Top Things to Do When Visiting Yosemite National Park

The Yosemite National Park, located in the Californian Mountains, is just the place to be for the outdoor enthusiasts. There are exciting hiking trails that take you through some of the fantastic landscapes. The age-old sequoia trees, cliffs, and the waterfalls- the Park has all the ingredients for a perfect adventure-filled vacation. Mother Nature has bestowed Yosemite National Park with many amazing things from her bounty. The wildlife, the deep forests, lakes, and rivers add to the mesmerizing beauty of this place.

There are four types of entrance tickets for Yosemite National Park:

Per Vehicle: $35

Per Motorcycle: $30

Per Person: $20

Park Specific Annual Pass: $70

It's a perfect place for anyone who is in love with nature. Yosemite National Park will surprise you in more ways than one as there is so much to see and experience. Here are our suggestions regarding what you should not miss in Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park has numerous waterfalls, literally more than you can count or visit. Some falls are towering spectacles of water, and then there are the smaller ones that are beautiful nevertheless in their way. We suggest that you will admire their beauty the most if you visit the place in spring. That is immediately after winter when the snow melts feeding these falls with pristine clear water. It's the month of May and June when the waterfalls in the Yosemite National Park are the most impressive. There are three parts of the Yosemite Falls together forming a vast 2425 feet waterfall. One of the highest waterfalls in North America, it also makes it to the world's top 10 list. It's a place that is picture-perfect to capture a rainbow in the background, and it gets even better at night. This fall is no doubt an icon of the Yosemite National Park, which you can witness from several spots in the Yosemite Valley. For the best views visit places like the Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome or the Taft Point, to see the true grandeur of this waterfall. What's more, for the lazy ones- you need not hike to reach this place. Right in your car, you can appreciate the beauty of this place.

Considered as the largest in the world, El Captain is a monolith of granite and trendy rock climbing spot in the Yosemite National Park. Going up to 3593 meters above the valley floor, it is a craze amongst the rock climbers. You can get a good view of El Capitan from the Bridalveil Fall, Tunnel view and the El Capitan Meadow. In spite of its popularity, rock climbing here requires some pro skills. Carry along a pair of binoculars, and you can spot many climbers at the granite face of El Capitan. Following their ascent with your binoculars is also an enjoyable experience. A visit to El Capitan in the Yosemite National Park brings out the adventure seeker in you. For the novice, hiking around the area is equally fun, and you can also take a dip or two in the Merced River that flows nearby. You can also sign up for a training session conducted for the enthusiasts in the Half Dome Village. For the beginners, there are classes for climbing and rappelling to 60 feet. When here in Yosemite National Park, get ready to add a few new skills in the adventure.

The discussion regarding the Yosemite National Park remains incomplete with the mention of Half Dome. The beauty of the place is mesmerizing. It goes up to 5000 feet over the Valley and is hence the most visible and famous peak of the Park. It is a 10-12 hours hike to the summit, and every year thousands of climbers attempt this hike. The last 400 feet requires metal cables. The hike to the summit is exhausting and dangerous to some extent. However, the view from the top is spectacular and worth all the sweat and effort. It is an unforgettable experience for all. The Half Dome trail covers a distance of 14 to 16 miles; wherein the hikers reach an elevation of 4800 feet. The real challenging part is the Mist Trail, and it tests your stamina and endurance. It is suggested that the ones who are afraid of heights or not in perfect physical health, should avoid this hike. Such people can instead prefer a trip to the Nevada Falls. The 1 authorities suggest that the ones interested in hiking should bring all their hiking equipment and the necessary supplies along and should not rely on the park facilities.

Another famous attraction in Yosemite National Park, the Glacier Point is easily accessible by foot, car, or bus. In fact, during the winter season, you can ski to this place as well. The track to the Glacier Point is steep and covers a distance of 4 miles. Millions of years ago, there was a glacier in Yosemite National Park, and today it has the glacier-carved Valley below the Glacier Point. From here you get the panoramic view of the Valley as well the iconic Half Dome. You cannot get a better view of the Yosemite Valley than from this point. Its 7214 feet above the sea level and gives a perfect view of the Milky Way at night. It is an ideal place to click a lot of photographs for memories sake. We recommend you take an extra layer of clothing when visiting the Glacier Point, as it gets a little colder here compared to other parts of the Valley. Hiking to the Glacier Point is challenging, and few opt for it. Prefer the four miles track from the Glacier Point to the valley downhill. For this buy a one-way ticket of the bus tour and hike back to the Valley.

