Yosemite In 3 Easy Steps

Yosemite National Park Introduction

No vacation hotspot sums up the diversity of the Californian landscape quite like Yosemite National Park, which was named a World Heritage Site in 1984. The unparalleled range of scenery throughout its 1,200 square miles of wilderness attracts visitors throughout the year, while the opportunity for adventurers to enjoy an array of outdoor activities keeps their adrenaline racing every minute of the day. Visitors can find stunning waterfalls and dramatic cliff faces, rolling meadows and ancient giant sequoias, and deep valleys with jagged peaks. Whether you’re taking in a spectacular sunset with a loved one or trekking the trails in search of the next jaw-dropping sight, there’s plenty to love in Yosemite National Park.

Insider Tips on Yosemite National Park Hotels

For summer and peak holiday stays, hotels in Yosemite Valley usually fill a year in advance, but there are still plenty of terrific options just outside the park entrances. Hotels near Yosemite National Park specialize in catering to a steady stream of guests arriving to explore the park’s wonders in search of lifelong memories, so you can expect nothing but the best from their services.

Many visitors prefer to stay beside the park itself, where you find the friendliest service, lots of fun perks like nightly fireside s’mores roasting, nature talks and a variety of fun and games, while still enjoying unbeatable proximity to awe-inspiring scenery and the main attractions. You’re also more likely to find some of the best Yosemite hotel deals in a wider range of options, from low-cost, no-frills establishments, to local inns and spas for those hoping to add some luxury to their vacation.

Where to Stay

Just 30 minutes’ drive from Yosemite’s Highway 120 West/Big Oak Flat entrance, picturesque Groveland is a scenic historic Old West town that’s perfect for travelers hoping to explore several local points of interest—Yosemite National Park and Stanislaus National Forest to the East, and California Gold Country and the High Sierra to the North. If you’re in the market for discount hotels near Yosemite National Park, Visit Tuolumne County is a great resource for finding and booking directly with the owners of the place that suits you best. By booking directly with your preferred property, you’ll get the best service and the best prices.

Groveland is also home to sweeping vistas and great amenities, some at a lower price than found elsewhere in the region. It’s also a hub for all sorts of outdoor adventures such as hiking, rock climbing, mountain biking and world-class whitewater rafting. VisitTuolumneCounty.com is also a great way to find a local guide or outfitter who can help you have the adventure of a lifetime.

Things to See and Do

While the number of incredible sights in Yosemite National Park is endless, the most unforgettable experience is probably to be had while standing beneath the roaring Yosemite Falls, the park’s tallest waterfall and one of the largest in the world. While there are several must-see waterfalls in the park—and most make for stunning photo ops—the sheer majesty of Yosemite Falls has to be seen to be believed. Late in the summer Yosemite Falls tends to dry up, but you can still experience Bridalveil Fall year-round, and you can hike to other exceptional waterfalls like Vernal and Nevada Falls along the John Muir Trail.

For the best panorama in the area, try Glacier Point. From this viewpoint, you can take in commanding views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome and the High Sierra, and even try some cross-country skiing in winter. For a little R & R, visit the Ansel Adams Gallery or the Yosemite Museum Gallery to witness the creativity that springs from this inspirational setting.

How to get to Yosemite National Park

There are four main entrances to Yosemite National Park that allow you to drive in one way and out another. Highway 120 West, Highway 140 West, and Highway 41 South are all open year-round; Highway 120 East closes for the Winter each year, usually between November and May. There is also a fifth entrance at the lesser-traveled Hetch Hetchy region in the northwest section of the park.

To get to Yosemite National Park without a car, Amtrak rail provider operates train routes to nearby destinations, and onward minibus transfers to the park are available.

Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System operates the YARTS buses that shuttle passengers between the gateway communities and Yosemite Valley. Schedules vary seasonally and are available online at YARTS.com.

For travel in Yosemite National Park itself, the free Yosemite Valley shuttle runs to several key locations in and around the area. Even better, hike the trails or try some cross-country skiing to really take in the splendor that’s all around you.

Visit Tuolumne County/Yosemite

More than half of Yosemite National Park falls within the boundaries of California’s Tuolumne County, so the experts at the Visit Tuolumne County visitors bureau are a great resource for travel tips, planning advice and help connecting with the local businesses that will provide you with your ideal version of a Yosemite experience, and the best rates and service. You can stop in any of their Visitor Centers along the way, or tap into their useful web site:

https://www.visittuolumne.com/yosemite

Visit Tuolumne County connections to Yosemite lodging:

https://www.visittuolumne.com/places-to-stay-near-yosemite

National Park Service Updates

For current weather and road conditions, and a look at the Yosemite Falls webcam, visit the National Park Service’s web site:

https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/conditions.htm

NPS also has a tremendous amount of helpful Yosemite information throughout their site: https://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm

Yosemite Conservancy Webcams

Yosemite Conservancy raises millions of dollars each year to help maintain the park. One of their many projects includes live webcams at key locations throughout the park. To see current conditions throughout the park, take a look at the live stream from any of these Yosemite Conservancy webcams:

Yosemite News & Articles

Get the latest news and articles from in and around Yosemite National Park to help you start your next mountain adventure.

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