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Yosemite National Park

Nature's Grand Cathedral

Yosemite National Park spans over 1,200 square miles in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. The park features towering granite cliffs such as El Capitan and Half Dome, along with deep valleys carved by glaciers. Waterfalls like Yosemite Falls drop dramatically throughout the year, feeding river systems that support diverse plant and animal life. Visitors can hike trails ranging from gentle walks to challenging climbs, explore ancient forests of giant sequoias or enjoy panoramic views across high alpine meadows during summer months.

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National Park in United States

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

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Safety: 7.2

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	6
Accessibility:	5
Tap water:	8

Read details

5/5

Park staff, signs, and guides are all English-friendly. English is widely spoken and you'll have no trouble communicating or navigating.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Yosemite National Park Summary

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‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

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World-class for granite cliffs and outdoor adventures. Hike valley trails, photograph giant waterfalls, climb famous rock walls and explore alpine meadows.

Place score

8.5

Best at:

Natural sites

Hiking

Climbing

Van travel

Wildlife

Personal score

Suited for

👶 8

Families

🧓 6

Seniors

❤️ 10

Couples

♻️ 9

Sustainability

United States – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	120 V, 60 Hz Plug: Type A , Type B Type A: Type B: Read about power adapters
Currency:	US Dollar (USD) £1 ≈ US$1.33
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 The U.S. is highly cashless, with credit and debit cards accepted almost everywhere. Mobile payment options like Apple Pay and Google Pay are widely used. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is customary and expected in the U.S. In restaurants, 15-20% is standard. Taxi drivers, hotel staff, and tour guides also expect tips, usually around 10-20% depending on the service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking laws vary by state, but it is generally prohibited in public spaces without a permit.
Public smoking:	Smoking is restricted in most indoor public spaces and some outdoor areas. Local laws vary.
Etiquette:	Greet with a firm handshake, maintain eye contact, respect personal space, and avoid discussing politics or income unless invited to share opinions. Politeness and friendliness are appreciated.

Thanksgiving (November)	A major holiday with closures and domestic travel surges.
Independence Day (July)	Expect parades, fireworks, and celebrations nationwide.
Christmas (December)	Markets, festive events, and crowded tourist spots.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 911 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Lyft, Bolt
Helpful links:	Wikipedia Visa regulations Customs & border control Travel with medicine
Other:	The U.S. is known for its diverse landscapes, cultural experiences, and regional cuisines. Public transport is efficient in cities but less so in rural areas. Renting a car is recommended for exploring national parks.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Yosemite National Park, United States

🌨️

Jan

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Feb

🌨️

Mar

☀️

Apr

☀️

May

☀️

Jun

🔥

Jul

🔥

Aug

🔥

Sep

☀️

Oct

☀️

Nov

🌨️

Dec

High season:	April - Sep.
Shoulder season:	Feb., Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	8 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Tioga and Glacier Point Roads usually close November and reopen late May to June, closures can last longer in heavy snow years

Peak season entry reservations may be required in summer and on busy spring weekends, check the park website

Horsetail Fall firefall glows at sunset in the second half of February, requires a clear sky and reservations

Don't miss

🧗‍♂️ Stand before the towering granite face of El Capitan
🏞️ Hike to Glacier Point for one of Yosemite’s best views
💦 Marvel at Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest in North America
📸 Capture Half Dome glowing at sunset from Tunnel View
🌲 Walk among ancient giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove
🌌 Camp under the star-filled skies of Yosemite Valley

You've been here?

Explore Yosemite National Park in 3D

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Tunnel View
2 Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center

🎡Places for activities

1 Badger Pass Ski Area
2 Four Mile Trail
3 Nature Center at Happy Isles
4 Merced River
5 Mist Trail
6 North Dome
7 Tenaya Lake
8 Tuolumne Meadows
9 Wawona Meadow Loop Trail

