The Ultimate Guide to Visiting Yosemite National Park 

When to Visit Yosemite National Park 

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park would widely depend on your personal preferences and interests: 

Spring: perfect to witness the rushing waterfalls and spring blossoms in the meadows

Summer: waterfalls and warm weather plus  the park is fully operational with all amenities and services open, but it is also full of crowds and finding a place to stay may be difficult

Fall: great time for hiking and photography with stunning fall colors and mild weather

Winter: snowy wonderland experience with very few crowds 

We have visited Yosemite twice – once in spring and once in fall and I truly enjoyed it both times. As someone who loves waterfalls, I preferred visiting Yosemite in April to witness the spectacular waterfalls and avoid the crowds. Unfortunately,  parts of the park, such as Glacier Pass and Tioaga Road, may still be closed during this time of year.

How Much Time Do You Need in Yosemite National Park? 

Most of the must-see highlights are located in the 7.5-mile-long Yosemite Valley. Although you can plan a one-day trip to Yosemite, I strongly recommend staying for longer to experience the park in its full glory and enjoy the sensational scenery. Most visitors stay primarily within the valley, but heading off the beaten path and accessing the high country reveals new vistas and landscapes.

Taking things a bit slower recently has been a must since we started traveling with our son. We now prefer quality over quantity and allow him as much time as he needs to run around and explore the paths and nature himself. Since then, having at least 4 nights has been our priority when possible. The more time you spend, the more you will experience what is hidden beyond the most popular sights. 

Getting to Yosemite National Park 

Only 65 miles away, Fresno is the closest airport to Yosemite National Park. Located in the east-central part of California, however, makes Yosemite a fairly easily accessible location from various major cities, such as Los Angeles, San Fransisco, and even Las Vegas. The total drive time and point of entry will vary greatly based on your starting point. For more information click here.

During our last trip to Yosemite in April, we drove from San Diego. Since we traveled with our 16-month-old son, we had to make a pit stop along the way, but after 2 long days of road trip, we made it to Yosemite National Park. We used Highway 99 from Fresno and then took Highway 41 North to enter through the South Entrance of Yosemite. The park has a total of 5 entry points, some of which are closed during the different seasons. We also realized there was a tire chain requirement for visiting Yosemite National Park two days before our trip and we had to rush last minute to get some. So always make sure to check their website for up-to-date information.

Make sure to check the vehicle restrictions if you are traveling with an RV or a trailer here.

While slightly more complicated, getting to Yosemite by public transport is also doable. Amtrack, for example, provides a combination of a train and bus route to Yosemite Valley. What an incredible experience that would be!

Getting around Yosemite National Park 

With as many as 4 million annual visitors, Yosemite National Park can get a bit crowded. The traffic and vehicle congestion have also been affecting the park’s natural resources and leading to heavy pollution levels. To protect the park, a shuttle service system has been implemented between spring and fall. Getting from one location to another is easy, due to the various routes: 

• Yosemite Valley – provides convenient access to most campgrounds, lodging, trailheads, and sights around the Valley. There are two routes – the Valleywide Shuttle and the East Valley Shuttle
• Mariposa Grove Shuttle – located near the South Entrance, this is the primarily way to access Mariposa Grove 
• Tuolumne Meadows Shuttle – only operation during the summer, but provides access between the Tioga Pass and Olmsted Point
• Glacier Point Tour – while you need to buy a ticket, this is a great option if you want to reach Glacier Point from Yosemite Valley. Keep in mind that it does not make any additional stops, though. 
• Badger Pass Ski Area – a free shuttle during the winter months when the ski facilities at Badget Pass are open 

Full information on Yosemite Shuttle Service here.

If you are visiting Yosemite National Park when the shuttle system is not operational or visiting an area, that is not serviced by any of the routes, you can use your own vehicle. Keep in mind that during the peak season, the roads quickly get congested and your travel time might double. Another thing to consider is that Yosemite Valley has implemented a one-way loop system and while there are a few connecting roads, you are primarily driving in one-way traffic. 

Entrance Fees and Passes 

All USA National Parks require you to pay an entrance fee per vehicle. The private vehicle pass costs $35 and is valid for 3 consecutive days. If you are a nature lover and enjoy exploring the outdoors, you can also choose between an annual pass to Yosemite in particular valid for 12 months for the price of $70, or America the Beautiful, which allows you access to all USA national parks for $80. Click here for all available passes and up-to-date information on entrance fees and costs.

Do not forget that to visit Yosemite National Park you are required to have a reservation to drive into the park between April and October. If you will be staying in the park and already have a lodging or campground booking, you do not need an additional reservation.

Cell Service

As with many other national parks, you will quickly notice the limited cell service. In a world where we are connected 24/7, it feels refreshing to be able to disconnect. And that is one of the main reasons why we love visiting America’s National Parks. The area in Yosemite Valley, especially on the eastern side is still serviceable by the major phone providers, however, the deeper you go into the park, the less connection you will find. Internet Access is partially available if you are staying in one of Yosemite’s lodging options. A few tips on how to prepare for your trip: 

• Print out the national park map
• Download an offline map on your phone
• A travel itinerary with the places you want to visit
• Mark your places of interest on the maps you have prepared for easier navigation

Gentle Reminder: Yosemite National Park is truly spectacular with its stunning waterfalls and tranquil atmosphere, so disconnect from your phone and put it away to reconnect with nature and your loved ones on your next trip! 

Lodging 

If you can get a reservation to stay inside Yosemite, you should do it! A huge time saver, which will allow you more time to enjoy the scenery instead of spending time in the car driving or stuck in traffic.

Gas

Have a full tank of gas before visiting Yosemite! Within the park, there are only 3 gas stations open year-round. At Wawona, El Portal, and Crane Flat. Gas in the park will be quite overpriced, so try fueling a few miles away from your entry point. Yosemite Valley Lodge also offers free EV charging, but it is quite limited, especially during peak season.

Food

I was pleasantly surprised by the numerous dining options in Yosemite National Park. Compared to other parks we have visited, we found many good food spots. I overprepared by packing extra food and snacks for our last trip to Yosemite, but we truly enjoyed the food provided at Curry Village.

Iconic Overlooks in Yosemite

• Tunnel View 
• Glacier Point 
• El Capitan Meadow 
• Olmstead Point

Best Easy Activities in Yosemite

• Drive, Bike, or Walk the Valley Loop
• See the giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove 
• Visit Yosemite Village and Museum 
• Stop by the Ansel Adams Gallery

What we Missed out on

• Taft Point 
• Hiking Half Dome 
• Tuoloume Meadows 
• Cathedral Lakes 
• Upper Yosemite Falls
• And much more because there is always something to see!