Yosemite National Park
giant sequoia forests, waterfalls, and streams are contained.
Hours
All 365 days of the year and 24 hours a day.
Location
Central Sierra Nevada of California, 168 miles east of San Francisco and 4 1/2 to 5 hours from Los Angeles
Fees
All fees are describe below
Contact Info
866-875-8456
Welcome to Yosemite National Park
The Yosemite National Park is more than just a beautiful valley; it is also a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the tenacity of life, and the tranquilly of the High Sierra.
Yosemite National Park was established in 1864 and is best known for its waterfalls. However, the park’s nearly 1,200 square miles contains deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and other natural wonders.
In today’s world, the park receives approximately 3-4 million visitors per year. Among the many attractions in Yosemite is the opportunity to go on backpacking trips to see some of the park’s waterfalls and mountain meadows as well as hidden vistas and prime fishing spots in the backcountry. Hikers can choose from a variety of day hikes based on their interests, abilities, and level of difficulty, among other factors. Horse trails are available for those who want to go on a guided tour or go on an adventure on their own with their horses. The opportunity to rent an original Model T or Model A Ford and drive around the park is unique to the park and provides visitors with a chance to step back in time. Picnicking, birdwatching, biking, camping, and fishing are some of the other activities available in Yosemite National Park.
Entrance Tickets to Yosemite National Park
- Non-commercial automobile, pickup truck, recreational vehicle, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats – $35.00
- This fee is valid for seven days from the date of payment.
- Motorcycle – 30.00 dollars
- The fee is valid for seven days from the date of payment. The price is for one motorcycle (not per person).
- Pedal-powered vehicles such as bicycles, horses, and non-commercial buses or vans with more than 15 passenger seats are subject to a $20.00 fee.
- This fee is valid for seven days from the date of payment. Children under the age of 15 are admitted free of charge. The price is per person.
- Tour de commerce (sedan with up to six seats) – $25.00 per person
- The cost is $25 plus $15 per additional person.
- Commercial Tour (van with 7-15 seats, regardless of how many people are in the group) – $125.00
- Commercial Tour (minibus with 16-25 seats, regardless of occupancy) – $200.00 (includes transportation).
- The cost of a commercial tour (motor coach with at least 26 seats, regardless of occupancy) is $300.00.
Ticket Inside Yosemite National Park
- Yosemite National Park Annual Pass – $70.00
- Yosemite National Park is accessible for free for a period of 12 months following the date of purchase of an annual pass.
- Annual Pass to America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands – $80.00 per person
- Annual pass valid for 12 months from the date of purchase, which includes entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee-paying destinations. This passes will take the place of the National Parks Pass and the Golden Eagle Pass.
- Pass for Senior Citizens – $80.00
- Citizens and permanent residents of the United States who are 62 or older can purchase a lifetime or annual admission and discount pass at a discounted rate. The cost of an annual version of this pass, which is valid for 12 months, is $20.
- Access Passes are available for $0.00.
- For US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities, a lifetime admission and discount pass is available.
- Pass for US Military Personnel – $0.00 per year
- All active United States military personnel and their dependents are eligible for an annual pass that covers entrance and standard amenity fees. The pass is valid for 12 months from the date of issuance. (Available to active duty military personnel and their dependents who present proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173).
- The cost of an annual 4th grade pass is $0.00.
- Entrance fees for 4th grade students for the 2018–2019 school year are covered by an annual pass.
Yosemite National Park Experiences
Yosemite National Park Hiking
Day hikes are tailored to your specific interests, abilities, and level of challenge that you are looking to achieve. Day trips can take you to breathtaking high-elevation meadows ablaze with wildflowers, to the tops of some of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls, or to the summits of renowned peaks such as Cloud’s Rest and Half Dome, among other destinations. In addition to learning about the area’s history, ecology, and geology, you’ll also learn about wilderness ethics and the Leave No Trace principles.
