Yosemite National Park
Eight Tips for Yosemite
To make your trip a memorable one, we have compiled the following travel tips gleaned from park "regulars."
•â€‚ Bring It With You. Read and carry with you the map and all park information issued to you at the entrance station. They are free and useful tools, and have been designed to be easily "stuffable" into a daypack or purse.
•â€‚ Carry Water. No matter what season, it is strongly recommended to carry and drink plenty of water.
•â€‚ Start Early… or Late. During the busy summer months, arrive at popular destinations early, before 9:30 a.m. or come in the late afternoon. These are the best times to see wildlife, hear birds or waterfalls, and avoid crowds.
•â€‚ Park and Ride. Make use of the free year-round shuttle system in Yosemite Valley, or in summer, at Wawona/Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows. Often a good strategy is to take a shuttle one way and walk back. Park tours are also an excellent way to see the sights while letting someone else drive.
•â€‚ Carry a Flashlight. Yosemite's nightscape can be as spectacular as its sites by day, especially on the nights of a full moon. To preserve the beauty of the night sky, lighting in the park is kept to a minimum. Always carry a flashlight.
•â€‚ Carry Rain Gear. Don't let sudden changes in weather catch you unprepared.
•â€‚ Learn Something New. Yosemite has a number of excellent museums, visitor centers and trailside exhibits. And don't forget the rangers. Many programs are led by rangers dedicated to sharing their love of this park with you!
•â€‚ Come Back! Yosemite is a place awaiting your return. Make it—and other national parks—a family tradition.
Yosemite In Depth
News from the Parks
Frommer's Top 5 Parks for Cozy Camping
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
November 21, 2008 - 10:01am
I always look forward to getting my Frommer's newsletter every week. Not only are they budget travel saavy, they inspire me to get out there no matter the weather! Here are their top five picks for cozy camping.
Park to Reopen Today after Crews Repair Road, Channel Kautz Creek
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
November 21, 2008 - 9:56am
The Nisqually Road in Mount Rainier National Park will reopen today, a day earlier than expected. The road, and the park, have been closed since Nov. 12 when Kautz Creek jumped its banks and flooded the main road into the park.
Jenna Otter Returns to Scene of Grizzly Bear Attack
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
November 21, 2008 - 9:55am
Reporting from Glacier National Park -- No one knew what to expect on the trail to Grinnell Glacier one late summer morning, but a second bull moose less than an hour out was hardly a good sign. During September and October -- mating season -- it's always best to give the spindly-legged animals plenty of room.
Expected Rule Change Would Benefit Bicycling in National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
November 21, 2008 - 9:07am
An upcoming National Park Service (NPS) rule change could greatly benefit mountain bicycling by improving the administrative process for opening trails to bicycles. IMBA has been asking the agency to revise its policies since 1992, because the current "special regulations" process is needlessly cumbersome and treats bicycles like motorized vehicles.
Things Slow At Hawaii's National Parks
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
November 21, 2008 - 8:55am
On our recent trip to Hawaii we had a feeling that things were less busy than usual. Now there are some numbers to back up our hunch: The national parks in the state saw a drop in attendance of more than 50,000 visitors during the month of October.
