Your Ultimate Guide to Yosemite National Park

If you ask any American, they have either been to Yosemite or have been meaning to go for a while. It’s on every American’s bucket list but after visiting the park, I realized that it’s not just Americans that have this beauty on their bucket list. Individuals come from all around the world to take in the views of Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, towering granite monoliths, deep valleys, and ancient giant sequoias. On October 1, 1890, Yosemite became a national park, and more than 125 years later, it’s still wowing visitors. It may be our 3rd national park, but this beauty of nature sparked the idea of national parks. Twenty-six years before it was a national park, President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant on June 30, 1864, protecting the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley. It was the first time the government protected land because of its natural beauty so that people could enjoy it, and we are still benefiting from their foresight today. Thanks to John Muir, an influential Scottish-American naturalist, author, environmental philosopher, botanist, zoologist, glaciologist, and early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States of America who’s passionate writing to preserve the natural beauty of the USA, Yosemite later became a national park.

• Note: Due to a COVID-19, you have to reserve spots online in advance to enter the park.
  💰 Entrance Fee: $25 (in n out privileges for a week)
• Dates Visited: October 27th, 2020 – October 31st, 2020
• The National Park has a small store where you can buy groceries, a post office if you wanted to mail your postcards, A cafe and a small restaurant called “Degnan’s”
• I have T-mobile and had full service in the valley

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1. How to get there

Getting to Yosemite was not as hard as I had actually imagined. Once you land, you WILL need a rental car. You can fly into either of these 5 airports:

• FAT (Fresno-Yosemite International Airport) – Closest to the park
  • It’s a very small airport so tickets might be expensive depending on where you’re coming from.
  • 1.5 hours from the park entrance
• SFO (San Fransisco International Airport) – I did this
  • about a 4.5 hours drive from the airport to the park entrance
• SMF (Sacramento International Airport)
  • about a 4.5 hours drive from the airport to the park entrance
• OAK (Oakland International Airport)
  • About a 4.5 hours drive from the airport to the park entrance
• SJC (San Jose International Airport)
  • About a 5-hour drive from the airport to the park entrance

I rented from Alamo from the San Fransisco International Airport without any problems.

2. Where to Stay – 3 nights 4 days.

Our first night at Yosemite, we stayed at the Silver/June Lake Campground (1+ hr away) from the valley and didn’t realize that it was so high up in elevation that the temperature went into single digits so we ended up leaving the campground and car camped (details below). Since, for the most part of my trip, I car camped with my friend, here are some of the hotels and campgrounds that I thought were worth staying at if you’re willing to spend a little bit extra for some comfort.

• Hotels:
  • Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite in Groveland, California
    • Address: 34001 CA-120, Groveland, CA 95321
    • Phone: (209) 379-2373
    • Website: LINK
    • They have an onsite restaurant as well. I had my first-night dinner there and it was really good.
  • Yosemite View Lodge Hotel in El Portal, California
    • Address: 11136 CA-140, El Portal, CA 95318
    • Phone: (209) 379-2681
    • Website: LINK
    • GREAT Location. It’s right outside of the national park entrance alongside the Merced River.
• Campgrounds:
  • Yosemite has a lot of campgrounds but it depends on which season you’re going there for. Some of them are closed during the months of winter and there are some that are open all throughout the year.
  • You can reserve these at Recreation.gov (You will have to make an account first)
    • In Yosemite Valley (A great location if you want to stay close to all the touristy things, also a great benefit because the valley store is close by as well)
      • Upper Pines
      • Lower Pines
      • North Pines
      • Camp 4
    • South of Yosemite Valley
      • Wawona
      • Bridalveil Creek
    • North of Yosemite Valley
      • Hodgdon Meadow
      • Crane Flat
      • Tamarack Flat
      • White Wolf
      • Yosemite Creek
      • Porcupine Flat
      • Tuolumne Meadows
• Car Camping
  • Since I car camped for my trip, we found a great location which was among the most popular ones for car camping.
    • Outside of the Arch Rock Entrance of the Yosemite National Park.
      • If you’re looking to car camp while you’re at Yosemite, the best place to do it is in a small town called El Portal. It’s right outside of the national park by the Arch Rock Entrance. To help you further, if you look for Yosemite View Lodge hotel, it’s right before that and if you go around night time, you’ll see many cars parked right outside of the entrance and all car camping as well. A great thing about this spot is that Merced river flows right adjacent to it so if you leave your windows slightly open at night, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of flowing water.
      • Temperature-wise, it was MUCH better here. I mean, I could be outside of my car in shorts and sandals. Amazing weather. Another great thing about this spot is that Merced river flows right adjacent to it so if you leave your windows slightly open at night, you’ll fall asleep to the sound of flowing water.

3. Weather in Yosemite

The best months to visit Yosemite are between May and September. That’s when the water is flowing so all the waterfalls are not dried up. Also because the temperature is really good, not that when I was there during fall, it was super cold or anything but there were nights where it would get super cold if you’re not in the Yosemite Valley and are up at a higher elevation somewhere else. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow. Snow can come as early as October and arrives in full force in November, typically remaining until May.

Additionally, Seasonal park closures are precisely why so many travelers visit during the summer months, making it the park’s busiest time of year (think packed trails, road traffic, sky-high hotel rates, and more). To avoid this, the best time to visit is before or after the summer crowds come, which is typically late May and September. Late May and early June is the best time to view waterfalls, roaring from freshly melted snow, and September offers cooler temperatures ideal for hiking (summer temps can reach the 80s). If the only time you can visit is during the summer, be sure to book several months in advance.

