Adventure & Rec
Ready for an adrenaline-charged adventure? Yosemite National Park and the Sierra Nevada mountain range offer plenty of all-weather outdoor thrills to keep you busy year-round.
Backpacking
No matter what your skill level, you'll find a trail that fits your needs perfectly here. South of Yosemite, the verdant forests of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks await beneath the majestic crest of the Sierra Nevada next to pristine alpine lakes. Read More...
Biking
During summer, when traffic jams are common in Yosemite Valley, a bicycle is a welcome, eco-friendly solution for traveling around the valley. Solo travelers and families can rent two-wheeled steeds from park concessionaires. A paved recreational cycling loop runs around the entire valley floor, stopping at waterfalls, museums, and more. Read More...
Camping
When the snow melts in the Sierra Nevada, thousands of campers descend on Yosemite National Park and its wonderful developed campgrounds. The most popular places to camp, especially for families and first-time park visitors, are inside the crowded Yosemite Valley. Read More...
Climbing
Yosemite National Park is a rock climber's dream landscape. Most famous are routes that scale the face of El Capitan, the most intimidating and yet irresistible big wall in the Yosemite Valley. Read More...
Fishing
While you probably won't catch anything big enough to brag about, Yosemite National Park and its nearby national parks and national forests offer plenty of shady fishing holes along rivers and streams. Read More...
Hiking
Yosemite National Park has trails enough to last a lifetime. Here you can traipse beside meadows on the glacier-carved valley floor or in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, then follow in the footsteps of conservationist John Muir and clamber beside thunderous waterfalls and summit craggy Sierra Nevada peaks. Read More...
Horseback Riding
Shorter day rides for beginners visit Yosemite's waterfalls, meadows, lakes, and giant sequoia groves. Similar day rides and overnight trips depart from inside Kings Canyon National Park, too. In winter, old-fashioned horse-drawn sleigh rides are available just south of Yosemite. Read More...
Rafting/Water Activities
The epic canyons and valleys of Yosemite National Park are run through by rivers and streams. Read More...
Winter Activities
When snow blankets the Sierra Nevada peaks, the Yosemite Valley becomes a wonderland of frosty granite domes, evergreen-studded meadows and snowshoeing tracks. Read More...
Top Ten Things to do in Yosemite Park
1. Yosemite Valley Waterfalls
When snow melt from mountain peaks brings icy waters rushing downstream into Yosemite Valley, great waterfalls spring to life. During the peak seasonal flow, which usually happens in May, the thundering of waterfalls can be heard clear across the valley. Read More...
2. Famous Viewpoints
The natural beauty of Yosemite is so incredible that it inspired an entire 19th-century conservation movement, which resulted in the valley’s protection as a national park in 1890. Read More...
3. Walk Among Giant Sequoias
Start by taking the whole family on a joyful nature walk through the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Read More...
4. Black Bears & Wildlife
With more than 400 kinds of animals and multiple life zones for plant life, Yosemite is a top spot for wildlife watching. Read More...
5. Explore Trails
Whether you want to get out of the car and do a little exploring, or you’re planning a backcountry adventure on foot or horseback, we’ve got just the thing for you and your family. Read More...
6. Go Camping on Your Yosemite Vacation
Nothing beats sleeping under the stars in Yosemite National Park, especially if you’re looking for a little family togetherness Read More...
7. Go Rock Climbing in Yosemite
Stalwarts like the giant wall of El Capitan, the polished promontory of Half Dome, and skyscraping Glacier Point all call to expert climbers, who sometimes bivouac overnight while suspended in mid-air. Read More...
8. Unforgettable Winter
Yosemite is covered in powdery blankets of snow, and the valley becomes a winter wonderland. Read More...
9. Explore History & Culture
Yosemite is the wild, wild West. From its earliest Native American inhabitants, to the mid-19th-century California Gold Rush, and the later arrival of ranchers, loggers, and hoteliers, the land surrounding Yosemite National Park is amazingly rich in historical sites. Read More...
10. Festivals & Ranger-Led Activities
Come to watch waterfalls in spring, go hiking in the Sierra Nevada high country in summer, roast marshmallows over your campfire in fall, and go skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Timing your visit to coincide with one of the region’s many festivals will only enhance your Yosemite vacation. Read More...
