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Yosemite National Park

Ranked #2,854 in Travel & Places, #94,619 overall

Unforgettable Mountain Views, Extraordinary Wildlife, and Cascading Waterfalls at Yosemite National Park

The Crown Jewel of the Sierra Nevada

There are over 3.5 million visitors yearly that come to take in the awe-inspiring panorama of Yosemite National Park. The California National Park of the High Sierras is one of the best places to camp, kayak, sightsee, rock climb, hike, or just sit back, relax and take in the amazing views. Yosemite is known for its huge granite peaks, clear, cool rivers, gigantic cascading waterfalls and abundant wildlife.

Yosemite: Protected Since 1890

Yosemite National Park's history

Yosemite Valley



Yosemite was famously protected by the work of people in the late 1800's like John Muir. Muir realized its unmatched beauty and strived to protect the land of Yosemite from development, encroachment, overuse, overgrazing, and logging. Thanks in part to Muir's work, Yosemite was designated a National Park in 1890.

Depending on the season and elevation of the area of the park, temperatures range dramatically, even during summer. High peaks can be in the 50's, while the low valley can hit 90°F in the summer. Winters are generally mild and controlled by the Pacific Coast air currents, which are only about 100 miles from the park. The chances of seeing precipitation in the park are usually slim. It remains very dry year-round.

Half Dome

The famous landmark granite peak of Yosemite Valley

half dome


On the east end of Yosemite lies its most famous landmark, Half Dome. This huge granite crest rises 4,737 feet from the bottom of the valley floor. This monolith is featured on the California state quarter, and remains Yosemite's most well-known feature.

Half Dome and John Muir on the California State Quarter

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Yosemite Poll

Yosemite is one of America's favorite National Parks.

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Another Grand View of Yosemite...Half Dome on the Right 

Entering Yosemite Valley...

The Valley of Yosemite is something you will never forget. After trekking through the beginning of the park to the Valley viewpoint, you can see the entire panorama displayed before you...Half Dome, Glacier Point, El Capitan, and the Merced River.

Part of the Surreal Scenery of Yosemite Valley 

Read this before booking your trip!

Much of Yosemite is closed to vehicles throughout the year. Tioga Pass road is often closed until May or June until snow melts and roads are cleared. Every year snowfall and rock debris has to be cleared from all of the roads for safe travel.

Yosemite Falls

One of the park's feature attractions

Yosemite Falls are actually two different waterfalls, the Upper and Lower. From the top of the Upper Falls to the bottom of the lower falls is a 2425-foot drop, making it the highest waterfall in all of North America. The Falls are in their peak during late spring, and can often be found dry by the end of summer.
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Lodging in and Around Yosemite

Accomodations in the park and around it

Find lodging in and around Yosemite, from small inns to well known establishments to choose from.

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Yosemite Videos on YouTube

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Why is it so Beautiful?

Glaciers from the Ice Age sculpted the famous u-shaped valley that millions of visitors flock to every year. The slightly tilted Merced River has been slowly carving out the beautiful granite landscape of the Yosemite Valley creating what we see there today.

El Capitan

A 100 Million Year Old Piece of Rock...

This huge granite rock monolith is comprised of granite that is over a million years old. El Capitan is one of the most distinguishable features of the park, recognizable from just about any postcard or throughout park vista points. It is a favorite for rock climbers and hikers, rewarding the long, difficult trip with a panorama of the entire valley and park.
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Yosemite Links

el capitan

Yosemite National Park Official Site
Not just a great Valley...
but a shrine to human foresight, strength of granite, power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.
Live WebCam from Half Dome!
A Live Webcam of Half Dome in Yosemite!
Half Dome View
Another live webcam of Half Dome from an alternate viewpoint.
Who is John Muir?
A Squidoo lens by Comfortdoc all about the "Father of the National Park Service."
The Official Wikipedia page for Yosemite
Everyone and everything has its own page on Wikipedia...why not Yosemite?
Yosemite Park Info
Additional info about Yosemite, from bear information to stargazing to rafting information.
Awaken your Spirit in Yosemite
Lodging, dining, reservations, ski pass info and more all available on this easy to use site.

