Yosemite National Park

The jaw-dropping head-turner of America’s national parks, and a Unesco World Heritage site, Yosemite (yo-sem-it-ee) garners the devotion of all who enter. From the waterfall-striped granite walls buttressing emerald-green Yosemite Valley to the skyscraping giant sequoias catapulting into the air at Mariposa Grove, the place inspires a sense of awe and reverence – four million visitors wend their way to the country’s third-oldest national park annually. But lift your eyes above the crowds and you’ll feel your heart instantly moved by unrivaled splendors: the haughty profile of Half Dome, the hulking presence of El Capitan, the drenching mists of Yosemite Falls, the gemstone lakes of the high country’s subalpine wilderness and Hetch Hetchy’s pristine pathways.

Explore Yosemite National Park

Mariposa Grove
With their massive stature and multi-millennium maturity, the chunky high-rise sequoias of Mariposa Grove will make you feel rather insignificant. The…
Glacier Point
If you drove, the views from 7214ft Glacier Point might make you feel like you cheated – superstar sights present themselves without your having made…
Half Dome
Yosemite's most distinctive natural monument, Half Dome is 87 million years old and has a 93% vertical grade – the sheerest cliff in North America…
El Capitan
At nearly 3600ft from base to summit, El Capitan ranks as one of the world’s largest granite monoliths. Its sheer face makes it a world-class destination…
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Olmsted Point
This ‘honey, hit the brakes!’ viewpoint, midway between the May Lake turnoff and Tenaya Lake, is a lunar landscape of glaciated granite with a stunning…
Bridalveil Fall
At the southwestern end of the valley, Bridalveil Fall tumbles 620ft. The Ahwahneechee people call it Pohono (Spirit of the Puffing Wind), as gusts often…
Yosemite Falls
West of Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in North America, dropping 2425ft (740m) in three tiers. A slick trail leads…
I
Inspiration Point
Some of Yosemite's best vistas are granted to those who hike the steep, 1.3-mile trail up to this viewpoint. Inspiration Point used to be a spot along an…
S
Sentinel Dome
The hike to Sentinel’s summit (8122ft) is the shortest and easiest trail up one of Yosemite’s granite domes. For those unable to visit Half Dome’s summit,…

Mariposa Grove
With their massive stature and multi-millennium maturity, the chunky high-rise sequoias of Mariposa Grove will make you feel rather insignificant. The…
Glacier Point
If you drove, the views from 7214ft Glacier Point might make you feel like you cheated – superstar sights present themselves without your having made…
Half Dome
Yosemite's most distinctive natural monument, Half Dome is 87 million years old and has a 93% vertical grade – the sheerest cliff in North America…
El Capitan
At nearly 3600ft from base to summit, El Capitan ranks as one of the world’s largest granite monoliths. Its sheer face makes it a world-class destination…
O
Olmsted Point
This ‘honey, hit the brakes!’ viewpoint, midway between the May Lake turnoff and Tenaya Lake, is a lunar landscape of glaciated granite with a stunning…
Bridalveil Fall
At the southwestern end of the valley, Bridalveil Fall tumbles 620ft. The Ahwahneechee people call it Pohono (Spirit of the Puffing Wind), as gusts often…
Yosemite Falls
West of Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in North America, dropping 2425ft (740m) in three tiers. A slick trail leads…
I
Inspiration Point
Some of Yosemite's best vistas are granted to those who hike the steep, 1.3-mile trail up to this viewpoint. Inspiration Point used to be a spot along an…
S
Sentinel Dome
The hike to Sentinel’s summit (8122ft) is the shortest and easiest trail up one of Yosemite’s granite domes. For those unable to visit Half Dome’s summit,…

