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Yosemite National Park

Stroll past Yosemite Falls, Tenaya Lake, and the Half Dome on these "bucket list" hikes in Yosemite National Park.

In no other place in the Sierra Nevada mountains can you see so many impressive waterfalls gathered together in one spot.

Kayaking and floating on the Merced River in Yosemite

Only have 48 hours? Make the most of your time by walking among giant sequoias, hiking a downhill trail, picnicking lakeside and floating on a river.

Park visitor standing on a rock in the Merced River in Yosemite National Park

Be as prepared as a Boy Scout. Here are the top 14 items to put in your suitcase and 1 item to leave at home.

Road in Yosemite with the Half Dome in the background

All roads lead to Yosemite National Park. Explore itineraries originating in major travel hubs and corridors in as little as 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks on your way to the park.

Groveland's Iron Door Saloon and The Groveland Hotel. Photo by Grant Ordelheide

Our top picks for nearby towns and attractions to visit for the best outdoor activities, sightseeing, dining, and vacation fun on the way to the park.

Get the most from your vacation with an guide, tour, or cruise

Polly Dome (left) and Medlicott Dome (center) bordering Tenaya Lake in Yosemite.

Only have 24 hours? Make the most of it with this tour of the park’s must-see sites on Tioga Road, a sequoia grove, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point.

The stars over El Capitan in Yosemite while the moon rises. Photo by Grant Ordelheide

Every minute in the park brings new perspectives and surprises. Go around the clock at Yosemite with our dawn 'til dusk photo collection.

Where is Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite is located in the California Sierra Nevada mountain range about three and a half hours east of San Francisco. The park is 1,200 square miles of rugged beauty.

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Arch Rock Entrance to Yosemite from Highway 140

There are five entrances into Yosemite National Park, and the road to each of them offers unique sights to see along the way.

Yosemite visitors come from all directions. Here are handy guides to finding the services and activities you want from the cities and towns nearest the park

Heading to the home of El Capitan and Half Dome? Here are the many options for entrance fees.

All roads lead to Yosemite National Park. Explore itineraries originating in major travel hubs and corridors in as little as 1-2 days or 1-2 weeks on your way to the park.

Terminal of the Fresno Yosemite International Airport

Airports near the park get visitors to Yosemite quick and easy. International flights come into San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento & others

YARTS has four major routes to Yosemite ⎯ Hwy. 120/395 from Mammoth Lakes, Hwy. 120 from Sonora, Hwy. 41 from Fresno and Hwy 140 from Merced.

Where should I stay on my Yosemite National Park vacation?

There are several campgrounds and lodges inside the park. Some park facilities have changed names due to a trademark dispute. There are also many lodging options near Yosemite’s entrances. Depending on the season, you will need to reserve hotels and campgrounds well in advance.

Be sure to experience a night under the stars during your Yosemite vacation. There are many campgrounds in Yosemite and surrounding area to choose from.

Yosemite's Ahwahnee Hotel now called Majestic Yosemite Hotel. Photo by Grant Ordelheide

Visitors to the greater Yosemite Park region will find lots of hotels to choose from to fit every need and budget while traveling to and from Yosemite

Reflection pool at Ahwahnee Hotel, now called Majestic Yosemite Hotel in Yosemite National Park. Photo by Gloria Wadzinski

What does the Yosemite lodging vendor change mean for those of us who made reservations in the park months ago? A lot, including a new website and phone number.

Yosemite Tunnel View with Bridal Falls and El Capitan

Yosemite's Tunnel View with Half Dome, Valley View with Merced River, Glacier Point, Olmsted Point, and Tenya Lake are the most famous views in the park.

Hiking past Vernal Falls on the Mist Trail in Yosemite.

Yosemite claims some of the USA's most impressive bodies of water including Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall, Mirror Lake and the Merced River.

Yosemite sunset from Glacier Point's View Terrace.

Arguably the most spectacular view in the park is at the end of Glacier Point Road with the curved tooth of Half Dome prominently in the foreground.

As if super-sized waterfalls and granite rock formations weren't enough to make you feel as small as a bug, Yosemite and its nearby national parks also protect giant sequoias, the biggest trees on Earth.

What is there to do in Yosemite?

Hiking, climbing, rafting, and stargazing are the main summer activities here. See our list of the top ten things to do. Don’t forget about winter. Take a guided snowshoe hike, go skiing, or ice skate under Half Dome.

Family watching the falls in Yosemite Valley. Photo by Joseph Fabian

Top ten things to do on your Yosemite Park vacation, including view a waterfall, see black bears, and top sights like Half Dome.

Hiking down from Glacier Point on the Panorama Trail in Yosemite.

Here you can traipse beside meadows on a glacier-carved valley floor or in the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, then clamber beside thunderous waterfalls

“Hold your breath kids, we are almost there!” We honk the horn and tell our kids to hold their breath as long as possible through the, almost 1 mile, long tunnel at the entrance to Yosemite Valley.

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A classic car show and cruise in Modesto, California

Stop in Modesto, half way between Yosemite and San Francisco, for a much-needed break from the car and grab a bite to eat, visit a farm stand or see a show.

Feature image for Yosemite National Park Journal

All about Yosemite National Park and the journeys to the park with tips on where to stay, things to do, and where to stop on the way. Choose paper or digital.

Featured image for Sequoia and Kings Canyon map

Download the official map to find your way around Yosemite National Park including park roads, trails, lakes, visitor centers, and the entrances.

Download this simpler pdf map to orient yourself to the park's main thoroughfares, along with major park attractions such as Half Dome, Glacier Point and El Capitan