Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a glacial landscape with geologic features of exceptional beauty.
This landscape was created as a result of repeated periods of glaciation. It holds unique and pronounced landform features, such as deeply incised valleys and granitic domes like Half Dome and El Capitan. The park is also known for its many high waterfalls, alpine meadows and groves of giant sequoias.
Community Perspective: it gets very busy – especially on weekends and national holidays - but if you allow 2 days or more you can get away from the main tourist routes (Kyle provides tips). Both summer and winter visits are rewarding.
Map of Yosemite National Park
Community Reviews
MichaelH
Yosemite is one of a handful of US sites that readily meet OUV requirements. It has stunning scenery and has provided an impetus to the overall American (and indirectly world) conservation movement (reference John Muir) and has provided inspiration for artists (Ansel Adams and more).
It is also the WHS that I know best, having hiked or skied most of its trails over the past 50 years. I am writing this review less as an evaluation than as an introductory guide for other WHS travelers, having appreciated the guidance I’ve found in other reviews for less celebrated sites.
For first time visitors, recognize the great popularity of the park and attendant crowds in many times of the year- all summer, and during the February “firefall” weeks, when, if weather and water conditions cooperate, there is a chance that the ephemeral Horsetail Falls will glow red for a few minutes at sunset. Great when it happens. The park service has used a day visitor reservation system in recent years (both in February and summer) but the crowds can still be a bit much.
Popular day hike trails can also be crowded. The deservedly most popular is the Mist Trail up Vernal Falls, and if you have the energy further up to the top of Nevada Falls. Crowded but great. I recommend returning via the less scenic John Muir trail to save your knees (a required return during Covid). Having done extensive hiking in all of the US (except American Samoa) national parks, this ranks among the top 5, if not 1, of all day hikes in the US National Park system. Spring is best when you can expect to get wet, but these falls often continue to run even in drought years.
The Mist Trail is often used by day hikers for the very long, reservation limited, hike to the top of Half Dome. My preference is to backpack to Little Yosemite Valley part way and scale Half Dome from there. Camping on top is no longer allowed.
Other Valley originated trails include the climb to Upper Yosemite Falls (early season because it can dry up in increasing drought years) or the easy walking Valley loop. The latter is much neglected, as it is often within sound of traffic, but it has tremendous views, and the upper Valley portions near Mirror Lake are past all vehicular traffic.
A classic half-day hike loop off of Glacier Point Road goes to the Fissures and Sentinel Dome, with 360 views. A favorite off of the Tioga Pass Road is the trail to Cathedral Lakes, also a special backcountry camping area.
Best viewpoints by car - Tunnel view (winter or summer) and the view from Glacier Point, one of the premier views in all the country, but only available after the road opens, usually Memorial Day (late May). Valley view, a left hand pullover off the north Valley Road, provides a classic view of El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls.
Yosemite has threel Sequoia groves, but Mariposa is the largest and most visited so it has a shuttle bus. I find it particularly beautiful in winter on skis.
Perhaps Yosemite’s greatest attribute other than the Valley itself are the many miles of fabulous backcountry hiking trails. It is an immense and mostly benign wilderness open to any fit to handle it. The Tioga Pass Road, open only after the snow plows have done their work, provides access to Tuolumne Meadows and other trailheads. There are too many backcountry destinations to list but Glen Aukin and Cathedral Lakes are too excellent high country locations for day hikers or backpackers. Although the Valley can be crowded there are many places of great beauty in the wilderness that offer solitude.
Although one thing or another (Covid, drought, high snowfall, budget) has only allowed the current concessionaire to operate them once out of the last 6 years, the network of High Sierra Camps provide access to overnight hikers without backpacks to some of the finest backcountry scenery. They are highly recommended if they are operating. Although many try to circuit all five, several make excellent destinations if time is limited - particularly Glen Aulin (a relatively mellow hike to cascades on the Tuolumne River), May Lake (the shortest hike in) and Vogelsang (higher altitude).
Best season? When you can go. Summer is crowded and in recent years has been very negatively affected by California wildfires, Autumn has nice weather and high country is still open but low or no water in many falls and streams. Winter is restricted pretty much for most to the Valley but can be stunning in snow. There is a downhill facility at Badger Pass and some fine cross country skiing if conditions are right (including a backcountry cabin for the hearty). Spring is fabulous- falls are usually full, but high country roads, including the Glacier Point Road remain closed.
There are a range of lodging and camping options in the park. The Valley has tent cabins, campgrounds and several hotels, with the more expensive and grander Ahwahnee one of the park systems’ historic hotels. The historic Wawona Lodge (close to Mariposa Grove) is closed for several years for much needed repairs.
