How to Enjoy Yosemite National Park

Set aside as a national park in 1890, Yosemite includes 1,200 square miles of pristine wilderness in the Sierra Nevada Mountains of California. Known for its beautiful scenery - immortalized by photographer Ansel Adams - the park includes groves of giant sequoia trees, beautiful mountain meadows and miles of alpine wilderness.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• Hiking Boots
• Sporty Hats
• Maps
• Walkie-talkies
• Weather Radios
• First Aid Kits
• Sunscreen
• National Park Passes
• Wilderness Permits
• Cameras
• Bear Safety Devices
• Camping Gear
• Compasses
• Mountain Bikes
• Flashlights

1. Decide when to go. The park is usually crowded in June, July and August - the high season - and is nearly deserted in December, January and February, when high temperatures are generally in the 50s. Spring and fall are good times to visit.
2. Study a map and look online for directions into the park. The entry cost is $20 for a private vehicle, $10 for a pedestrian, cyclist or bus rider. A $40 annual pass is also available.
3. Make a reservation early. See the U.S. National Parks Reservation Service Web site (reservations.nps.gov) to make camping reservations at Yosemite. Most campsites are full up to 6 months in advance.
4. Stop at the main Visitor Center in Yosemite Village to pick up maps, trail guides, wilderness permits and to see exhibits on Yosemite. Nearby is the Yosemite Museum with its Indian Cultural Center, the Ansel Adams Gallery and the Wilderness Center.
5. See the main sights. These include the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir and a variety of famous waterfalls and rock formations.
6. Take a hike. Offering everything from easy self-guiding trails located in Yosemite Valley to strenuous hikes in the backcountry, Yosemite is a hiker's dream.
7. Do some mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing or rafting within the park. Access to all of these activities - including equipment rental and guided excursions - are available inside or near the park.
8. Take advantage of the many activities offered in the park. These include ranger-led walks, photography classes, fireside storytelling, history walks and many other activities. Some require a fee, while others are free and appropriate for the whole family.
9. Remember the winter options in Yosemite at Badger Pass. Cross-country and downhill skiing, ice skating, sleigh rides, snowshoeing and snowmobiling are all possibilities.

Tips & Warnings

• To contact the park directly, write to Headquarters: Yosemite National Park, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389, or call [phone].
• Always keep abreast of road and weather conditions within the park. Certain roads (including the entrance road at Tioga Pass) are closed in winter, and others may require chains. Roads can also be closed due to construction. Weather can change unexpectedly any time, but especially in spring and fall.
• Wilderness permits are required for overnight hiking or camping in the backcountry. They are free, and can be picked up at several permit stations within the park. If you plan to use the backcountry in high season, you are urged to make a permit reservation well in advance of your trip.
• Traffic congestion is a huge problem in Yosemite on weekends and holidays in the spring and summer. To relieve the congestion, transportation by private vehicle may be restricted temporarily, in which case you will have to walk in, bike in, or take advantage of local shuttle buses.
• Avoid going off into the wilderness if you are not an experienced wilderness hiker or camper. You may have to pay the cost of your own rescue if the rescue squad has to be called out to find you.
• Bears can be a big problem in Yosemite. Stop at the visitors centers for information on how to avoid a confrontation with a bear and what to do if you do encounter one.