This place is a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life and the peace you'll find in the high sierras. Yosemite is best known for its waterfalls, but inside it you'll find deep valleys, grand meadows, giant sequoias, giant granite rocks, and more.
Plan Your Visit
Hours & Season
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
Entrance Fees
- $35 – Entrance - Private Vehicle
- $30 – Entrance - Motorcycle
- $20 – Entrance - Per Person
- $0 – Entrance - Education/Academic Groups
- $100 – Nonresident
Weather
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.)
Things to Do
Scenic Driving in Yosemite
All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile (62 km) drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November.
Rock Climbing in Yosemite
Yosemite is one of the world's greatest climbing areas. Climbers here can enjoy an endless variety of challenges--from the sustained crack climbs of the Merced River Canyon to pinching crystals on sun-drenched Tuolumne Meadows domes to multi-day aid climbs on the big walls of the Valley. Yosemite is not just a climber's playground, however: its walls and crags are an integral part of a larger ecosystem, protected as Wilderness.
Ride a Bike in Yosemite Valley
Reservation requiredCycling is a great way to experience the park and allows you to cover more ground during your time here. You can rent a bike, bring your own, or borrow one through the bike share program (2-hour limit). Hand-crank and tandem bicycles are also available for rent. Over 12 miles of paved bike paths are available in Yosemite Valley (speed limit is 15 mph). In addition, bicyclists can ride on regular roads (if they obey traffic laws).
Hiking in Yosemite
From a short walk to the base of a waterfall to a multi-day hike deep into the Yosemite Wilderness, taking a hike is one of the best ways to experience Yosemite's spectacular scenery. Yosemite has an extensive network of over 800 miles of hiking trails.
Watch the "Spirit of Yosemite" Film
The park film, The Spirit of Yosemite, is shown daily on the hour and the half hour in the theater behind the Yosemite Exploration Center. The first showing is at 9:30am, and the last showing is at 4pm.
Learn Art in the Park
Reservation requiredYosemite has a long history of inspiring visitors to create art. From world-renowned artists like Ansel Adams and Chiura Obata to everyday people who love art for fun, pausing to create something beautiful is a special way to experience Yosemite's towering cliffs, dramatic waterfalls, enormous trees, and granite high country.
Getting There
Address: PO Box 577 Yosemite National Park CA 95389
You can drive to Yosemite year-round and enter via Highways 41, 140, and 120 from the west. Tioga Pass Entrance (via Highway 120 from the east) is closed from approximately November through late May or June. Hetch Hetchy is open all year but may close intermittently due to snow. Please note that GPS units do not always provide accurate directions to or within Yosemite.
Get driving directions → Official NPS directions →Where to Stay – Campgrounds
Bridalveil Creek Campground
110 sites · $36/night
The Bridalveil Creek Campground is located along the Glacier Point Road near Bridalveil Creek and is surrounded by a beautiful forest of red fir and lodgepole …
Camp 4 Campground
61 sites · $10/night
Camp 4 is located in Yosemite Valley near the base of granite cliffs close to Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Valley is centrally located in the park and boasts some …
Crane Flat Campground
148 sites · $36/night
The Crane Flat Campground is located along the Big Oak Flat Road, just west of Crane Flat, about 30 minutes northwest of Yosemite Valley, at 6,200 ft (1,900 m)…
Hodgdon Meadow Campground
100 sites · $36/night
Hodgdon Meadow Campground is conveniently located along the Big Oak Flat Road at the Big Oak Flat Entrance. At an elevation of 4,900 feet (1,219 m), the campgr…
Lower Pines Campground
74 sites · $36/night
Lower Pines is located along the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley is centrally located in the park and boasts some of Yosemite’s most iconic fe…
North Pines Campground
81 sites · $36/night
North Pines is located along the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley is centrally located in the park and boasts some of Yosemite’s most iconic fe…
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to enter Yosemite National Park?
The entrance fee for Yosemite National Park is $35. See Plan Your Visit above for vehicle, per-person, and annual-pass rates.
Do I need a reservation or permit to visit Yosemite National Park?
Some entry windows or activities at Yosemite National Park require a reservation or permit. Check the Current Park Alerts and Things to Do sections above, and confirm on the official NPS site before you go.
When is Yosemite National Park open?
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.
What are the best things to do in Yosemite National Park?
Popular things to do in Yosemite National Park include Scenic Driving in Yosemite, Rock Climbing in Yosemite, Ride a Bike in Yosemite Valley, Hiking in Yosemite. See Things to Do above for photos and details.
Are there campgrounds in Yosemite National Park?
Yes — Yosemite National Park has 15 campgrounds, including Bridalveil Creek Campground, Camp 4 Campground, Crane Flat Campground. See Campgrounds above for site counts, fees, and booking links.