Bridalveil Falls

A beautiful straight waterfall in Yosemite National Park

Bridalveil Fall (or Falls as it is commonly referred to) is one of the top park destinations and can be usually seen flowing year-round. The way the white water drops and hits the rocks below can resemble a bride's veil, hence the name. Standing below near the base of Bridalveil Fall is a memorable experience...though the area is safely and clearly sectioned off, you can still feel the spray of the falls from quite a distance!
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Current Weather in Yosemite National Park

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Yosemite Valley

The "centerpiece" of Yosemite National Park is Yosmite Valley. The valley alone is the most visited area of the park, containing the favorites of Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, the Merced River, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, the Cathedral Rocks, and the famous "tunnel view," which is opened up after exiting the tunnel.
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Merced River

The lifeblood of Yosemite National Park!

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The Merced River  

Tuolumne Meadows

Mountaintop grassy fields in Yosemite

Tuolumne Meadows of Yosemite National Park is comprised of winding streams, open meadows, and small granite domes high in elevation. The elevation level is above 8,000 feet for most of the park and provides stunning viewpoints. It's also less crowded than the valley area and can be an excellent place to relax, hike, and explore.
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Did you know...

...that there are nine National Parks in the state of California alone?

Your Favorite Yosemite Area?

Sentinel Rock

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Yosemite Travel Time Estimates

Here are the distances from locations to Yosemite National Park drive time. Traffic time not included!
  • San Diego to Yosemite National Park: 430 mi - about 7 hours 15 mins
  • Los Angeles to Yosemite National Park: 310 mi - about 5 hours 19 mins
  • San Francisco to Yosemite National Park: 189 mi - about 3 hours 58 mins
  • Fresno to Yosemite National Park: 92.6 mi - about 2 hours 1 min
  • Portland, Oregon to Yosemite National Park: 741 mi - about 12 hours 22 mins
  • Seattle, Washington to Yosemite National Park: 914 mi - about 15 hours 9 mins
  • Las Vegas, Nevada to Yosemite National Park: 416 mi - about 7 hours 50 mins
  • Phoenix, Arizona to Yosemite National Park: 680 mi - about 10 hours 43 mins
  • Salt Lake City, Utah to Yosemite National Park: 615 mi - about 10 hours 53 mins
  • Lake Tahoe, California to Yosemite National Park: 216 mi - about 4 hours 55 mins
  • Giant Seqouia National Park to Yosemite National Park: 155 mi - about 3 hours 2 mins

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Have you Been to Yosemite?

Tell us about your trip!

Yosemite Panorama


Have you been to Yosemite? Would you like to share your experience? Be sure to tell us all about it!

