Yosemite
THE AMERICAS · NATIONAL PARK · SIERRA NEVADA
A glacier-cut valley walled by the largest exposed granite faces on earth, with waterfalls dropping most of a kilometre off the rim. Yosemite Valley is only about one percent of the park and takes almost all the visitors; go higher, to Tuolumne Meadows and Glacier Point, and it empties out. Reservations are now required to drive in during peak periods — check before you book anything.
The plan
Tunnel View at sunrise
The whole valley in one frame — El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome. Five minutes from the car and best before eight.
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Granite steps up beside the falls, and you will get soaked in May. Carry on to Nevada Fall if the legs hold.
Glacier Point
3,200m of road up to a rail above the valley, looking straight across at Half Dome. Open roughly May to October.
Tuolumne Meadows
An hour up Tioga Road into high alpine meadows and domes, with a tenth of the valley's people.
Mariposa Grove
Five hundred giant sequoias at the park's southern gate, including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant.
Book before you fly
Peak-hours entry reservation
Required on summer days and holiday weekends, on recreation.gov — check the current dates before you drive.
Half Dome cables
A separate lottery in March plus a daily draw two days ahead.
In-park lodging
The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Valley Lodge open thirteen months ahead to the day.
Getting there
Fly Fresno (FAT)
Two hours to the south entrance, the closest airport with decent connections and reliable car hire.
Fly San Francisco (SFO) or Sacramento (SMF)
Four hours west and three and a half northwest respectively, with far more flights and cheaper cars.
Take YARTS
Public buses from Merced, Fresno and Mammoth right into the valley, and your fare covers park entry. The only realistic car-free way in.
When to go
Best time to go
May and June for waterfalls at full roar, or September and October for warm rock, gold oaks and thinner crowds.
Cheapest months
November to March — Tioga and Glacier Point roads close, but the valley in snow is extraordinary and rooms are cheap.
Priciest & busiest
July and August, when the falls have dried up, the valley is gridlocked and lodging books a year ahead.
If you've got one day
Morning
Tunnel View at sunrise
Late morning
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Lunch
Degnan's Kitchen
Afternoon
Glacier Point
Evening
Dinner at The Ahwahnee Dining Room, then Tuolumne Meadows
If you've got a week
Day 1
Arrive, settle in around The Ahwahnee, and take it slowly — Degnan's Kitchen for dinner.
Day 2
Tunnel View at sunrise.
Day 3
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall. Dinner at The Ahwahnee Dining Room.
Day 4
Day trip — Lake Tahoe →.
Day 5
Glacier Point. Mountain Room Restaurant at some point.
Day 6
Tuolumne Meadows.
Day 7
Mariposa Grove. Finish with Rush Creek Tavern.
Staying longer?
Nearby & day trips
Four hours north over the Sierra, longer when Tioga Pass is shut.
Mono Lake and Bodie
Ninety minutes east over Tioga Pass to tufa towers and a preserved gold-rush ghost town.
Sequoia & Kings Canyon
Three hours south for the largest trees on earth and far fewer people.
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