Tioga Road (continuation of Highway 120 through the park) is temporarily closed due to a forecast of snow. Please call 209/372-0200 (then 1, 1) to check road status.
Expert Verdict & Insider Tips
Yosemite National Park is famous for its massive granite cliffs, giant sequoia trees, and towering waterfalls. It’s a climber's paradise and an outdoor lover's dream, but its popularity is also its biggest challenge. During summer weekends, Yosemite Valley can feel more like a gridlocked city than a national park. If you plan ahead and hike early, you can still experience the magic of El Capitan and Half Dome in peace.
About Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is a national park located in California. Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) in the Sierra Nevada, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)
You can drive to Yosemite year-round and enter via Highways 41, 140, and 120 from the west. Tioga Pass Entrance (via Highway 120 from the east) is closed from approximately November through late May or June. Hetch Hetchy is open all year but may close intermittently due to snow. Please note that GPS units do not always provide accurate directions to or within Yosemite.
💰 Entrance Fees & Passes
General entry to Entrance - Education/Academic Groups is free. General admission passes are not required.
🥾 Things to Do
Yosemite National Park offers visitors a diverse selection of outdoor experiences. You can participate in a wide array of activities, most notably Arts and Culture, Auto and ATV, Scenic Driving, Astronomy, and 29 other recreational activities, depending on the season and weather conditions. Path options exist for both casual strollers and expert backcountry adventurers.
📦 Recommended Gear & Packing Checklist
Custom items selected for activities at Yosemite
📋 Visitor Planning Tips for Yosemite
- →Beat the Crowds: Arrive at the main gates or trailheads of Yosemite before 8:00 AM. Parking spaces at popular locations fill up extremely fast, especially during warm peak season weekends.
- →Monitor Active Alerts: There are currently 1 active alerts for Yosemite. Keep an eye on the alert notifications at the top of this guide for crucial information regarding closures or safety issues.
- →Secure Campsites Early: Lodging and developed campgrounds within and surrounding Yosemite get booked out months in advance. Make reservations on recreation.gov as early as the window opens.
- →Leave No Trace: Help protect the delicate ecosystems of Yosemite. Stay on marked trails, pack out all of your waste, and keep a respectful distance from wildlife.
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.
Seasonal Visitor Guides
Frequently Asked Questions about Yosemite
About the Author
James R. Mitchell
Founder & Lead Writer — National Park Data
James has visited all 63 designated US national parks and has been writing about outdoor travel for over 12 years. He spent 8 years as a wilderness guide in the Rocky Mountains before founding National Park Data to help visitors plan better, safer, and more enjoyable park trips.
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