This 620 feet waterfall in Yosemite National Park is the most accessible one as it's just a half-mile from the paved road of the parking lot. Right at the entrance of Yosemite National Park, this towering waterfall is admirable. In May, the waterfall reaches its peak. Reaching this waterfall is a 20 minute round trip, and it is recommended to dress appropriately as there might be strong splashes of water coming towards you from the waterfall from the springs. It may even get slippery or icy. Hence it's better to wear solid footwear if hiking to the trails around the waterfall. You can avoid jams during summers by taking the Southside Drive and park your vehicle alongside the road and start your hike from there. On this trail, you will get some amazing views of the Bridalveil Fall. The credit of making this waterfall famous goes to Ansel Adams who published the photograph 'Gates of the Valley' featuring this waterfall. He was one of the most celebrated photographers in the U.S. In his photography, the landscapes were the highlights. He is known to have clicked some of the earliest images of Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park is home to the giant sequoias. These iconic trees are classified as the largest, rarest, and the oldest living organism in the world. In the Park, you will find three groves of these impressive giants. These trees only grow between 4500 to 700 feet on the western slopes of Sierra Nevada and are found nowhere else on the planet. Many consider them to be the closest to the redwoods found in California. In Yosemite National Park, you will find these giant sequoias at three places. One is the Mariposa Grove which is in the southern part of the Park and then two smaller groves adjacent to the Crane Flat. Choose any of these three locations and take the whole family on a joyful nature walk. It's going to be worth every minute spent here in the lap of nature. The Mariposa Grove near Mawona is the more popular one amongst the three groves. This groove has nearly 500 mature sequoias. Walk along the gentle foot trails leading uphill through the grove. If you are looking to avoid crowds, then you can drive northwest of the Valley in Yosemite National Park towards the Crane Flat area. Smaller in size but it's a perfect place to spend some quality time in solitude with the giant sequoias.

Yosemite National Park is home to hundreds of species of birds, fishes, reptiles, and mammals. The best way to come across any of these species is to go for a hike in the Park. One animal that tops the list is the black bear, and Yosemite National Park has around 500 of these. Do not go by the name; these are bears with brown fur. If during a hike you come across a bear, relax and don't frighten the animal. These bears are aggressive only when they have to guard food or their cubs. Another animal to spot here in the Park is the bighorn sheep called Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep. The only animal that is on the endangered list in the Yosemite National Park, Generally found on the highest terrain of the Park, hikers stand a better chance of sighting these. Mule deer is the other animal that has greater chances of sighting for the hikers. Do not try to feed these animals as our food can be harmful to them. Bobcat is another beautiful animal to find here in the Park. If you hear any howl during hiking, possibly it is the Coyote communicating. These are shy animals and relatively difficult to sight. Follow the basic rules and the guidelines of the park rangers and enjoy the wildlife here in Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite National Park has about 13 camping areas, and you can choose any of these equally beautiful spots. You can find more places for camping, outside the park limits but within easy driving distance. Of the 13 camping grounds within the Park, four are in the Yosemite Valley, five along the Tioga Road and the remaining on Highway 120 and 140. Amongst all these, the Upper Pines Campground is the largest in the Valley. It is not crowded, and the sun and shade of the pines and cedars are truly relaxing. You can have several hiking trails from this campsite. In the Half Dome Village, you have the Lower Pines campground. It is a pleasant location with great views. You also have a river running along with the campsite. For the rock climbing enthusiasts, Camp 4 is the ideal. Right in the centre of the Yosemite Valley, near the Yosemite Falls, the vibe of this campground is unique. With huge pine trees around, you are going to love this place. Apart from these sites, the North Pines Campground, tents and cabins at Half Dome Village, Wawona, Summerdale, and the Tuolumne Meadows campgrounds are other popular options. Make sure you get your bookings done in advance to avoid last-minute disappointments.

In Yosemite National Park, there is no other place more picturesque than the Tuolumne Meadows. A two-mile stretch of blooming fields and the Tuolumne River with the backdrop of rising peaks, the overall serenity of the place touches you. Catch the wonderful views of the Pothole Dome, Lembert Dome and the Cathedral Peak near the Tuolumne River Bridge. Spring is the best time to visit due to greenery all around. These meadows are at an elevation of 8000 feet and are open from June to September. Access the rivers, lakes, mountain peaks, and granite domes here. For climbers, hikers, backpackers, and fishing enthusiasts, the Tuolumne Meadows are the most sought after in Yosemite National Park. Central to the Tuolumne Meadows area is Lake Tenaya. It is also called 'the Jewel of the High Country' by many. You will find parking lots and restrooms near the Lake. You can indulge in activities like paddle kayaking, canoes, and paddleboarding here. The sand surrounding the Lake gives you the feel of a beach, and you can even try a dip in the chilly water of the Lake. Hikers can also take the 2.5-mile trail of the Lake to explore more around the area.

While Yosemite National Park, you will find numerous places that are pretty and peaceful. However, as you get close to the Yosemite Valley, the tunnel view is amazing. When you near the end of the long Wawona Tunnel, you are treated with some of the most spectacular views of Yosemite National Park. These breathtaking views can be enjoyed even more when you choose to hike nearby as there are several hiking trails in the area. Hike from here for a quarter-mile to a higher elevation and have a beautiful picnic on the top. From the Tunnel View, most of the famous Yosemite National Park's landmarks are visible. Have a spectacular view of El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall and the Yosemite Valley from here. To reach here, drive about 1.6 miles on the Wawona Road towards south from the junction at the Southside Drive. The parking lot here has limited space, and you may come across a traffic jam. Usually, at sunset, you may find many visitors here to enjoy the view and capture the feel in pictures.

The visitors to Yosemite National Park will never want to miss any of the natural attractions of the Park. Most of these spots are easily accessible by a road that runs throughout the Park. Reaching Yosemite National Park is easy, and all you need is a little planning. You can reach California by air and enter the Park by hiring a car. The city of San Francisco is 4 hours away, and Sacramento is at a 3 hours distance. The roads are in good condition all the year round except the ones at the eastern entrance. For the ones planning to travel by bus, the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System provides bus service to Yosemite. The Park is open the year-round; however, in a few areas of the Park, the roads are closed during winters due to heavy snow.