4. Things to do

You’re at a national park so there is no limitation to how many trails you can hike and how many things you can see but obviously, there are some that you must and there are some that can be on the list for next time. I split the nine things we did into 3 days.

• There are a lot of things to see in Yosemite but below are a few spots that I really recommend you check out when you’re at Yosemite.

1. Yosemite Falls

– After entering the national park, we decided to hike the lower Yosemite falls trail because that was at the top of both of our lists. BUT, to our disappointment, the falls are usually all dried up during fall after a harsh summer. The best time to see these falls is right in the middle of spring when all the snow is melting. That was a great reminder of the fact that not everything works out perfectly in life and you just have to move on with it. I was lucky enough to be traveling rather than being stuck in my house so I’m not going to complain about it but ⚠️ fair warning if you want to see these falls full of water, spring and summer is the best time.

– There is a BIG parking spot right across the trailhead so it makes it very convenient. From there, it’s about a mile (1.6KM) to the falls and it’s mostly just flat land, convenient enough for new parents to bring the strollers and their little ones. 👶

– Skill Level: Easy

2. The Tunnel View

– Tunnel View is a must stop for any first-time visit to Yosemite Valley. Find it just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41. No hiking is required, you simply park at one of the lots and make your way to the vista. This spot can be very popular in summer, so try to arrive early and try to make it around noon when the sun is right above your head so you don’t have to worry about the shade covering half of the valley as it did for me.

– From this vista, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. This vista changes with each season to show something new but the best times to see Tunnel View is early spring when Bridalveil Fall is at peak flow.

– Skill Level: Drive-up

3. Taft View

– After taking in the view from The Tunnel View, we headed towards Glacier Point. It was recommended by my uncle who has also been to Yosemite but while you’re on the way to Glacier View Point, you will come across this viewpoint and it’s called The Taft View. There is a special trail that you can take but to be honest, driving is the best option.

– If you’re in Yosemite National Park, you have to stop to take this view in on your way to Glacier Point but remember, the glacier point road is CLOSED from November to April. So, if you are planning a trip, plan accordingly.

– Skill Level: Drive-up

5. June Lake

– This location is NOT in Yosemite. It’s outside of Yosemite and about a 1+ hour drive from the Yosemite Valley. The road also runs right along the lake so the whole time you will be presented with views for days and don’t worry, there are multiple lookout points where you can stop and take in the views. This is a shot I took on Jarvis(my drone). This lake had a lot of different activities you can do. For example, you can see someone rented a boat and I also remember seeing some kayaks! The lake also has a really nice beach you can get to and relax.

– Skill Level: Drive-up

6. Arch Rock

– Since we car camped right outside the Arch Rick Entrance, we woke up early and went into the park to see the sunrise. For the longest time, I didn’t know why it was called an Arch Rock Entrance but then when we were entering the park, I realized why it was called the Arch Rock Entrance.

– Two house-sized boulders, situated on either side of the inbound road, form an archway for visitors to pass through. It’s a truly exceptional experience upon first entering Yosemite National Park.

– Skill Level: Drive-up

7. The Sentinel Bridge

– This is a great place to take some nice sunrise and sunset photos and it’s actually a very lowkey place. Not a lot of people know about it but as you can see, it’s a prime spot for some magical pictures in the morning. Here, you can see half dome getting hit by the first rays of the sun while lighting up the whole mood around it. It’s such a peaceful environment in the morning that as soon as you step outside of your car, you hear birds chirping, water flowing, and just when you think it can’t get any better, it does. You’re presented with this beautiful view of half dome and the amazing forest around it.

– This picture is taken from The Sentinel Bridge. There is a parking lot right where the bridge ends so once you park your car, you can just walk up to the bridge.

– Skill Level: Drive-up

8. Yosemite Valley Chapel

– The Chapel was built in 1879 under the auspices of the Yosemite Union Chapel Association. Their stated purpose was: “To erect an undenominational house of worship in the Yosemite Valley”

– This Chapel is not a huge deal but it’s right there in the valley so you might as well visit it. Also, the environment surrounding it is very peaceful.

– Skill Level: Drive-up

5. Onsite Restaurent/Cafe

Lastly, the national park has everything on-site located right in the middle of the Yosemite Valley. From a mini market that has fresh fruits and vegetables, a post office to a cafe. Degnan’s Kitchen serves Authentic delicatessen sandwiches, signature salads, artisan pizzas, breakfast favorites, coffee/espresso drinks, fresh donuts, baked goods, and a wide selection of soft drinks. The Loft at Degnan’s is exactly what it sounds like. It features numerous TVs to enjoy sports and another entertainment plus it has a huge indoor fireplace that’s always going on (at least during the fall season) where you can sit, warm up while enjoying your coffee/food.

6. Overall Loop

Day 1

1. John Muir Vista
2. Yosemite Falls
3. Church Bowl Picnic Area
4. The Valley View
5. Mirror Lake
6. The Tunnel View
7. Taft View
8. Glacier Point

Day 2

1. Silver Lake
2. June Lake
3. Tenaya Lake

Day 3

1. Arch Rock
2. The Sentinel Bridge
3. Yosemite Valley Chapel
4. Degnan’s Kitchen

Yosemite was an amazing National Park and now that I think about it, it’s in my top 3. I would love to head back there at some point. There were a few things that I wanted to do but couldn’t:

• Things I would like to do next time I’m visiting Yellowstone
  • Visit Yosemite Falls when the water is in full swing

Below are some of the pictures I took when I was visiting Yosemite National Park, California. Check it out & follow my journey @mrshutterup on Instagram. Lastly, feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions!