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    Yosemite National Park

    Kayaking and floating on the Merced River in Yosemite

    48 Hours in Yosemite National Park

    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.

    Road in Yosemite with the Half Dome in the background

    5 Best Road Trips

    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

    Stops on the Way

    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.

    Yosemite Sugar Pine Railroad 10 Curve

    Guided Tours

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

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

    Your Perfect Day 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.

    I Wonder...

    Which entrance to Yosemite National Park should I take?

    Yosemite’s five entrance gates make it accessible from the west, east, and south. The gateways of Tuolumne, Mariposa, Mono, and Madera counties are the closest to the park and have many hotels, resorts, and camping areas.

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

    Gateway Towns

    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

    How should I get to Yosemite?

    Most people drive to Yosemite. Check out our road trip ideas. If you fly, the nearest airports include the Fresno-Yosemite airport located about an hour and a half from the park. From there and other gateway communities you can take the YARTS bus to Yosemite. Once you get to the park, you will need a car or tour transportation to get around the more remote park roads. However, Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point have shuttles.

    Road in Yosemite with the Half Dome in the background

    5 Best Road Trips

    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.

    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.

    A family camping in a national park

    Camping and RV Parks

    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

    Hotels and Cabins

    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

    What is there to see in Yosemite?

    The Half Dome and other granite rock formations are the main attraction in Yosemite National Park. Visitors from all over the world come to see waterfalls such as Vernal Fall crash down the rocky cliffs. There are also three groves of giant sequoia trees and wildlife such as black bears and falcons in the park.

    Giant Sequoias in Yosemite

    Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park

    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.

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

    Hiking Trails

    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

    What's New

    The Bachelor and 3 Graces in Yosesmite's Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

    Giant Sequoia Trees in Yosemite

    The largest known trees living on earth, sequoias grow only on the western side of the Sierra Nevada. Visit the Mariposa, Tuolumne, and Merced Groves.

    Ventura Harbor Village

    Stop at Ventura Harbor Village

    Base out of Ventura Harbor Village for easy access to Channel Islands National Park, a gorgeous beach and a lively seaside experience.

    Giant sequoia trees in Sequoia National Park

    Sequoia National Park

    Just a half-day's drive south of Yosemite, Sequoia National Park is not to be missed. Drive the Generals Highway descending into the Sierra Nevada foothills

    California Redwood Forest

    Redwoods National and State Parks

    You'll still be awed by California's coast redwoods. In fact, they're the tallest trees on earth and they only grow on the northern Pacific Coast.