Getting There and When to Go

Yosemite National Park sits in California's Sierra Nevada mountains, about 150 miles east of San Francisco. The park has four main entrances: the west entrance near the town of Mariposa, the south entrance near Fresno, the east entrance near Lee Vining, and the north entrance near Marysville. Which entrance you use depends on where you're coming from and which part of the park you want to see first.

The park is open year-round, but conditions change dramatically by season. Summer (June through August) brings the most visitors, warmest weather, and all roads and facilities open. Fall (September through November) has fewer crowds and cooler temperatures. Winter (December through March) closes many roads and facilities due to snow, particularly Tioga Pass Road on the east side, which typically closes from November through May. Spring (April through May) brings wildflower blooms and waterfalls at their peak from snowmelt, though some roads may still be closed.

You do not need a reservation to enter the park, but you do need to pay an entrance fee. As of 2024, the fee is $35 per vehicle for a seven-day pass, $30 per motorcycle, or $20 per person entering on foot or bicycle. An America the Beautiful Annual Pass costs $80 and covers entrance to all national parks for one year.

Key Takeaways

  • Yosemite has four entrances, and the one you choose affects drive time and which areas you reach first.
  • Summer is busiest and warmest; winter closes many roads; spring offers waterfalls and wildflowers; fall has fewer crowds.
  • You pay an entrance fee per vehicle ($35) or person, valid for seven days, or buy an annual pass ($80) for all national parks.
  • Lodging inside the park books months in advance through Aramark; camping reservations open five months ahead through Recreation.gov.
  • Yosemite Valley is the most visited area, but Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy offer different landscapes and fewer people.

Where to Stay: Inside the Park or Nearby Towns

Lodging inside Yosemite is managed by Aramark, the park's concessionaire. The park has about 1,200 rooms across several properties: Yosemite Valley Lodge (mid-range, near waterfalls), The Ahwahnee (luxury, in the valley), Wawona Hotel (historic, south of the valley), and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge (rustic cabins, open summer only). Rooms book through recreation.gov starting five months before your arrival date. Availability fills quickly, especially for summer weekends.

Camping inside the park has 13 campgrounds with roughly 1,500 sites total. Yosemite Valley has five campgrounds and fills first. Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy each have campgrounds with fewer crowds. Reservations open five months in advance through recreation.gov and fill within hours for peak season dates.

If park lodging is full, towns outside the park offer alternatives. Mariposa (45 minutes west), Oakhurst (an hour south), and Lee Vining (two hours east) have hotels, motels, and vacation rentals at various price points. These towns have restaurants, gas stations, and grocery stores — amenities less available inside the park.

What to See and Do in Different Areas

Yosemite Valley is the most famous area and the most crowded. It holds El Capitan (a 3,000-foot granite cliff), Half Dome (a distinctive dome-shaped peak), Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls. Most valley trails are short and heavily used. Mirror Lake reflects Half Dome when water levels are high. Valley Village has lodging, dining, and the visitor center.

Tuolumne Meadows, at 8,600 feet elevation, opens mid-June through September. It is a high-altitude meadow with granite peaks, alpine lakes, and less crowded trails than the valley. The Tioga Pass Road connecting the meadows to the valley is the park's most scenic drive and closes in winter.

Wawona, south of the valley, is home to the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias — the largest trees on Earth by volume. A shuttle bus runs through the grove in summer; in winter you can walk the roads. Wawona also has the historic Wawona Hotel and access to the Chilnualna Falls trail.

Hetch Hetchy, in the northwest, is a reservoir surrounded by granite cliffs and fewer visitors than other areas. The Hetch Hetchy Reservoir Road is a scenic drive, and several trails loop around the water or climb to viewpoints.

Roads, Driving, and Getting Around

Yosemite Valley is the hub. Highway 120 (Tioga Pass Road) runs east-west through Tuolumne Meadows and closes in winter. Highway 41 runs north-south through Wawona. Highway 140 enters from the west near Mariposa. All three converge at or near the valley.

