Unforgettable Mountain Views, Extraordinary Wildlife, and Cascading Waterfalls at Yosemite National Park
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 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.
Yosemite Poll
Yosemite is one of America's favorite National Parks.
Another Grand View of Yosemite...Half Dome on the Right
Entering Yosemite Valley...
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.
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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Where to Stay In and Near Yosemite National Park
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Yosemite National Park is one of America's premier National Parks, known for its majestic granite cliffs like Half Dome, the rushing Merced River, and the stunning valley view. Yosemite is relatively far from any major city, the closest being Fresno....
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.
Yosemite Links
- 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.
Current Weather in Yosemite National Park
Current weather conditions in Yosemite Natl Park, CA (95389)
Local Pollen Reports
30°F (Feels like 30°F)
Last update: 11/24/09 8:30 PM PST
Humidity: 39%Visibility: 10.0 mi
Dew Point: 12°F
UV Index: 0 (Lawn and Garden Weather)
Barometer: 30.37in steady
Moon: Rush Hour Traffic
Wind: 3mph From: Airport Conditions
Tonight
Low
Low: 31°F
Sunrise: 6:48 AM
Sunset: 4:42 PM
Wednesday
Nov 25
N/A
High: 60°F
Low: 32°F
Sunrise: 6:49 AM
Sunset: 4:41 PM
Thursday
Nov 26
Sunny
High: 62°F
Low: 36°F
Sunrise: 6:50 AM
Sunset: 4:41 PM
Friday
Nov 27
Mostly Sunny
High: 55°F
Low: 28°F
Sunrise: 6:51 AM
Sunset: 4:40 PM
The Merced River
Did you know...
...that there are nine National Parks in the state of California alone?
Your Favorite Yosemite Area?
Yosemite Travel Time Estimates
- 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!
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
- Heather426 Heather426 Oct 22, 2009 @ 2:05 pm
- ~angel blessings to you~
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- biggly biggly Aug 17, 2009 @ 7:58 pm
- 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.
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- sittonbull sittonbull May 1, 2009 @ 10:24 pm
- 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!
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- Heather426 Heather426 Apr 15, 2009 @ 10:58 pm
- Beautiful lens about a gorgeous place. 5* and I added it to my Natural Wonder Lens.
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- karen550 karen550 Apr 14, 2009 @ 8:18 pm
- 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.
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- stargazer00 stargazer00 Nov 29, 2008 @ 7:03 pm
- Yosemite is indeed a beautiful place. Lake Tahoe is another jewel of the Sierras.
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- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Nov 20, 2008 @ 7:02 pm
- 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.
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- naturegirl7 naturegirl7 Nov 20, 2008 @ 10:59 am
- Beautiful lens. How about joining our group Naturally Native Squids? It would be a wonderful addition.
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- Nov 20, 2008 @ 9:45 am
- 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.
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- WuksachiStaff WuksachiStaff Nov 7, 2008 @ 1:49 pm
- Very nice! I have a lens about Sequoia National Park and you gave me some good ideas for future revisions. 5* and favorited!
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- KadabaCo KadabaCo Aug 6, 2008 @ 12:12 pm
- 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
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- One4Nell One4Nell Jul 20, 2008 @ 12:10 pm
- 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.
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- ElizabethJeanAllen ElizabethJeanAllen Jul 18, 2008 @ 8:35 pm
- I've never been there but it looks and sound beautiful. I will be adding it to my someday list.
5*
Lizzy
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- ElkieRog ElkieRog Jul 7, 2008 @ 1:39 am
- 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
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- MiaBellezza MiaBellezza Jun 23, 2008 @ 1:31 pm
- How beautiful! I would love to go to Yosemite some day.
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- KimGiancaterino KimGiancaterino May 20, 2008 @ 11:35 am
- 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.
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- RawBill RawBill May 9, 2008 @ 1:30 am
- 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.
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- Billco Billco May 7, 2008 @ 4:03 pm
- Never been, but would like to see it... Nice work!
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- NewRiver NewRiver May 5, 2008 @ 4:44 pm
- Wow, how beautiful! Thanks!
Yosemite Books on Amazon
And more information on Yosemite and California:
Yosemite National Park Sightseeing
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Point Reyes National Seashore
Death Valley National Park
California Sightseeing
Obata's Yosemite: The Art and Letters of Chiura Obata from His Trip to the High Sierra in 1927
Avg. Customer Rating: 
Amazon Price: $17.96 (as of 11/24/2009) 
List Price: $24.95
The Photographer's Guide to Yosemite
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 11/24/2009)
List Price: $9.95
Top Trails Yosemite
Avg. Customer Rating:
Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 11/24/2009)
List Price: $16.95
California on Amazon
Cool Yosemite Stuff
Its Better in Yosemite Nation Organic Cotton Tee
Price: 26.43
Yosemite National Park (Front) Kids Dark T-Shirt
Price: 24.99
Yosemite National Park (Doodl Dark T-Shirt
Price: 27.99
Half Dome In Fall ColorJournal
Price: 11.50
Yosemite Valley (Big Letter) Jr. Ringer T-Shirt
Price: 20.99
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