Backpacking for Yosemite National Park
A trip into the Yosemite backcountry on an extended adventure always leaves a lasting impression on the traveller. It doesn’t matter if you’re there for two days or seven, you’ll discover hidden gems such as off-trail alpine lakes (where fish are abundant), back-country waterfalls, alpine meadows, hidden vistas, watering holes, cliff jumping areas, and natural water slides!
Family Adventures
The Yosemite back-country offers a variety of family adventure programmes. Whether you are in Yosemite for a day or a week, whether your children are pre-teens or young adults, there is an adventure to suit everyone in your family in Yosemite National Park. Make long-lasting memories with your family.
Yosemite National Park Photography Points
During the spring and summer months, the Yosemite Museum Gallery
hosts exhibits of Yosemite art and culture.
The Ansel Adams Gallery exhibits the work of Ansel Adams, contemporary photographers, and other fine artists. The gallery is located in downtown Los Angeles. Apart from that, there is a large selection of handcrafted items, books, gifts, and photography supplies available. Throughout the year, the gallery also offers a variety of photography walks, classes, and workshops to its visitors (check Yosemite Guide for listings).
Yosemite Conservancy’s Outdoor Adventures programme offers art and photography seminars throughout the park, which are sponsored by the National Park Service.
Yosemite Renaissance has an artist-in-residence programme that is open to the public.
Birdwatching at Yosemite National Park
It is important to note that Yosemite National Park is home to more than 165 species of birds that are migrating, overwintering, and breeding in addition to nearly 100 species that are transient or vagrant in nature. Designated a World Heritage Site and an Important Bird Area, the park contains diverse avian communities and habitats, as well as numerous threatened and endangered bird species. The park’s prized habitat includes everything from gently sloping foothill grasslands to giant conifer forests and windswept alpine meadows and peaks.
The Steller’s jay, American robin, acorn woodpecker, common raven, and mountain chickadee are some of the most frequently observed resident birds in the area. When it comes to springtime birds, look for the red-winged blackbird with its bright red wing patches (which can be found in wet meadows) or the tropical-looking western tanager foraging in the conifers. Watch the American dipper dart in and out of rapids near rivers and streams, and listen for their beautiful melodious song if you’re anywhere near them.
The great grey owl, the spotted owl, the peregrine falcon, the pileated woodpecker, and the northern goshawk are some of the more sought-after birds to see in Yosemite National Park.
To see some of the less common birds, quiet forests and meadows away from developed areas (especially in the mornings) are the best places to go in general. Keep in mind the fundamentals of birding etiquette: tread lightly and quietly, and please abide by park regulations by refraining from using broadcast bird calls to elicit responses from the animals.
Yosemite National Park Fishing
Are you looking for the best Yosemite fishing? Yosemite Mariposa County provides visitors with an exceptional variety of sport and fly fishing opportunities for anglers of all skill levels and interests. Because of the park’s 58 permanent streams, which run for an aggregate distance of 770 miles, and the abundance of mountain lakes, as well as the presence of excellent rainbow and brown trout keepers, Yosemite provides visitors with world-class fishing in an unforgettable setting.
The fishing season for streams and rivers in Yosemite National Park begins on the last Saturday in April and runs through November 15, with the exception of Frog Creek near Lake Eleanor, which opens on June 15 and closes on November 15. Merced Lake, as well as all of the other lakes and reservoirs in the area, are open to visitors for fishing all year.
Visitors who intend to go fishing during their visit to Yosemite National Park are asked to be aware of and adhere to the National Park Service’s regulations on wildlife fishing. Yosemite National Park requires that all visitors over the age of 16 possess a valid California sport fishing licence in order to fish in the park. For more information on fishing licences and regulations, please contact one of the Yosemite visitor centres. Are you in need of the proper equipment? Located in the heart of the Yosemite Valley, the Sport Shop at Yosemite Village sells everything you’ll need for your fishing trip in the park, including all of the necessary equipment and licences.
The following are some important considerations when fly fishing in Yosemite or simply casting a line for a day of recreational fishing. We ask that you keep in mind that special catch and release regulations apply to native rainbow trout caught in the Merced River from Happy Isles downstream to the Foresta Bridge before planning your fishing excursion. Visitors are requested to only use artificial lures or flies with barbless hooks when fishing. Please keep in mind that all bait fishing is prohibited in the park and that this is strictly enforced throughout the entire facility.
