A street journey by way of the Yosemite Valley is an unforgettable expertise. As you drive by way of the valley, you’ll be bombarded by iconic sights that individuals around the globe will acknowledge.
I’ve traveled to the Yosemite Valley many instances all through my childhood and maturity and it’s one in every of my favourite locations!
The Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Nationwide Park as an entire have exploded in recognition, partially as a result of they’re not removed from a number of large cities. Fresno is simply over an hour away, and you will get to Yosemite from the Bay Space in about 4 hours. This implies there are a number of actions that now require permits so the park isn’t overrun.
From April by way of October, reservations are sometimes required to drive into or by way of Yosemite Valley. All the campgrounds within the Yosemite Valley require reservations, and also you want a allow to hike Half Dome as nicely.
If you wish to escape the crowds at Yosemite, strive approaching weekdays within the fall, winter, or spring. Fall nonetheless has gentle climate that enables climbing and different actions, and winter means sledding, ice skating, and snowboarding.
Websites to Cease and See in Yosemite Valley
Visitors within the Yosemite Valley could be excessive, particularly in hotter months. When you’re headed to the Yosemite Valley for the day, parking could also be full by 9 am.
RVs are allowed in Yosemite Valley, however parking for RVs is much more difficult than for different automobiles. There’s a free park shuttle that travels all through the Yosemite Valley, and your greatest wager is to park your automobile (if potential) and take the shuttle across the park for the day. If you’re tenting within the valley, shuttles come near most campground entrances so that you don’t have to drive your automobile.
There are a lot of sights to see within the Yosemite Valley. Listed here are a number of of essentially the most noteworthy.
Waterfalls
There are a number of superior (in essentially the most literal sense of the phrase!) waterfalls all through the Yosemite Valley. The falls are often at their peak in Might every year.
Yosemite Falls truly consists of three separate waterfalls – the Higher Fall, the Center Cascades, and the Decrease Fall. It’s only a quick stroll from the parking space to the underside of the falls.
Bridalveil Fall was at all times one in every of our first stops after we arrived on the park, as a result of it’s one of many closest falls to the Valley entrance. It’s not as massive as Yosemite Falls, nevertheless it’s very fairly and a straightforward stroll from the parking zone. Ribbon Fall is the longest single-drop waterfall in North America. From mid-to-late February, Horsetail Fall seems to be prefer it’s on hearth when the orange glow of the sundown displays off the water.
Views
Be prepared for breathtaking views nearly anyplace within the Yosemite Valley! Nonetheless, there are a number of spots with iconic views. It’s possible you’ll even acknowledge them from postcards or footage of the park.
When you’re approaching the park from the South Entrance, you’ll be able to expertise The Tunnel View. The Tunnel View overlook subsequent to Wawona Street encompasses the Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome within the distance.
Valley View is a spot alongside Northside Drive on the west finish of the Valley. You’ll be subsequent to the Merced River, which is framed by El Capitan on one aspect and Bridalveil Fall on the opposite.
Sentinel Bridge is a reasonably spot alongside Sentinel Drive. Half Dome is correct in entrance of you, and you may typically see its reflection completely mirrored within the Merced River beneath.
El Capitan Meadow
El Capitan is a 3,000-foot rock that’s develop into a well-known vacation spot for elite rock climbers. When you want to maintain your ft firmly on the valley flooring, El Capitan Meadow is a good spot for viewing the cliff. It’s laborious to overstate the impressiveness of staring up at El Capitan from the bottom. You too can watch as evening falls, and see climber’s headlamps as they prepared themselves for mattress on the sheer cliff face.
Completely happy Isles
The Completely happy Isles space has an Artwork and Nature Heart the place you’ll be able to see pure historical past displays or take part in artwork workshops. There are quick trails close by that target the world’s 4 completely different environments – the forest, the river, the talus, and the fen.
Completely happy Isles can also be the trailhead for a number of hikes of various problem. The Mist Path will take you first to a bridge – about 3/4 mile from the beginning of the path. It crosses the falls, and makes a pleasant, simple hike for households. You may proceed on from there to Vernal Fall, then Nevada Fall, and ultimately, to the highest of Half Dome. You do want a allow to hike Half Dome, and people could be laborious to return by! I’ve completed the Half Dome Day Hike – it’s strenuous, and requires preparation and cautious planning forward of time.
Merced River
The Merced River flows all through the Yosemite Valley, typically meandering and typically speeding alongside. There are a number of water actions to do alongside the river. You may fish, swim, or raft all through the valley.
Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is an easy-to-moderate two-mile path from the trailhead at shuttle cease #17 to the lake. The lake doesn’t have lots of water, and in the summertime it’s referred to as Mirror Meadow since many of the water has dried up. Nevertheless it’s a reasonably hike alongside Tenaya Creek and throughout two bridges.
Ahwahnee Lodge
The majestic Ahwahnee Lodge was constructed within the Nineteen Twenties in hopes of attracting rich guests. It labored! Presidents, royalty, and different celebrities have stayed on the resort within the Yosemite Valley. The resort was constructed with an eye fixed for the Yosemite Valley views, and also you’ll be surrounded by picturesque surroundings while you stroll the grounds. The Ahwahnee Eating Room options flooring to ceiling home windows so company can see the sights of the valley. A big hearth and cozy seating make the Nice Lounge a beautiful place to calm down.
Yosemite Village
Together with the Ahwahnee Lodge, you will discover lodging in Yosemite Village. You’ll additionally discover eating places, a village retailer with groceries and camp gadgets, and a pool. The Ansel Adams Gallery is value a cease to see the works of Yosemite’s most well-known photographer. The Yosemite Museum and Yosemite Conservation Heritage Heart can each educate you extra concerning the park, and the Valley Wilderness Heart is the place you’ll find out about backcountry security and choose up permits.
Curry Village
Curry Village is the opposite major village within the park. Like Yosemite Village, there are eating places and a camp retailer. You’ll find cabins and tent cabins for lodging. Curry Village additionally has ice skating in winter and a pool to get pleasure from in summer time.
RV Leases Close by
There are a number of choices for RVshare leases close to Yosemite Nationwide Park. When you can’t discover what you need near the park, you too can search Fresno, the closest large metropolis which is simply over an hour away. When you plan to remain solely in Yosemite Valley, you’ll be able to doubtless hire any dimension of RV. Nonetheless, roads together with Glacier Level Street, Mariposa Grove Street, and Hetch Hetchy Street have restrictions on RV lengths. Many campgrounds additionally restrict RV sizes.
There’s parking within the park for RVs and trailers, nevertheless it fills up rapidly.
When you assume you’ll be driving winding roads out of Yosemite Valley, you’ll need both a smaller camper van, a trailer you’ll be able to unhook so you need to use the tow automobile, otherwise you’ll need to tow a automobile alongside for day journey driving.
Tenting Close by
Yosemite Nationwide Park has ten campgrounds that may accommodate RVs and trailers. Nonetheless, the park is so common that the campgrounds refill in a short time. Reservations are required for all campgrounds within the park from about April by way of October and are troublesome to get. There are additionally three first-come, first-served campgrounds in fall, winter, and early spring. These additionally refill rapidly, particularly on weekends and holidays.
There aren’t any hookups obtainable within the park. There are dump stations with recent water obtainable at Higher Pines Campground year-round, close to Wawona Campground in summer time, and close to Tuolumne Meadows Campground. Turbines are allowed, however should be used throughout designated two-hour time blocks throughout the day.
There are campgrounds that may accommodate RVs as much as 40 ft and trailers as much as 35 ft, however solely eight websites can be found. Different campgrounds within the park can take RVs as much as 35 ft and trailers as much as 24 ft.
Campgrounds Inside Yosemite Nationwide Park:
Higher Pines Campground
Handle: Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Flush bogs, ingesting water, a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker. Yosemite’s free shuttle stops on the campground entrance. Curry Village close by has showers for a charge, a normal retailer, and eating places.
Decrease Pines Campground
Handle: Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Flush bogs, ingesting water. a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker. The free shuttle stops on the campground entrance. Curry Village is inside strolling distance and has showers for a charge, a normal retailer, and eating places.
North Pines Campground
Handle: Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Flush bogs, ingesting water, a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker. The free shuttle stops close to the campground entrance. Curry Village is close by and has showers for a charge, a normal retailer, and eating places.
Wawona Campground
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Wawona Campground is within the nationwide park, about 45 minutes from the Yosemite Valley. The campground has flush bogs, ingesting water, a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker. A normal retailer and fuel station are a couple of mile from the campground.
Bridalveil Creek Campground
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Bridalveil Creek Campground is 26 miles from Yosemite Valley. The campground has flush bogs, ingesting water, a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker.
Hodgdon Meadow Campground
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Hodgdon Meadow Campground is 25 miles from Yosemite Valley. The campground has flush bogs, ingesting water, a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker. There’s a fuel station and small normal retailer eight miles away at Crane Flat.
