What is Yosemite National Park Known For?
Yosemite National Park is a stunning national park combinations of granite cliffs and many impressive waterfalls located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, United States of America. Considered as one of the national parks in California, spans over 7, 59,620 acres of land is well managed by the National Park Service.
When it comes to traveler’s point of views, Yosemite National Park is well known for many breath taking natural beauties and iconic landmarks. Granite cliffs like EI Capitan and Half Dome, Yosemite valley, Glacier point, and waterfalls are must visit and things to enjoy within this national park. You will also spot some of the crazy cascading waterfalls like Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall, and Serene Meadows and Forests.
These spots are renowned for greatest recreational activities like hiking, rock climbing, camping, fishing, and photography which attracting millions of visitors each year. During your Yosemite park journey visitors are more fortunate to see great, encompassing species and endangered animals species like black bears, bobcats, mule deer, and the rare Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep.
Suggested read; Banff National Park.
Most Famous Things to Do and Places to Visit in the Yosemite National Park
1. Hike to Half Dome
Remember, Yosemite National Park popularized one of its features like Hiking. Hiking in half domes considered as a most iconic aspect especially to those who willing to enjoy the panoramic views of the park. Half Dome is a distinctive rock shape, a smooth and rounded surface in feature that help us to reach top level much supportive to the hiking. The hike is approximately 4,800 feet (round trip) and requires prior permit due to its popularity, great place to enjoy perfect view of the Vernal and Nevada Falls, Yosemite Valley and High sierra.
It’s a 10-12 long strenuous hike that includes the use of half dome cables for the final ascent, to hike the most famous and infamous part of the half dome. The reward at the top is worth it and you’ll be treated to panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and beyond.
2. Explore Yosemite Valley
Such a great place under Yosemite National Park, Yosemite Valley known for spectacular glacier carved landscapes. Yosemite Valley is located in the heart of the park, containing parallel granite domes and granite cliffs, such as El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. So, never miss to enjoy mind blowing sceneries and its gorgeous cliffs, canyon, rivers, and lakes.
Yosemite Valley is considered as a park’s peaks point where travelers love to take a stroll or bike to explore the valley floor, watch lush green forest, wildlife, and rivers. As a backpacker do not miss the opportunity to admire the mirror-like reflections of the iconic landmarks such as Yosemite Conservation Heritage Centre on the Merced River. Moreover Yosemite Valley also has well preserved and well-maintained trails, picnic areas, visitor center, Ansel Adams Gallery and convenient shuttle services.
3. Visit Glacier Point
Located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point offers commanding views of Yosemite Valley including surrounding falls and half dome. Glacier points include some of the starting and finishing points of the Yosemite National park’s includes famous hiking points like Four mile trail and Panorama trail. Bird watching, hiking, skiing and snowboarding at Badger pass ski area are more famous things to enjoy. Never forget to witness captivating sunsets or even stargazing sessions from this viewpoint.
It is very easy to access to this point, either you can use a car from late spring through fall or by hiking during other times. Both are more convenient and offer awe-inspiring vistas of Half Dome, Nevada and Vernal Falls, and the surrounding high country. Such a great place for enjoy the perfect sunset and sunrise overall at Yosemite park.
4. Experience Yosemite’s Waterfalls
Located in the Sierra Nevada of California, Yosemite Waterfall witnessing National Park’s another perfect things to enjoy its breathtaking beauty. Often considered as the most prominent and massive waterfall dropping a total of 2,425 feet from the top. Not only that, Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America and consists of 3 sections including Upper Fall, Middle Cascades, and Lower Fall.
Under that, Bridalveil Fall is considered as the most iconic waterfall, which flows from 620-foot height that is easily accessible from the Tunnel View parking area. Yosemite waterfall got world recognition for its volume and beauty of water flow during late spring. Never miss to enjoy the mist and beauty of these magnificent falls, especially during spring or early summer when they’re at their peak flow.
Do you know how to use and make travel insurance?
5. Take a Scenic Drive
Yosemite National Park even explore through scenic car drive that offers spectacular views especially natural like mountain and landscape views. There are a good number of scenic drives that allow you to appreciate the park’s beauty just from your car seat. Tioga Road (Highway 120) is the most popular and must take drive, includes 46 miles driving shows that allow valley’s beauty especially during late May and June months. Valley normally much crowded and never slow when it takes you through high-elevation meadows, granite peaks, and alpine lakes.
