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Yosemite Valley

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Overview

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.

Yosemite National Park includes nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous scenery, including high cliffs, deep valleys, tall waterfalls, ancient giant sequoias, and a large wilderness. Millions of people visit Yosemite each year to experience its beauty and its many opportunities for enjoyment.

Food & Drink

Eating
Yosemite has numerous restaurants and other dining options all year in Yosemite Valley and seasonally at Wawona, Badger Pass, Glacier Point, White Wolf, and Tuolumne Meadows. Additionally, groceries are available all year in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Crane Flat, and El Portal, and seasonally at Tuolumne Meadows.

Picnic areas are available throughout the park. Wherever you eat or bring food in Yosemite, please respect animals at a distance; never feed or approach them. Learn more about how to keep your food from bears and what to do if you see a bear.

Camping & Lodging

Lodging
Lodging options in Yosemite National Park range from simple tent cabins at the High Sierra Camps to deluxe rooms at The Ahwahnee. Visit the Delaware North at Yosemite website for full descriptions, prices, and online reservations. Reservations are available 366 days in advance and are strongly recommended, especially from spring through fall and during holidays.

A variety of lodging options are available in the gateway communities surrounding, and on private land within, Yosemite. In these areas, options range from luxurious to affordable, including hotels and motels, bed & breakfasts, vacation rentals, hostels, and tent cabins.

Camping
Yosemite National Park has 13 campgrounds; some are reservable while others operate on a first-come, first-served basis. From about April through October, reservations can be very difficult to get and the first-come, first-served campgrounds often fill up early each day. Learn more about campground reservations, camping without a reservation, and details about each campground. Information about Delaware North at Yosemite's High Sierra Camps is also available.

Recreation.gov and Yosemite.com provide information about camping in communities surrounding Yosemite.

Please note that sleeping in your car or RV is not permitted within Yosemite except in individual campsites.

Overnight Riding in Wilderness
With nearly 95% of Yosemite National Park designated as wilderness, backpacking is also popular (a wilderness permit is required).

Visiting Tips

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year, and no reservations are required to visit. However, the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours (approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June. (Check road conditions and Hetch Hetchy hours.)

Is there a best time to visit Yosemite? It depends what you're looking for, and each season has its advantages. Learn more about Yosemite in summer, fall, winter, or spring, and find out what kind of weather to expect.

Other Activities

Yosemite is somewhat of a "mecca" for rock climbers. Known for its unrivaled sheer and towering granite domes, Yosemite is home to many of the most classic rock climbing routes in the world. Check out Mountain Project for all of the climbing beta on over 1,300 routes in Yosemite.

Recommended Routes in Yosemite Valley - 1

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Favorite Lower Yosemite Falls
Intermediate Intermediate

Yosemite Valley Loop

10.4 mi 16.7 km 291' Up 88.74 m Up 298' Down 90.77 m Down

Yosemit…, CA
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Yosemite Valley Biking

  • 19 Miles 30 Kilometers of Trail
  • 1 Recommended Route
  • 2 Easy Trails Easy Trails
  • 4 Intermediate Trails Intermediate Trails
  • 0 Difficult Trails Difficult Trails
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Trails in Yosemite Valley - 5

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5.4 mi 8.7 km #1Valley Loop Trail: North
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Yosemite Valley, CA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Yosemite Valley, CA
4.4 mi 7.1 km #2Valley Loop Trail: South
Intermediate Intermediate
Yosemite Valley, CA
Intermediate Intermediate
Yosemite Valley, CA
6.7 mi 10.9 km #3Yosemite Bike Path
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Yosemite Valley, CA
Easy/Intermediate Easy/Intermediate
Yosemite Valley, CA

Photos of Yosemite Valley - 3

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Beautiful Nevada Falls with rainbow
Jun 21, 2020 near Yosemit…, CA
Valley Loop Trail near Cathedral Spires
Dec 8, 2020 near Yosemit…, CA
Lower Yosemite Falls
Nov 29, 2021 near Yosemit…, CA
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