How to Plan a Vacation to Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is like no where else on Earth. The scenery is majestic, the opportunities for outdoor recreation are abundant, and it is a great destination to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life--especially if you head up into the High Country.
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Things You'll Need
- Yosemite guidebook
- Yosemite Guide
- Yosemite map
- Camping gear (optional)
- Park reservations
Instructions
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Consult Yosemite travel guides. Head to your local bookstore and pick up a Yosemite or Sierra Nevada guidebook. These books will provide great information about destinations within the park, places to visit around the park, and what to do and where to stay while in the park. There are also a number of great websites with Yosemite travel information. (See references listed below.)
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Decide when you want to visit the park. The park is busiest during the summer months. In fact, during the summer, Yosemite Valley can be quite a zoo. However, just getting out of the valley and onto a trail can greatly diminish the amount of people you may run into. Consider heading up to the High Country via the Tioga Road, where you will find the crowds to be much smaller, if not non-existent. During the winter and spring months, visitation to the park is much lighter. Late spring and early summer are when the waterfalls are at the fullest. By August, Yosemite Falls can be a trickle at best, though the autumn leaves are a sight to see in and of themselves.
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After deciding when you want to visit the park, decide what type of accommodation you are interested in staying in. Within the park, your options include campgrounds, tent cabins, housekeeping tents, mid-range motel rooms, and luxury hotel rooms. Price points vary from one accommodation to the other. You can make reservations up to 365 days in advance. Do note that accommodations book up early. In addition to places to stay within the park, there are a number of hotels and lodges just outside the park's boundary. Depending on what entrance of the park you will take, you can opt to stay in Fish Camp, Oakhurst, Merced, Mariposa, or Lee Vining.
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After finding accommodations, plan out your stay. Check out possible hikes or other activities during your stay. Consider if you'd like to undertake a day hike or a longer, multi-day backpacking trip. Do be aware that you will need a wilderness permit if you will spend any time overnight in the backcountry.
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Pack for your trip. If you plan to do any hiking, pack a backpack or daypack, hiking boots, thick socks, and multiple layers of clothes. Although there are grocery stores and outdoor outfitter stores within the park, consider stocking up supplies, such as trail mix or energy bars, before getting to the park. Be aware that nights can be cool even during the hot summer months, especially at higher elevations. Bring rain gear in the chance of inclement weather.
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Upon your arrival to the park, be sure to get a copy of the Yosemite Guide from a park ranger. This newspaper will tell you about all the activities that will occur in the park during your stay. Consider going on a ranger-led hike or take an art class during your visit.
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Enjoy your surroundings! Don't spend your entire trip to Yosemite in Yosemite Valley. Find a trail, whether long or short, and take in the natural beauty that surrounds you. If the Tioga Road is open, be sure to head up to the High Country. Here you will find smaller crowds and unparalleled natural scenery. Be sure to bring along a camera to capture your trip to the Sierra Nevada.
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Tips & Warnings
If you plan to stay in the park, make reservations early. Badger Pass Ski Area is an excellent winter-time destination. Here you can get in some excellent downhill skiing or take a ranger-led snowshoe hike. Plan ahead if you want to do a more intensive hike like Half Dome. Although thousands of people attempt such a hike each year, you need to be in good physical condition to successfully complete it.
