Yosemite National Park
CA
Park Alerts (1)
About Yosemite National Park
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.
Things To Do
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Ride a Bike in Yosemite Valley
Cycling is a great way to experience the park and allows you to cover more ground during your time here. You can rent a bike, bring your own, or borrow one through the bike share program (2-hour limit). Hand-crank and tandem bicycles are also available for rent. Over 12 miles of paved bike paths are available in Yosemite Valley (speed limit is 15 mph). In addition, bicyclists can ride on regular roads (if they obey traffic laws).
Hiking in Yosemite
From a short walk to the base of a waterfall to a multi-day hike deep into the Yosemite Wilderness, taking a hike is one of the best ways to experience Yosemite's spectacular scenery. Yosemite has an extensive network of over 800 miles of hiking trails.
Scenic Driving in Yosemite
All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile (62 km) drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November.
Watch the "Spirit of Yosemite" Film
The park film, The Spirit of Yosemite, is shown daily on the hour and the half hour in the theater behind the Yosemite Exploration Center. The first showing is at 9:30am, and the last showing is at 4pm.
Learn Art in the Park
Yosemite has a long history of inspiring visitors to create art. From world-renowned artists like Ansel Adams and Chiura Obata to everyday people who love art for fun, pausing to create something beautiful is a special way to experience Yosemite's towering cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, enormous trees, and granite high country.
Wildlife Safety in Yosemite
Yosemite National Park supports more than 400 species of vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The high diversity of species is the result of diverse habitats in Yosemite that are largely intact. The park’s rich habitats range from thick foothill chaparral to conifer forests to expanses of alpine rock. Animals feel at home in each location.
Available Activities
Weather
Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) in the Sierra Nevada, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May.
(Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.
Getting There
You can drive to Yosemite year-round and enter via Highways 41, 140, and 120 from the west. Tioga Pass Entrance (via Highway 120 from the east) is closed from approximately November through late May or June. Hetch Hetchy is open all year but may close intermittently due to snow.
Please note that GPS units do not always provide accurate directions to or within Yosemite.
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Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy area is only open from sunrise to sunset (except for permitted backpackers). All day visitors must exit Hetch Hetchy by sunset. The road is also closed to all vehicles (including backpackers) from sunset to sunrise.
Entrance Fees
Entrance - Private Vehicle
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. This fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it.
Entrance - Motorcycle
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers.
Entrance - Per Person
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for people entering on foot, a bicycle, a horse, or a non-commercial bus or van. People 15 years and younger are free.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups
The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
An educational fee waiver is available for educational and scientific groups that are accredited or tax-exempt for educational purposes planning a trip for educational or scientific purposes related to Yosemite that is not primarily recreational.
Commercial Entrance - Per Person
The fee is $20 per person for any resident 16 years or older. For any nonresident the fee is $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days.
Nonresident
Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.