Winding its way through the heart of Yosemite, the Tioga Road runs from Crane Flat to Tioga pass, where you can enjoy picturesque vistas in just a 1.5 hour journey. Another scenic drive is the Glacier Point Road, which takes you up to Glacier Point and offers incredible views along the way.
10 Impressive Facts about Yosemite National Park
There are a lot of unknown facts, which is something unknown to many enthusiastic backpackers. So let’s see one by one;
- Yosemite National park is witnessing a good number of Giant Sequoia trees. Considered as the biggest living things on the planet.
- John Muir, a Scottish writer, naturalist created and made an awareness about Yosemite National Park. In 1980 he raised awareness in essays, newspapers and magazines about this beautiful park.
- Park is visited by over 3.5 million visitors on an average every year. During summer, the number may rise.
- Yosemite Valley was formed by the glacier. These glaciers were formed at top evaluation and shifted to river Valleys.
- Mt. Lyell is Yosemite’s highest peak. Apart from that, Half Dome and EL Capitan are popular summits too.
- Out of 10 things, hiking is the best and convenient way to see the park. Yosemite Valley is open all year for hiking within the valley, and usually it takes 12 hour and 14 mile hiking journey. Ex; Half dome.
- Ahwahneechee Indians are the real indigenous American Indian people who lived long back. Their homes look like teepees.
- You will find the rarest Sierra Nevada Red Fox. This red fox is native to the Sierra Nevada California, and this lives with along with black bears, deer, bobcats and many more animals.
- Yosemite National Park covers around 1,200 square miles of land. Interestingly, the majority of the park’s areas are untouched and uninhabited by humans.
- Park is set aside by the US government. First area in the whole United States kept for preservation and protection purposes.
Yosemite National Park Ticket Price/ Entry Fees
| Pass Name | Days/ Year | Price in $ |
| Individual (on foot) | 7 days pass | $ 15 |
| Individual (Motorcycle) | 7 days pass | $ 30 |
| Individual (Automobile) | 7 days pass | $ 35 |
| Yosemite pass (For Automobile) | 1 year | $ 70 |
| Beautiful national parks and Federal recreational pass (Automobile) | 1 year | $ 80 |
| Senior citizen pass | Lifetime | $ 80 |
What are the benefits of Traveling’s?
Best Time to Visit
As per visitor’s traffic and old data “May and September” are considered as perfect months to visit, due to low crowds and snow effects. Apart from May and September, Yosemite Park and valley are majorly affects and covered by the extreme snow effects, so it is difficult to travel and explore.
How to Reach Yosemite National Park
There are multiple airports available nearby Yosemite National park making it park is more convenient from California, San Francisco and even many USA cities. Fresno- Yosemite International Airport is considered as the very closest airport to the Park, just 65 miles from the south of the park. San Francisco International Airport, Oakland International Airport, San Jose International Airport are the nearest Airports which receive the majority of flights from all over the world.
Remember driving could be very long and clocking to park, it took around 3 hours and more long journeys. If you are not a solo or less drive lover then don’t come to this conclusion.
So, at the end as a traveler never miss to study detailed about Yosemite National Park and its travel guides. In this article we are presented some of the basic things about park, so, if you want to know in-depth, visit official website of Yosemite National Pak.
Related Links;
Travel Yosemite– Booking for Hotel, Lodging, Dining and Things to Do in Yosemite.
National Park Reservation– Booking for Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Yosemite Mariposa County– For the Booking of spacious suites and countless amenities.
Brace Bridge Dinner– For the booking of Breakfast, Dinner, Lunch and Sunday Brunch.
Suggested Read; Kruger National Park.
Q: Where is Yosemite National Park?
A: Yosemite National Park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada mountain range, United States of America. 140 miles from the east side of San Francisco city and 100 miles from the southeast of Sacramento.
Q: How big is Yosemite National Park?
A: Yosemite National Park is spans over 7, 59,620 acres of land is well managed by the National Park Service.
Q: What city is Yosemite National Park in?
A: Mariposa, California is the nearest city to Yosemite National Park. Situated just 32.2 miles from California.
Q: When did Yosemite become a national park?
A: On 1 October, 1890, Yosemite become a national park. Considered as a 3rd national park in whole US, after Yellowstone and Sequoia.
