There are no words to describe the beauty that is Yosemite National Park, you just have to go and see it for yourself. We have been wanting to go since we moved to California, but we just never got around to planning it until now. And it does take some planning, so here is my guide to Yosemite National Park.
Reservations
Reservations are currently required to enter Yosemite National Park between the hours of 6am and 4pm until September 30th. Thirty percent of reservations are released at 8am PST 7 days prior to the arrival date. Get yours at recreation.gov and make sure to have an account already set up. Reservations do go fast! Camping or lodging reservations, wilderness permits and tour groups also allow you to enter the park. We had a campground reservation that allowed us to enter the park for the duration of our reservation, which we booked four months prior.
When to go
The ideal time to go in my opinion is May or June when snow melt has all the waterfalls flowing. Rivers and creeks can become just a trickle or even dry up come late summer or fall. Air quality should also be better this time of year, but late summer and fall should have less crowds. We chose to go in late June, so we could drive Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows and on to Mammoth. This road usually doesn’t open up until some time in early to mid-June. The only drawback for us was the amount of children, since school had just gotten out. The trails and campgrounds were packed with kids of all ages. It was warm in the valley, I think it hit 80 degrees one day, but up in Tuolumne Meadows it was much cooler at elevation.
What to do
Tunnel View
We came in the south entrance and we were giddy with excitement, we couldn’t wait to see that initial view of Yosemite Valley. When we came through the tunnel to this view our jaws dropped. I was also really happy to see that the air quality was pretty good, thanks to it being so early in the season.
Hike
For an easy hike, I suggest 4 Mile Trail for great views of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. We didn’t get to do this hike, but I heard great things about it from multiple sources.
For a moderate hike, I suggest Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail. Take the John Muir Trail back to avoid going back down all the stairs. You will gain about 2,000 feet of elevation in about three miles. This can be a very busy trail, so I suggest leaving early to avoid crowds and the heat. A quick rain shower passed over us on our last climb up to Nevada Falls and it was quite refreshing.
For a difficult hike, we did Upper Yosemite Fall Trail, but I’m not so sure I would suggest it. You will gain 3,000 feet of elevation in just 3.5 miles, which is a lot in such a short distance. When we got to the top we were a little underwhelmed with the view. It didn’t have some amazing view of Upper Yosemite Falls like I expected, plus the amount of work it took to get there. My husband got dehydrated towards the last part of the climb, but once we got to the top we headed to the river to filter some more water. I suggest bringing lots of water, a water filter of some sort and plenty of food. Going back down is almost just as hard as going up, thanks to a combination of steepness and the amount of rocks to navigate. Usually we will fly back down a trail, but this was far more difficult. If you have hiking poles, definitely bring them.
Walk or Bike the Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
We didn’t bring our bikes, but I wish we did. Biking is the easiest and quickest way to get around the valley. The Yosemite Valley Loop Trail is a total of 20 miles, walk or bike as much or as little as you’d like. Head out early to enjoy the sunrise with some peace and quiet.
Paddle or Swim in the Merced River
A swim in the river was so refreshing after a long day of hiking. We wanted to bring our paddle boards, but ultimately decided not to as we were a bit unsure of conditions, but we definitely will bring them next time. A lot of people brought their own inner tubes to float down the river, but there is a place where you can rent them. Only certain parts of the river are safe to swim or paddle, beware of rapids and areas that are too shallow.
Drive Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows
This drive is beautiful in the summer with all the wildflowers blooming, but make sure the road is open before you go. The road is in great shape, mostly new pavement, but about a ten mile section of road is still being repaved near Tuolumne Meadows. I loved all the different color wildflowers flourishing between all the rocks. We made a stop at Olmstead Point where there were volunteers with a telescope showing us the people climbing Half Dome.
A friend suggested we hike Dog Lake, May Lake or Cathedral Lake. After chatting with a ranger, we opted to hike Dog Lake and it ended up being one of my favorite hikes ever. He suggested to also hike up Lembert Dome, but cautioned not to if there were thunderstorms. The thunderstorms rolled in just as we set off on our hike, so we were virtually the only ones on the trail. We meandered through the forest of trees with a light rain falling and nearby rumble of thunder. There was nothing epic about this trail, but the light rolling thunder really made it such a unique experience. Back at the trailhead, a truck pulled in that was full of hail from that same storm only a few miles away!
Where to stay
Bed & Breakfast
We stayed at Hounds Tooth Inn in Oakhurst the night before we headed into the park. This allowed us to shower and fully charge our Tesla, they have three destination chargers on site. They offer free wine and cheese in the evenings and breakfast in the mornings. This B&B is great for a romantic stay and those looking for a little luxury.
Camp
We scored campground reservations at Lower Pines Campground for two nights and had views of Half Dome from our tent. Each campsite comes with a picnic table, bear bin and fire ring. If you forget anything, the Village Store has just about anything you would need. There is nearby access to the Merced River for post-hike swims, floats or paddles. You can make reservations at Lower Pines, Upper Pines or North Pines Campground, all of which are about the same. Upper Pines is closer to some of the hikes, while Lower and North Pines are closer to the river.
Be sure to check the National Park Service website for up to date information. Unfortunately, Glacier Point Road is closed for the duration of 2022 and we didn’t get to Taft Point or Glacier Point. You can hike Glacier Point, but it is a very tough hike.
I hope you find my guide to Yosemite helpful. If you liked this blog post, be sure to check out My Guide to Mammoth! Don’t forget to book your trip with your favorite travel planner, yours truly.