Many visitors are interested in seeing wildlife in western national parks. Yosemite certainly has wildlife, but visitors should not expect to see large numbers of wild megafauna, as is the case in Yellowstone or Alaska. I have only seen a lynx once in many years of visiting, and this was during the Covid years when visitation was down and the wild animals reasserted themselves. Black bears were also more commonly seen during that period (strolling along the north Valley Road), but they are also infrequently seen. Yosemite is an excellent stopover for birders interested in seeing a range of California birds, particularly in late Spring.
Jgriffindor6
This is the only WHS that I have been to multiple times, due to living in California, and it truly is a highlight of not only CA but the USA as a whole. It is a beautiful and unique landscape that rewards multiple visits. I have only been in summer because that is when most trails are open for hiking, but I have heard that it is gorgeous in all seasons. I actually would not recommend a visit in high summer due to crowds and the reservation system that they have put in place. The Valley can become a circus very quickly, especially in the summer season. I would recommend a visit in fall.
I have done the hike up to Yosemite falls, and while it is amazing when you make it to the top, the trail itself is basically an endless staircase that is usually pretty crowded. We actually underestimated the amount of water that we needed as well, which led to an eventual race down to the bottom so we could get extra water from the car. So please don't underestimate this hike in particular, it is brutal! (The falls are very nice from the bottom as well).
You can hike to the top of Half Dome as well, but that requires a special permit that is awarded in a lottery system, as well as an absence of a fear of heights.
There are other areas of the park that are nice and free of crowds. Hetch Hetchy and Tuolumne Meadows have hiking trails and are undervisited compared to the valley. These areas deserve love too!
DutchHorn
In 2017, we took a two week long trip to California, starting in Los Angeles and driving from there to San Francisco. Along the way, we stopped in Yosemite National Park, where we stayed in a motel close to the entrance. We found out when we got there that we needed to get up super early to make sure we had a parking spot in the park. We should have investigated finding a place to stay in the park, but it was too late for that. This park is very impressive with beautiful views and water falls but also a bit of a tourist trap due to long lines for parking and for lunch. We did make a nice walk at the end of the park and again took tons of pictures.
Yosemite is maybe the ultimate original United States National Park of them all, it is here that John Muir convinced Teddy Roosevelt that nature needed to be appreciated and preserved. This might not be the actual truth, but this is what I learned during our visit to this park. This valley is majestic with tons of beautiful steep cliffs, waterfalls, hiking trails, a true natural wonder. The downside is that it might be a bit too touristy, especially the limited access in the summer is annoying. I need to come back and spend a night camping in the park, so I can experience the park when the tourists leave and the stars come out.
Michael Turtle
An incredible park - one of the best in the US. However, it is super busy in summer and holiday periods and that definitely takes away from the enjoyment. I would suggest planning a visit out of peak season. Also, if you can, take a bit longer in the park and get away from the obvious spots. The area is big enough for everyone, but for some reason people seem to congregate in the same places!
Read more from Michael Turtle here.
Jay T
Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point -- the Yosemite Valley is packed with spectacular natural sights. The beauty of this area led citizens to petition Congress to designate the valley and nearby Mariposa Grove as a California state park in 1864, setting a precedent for the later formation of the U.S. National Park system. Yosemite became a national park in 1890, and just celebrated its 125th anniversary last month. Although I'd heard a lot about the crowds at Yosemite in the spring, the number of visitors wasn't too daunting when I visited mid-week this past April. The Yosemite Valley is full of great hiking trails, but I stuck to ones easy enough for my friend's one-year-old son to navigate. The trails along the Merced River offered the awesome backdrop of Yosemite Falls and peaks like El Capitan, while the Mirror Lake trail took us below Half Dome. Glacier Point opened early this year, so we were unexpectedly treated to a spectacular view of the valley below. Don't miss the Tunnel View overlook on the way back down to the valley for an iconic Yosemite panorama. This is one of my favorite national parks in the U.S.
Logistics: Yosemite is most easily reached by car, though you have the option to use the free Yosemite Valley shuttle service inside the park.
Kyle Magnuson
California - United States of America - 17-Feb-10 -
Firstly, two days (minimum) in the park is highly recommended. Anyone who complains the park is too full of tourists likely only visited the park for one day (on a weekend) and spent most of their time in Yosemite Valley during the afternoon, which does get fairly busy. Once you get to the northern section of the park the amount of vehicles slowly dwindles and you are once again in wilderness.
My wife and I had whole lakes, meadows, and forests to ourselves (especially if you get going early). We layed out a light picnic alongside Tenaya lake which reflected the majestic mountains. Its difficult to describe how amazing Yosemite really is. Treat yourself and enjoy the whole park in more than one day. Between 2009 - 2023 I've made 5 trips to the park, including camping inside the park (make reservations early).