Are you still in the mood for some more? Outside of the park, there are a plethora of excellent, peaceful fishing spots, particularly along the Merced River, which runs through Yosemite and Mariposa counties.
Golf Yosemite National Park
When it opened in 1918, Yosemite’s Big Trees Lodge Golf Course was the first regulation course in Sierra Nevada. Since then, it has provided golfers with challenging but rewarding rounds. During the spring and early fall, this course is only open for business.
Guests can play golf in Yosemite National Park on a daily basis from spring to fall, weather permitting.
Electric and caddie cart rentals are available, as well as daily snack and beverage service. A pro shop and putting green are also available.
Museums Yosemite National Park
Of course, you come to Yosemite and Mariposa because of the nature and the outdoors, but you should set aside some time, especially during your first visit, to visit the numerous museums and walk around the visitor centres.
There are several interesting museums to visit in Yosemite National Park. The majority of visitors stop at the Yosemite Museum to learn about the American Indian cultures that have shaped the park, including the incredible handwoven baskets on display. It is in Wawona that you will find the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, where you can ride in an authentic stagecoach back in time to a pioneer village complete with living history volunteers dressed in replica costumes.
The Mariposa Museum & History Center, located in Mariposa, offers visitors a glimpse into the region’s pioneer and gold rush past. Take a look at the world-famous Fricot “Nugget,” a 13.8-pound rare and beautiful specimen of crystallised gold that can be found at the California State Mining & Mineral Museum, which is located just minutes outside of Mariposa.
Wilderness
Yosemite National Park has been designated as Wilderness by Congress in nearly all of its areas. The term “wilderness” can be used to refer to a variety of things. In its many forms, wilderness can evoke images of wild animals, cascading streams, jagged mountains, vast prairies, or deserts. Wilderness can be feared or revered, depending on your perspective. Individuals can experience wilderness as a physical challenge, breathtaking vistas, solitude, community, renewal, or a respite from the stresses of a technologically complex society.
A wilderness, in contrast to those areas where man and his own works dominate the landscape, is hereby recognised as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrampled by man, and where man himself is a visitor who does not remain, according to the Wilderness Act.
When it comes to wilderness, the word untrammelled captures the essence of the place. Simply put, the term “untrammelled” refers to being “free of constraints” or “unimpeded.” Wilderness areas are places where the American people have made a conscious decision to allow nature to take its course.
Natural processes are the primary force acting on the land in wilderness, and the advancements of modern technological society are largely unnoticeable in this environment.
After being signed into law in 1964, the Wilderness Act included guidelines for future additions to the National Widerness Preservation System. A law was passed in 1984 that authorised the creation of more than 3 million acres of wilderness in California, including the Yosemite Wilderness, as part of the state’s conservation efforts.
Picnicking
Picnic areas are available throughout Yosemite on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted) from dawn to dusk on a first-come, first-served basis (reservations are not accepted).
To the extent that they are not otherwise noted, all picnic areas in Yosemite are equipped with picnic tables, vault toilets, and trash and recycling receptacles.
- Grills:
All picnic areas, with the exception of Lower Yosemite Fall, Yosemite Creek, and Lembert Dome, are equipped with grills. - Potable water:
All picnic areas, with the exception of Lower Yosemite Fall and Church Bowl, do not have potable water (which have both potable water and flush toilets).
Disabled access: Unless otherwise noted, picnic areas include some picnic tables with extended tops, accessible restrooms or vault toilets, and (if grills are available) accessible grills, among other amenities.
Stargazing
Yosemite National Park, which is located miles away from the nearest city lights, has a very dark night sky, making it an excellent location for stargazing.
Bring a star chart and spend some time looking for constellations, or use binoculars to take a look at some of our planet’s neighbours.
Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings are popular times to observe the night sky at Glacier Point, and astronomy walks and talks are frequently offered in Yosemite Valley, Tuolumna Meadows, and Wawona.
For the most up-to-date schedule, consult the Yosemite Guide.
