Wildlife
Like so many national parks in the US West, Yosemite is an outstanding haven for wildlife. You don’t have to stray far from paved roads to spot a black bear sow and her cubs foraging in a grassy meadow, or a red fox racing across new-fallen snow.
Bears & Mountain Lions
Of all the megafauna found in Yosemite National Park, black bears are what most people come to see. If you are lucky, you will see a Mountain Lion. Read More...
Deer & Sheep
Just about the most easily spotted animal in the park, mule deer are almost everywhere you look, whether bounding across meadows or grazing beside trails in the forest. Few visitors to the Sierra Nevada will casually stumble across bighorn sheep, which inhabit the rocky high country of the Sierra Nevada. Read More...
Fish & Amphibians
Keep your eyes peeled for the endangered California red-legged frog, the Sierra Nevada yellow-legged frog, and the Yosemite toad. Read More...
Marmots & Squirrels
The most common wildlife you’ll encounter during your Yosemite trip are members of the rodent family, which includes squirrels, chipmunks, gophers, and mice. Read More...
Reptiles & Birds
Look skyward in Yosemite Valley and you may just catch sight of a peregrine falcon doing incredible dives as it hunts its prey. 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...
