Half Dome is 8,800 feet of towering granite and a world-renowned destination for hikers. It is a 14-16-mile roundtrip hike and takes about 10-12 hours. There are cables along the last 400 feet of the climb to the summit and the cables and unsafe in inclement weather and if not used with care. Permits are required to climb Half Dome.
Half Dome
Half Dome is 8,800 feet of towering granite, that is a world-renowned destination for hikers.
Half Dome to be Less Accessible … Maybe
Park officials want to curb the traffic by permanently limiting access to Half Dome through the Half Dome Trail Stewardship Plan. Read More...
Half Dome Survival Guide and FAQ
In fact, it’s the most popular day hike in Yosemite (and that’s why you must apply for a permit in advance). Good hiking boots and gloves, plenty of extra water and food, and being in tip-top shape are necessary, too. But all of the advance planning and effort is definitely worth it when you’re finally standing atop the giant granite dome, soaking up the incredible panoramas of the Yosemite Valley. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Read More...
Hiking Half Dome
This hike is 15.7 miles roundtrip. TO TRAILHEAD: From Civic Center Station, take BART Fremont Rte. to Coliseum/Oakland Airport. Transfer to Amtrak to Martinez, then take San Joaquin Rte. to Merced. In Merced, take YARTS to Curry Village, then free shuttle to Happy Isles. bart.gov; amtrakcapitols.com; yarts.com. 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...