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Yosemite Falls
High in California's Sierra Nevada, this iconic waterfall drops over 2,400 feet from Bridalveil Fall to Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, creating a dramatic cascade that attracts hikers, photographers and nature enthusiasts year‑round.
2 El Capitan
A granite monolith rising over 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, El Capitan is a world‑class climbing destination and iconic landmark visible from many viewpoints across the park. It attracts hikers, photographers and climbers seeking routes.
3 Half Dome
A granite monolith rising above Yosemite Valley, Half‑Dome captivates hikers and photographers alike. Its sheer cliffs offer challenging climbs, yet guided routes provide safe access to panoramic vistas for all levels.
4 Vernal Fall
This iconic waterfall plunges nearly three hundred feet into a granite basin, drawing crowds to its base. The mist often creates rainbows in the sunlight, making it one of Yosemite's most photographed natural wonders.
5 Mariposa Grove
This ancient grove features towering sequoias and vibrant wildflowers within a protected valley. Visitors explore historic trails, serene lakes and majestic granite cliffs in this iconic natural wonderland.
6 Glacier Point
A breathtaking overlook in Yosemite's granite amphitheater, offering panoramic views of Half Dome and Vernal Fall. The rugged landscape features dramatic cliffs, ancient sequoias and alpine meadows that define this iconic natural wonder.
7 Tuolumne Meadows
This scenic valley in Tuolumne Meadows offers breathtaking granite cliffs and alpine lakes. It's a quiet retreat within Yosemite, featuring wide meadows perfect for hiking and stargazing under clear skies.
8 Bridalveil Fall
9 Mirror Lake
10 Nevada Fall
11 Sentinel Dome
12 Middle Cascades

🛍️Shopping

1 The Ansel Adams Gallery
2 The Depot
3 Village Store
4 Wawona Store

🎈Events

Yosemite Facelift
Badger Pass Winter Sports Events
Yosemite Theater Performances
Sierra Nevada Birding Festival
Mariposa Storytelling Festival
Yosemite Music Festival
Yosemite Conservancy Art Classes
Earth Day Celebrations
Wildflower and Nature Walks
Moonlight Snowshoe Hikes

Explore on map

Knowledge before you go

Reserve entry, lodging and campground well ahead for peak season visits.
Check current reservation rules and road conditions; some dates require timed-entry permits and Tioga or Glacier Point Roads may close seasonally.
Plan hikes for early morning or late afternoon to avoid crowds and midday heat, especially in Yosemite Valley’s most popular areas.
Spend at least one day beyond Yosemite Valley – Tuolumne Meadows, Mariposa Grove or Glacier Point offer quieter trails and spectacular Sierra vistas.

How to travel to Yosemite National Park

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) is the closest major airport. Many visitors drive from San Francisco (4 hours) or Los Angeles (6 hours). Public transportation via YARTS bus is also available.

Access summary

From Fresno Yosemite Airport (FAT): Drive to park entrances, about 1.5–2.5 hours.
From San Francisco: Scenic highway drive to Yosemite Valley, usually around 3.5–4.5 hours.
From Merced: Drive or YARTS bus to Yosemite Valley, typically about 2 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Yosemite National Park

Accommodation options range from luxury lodges and hotels to rustic cabins and campgrounds. Reservations are essential, especially in peak seasons. Camping is popular, but permits are needed for backcountry camping.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite

8.7

AutoCamp Yosemite

8.7

Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

9.1

Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite

Indian Flat RV Park - Tent Cabins & Cottages

7.5

Red BUD Lodge

7.8

White Chief Mountain Lodge

7.8

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Yosemite National Park

The Yosemite Shuttle operates in the valley, providing access to popular spots. Driving is an option, but parking is limited. Biking and hiking are great alternatives within the park.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+5 %

Daily expenses in the region are around 5% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend around the same on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to USD) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs (Data for Sonora, United States - 75 km away)

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£71	£159	£440
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£30	£75	£188
🍝 Food per day	£33	£76	£220
🚕 Transportation per day	£8	£8	£32

Notable additional fees: US$35 (£26.29) per vehicle (7 days) plus a US$100 (£75.11) non-resident fee per person 16+, new since Jan 2026. Gates are cashless. The US$250 (£187.78) non-resident annual pass waives both fees.

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£29
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£15
🍟 Fast food combo	£9
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£11.50
☕ Cappuccino	£4.20
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£5

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£2
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£19
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£0.85

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£11.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£100
🤧 Cold medication	£7.50
💇 Basic haircut	£15

Safety information overview

General safety

Yosemite is generally safe, but visitors should follow wildlife guidelines and stay on marked trails. Exercise caution near cliffs and waterfalls.

Health & Medical

Medical services are available at Yosemite Medical Clinic. Emergency services are well-managed, but wilderness areas may require self-sufficiency.

Accessibility

Yosemite offers wheelchair-accessible trails and facilities, though some rugged areas are not accessible. Shuttles and services support accessibility needs.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink. Refill stations are available throughout the park. Bring a refillable bottle, especially for hikes.