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  • Reply
    SaraLynn Jul 9, 2011 @ 1:00 am | delete
    Beautiful Lens.. Yosemite is one of my favorite places in the world. One of the most frightening times in my life was when I came face to face with a bear while hiking in Yosemite.
  • Reply
    Katherine89135 Jun 19, 2011 @ 7:36 pm | delete
    I've been to Yosemite a few times as a child. I have wonderful memories of these trips and I especially enjoyed ice skating in the village and walking to the various waterfalls.
  • Reply
    slotowngal May 3, 2011 @ 7:07 pm | delete
    I went to Yosemite many times while growing up. It was a yearly vacation spot for our family. Last summer I took a trip down memory lane with my sister and went with her to Yosemite for a couple of days. It was gorgeous! Water was at its fullest in the waterfalls, and there were a number of smaller falls I've never seen before falling all around the edge above. If you've never been to Yosemite, put it on your must-do list. Angel blessed, a wonderful lens.
  • Reply
    dismantlerepair Apr 11, 2011 @ 10:28 am | delete
    Great lens on something so beautiful. I'm looking forward to seeing some of this on my America trip in October!
  • Reply
    naturegirl7 Mar 2, 2011 @ 7:57 am | delete
    I hear that Yosemite may be turning purple in a couple of days! ;)
  • Reply
    ShamanicShift Dec 7, 2010 @ 10:38 pm | delete
    I lived in California & plan to again -- a favorite park. I like spotting it from the air, too.
  • Reply
    SandyPeaks Nov 11, 2010 @ 11:56 am | delete
    Visited in 1989 - what an awe-inspiring place!
  • Reply
    Heather426 Oct 22, 2009 @ 2:05 pm | delete
    ~angel blessings to you~
  • Reply
    biggly Aug 17, 2009 @ 7:58 pm | delete
    I was lucky enough to spend some time in Yosemite back in '94. Must be my favourite national park in the States. I even managed to climb Half Dome, which was great fun, though slightly hairy on that steep final stretch.
  • Reply
    sittonbull May 1, 2009 @ 10:24 pm | delete
    I was so fortunate to go in 1971 when my pard & I derossed out of the army @ Ft.Lewis, Wash & bought Honda 750s for our 3 month "Easy Rider" trip back home... he to Chicago...me to SC. It was in July and back then the crowds were not near as bad as I understand they are today. We were on a $5/day budget, so we rolled our sleeping bags out on the hillside(illegally) & I paid for it with a case of poison oak... However that led us to the park ranger's HQ where we 2 single guy met the 2 single female park rangers. We ended up staying over a week & had a personal tour of all the great spots in the park. Yosemite took my breath away then as the most beautiful place I'd ever been. I've been all around the world since then & still consider it the most beautiful place I've ever been. John Muir call the Sierra's "The Range of Light" and it does have a most unique energy and light that makes everything glow with it's most beautiful presentation possible. Wonderful lens_wonderful place!
  • Reply
    Heather426 Apr 15, 2009 @ 10:58 pm | delete
    Beautiful lens about a gorgeous place. 5* and I added it to my Natural Wonder Lens.
  • Reply
    karen550 Apr 14, 2009 @ 8:18 pm | delete
    Ok, you talked me into it. I absolutely have to go now. I sure we can make it this summer. That would be fantastic. I really want to. I loved your photos. They are so spectacular. I love National Parks anyway, but it looks like from your photos that its better than Yellowstone and The Grand Canyon...I've been to both of these. Thanks so much for this lens.
  • Reply
    stargazer00 Nov 29, 2008 @ 7:03 pm | delete
    Yosemite is indeed a beautiful place. Lake Tahoe is another jewel of the Sierras.
  • Reply
    naturegirl7 Nov 20, 2008 @ 7:02 pm | delete
    Welcome to the Naturally Native Squids group. Don't forget to add your lens link to the appropriate plexo and vote for it. I've featured Yosemite.
  • Reply
    naturegirl7 Nov 20, 2008 @ 10:59 am | delete
    Beautiful lens. How about joining our group Naturally Native Squids? It would be a wonderful addition.
  • Reply
    Nov 20, 2008 @ 9:45 am | delete
    I once slept on the ground at Yosemite with only a sleeping bag. Woke up with a critter sniffing my face. It startled both of us. The guy bolted before I could see what it was. This lens does Yosemite justice as well as a lens can, so high 5*. Thanks.
  • Reply
    WuksachiStaff Nov 7, 2008 @ 1:49 pm | delete
    Very nice! I have a lens about Sequoia National Park and you gave me some good ideas for future revisions. 5* and favorited!
  • Reply
    KadabaCo Aug 6, 2008 @ 12:12 pm | delete
    Yosemite is Mother Nature's Home! I just love it there and your pictures make me want to get in my car and go right now! (I'm only 90 minutes from there) I'm lensrolling on my Copperopolis lens for sure! 5*'s
  • Reply
    One4Nell Jul 20, 2008 @ 12:10 pm | delete
    In my 61 years, I've visited Yosemite almost every year since I was 6 months old. My brother and sisters and their families are there this very week at our yearly reunion in Yosemite Valley. I wasn't able to go this year....and I am heart sick, wishing I were there today.
  • Reply
    ElizabethJeanAllen Jul 18, 2008 @ 8:35 pm | delete
    I've never been there but it looks and sound beautiful. I will be adding it to my someday list.
    5*
    Lizzy
  • Reply
    ElkieRog Jul 7, 2008 @ 1:39 am | delete
    Great work. Makes me homesick. If you have to do the park on a budget, check out my trip plan lens at Yosemite Valley Family Trip Plan at Low Cost.

    Thanks for all the work.

    ElkieRog@aol.com
  • Reply
    MiaBellezza Jun 23, 2008 @ 1:31 pm | delete
    How beautiful! I would love to go to Yosemite some day.
  • Reply
    KimGiancaterino May 20, 2008 @ 11:35 am | delete
    Welcome to All Things Travel. I've only been to Yosemite once, but my parents visit every year. You did a fantastic job with this lens and I'm giving it a Squid Angel Blessing.
  • Reply
    RawBill May 9, 2008 @ 1:30 am | delete
    Great lens! Yosemite is such a magical place. I was there in the winter of 98. It is my second favourite place in the country and would love to return in the summertime.
  • Reply
    Billco May 7, 2008 @ 4:03 pm | delete
    Never been, but would like to see it... Nice work!
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Yosemite Books on Amazon

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One of a kind pieces you can only find on auction!

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Yosemite National Park is one of America's favorite destinations, and one of the most popular parks in the country!

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