In summer, traffic in Yosemite Valley can be heavy, and parking lots fill by mid-morning. The park runs free shuttle buses within the valley and to Tuolumne Meadows (summer only), Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy. Using shuttles instead of driving reduces congestion and parking stress.

Gas stations inside the park are limited and expensive. Wawona has one station; Tuolumne Meadows has one (summer only). Fill up in towns outside the park before entering. Cell service is spotty throughout the park.

What to Bring and What to Know About Weather

Weather varies by elevation and season. Yosemite Valley sits at 4,000 feet; Tuolumne Meadows at 8,600 feet. Summer valley temperatures reach the 80s and 90s Fahrenheit during the day and drop to the 50s at night. Tuolumne Meadows stay cooler, in the 60s and 70s, with freezing nights. Winter brings snow to the valley (rare but possible) and heavy snow to higher elevations.

Bring layers: a light jacket for mornings and evenings, sun protection (hat, sunscreen, sunglasses), and sturdy walking shoes. If you hike, bring water — at least two liters per person. Trails at higher elevations are steep and exposed; altitude affects some visitors. Mosquitoes are heavy in early summer, especially near water.

Fires are not allowed in the valley during peak season. Check the park website for current fire restrictions, road closures, and facility status before you go.

Hiking Difficulty and Popular Trails

Yosemite has trails for all fitness levels. Valley Loop Trail is mostly flat and paved, about 7.2 miles round trip, with views of waterfalls and cliffs. Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is steep and wet (especially in spring), 5.5 miles round trip, with a 1,000-foot elevation gain. Half Dome trail is 14 to 17 miles round trip with a 4,800-foot elevation gain and requires a permit or lottery entry.

Tuolumne Meadows trails tend to be longer and less crowded. Cathedral Lakes is 8 miles round trip with moderate elevation gain. Clouds Rest is 14 miles round trip and more strenuous. Cathedral Lake and Clouds Rest both offer alpine views and fewer people than valley trails.

Mariposa Grove trails range from a short paved loop (0.8 miles) to longer walks through giant sequoias. Chilnualna Falls near Wawona is 8.2 miles round trip with a 2,000-foot gain and rewards hikers with a 1,570-foot waterfall.

Fees, Permits, and Reservations Timeline

Entrance fees are $35 per vehicle (valid seven days) or $80 for an annual pass covering all national parks. Camping and lodging reservations open five months before your arrival through recreation.gov. Half Dome permits are limited and awarded through a lottery system; you can also hike Half Dome without a permit if you start before sunrise and finish by sunset, though this is not recommended for most hikers.

Wilderness permits are required for backcountry camping and are issued through the Wilderness Center. Permits are free but limited; popular areas fill quickly in summer. Fishing requires a California fishing license (available online or at sporting goods stores) and follows state regulations.

If you plan to visit in summer, book lodging and camping as soon as reservations open five months ahead. If you plan to hike Half Dome, enter the lottery at least two months before your trip. Check the park website for current conditions, closures, and any special restrictions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I bring my dog to Yosemite?

Dogs are allowed in the park but only on paved paths in developed areas like the valley and campgrounds. They are not allowed on trails, in the backcountry, or in lodging except service animals. Kennels are not available in the park, so plan accordingly if you have a pet.

What is the best time to see waterfalls?

Late spring (May and June) is peak waterfall season because snowmelt from higher elevations feeds the falls. By late summer (August and September), many falls dry up or reduce to a trickle. Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall flow year-round but are most dramatic in spring.

Do I need a car to visit Yosemite?

A car is helpful but not required. You can take a bus from San Francisco or Fresno to the park, use the free shuttle system within the park, and hike from there. However, a car gives you more flexibility to explore different areas and visit less-crowded trailheads.

How far in advance should I book lodging?

Book as soon as reservations open five months before your arrival. Popular dates (summer weekends, holidays) fill within hours. If park lodging is full, book a hotel in a nearby town like Mariposa or Oakhurst instead.

Is Yosemite crowded in winter?

Winter brings fewer visitors than summer, but Tioga Pass Road closes, limiting access to Tuolumne Meadows and the eastern side of the park. The valley remains open and is quieter. Snow can close roads temporarily, so check conditions before driving.