Highlights:
- Glacier Point Road - Sentinel Dome Hike (1hr) & Taft Point Hike (1hr)
- Sequoia Groves - Mariposa & Tuolumne (note that the most impressive Sequoia's are found in the Giant Forest Grove in Sequoia National Park)
- Tioga Road - Tuolumne Meadows, Lukens Lake, Tenaya Lake
- Hetch Hetchy - Hike to Tueeulala and Wapama Falls (2-3 hrs)
- Historic Yosemite Parkitecture (5 National Historic Landmarks) - Le Conte Memorial Lodge, Ranger's Club, The Ahwahnee, Wawona Hotel, and Parsons Memorial Lodge
Yosemite Valley: Late Spring/Early Summer is peak season (plan accordingly), the waterfalls in Yosemite Valley and Hetch Hetchy are in full glory (the latter with far fewer visitors). Many of these visitors only go to Yosemite Valley. I would recommend many visitors to consider an off-season visit to the park. If visiting during peak season, start early and if possible plan on a weekday visit to Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley is beautiful, but I would argue the top of the valley is just as spectacular as the bottom. Taft Point and Sentinel Dome located on Glacier Point are incredible. I've previously highlighted the cultural value of Yosemite Valley, it's influential and checkered conservation history even predates Yellowstone.
Hetch Hetchy Valley/Reservoir: previously referred to as "Yosemite Valley's Twin" is most known today for being one of the earliest Conservation fights in American History. One might even assume, it's not worth your time. Only a fraction of the visitors make it out to this secluded corner of the park. In a 5-mile moderate hike, you will see 3 waterfalls, two of them comparable to many of the icons in Yosemite Valley. I was pleased to discover a Sierra newt near one of the falls as well. I thoroughly enjoyed my time here as a quiet alternative to the busier areas of the park.
Read more from Kyle Magnuson here.
Emilia Bautista King
Yosemite is really beautiful and is a worthwhile destination. My favorite was the Half Dome. I took many photos of it as the sun was setting. I have yet to see the sun set like that again. The colors in the sky were amazing - pink, orange, blood red, and purple.
I also saw a bear and a wolf, which was very exciting! I had a hard time leaving Yosemite and would love to visit again, but there are so many other sites to see!
Ian Cade
I really enjoyed my visit to Yosemite, it is defiantly not a wilderness anymore but it is worth going out of your way for, but be warned it is very busy.
The view of the Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point (pictured) is the centre of the park, and is a pretty inspiring sight. The sheer face of Half Dome was being scaled by a group of intrepid climbers whilst we were there and it provided a great sense of scale; how small they were compared to the rock face.
The part of the park I most enjoyed was the groves of giant sequoias, they were absolutely massive, I remember being really impressed by the up-turned roots of one of the trees, and being frustrated that I couldn't fit them all into one photo.
We stayed at a nice place called outside the park called Jamestown, in a hotel that had the train from Back to the Future III in it, I spent most of my time watching humming birds feeding next to the swimming pool and also remember visiting the Gold Rush town of Columbia.
I really enjoyed California, it is a very easy place to visit if you have your own transport and has some great places to visit and Yosemite was a highlight (though I also have to give an honourable mention Monterey especially the Crown and Anchor Pub!). The ease of travel however means that it is very busy, the main routes especially, I think if you are used to less visited natural sites you will have to work harder to get some peace and quiet here, but for the casual tourist this is a great site.
Ben Pastore
Flocks of tourists aside, the Yosemite Valley is truly one of the most stunning landscapes this planet has to offer. The sheer face of El Capitan on one side and the curved top of Half Dome on the other makes this spot one of my favorite in California and the entire US.
I have visited Yosemite in both summer and winter. In winter it is magical, with the trees covered in icicles and the waterfall a frozen beard hanging way up there.
There are next to no visitors around in winter, but the shuttle buses still operate along the valley .
And the bus runs to Yosemite from Merced station even in winter, when it need chains on its wheels to get through.
Jeremy Tollpuddle
This truely is a beutiful place, especially if you can get away from the main tourist routes. but even if you can't due to limited time it is stunning, the views over Glacier Peak and the giant Redwoods are truely awe-ispiring. I wish i could go back and spend more time there.
Albert Chanslor Nicho;
Joanne and I were so taken by the park that it seemed like heavin on earth to us and we almost cried at the thought of so much beauty in one location. Truly this was God's masterpiece of creation. We both envied the Native Americans who found it and lived there.
Community Rating
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Site Info
- Full Name
- Yosemite National Park
- Unesco ID
- 308
- Country
- United States of America
- Inscribed
- 1984
- Type
- Natural
- Criteria
-
7 8
- Categories
- Natural landscape - Glaciation
- Link
- By ID
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1984 Inscribed
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