LA and spend a week or so in LA. Watched all your CA vids, so helpful for me and my family! cant want to get on the plane!!
WOW what a great article covering all the ins and outs of Yosemite with stunning article footage and narration. I don’t think you get enough credit for your footage and editing put together. And that guy tight roping?! Wow. I had anxiety for him. I’ve been there once but we didn’t do 10% of what you guys did. The water looked so cool, clear and refreshing. Great way to cool off. Thanks for sharing the article and congrats on 4k followers. 5k will be next soon.
Crosby – passes are in fact required to get into the park. From the park website: “A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite during peak hours starting May 20, 2022 A reservation will be required to drive into Yosemite National Park May 20–September 30, 2022, for those driving into the park 6 am–4 pm. This temporary system is in place while numerous key visitor attractions are closed for infrastructure repairs.”
omg I’m so glad to have stumbled upon your article, this was very helpful, especially for current COVID times! I just wanted to ask/double-check that the Yosemite day pass you talked about is good for parking one vehicle? As well as any of the persons that are inside the vehicle? (sorry, my friend and I are complete newbies to visiting national parks such as Yosemite lol)
This is for anyone who has visited the park before. I would like some advice. I plan on visiting early next month (May) w my GF. We are non residents of the state so we will be driving about 6 hours to beat sunrise so we can try to experience it there maybe in Tunnel View. We mostly plan on driving through the park and sightseeing. Hiking maybe a little bit. My questions is, is it worth if just driving through the park for a couple hours or staying overnight would be better? We do not mind being on caffeine to have the extra energy we need we are well aware of it. Just want to know if it will be enough! Thanks
Hi Crosby! Thank you for your travel guide, I really appreciate it! I have a question though, how would you recommend for a group of people who doesn’t drive to get to the park? is there any way like a bus from the airport, or does these hotels/resorts provide transportation pick up and drop off? thank you!
Hi Crosby, I have just come across your article while searching for what to do in Yosemite. It is super helpful. We plan to go in August and I’m slightly concerned that the weather is too hot. Did you find it manageable for hiking and sightseeing when the temperature was above 100F? Did the high temperature last long during the day, i.e. what time did it get to that heat and what time did it start to get cooler?
i want to take someone to Yosemite this Friday, do i just call the office there and pay for the 2 days, where do i stay? is there different lodging places to call? i want us to stay in a yurt not a hotel so do i try to take to who ever has the yurts? i dont understand what to do besides just drive 4 hours and cross my fingers and hope i get in?
Um, yes, love the enthusiasm. but it’s a little too gaspy and gossipy in tone. You see, the wondrous aspect of Yosemite is its splendor. The light on the granite cliffs strikes one’s soul immediately. It’s an astouding beauty, and it’s spiritual. Enjoy by all means but savor. The breathtaking tone of this article seems to imply (and I think that’s an error in the tone, not necessarily the experience being related) get to this then to that and then to the other thing – and that’s okay, but it’s touristy. go here, get the picture, go there…One error in this is that there are more places to stay in the valley than just the Ahwahnee (by all means, go there – enjoy a meal if you can’t stay) and the camp sites. There’s the more moderately priced Yosemite Valley Lodge – mentioned here, but only as a place to pick up the bikes – which is located near Yosemite Falls. If you stay there when the falls are active, you have that wondrous sound to put you to sleep. There’s also Camp Curry, which has tent cabins. A few other things I would add: take the Valley tram tour, learn the park’s history, including the Native American history, make sure to see the Ansel Adams gallery, do a hike with a ranger, and if Lee Stetson is still doing his John Muir plays – take in at least one of those. Yosemite is not just a tourist site to get in, take pictures, and get out. We want to preserve this place and keep it wonderful for generations to come. I suppose the one word I’d use for exploring the park is respect.
1.\tWelcome Sign 2.\tTunnel View 3.\tGlacier Point 4.\tEl Capitan 5.\tYosemite Fall 6.\tValley Loop Trail 7.\tValley Chapel 8.\tValley Bridges 9.\tMerced River 10.\tVernal Fall 11.\tNevada Fall 12.\tHalf Dome 13.\tYosemite Village 14.\tRibbon Fall and Horsetail Fall 15.\tThe Ahwahnee 16.\tBridalveil Fall Other options: Hike to the top of Yosemite Falls, walk the trails in the meadow, Taft Point and Sentinel Dome.
In the foot steps of the magical John Muir! I grew up in the central valley of California. Just a2 hr. drive to Yosemite. It was the very first National Park I had ever visited. It’s inspired, poetic beauty evaded me at the time. The folly of youth. It wasn’t until my daughter was 2 that I returned and was able to appreciate and more importantly pass on that beauty of my daughter. No shock that I say how much I love your articles. These articles for some reason just get me so excited to jump in the car and just go. Thank you for the weekly inspiration my friend !! God Bless you ! and much love <3...............I had to come back and add the following. I had a bit of a challenging week. I'm fine, but was feeling the weight of the world, health etc. After I watched this, commented and went to the kitchen to make dinner, I was flooded with that feeling of peace that one feels in a National Park. It is almost indescribable. Yet when you are in a National Park, you just know that feeling. I wasn't there but just seeing Yosemite on screen and imagining being there again, brought me peace <3 There is nothing like being at a National Park. Thanks for sharing this much needed medicine my friend ! Love you <3
My aunt treated my parents and I to that Ahwanee Hotel Restaurant in October 2010 (I just checked Facebook for date lol). I remember eating my burger and thinking, “Man, this is ~$3 dollars a bite, or equivalent to 20 McChickens”. Awesome narration and flow on this one. Your friendly vocal tone would be ideal for airport or store closing announcements. “Attention customers, our store will be closing in 10 minutes, please bring….”. I used to do them at Home Depot a looooong time ago.