Latest Stories from Yosemite National Park

Road Trips 5 of the best road trips in and around Yosemite National Park
Feb 6, 2023 • 8 min read
The roads around Yosemite National Park are a driving utopia. Here are the very best road trip routes.
Hiking 6 best hikes in Yosemite National Park
Jan 31, 2023 • 7 min read
Lace up your boots and head out on two feet: Yosemite has 750 miles of trails, from short scenery-packed walks to overnight backcountry treks.
National Parks How to see the Yosemite firefall in 2023
Sep 28, 2022 • 3 min read
The Yosemite firefall is a stunning natural phenomenon that attracts people to Yosemite National Park each February.
National Parks 11 of the most stunning waterfalls to see at Yosemite National Park and how to see them
Mar 10, 2022 • 8 min read
For outdoor adventurers who chase waterfalls, nothing in the US delivers like Yosemite National Park. Here are the best.
Hiking Yosemite brings back reservation system for 2022 amid congestion and construction concerns
Feb 17, 2022 • 3 min read
If you're planning to visit Yosemite National Park this summer, you’ll need a reservation. Here's how to get one.
Camping Yosemite vs Yellowstone: which national park is best for you?
Jan 24, 2022 • 8 min read
Both parks are wildly popular, but there are significant differences between the two. Here's how to choose the one that's right for you.
National Parks This Yosemite campsite is so popular that a lottery has opened for summer reservations - but you need to be quick
Jan 24, 2022 • 3 min read
Yosemite National Park is turning to a lottery reservation system to create a better visitor experience in one particularly popular campground.
National Parks You'll need a reservation to visit Yosemite National Park this summer
Apr 14, 2021 • 2 min read
Day visitors will need to have made advance reservations if they're planning to visit between 21 May and 30 September.
National Parks Animals come out to play in Yosemite while humans stay away
Apr 20, 2020 • 2 min read
Park rangers in Yosemite National Park have joked that the animals are "having a party" as they explore the landscape in new ways without interference…
Wildlife & Nature Are National Park visitors centers worth it? Regulars weigh in
Nov 4, 2019 • 4 min read
As visitor centers evolve in the digital age, the debate rages on about how to best use them.
Sports Yosemite has a trash problem – and an unlikely culprit is to blame
Oct 11, 2019 • 2 min read
When you think about rock climbing in Yosemite National Park, a climber clinging to a barren rock face – surrounded by a pristine natural backdrop, not another…
Sustainable Travel How to photograph Yosemite like Ansel Adams
Sep 23, 2019 • 6 min read
On a private tour of Yosemite, an Ansel Adams expert taught me to shoot like the famed landscape photographer. Here's what I learned.
Wildlife & Nature National Parks: The best free things to do in the US parks
Jul 9, 2019 • 2 min read
The national parks are America’s wild playground. Some charge a nominal entry fee, but once you’re in, they’re full of fantastic free escapades. Go on a…
Road Trips Glamping in California: 5 spots to sleep comfortably under the stars
May 14, 2019 • 3 min read
With such an incredible variety of landscapes, California is the perfect place to reconnect with nature. But what if you just don't like to tough out…

Planning Toolkit

Discover some of the most unique and fulfilling experiences your next destination has to offer.
Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination.
Golden rules to keep in mind when traveling to this destination.
Check out these fun-filled activities that the entire family can enjoy.

Discover some of the most unique and fulfilling experiences your next destination has to offer.
Tips & Travel trends to help you pick the perfect time to visit this destination.
Golden rules to keep in mind when traveling to this destination.
Check out these fun-filled activities that the entire family can enjoy.

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Yosemite National Park.

See
Mariposa Grove
With their massive stature and multi-millennium maturity, the chunky high-rise sequoias of Mariposa Grove will make you feel rather insignificant. The…
See
Glacier Point
If you drove, the views from 7214ft Glacier Point might make you feel like you cheated – superstar sights present themselves without your having made…
See
Half Dome
Yosemite's most distinctive natural monument, Half Dome is 87 million years old and has a 93% vertical grade – the sheerest cliff in North America…
See
El Capitan
At nearly 3600ft from base to summit, El Capitan ranks as one of the world’s largest granite monoliths. Its sheer face makes it a world-class destination…
See
Olmsted Point
This ‘honey, hit the brakes!’ viewpoint, midway between the May Lake turnoff and Tenaya Lake, is a lunar landscape of glaciated granite with a stunning…
See
Bridalveil Fall
At the southwestern end of the valley, Bridalveil Fall tumbles 620ft. The Ahwahneechee people call it Pohono (Spirit of the Puffing Wind), as gusts often…
See
Yosemite Falls
West of Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls is considered the tallest waterfall in North America, dropping 2425ft (740m) in three tiers. A slick trail leads…
See
Inspiration Point
Some of Yosemite's best vistas are granted to those who hike the steep, 1.3-mile trail up to this viewpoint. Inspiration Point used to be a spot along an…
See
Sentinel Dome
The hike to Sentinel’s summit (8122ft) is the shortest and easiest trail up one of Yosemite’s granite domes. For those unable to visit Half Dome’s summit,…

Guidebooks

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