Crane Flat Campground
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Crane Flat Campground is 17 miles from Yosemite Valley. The campground has flush bogs, ingesting water, a picnic desk, a fireplace ring, and a meals storage locker. There’s a fuel station and small normal retailer close by.
White Wolf Campground
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: White Wolf Campground is about an hour from Yosemite Valley. The seasonal campground has flush bogs, ingesting water, trash and recycling assortment, meals storage lockers, hearth rings, picnic tables, and an on-site host. There isn’t a cell service, camp retailer, ice, dump station, or showers.
Porcupine Flat
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Porcupine Flat is within the nationwide park, however is greater than an hour from Yosemite Valley. RVs and trailers will not be really helpful due to the slender roads. This can be a primitive campground with no cell service. It has vault bogs, trash and recycling assortment, meals storage lockers, hearth rings and picnic tables.
Tuolumne Meadows
Handle: Yosemite Nationwide Park, CA 95389
Cellphone: (209) 372-8502
Facilities: Tuolumne Meadows is a well-liked campground, though it is going to be closed for the 2024 season. It has picnic tables, hearth rings, meals storage lockers, flush bogs, and ingesting water. The customer heart, a normal retailer, and a fuel station are inside strolling distance of the campground.
Campgrounds Outdoors Yosemite Nationwide Park:
Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes
Handle: 31191 Hardin Flat Rd.
Groveland, CA 95321
Cellphone: (209) 962-0103
Facilities: Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes has full hookups and WiFi. There’s laundry, restrooms, showers, a clubhouse, fishing, and video games together with shuffleboard and basketball. Pets are welcome.
Dimond O Campground
Handle: Evergreen Rd.
Groveland, CA 95321
Cellphone: (209) 962-7825
Facilities: This can be a primitive Nationwide Forest Service campground. There aren’t any hookups. Potable water is offered for ingesting, however filling RVs is prohibited. Campsites have a picnic desk, a bear field, and a campfire pit with a grill. There are vault bogs close by.
Yosemite RV Resort
Handle: 34094 CA-41
Coarsegold, CA 93614
Cellphone: (559) 683-7855
Facilities: This campground has full hookups and WiFi. There are back-in and pull-thru websites, and the campground has a pool, showers, and laundry amenities. There’s a playground and an on-call concierge, and the campground is pet-friendly.
Yosemite Valley FAQs
Is Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Nationwide Park the identical?
Yosemite Valley and Yosemite Nationwide Park will not be the identical. Yosemite Valley is inside Yosemite Nationwide Park, however there are many areas of the park that stretch past the valley. In actual fact, Yosemite Valley is just one% of the nationwide park, despite the fact that it’s the place most guests keep.
The place is there to remain in Yosemite Valley?
Together with the campgrounds talked about above, there are a number of different locations you’ll be able to keep in Yosemite Valley. There’s lodging on the Ahwahnee Lodge, Yosemite Lodge at Yosemite Village, and in Curry Village.
How was Yosemite Valley fashioned?
Yosemite Valley was fashioned as rivers reduce a deep canyon. Researchers at U.C. Berkeley consider many of the formation started between 10 to 4 million years in the past. Glaciers made the canyon deeper and wider and carved the basin. Half Dome and different spectacular rock formations have been carved out by rain and rock.
What’s the greatest time to go to Yosemite Valley?
The perfect time to go to Yosemite Valley is within the fall. Climate within the park is often nonetheless gentle, you’ll be able to see the leaves flip colours, and the summer time crowds have lessened.
After all, Yosemite Valley is fascinating year-round. In Might and June, waterfalls are at their peak and you may doubtless do essentially the most actions within the valley. Winter brings ice skating, sledding, and snowboarding. Spring could be muddy, however you’ll even have fewer crowds.
Is Yosemite Valley accessible by RV?
Yosemite Valley is accessible by RV. There are some roads within the nationwide park, together with Glacier Level Street, Mariposa Street, and Hetch Hetchy Street which have size restrictions for RVs and trailers. Some campgrounds in Yosemite Valley have restrictions on RV lengths, so that you’ll need to examine these earlier than making a reservation. RV parking in Yosemite Valley is restricted, and it may be a problem to seek out parking in summer time.
Yosemite Nationwide Park is an astonishing place to go to. Lately, crowds have made getting round Yosemite extra of a problem, however the sights you’ll see on the park are value it.
When you want an RV to camp whilst you’re at Yosemite, you’ll want to take a look at all of the completely different potentialities at RVshare. And in case you haven’t rented an RV earlier than, you’ll want to take a look at our rental suggestions for newbies.