Thank you so much for this and all your content. You inspired us to hike the South Kaibab to Bright angel 3 years ago and we’ve been chasing new adventures ever since. Thank you for inspiring us to push ourselves to do things that we may have doubted in the past. I often hear your voice saying, what the mind can conceive, the body can achieve. We’re spending a week in this amazing place for our honeymoon in May this year. We can’t wait!!
I’m early in the process of planning a trip to visit Yosemite, Sequoia and King’s Canyon National Parks so naturally I’m perusal your articles for information. I’m hoping to go the first or second week of May 2024. I’ll check with the park but I plan on visiting Yosemite during the week so I won’t have to make reservations. I’ve been a subscriber for a couple of years and I always enjoy your articles. Thank you!!
Your articles are awesome thanks for providing such a great resource, I’m visiting Yosemite for the second time in August from way down in New Zealand, and your tip on reservations saved me some major headaches as I had not realized they now had a reservation system just like some other parks, got mine now so I am good to go, you’re a legend cheers dude if you are ever down this way I’d be happy to give you tips on some awesome kiwi hikes.
Panoramic Trail Glacier to Valley. When water flows. Has one uphill section. Illouette Nevada and Vernal Falls. 10 miles. To go up to Nevada and back is 7 miles or more. You can go up Vernal to bottom of Nevada, up. You can come down on the upper trail. Either go down to Vernal or down entire route it comes out at lower bathroom. The left side goes down goes past water tank down road.
Wow, This looks like a nice place. Yeah, This place is heaven. There are big meadows, There are big mountains, There are so many forests and There is a great river. There are many beautiful places on this planet and This is one of them. Yeah, This is a beautiful place in the world. Thank you so much for this article, I really appreciate it. By the way, The view from the top of those mountains must be very beautiful. 🏞️🏞️🏞️👏👏👏🤘🤘🤘🙂
Awesome article, Randy! It made me even more excited to spend a month in the eastern sierras and the surrounding areas this summer. Yosemite truly is one of the most beautiful national parks in the country. I’d also suggest clouds rest as a place to visit at Yosemite, though it’s only accessible a few months out of the year.
Great job. You did squeeze a lot into one vid. 👏👍 I love YNP. From my door to the Arch Rock gate is 90 min drive. I buy my “all park pass” every year and USE it. If I may, add a tip for visitors? Prepare to get an early start each day. Sunlight not sunrise. Makes your day last longer and beat the tourists to the trails. 😎😉
Sorry for being a little late to the party bud.As I have mentioned, Yosemite is my personal favorite even though I still have so much to see there.2 of our daughters ( Kaylie and Jessie) went there recently as well.Without me! I feel betrayed! Love how you used newer and older footage.cant wait to hear what you have planned for this year!
Hey Randy and others…..haven’t commented much but have been following along….very interesting article and narration…..May have a chance this Summer to visit Yosemite, as my Son and his Wife have left Chicago and moved to Sacramento….Well…all the best to you and your Family from Hank and Pam of South Texas
I thought the park was unreal but man what a feat of engineering getting that tunnel built through solid rock . A place I would love to visit and stopping at Ahwahnee for the duration would top it off in big style! Not 100% sure but I read in the paper last week about a hiker getting mauled by a grizzly in this park – terrifying, especially amongst so much beauty, cheers Alan
Hello! Thank you for making this article. I am going in mid August with a campervan, coming from lake Tahoe. Where do you think I can stay in or near the park if I have not reserved a place to park and sleep ? Thank you! I do have an America the beautiful annual pass, do I need to still get any other pas ? Thanks
At 1:00 shape of some mountains are puzzling, I have a hunch that these shapes are because these mountains when they were created by lavas, they were under water, because if they were out of the water and on land, melting lavas won’t cool down so fast that form sort of wall shaped mountains, they will be molten and liquid form until they spread over the ground and gradually become solid rocks…otherwise may be millions years ago should have been so freezing cold that the lavas before spreading on land became frozen sort of instantly in the air …For non-lava formed mountains, I mean sedimentary mountains it is obvious they have been formed under water and later waters were gone…hope somebody expert in geology will explain better
if you’re going from one trail to another that’s very far do you normally drive to the other side or what are some options? for example, glacier point to then cathedral beach? I’m trying to follow some suggestions for an itinerary and i’m wondering how people go from place to place. sorry if this is a silly question. going for the first time saturday for my bday 🙂