Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley and Channel Islands Amid Coronavirus
In light of the spread of COVID-19, trying to find out what is open and closed in our national parks is a moving target these days. Here are updates.
Yosemite National Park
Visit Yosemite Virtually
You don’t have to visit to Yosemite to see the majestic sight of water tumbling down Yosemite Falls, to visit the top of North Dome or hear its rangers speak.
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.
What to Pack for Your Yosemite National Park Vacation
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.
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.
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.
Guided Tours
Get the most from your vacation with an guide, tour, or cruise
2020 National Park Photo Contest presented by Tamron
Love to take photos in national parks? Whether it’s a landscape, a wildlife pic, or a Milky Way shot, send it our way. You could win a Tamron camera lens!
24 Hours in Yosemite Photo Story
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.
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.
Which Entrance to Yosemite Should I Take?
There are five entrances into Yosemite National Park, and the road to each of them offers unique sights to see along the way.
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
Entrance Fees and Where to Get Your Park Pass for Yosemite
Heading to the home of El Capitan and Half Dome? Here are the many options for entrance fees.
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.
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.
Fly to Yosemite - Local Airports and Airlines
Airports near the park get visitors to Yosemite quick and easy. International flights come into San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento & others
Ride the YARTS Bus to Yosemite National Park
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.
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.
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
7 Things You Need to Know About Yosemite Reservations
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.
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.
5 Famous Viewpoints Close to the Road in Yosemite
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.
Waterfalls, Lakes and Rivers 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.
Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
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.
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.
10 Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
Top ten things to do on your Yosemite Park vacation, including view a waterfall, see black bears, and top sights like Half Dome.
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
10 Top Things to do with Kids in Yosemite National Park
“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.
What's New
Yosemite, Sequoia, Death Valley and Channel Islands Amid Coronavirus
In light of the spread of COVID-19, trying to find out what is open and closed in our national parks is a moving target these days. Here are updates.
Visit Yosemite Virtually
You don’t have to visit to Yosemite to see the majestic sight of water tumbling down Yosemite Falls, to visit the top of North Dome or hear its rangers speak.
How to Photograph Waterfalls in Yosemite
Grant Ordelheide showcases his photos of waterfalls and gives you tips on how best photograph these cascades.
2020 National Park Photography Workshops
National Park Trips Media and Tamron have teamed up to offer Photo Workshops inside your favorite national parks.
A Parks Project for Goodness Sake
Giving back to national parks with thoughtful products
San Francisco to Yosemite National Park Road Trip
Explore San Francisco before heading inland to sample Northern California’s amazing food and wines on this epic 431-mile adventure to Yosemite and back.
Local Flavor in Gilroy, Garlic Capital of the World
Not far from Silicon Valley sits a quaint town where you can visit friendly boutique wineries, explore a gorgeous children’s theme park and dine on garlic dishes.