Yosemite
California
Sheer granite walls, thundering waterfalls, and giant sequoias in the Sierra Nevada.
Photos
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Weather & forecast
Highlights
Yosemite Valley
The glacier-carved heart of the park, framed by El Capitan and Half Dome.
Glacier Point
A jaw-dropping overlook of the valley, Half Dome, and the high country.
Mariposa Grove
Hundreds of giant sequoias, including the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant.
Tuolumne Meadows
A vast subalpine meadow and gateway to the high Sierra along Tioga Road.
Famous routes & hikes
Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls
A steep, spray-soaked climb past two of Yosemite’s most powerful waterfalls.
Tioga Road Scenic Drive
A seasonal high-country drive over Tioga Pass past domes, lakes, and meadows.
Valley Loop Trail
A mostly flat loop tracing the valley floor beneath its iconic granite walls.
Practical guidance
Best time to visit
Late spring for waterfalls; September–October for smaller crowds and mild weather.
Typical visit
2–4 days
Come prepared
- Reserve lodging or campsites months ahead
- Check for peak-season reservation requirements
- Carry layers—valley and high country differ sharply
Good to know
- Tioga and Glacier Point Roads close in winter
- Waterfalls can run dry by late summer
Fun facts
Yosemite was central to the idea of national parks—Abraham Lincoln protected the valley in 1864.
Yosemite Falls drops 2,425 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.
About 95% of the park is designated wilderness.