Vacation In Yosemite National Park
If you are tired of working on your office work and want to give a vacation then I suggest you must visit Yosemite National Park which is one of the most amazing national parks in US. It is located in California, right at the foothills of Sierra Nevada mountain range which makes the surroundings all the more picturesque.
Yosemite National Park, situated in central California, is one of the most famous and magnificent places to go vacation in the USA. Its protected area covers 1,170 square miles; it’s home to giant sequoia trees, which are among the biggest and oldest living things on Earth. Below I’ll show you why Yosemite is a great place to grab your sleeping bag and experience nature and tell you where else you can vacation in US.
Yosemite National Park is one of the first national parks in California, and a very popular tourist destination. The park’s massive 3,169sq. miles include Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and parts of the Sierra Nevada mountains and eastern foothills. Most people visit Yosemite to marvel at the natural beauty of the granite cliffs, waterfalls, rich wildlife (marmots, deer), deep vertical valleys, lakes, and forests.
Yosemite National Park is a premier destination in all of California, with an astounding variety of beautiful sights, sounds, and experiences that are sure to make it one of the best vacations you’ve ever had. With mountains, glaciers, lakes, incredible wildlife, and unforgettable hikes like the Mist Trail or Vernal Falls — arguably one of the best day hikes in the world — Yosemite National Park is as gorgeous a place to enjoy as there has ever been.
Vacation In Yosemite National Park
When considering a trip to any National Park, a little planning goes a long way. There are a ton of things to factor in before you plan a trip to Yosemite. This guide is here to help you start your trip off on the right foot.
If you have been to another National Park before like Olympic National Park, The Everglades or even Redwood National Park, you might think you have it all figured out. However, Yosemite is different.
Not only is it one of the largest National Parks in the US, but it is also home to some of the best hikes and best photo spots in the country. However, you may miss out on seeing some fantastic sights or a chance to raft along the Merced River if you visit at the wrong time.
Don’t despair as below you can find everything you need to know about Yosemite and how to plan a trip any month of the year. Whether it is the quiet months of December, January, February or March or the busy months of May, June, July and August.
This guide walks you through how to get there when to visit Yosemite, where to stay, what to pack and what to include in your 2 day or 3 day Yosemite Itinerary.
How to Get There When Planning a Trip to Yosemite
Driving is the easiest way to get to Yosemite. If you have a car or an RV then this is probably a no brainer. If you don’t then you may consider renting one for the trip. Having a car makes the trip straightforward and allows you some flexibility especially if you are visiting Yosemite with kids.
Best Things To Do In Yosemite
Things To Do In Yosemite National Park
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It’s not your only option though if you are coming from the Bay area. The bus is a common means of transportation for tourists when they want to visit Yosemite.
There are two different ways to get to Yosemite by bus. The first option is Highway 99, which is usually the quickest way but also the most expensive. Highway 99 costs $40 and takes about 4 hours.
The second option is highway 120, which can take up to 8 hours but costs only $10.
The Highway 120 route offers stunning views of Yosemite National Park and takes you through Merced, Mariposa, and other small towns along the way.
There is also the option of one of the many Yosemite tours. They pick you up and drop you off. The great thing about a guided tour is that you get to know more about the park along the way, they take the stress out of planning and many of them are kid-friendly.
They are also perfect if you just have one day in Yosemite.
There are several options to choose from including a day trip and the option to stay for two nights.
Click here to find out more about guided tours.
Which Entrance When You Plan a Trip to Yosemite
Getting to Yosemite is pretty easy from the west side of the country. Most of the main highways lead you straight there and there really is no need for a map.
San Francisco is the closest major city to the park and it is a four-hour drive.
Those travelling from San Francisco may want to take the most direct route along Highway 120. Most visitors then enter the park using Arch Rock Entrance or Big Oak Flat Entrance. However, they are not your only option.
Further north is Hetch Hetchy Entrance. This entrance takes a little longer, but it is a great way to avoid the crowds and the scenery is also stunning.
You could also visit Yosemite from Los Angeles or San Diego. As you travel along Highway 41 you can enter the park using the South Entrance. All of these entrances are open all year round so there is no need for detours.
On the other hand, things are a little tricker on the east side of the park. There is only one entrance, Tioga Pass Entrance and it is only open from May or early June until October.
Don’t worry you can still plan a trip to Yosemite Park from Death Valley or Las Vegas if you are visiting Yosemite in April or any other time of year. You could enter using the South Entrance off Highway 41.
Your road trip would take a little longer, but there are plenty of places to stop along the way.
It costs around $35 to enter the park with a vehicle at any of the entrances. However, if you can also use America the Beautiful Pass to enter the park. In fact, the annual pass allows you to visit over 2000 sites around the US.
It is relatively inexpensive and a great investment if you plan on visiting a few federal sites throughout the year.
For more information about America the Beautiful Pass click here.
Travelling Around When You Plan a Trip to Yosemite
There are many ways to get around Yosemite, some of which are free! Walking is great, but biking might be a better option. You can take bikes on the trails and through the valley.
In Yosemite Valley, visitors can hop on the shuttle bus too. Visitors can access the shuttle buses at any of the 19 stops. The buses run all year round with a reduced schedule in winter months, December, January, February and March.
They are pretty frequent in high season and run every 10-20 minutes. There is even a bus stop on Highway 120!
Another great option for exploring the Park is by taking the open-air tram. There are plenty of stops and they include Glacier Point, Wawona, Mariposa Grove, and Tuolumne Meadows.
One of the most popular tours in Yosemite is the Valley Floor Tour, which takes you through some of the best-known landmarks.
It’s a 26-mile tour that lasts 2 hours, so take some water and snacks with you. Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and El Capitan are just some places this tour covers.
How Long Should You Stay When You Plan a Trip to Yosemite
It is a long drive to Yosemite so while you could make it a day trip or fit it into just one day, it is best to stay for 2 or 3 days. This is particularly important if you are visiting Yosemite with kids.
If you are visiting with kids make sure to pack some awesome road trip activities for kids to keep them entertained on the long drive.
Ideally, you want to hike a few trails and see the breathtaking views darted around the park. To do that would take around three or four days at the least.
Not everyone can stay that long, so don’t cancel your trip just yet. Even if you only have a weekend, you could squeeze many of the attractions into a 2 day Yosemite Itinerary.
Best Time to go When Planning Yosemite Trip
After figuring out your best route there, you need to decide when you want to visit. Yosemite National Park is open all year round. However, most of the visitors arrive in July and August.
If you’re visiting during the height of summer, make sure to take precautions and book accommodation and tickets ahead of time.
There will be lots of people around on the weekends so it is recommended to visit any day but Saturday or Sunday.
To avoid crowds and enjoy Yosemite in its winter glory, visit the park in the dead of winter. Some places might be closed but there’s still plenty to do such as skiing or ice skating.
Spring and Fall are quieter than summer but still busy. The weather is great at this time of year and the majority of the park is open, weather dependant.
No matter when you decide to plan a trip to Yosemite, there is always a ton of activities and trails to discover around the park.