The Ultimate Guide to Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is located in Northern California just outside of Fresno and is a bucket list destination. Yosemite Valley was formed by glaciers, giving it it’s remarkable peaks that are well-known worldwide.

As of 2024, Yosemite National Park is the 6th most visited National Park in the U.S. While that may not seem too high on the list, Yosemite still boasts millions of visitors annually and continues to be one of the most popular National Parks in the United States.

My first time in Yosemite National Park was in mid-summer which was probably the hottest and busiest time to go! Nonetheless, it was an amazing trip that really exceeded my expectations. Normally I’d choose a beach with bright blue waters over some tall rocks, but hear me out and give Yosemite a chance, it’s pretty amazing.

I always feel rejuvenated after spending time in nature and after just a long weekend exploring the park, I felt like I knew this park. Yosemite has a very rich history which can be learned about in the museums of Yosemite Village. It’s very compelling to me to learn about the history of a certain area, and then getting to explore the same areas.

Whether you’re preparing for your first trip to Yosemite, or are going back for more, buckle up and take my experiences with you to prepare for your best trip yet!

How to Get to Yosemite National Park?

Living in California has the great advantage of being so close to National Parks like Yosemite. However if you don’t live in California, or within driving distance to the park, there are also options to fly in.

Whether you’re flying or driving into Yosemite, it is best to have a car to have the most flexibility to fully explore the park. Depending on where you are staying the drive just to get into Yosemite Valley could be an hour or more away.

There are shuttles within Yosemite Valley that can take you around to different parts of the valley, but having a car was definitely necessary to get in and out of the park itself.

By Car:

If you ask me, a road trip is the best way to get to a destination. Luckily from Southern California, the south entrance of Yosemite is only a 5.5 hour drive away!

The south entrance of Yosemite National Park is very remote with the closest town being Oakhurst. Oakhurst is about a 30-minute drive from the south entrance but a great place to stay with lodging, food, grocery, and gas. The Chukchansi Gold Casino is another 20 minutes down the road if you’re feeling up for some Blackjack after a long day of hiking!

Having a car within the park will give you the most flexibility for what you want to see. There is a gas station within the park only about a 10-minute drive from the south entrance at the Wawona Hotel. There’s only 1 road within the park so you won’t miss it!

By Airplane:

If you’re not within driving distance from Yosemite, the Fresno International Airport (FAT) is the closest airport to the National Park. You can also fly into San Fransisco or Sacramento but you’ll need a car to drive the few hours to the park entrance.

Best Area to Stay in Yosemite National Park

If you’re looking for a quaint, off-the-beaten-path stay, check out some Airbnb’s in Fish Camp. Fish Camp is a small town about 10 minutes away from the South Entrance of Yosemite National Park. The larger town of Oakhurst is about 30 minutes away from the south entrance but is more of a ‘town’ with food, gas, shopping, and a casino down the road.

Staying in Fish Camp was nice because it was remote and peaceful, but also close to the park for those early mornings. Having Oakhurst nearby was nice to drive to for dinners since there aren’t any restaurants or grocery stores in Fish Camp itself. Bringing groceries in was a must, but it was nice to cook in and enjoy the peacefulness of the surrounding forest.

From the South Entrance, it is about an hour drive into Yosemite Valley, and the views are spectacular. You even get to pass through the Wawona Tunnel! Don’t forget to stop at the parking lot at the end and take a pic, it’s a great view.

What to See in Yosemite National Park

There is so much to see in Yosemite, but the most popular place to explore is Yosemite Valley. I had no idea that Yosemite Valley is really a valley (duh!), but it is a completely flat area of the park with massive rocks towering over you.

Many of the iconic landmarks you hear about lie within Yosemite Valley and it is the most popular park of the park to visit. Another beautiful part of Yosemite is the Hetch Hetchy Valley which lies in the northwestern part of the park. Unfortunately, I didn’t have time to get up to Hetch Hetchy, but Yosemite Valley kept me busy for sure!

There are many awesome sights to see in Yosemite Valley but here are a few that you won’t want to miss:

• Lower Yosemite Falls
• El Capitan
• Bridal Veil Falls
• Half Dome
• Mist Trail
• Mirror Lakes

I loved hiking in Yosemite, but in the middle of the summer with the heat and crowds it was exhausting to do just one hike per day. Luckily, most of the landmarks on the list above are short ‘hikes’ more like walks. The Mist Trail is the exception but 100% worth it.

How to Get a Yosemite National Park Reservation

Before you head out on your great adventure in Yosemite, make sure you have a park reservation. This reservation is different than the entry fee that you’ll pay at the entrance, and is required to enter the park. Most National Parks in the U.S. now require these reservations to prevent crowding. They can be tricky to get through the lottery system since there are only a limited number of reservations available, so make sure you know when and how to secure your reservation.

When Can I Get A Park Reservation?

Reservations for Yosemite National Park are required from April to October and can be found here. You’ll want to have dates in mind that you’re wanting to travel and check when the lottery reservation system opens for those specific dates.

The reservations are good for 2 days starting on the day you book, so if you book a Saturday time then Sunday will be included as well so you only have to make 1 reservation for a weekend trip.

Make sure you choose the ‘Full Day’ reservation if you’re wanting to get a good day of hiking and sightseeing in before dark.

Do I Need A Separate Reservation to Hike in Yosemite?

Yes and no. A park reservation will get you into the park itself. Some trails like Half Dome require a separate permit and is a lot harder to get than a general park reservation.

Yosemite National Park Checklist

If you’ve gotten this far then you’re committed to having the best trip to Yosemite National Park! Follow the ultimate guide below to make it your best trip yet.

1. Decide which dates you want to travel
2. Visit Recreation.gov to secure your park reservation
   • I like to set a reminder in my calendar for when park reservations go on sale so I can have a better chance of getting the day and time I want!
3. Decide where you want to stay
   • Need some help deciding? I’m here to help!
4. Make a list of must-see landmarks and hikes
5. Gather your gear
   • Hiking shoes, tons of water, snacks, and sunglasses are essentials
6. Arrive to the entrance around 7:30am for the least time waiting in line
   • The line to enter the park can take up to an hour the later in the morning that you arrive!
7. Park your car and embark on your Yosemite National Park adventure!