Granite dome with trace amounts of snow.

National Park · California

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is one valley, seven miles long, ringed by the tallest granite walls in North America. The valley floor holds maybe 5% of the park's acreage and 95% of its visitors. The trick is knowing when to be down there and when to climb out.

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Best time to visit

May for waterfalls at full roar, or September-October for crowds thinned out and Tioga Road still open. Avoid mid-July weekends unless you enjoy shuttle queues.

How long you need

Three days for the valley plus one high-country day via Tioga Road if it's open.

Don't miss

  • Tunnel View at sunrise (not sunset — the light is on the wrong side)
  • Glacier Point for the full valley from above
  • The Mist Trail to Vernal Fall — wet, steep, worth it
  • Tuolumne Meadows and any hike off Tioga Road
  • Cook's Meadow loop at dawn for Half Dome reflection

What people get wrong

Spending the whole trip on the valley floor. The valley is spectacular but small, and the parking lots prove it. Tioga Road and the high country feel like a different park entirely — alpine, quiet, full of granite domes nobody photographs.

About Yosemite National Park

Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

Things to do

  • Arts and Culture
  • Auto and ATV
  • Scenic Driving
  • Astronomy
  • Biking
  • Boating
  • Camping
  • Backcountry Camping
  • Climbing
  • Fishing
  • Food
  • Guided Tours
  • Hands-On
  • Hiking
  • Backcountry Hiking
  • Horse Trekking
  • Horseback Riding
  • Ice Skating
  • Living History
  • Paddling
  • Junior Ranger Program
  • Tubing
  • Snow Tubing
  • Skiing

Weather & when to go

Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) in the Sierra Nevada, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)

Entrance fees

  • Entrance - Private Vehicle

    This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. This fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it. Per-person nonresident fees still apply.

    $35.00

  • Entrance - Motorcycle

    Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Per-person nonresident fees still apply.

    $30.00

  • Entrance - Per Person

    This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for people entering on foot, a bicycle, a horse, or a non-commercial bus or van. People 15 years and younger are free.

    $20.00

  • Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

    The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free.

    $300.00

  • Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

    An educational fee waiver is available for educational and scientific groups that are accredited or tax-exempt for educational purposes planning a trip for educational or scientific purposes related to Yosemite that is not primarily recreational.

    $0.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Per Person

    The fee is $20 per person for any resident 16 years or older. For any nonresident the fee is $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days.

    $20.00

  • Nonresident

    Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

    $100.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

    This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.

    $200.00

  • Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

    This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.

    $300.00

Operating hours

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

Hetch Hetchy

Hetch Hetchy area is only open from sunrise to sunset (except for permitted backpackers). All day visitors must exit Hetch Hetchy by sunset. The road is also closed to all vehicles (including backpackers) from sunset to sunrise.

Campgrounds

FAQ

Do I need a reservation to enter?
In 2024-2026 peak season Yosemite has used timed-entry permits during summer weekends and holidays. Check the current year's rules on nps.gov before you go — they change.
Can I climb Half Dome?
Only with a permit, granted by lottery. It's a 14-16 mile day with cables up the final pitch. Treat it as a serious objective, not a hike.
Is Hetch Hetchy worth visiting?
Yes, if you want a quiet day. It's a Yosemite-twin valley that was dammed in 1923, and almost nobody goes.

Related guides

Trip plans and deep-dives from the PeepTrip blog featuring Yosemite National Park.

Keep exploring

More parks in California.

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