Everything you need to know about Yosemite National PArk

Yosemite National Park, arguably one of the most impressive of 63 designated National Parks in the USA, is nestled in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in the great state of California. It is famous for its deep valley, spectacular waterfalls, and giant, towering granite walls. No matter the season, Yosemite is a feast for the eyes. I’m lucky enough to live a mere 4 hours drive from this slice of heaven and have visited during all the seasons so here are my tips on visiting Yosemite and things I wish I had known before my first visit, many moons ago.

When to visit

There’s no bad time to visit Yosemite but there are certain factors to take into account to make your trip a mighty success. Let this first tip be the only one you really take onboard.

Tip 1: Check the National Park Website before visiting to check weather conditions, park closures, road & trail closures, and other alerts that might affect your visit.

Seasons

Winter: November to January(ish). Obviously, this is the coldest season to visit but my god, Yosemite is beautiful in the snow. This is the least busiest time of the year to visit. You will most definitely need to be driving a 4-wheel drive car and carry tire chains if you are visiting during this period. It will be very cold and a lot of the roads (like Glacier Point) and trails (Mist trail, Yosemite Falls etc) will be closed during this time so it’s the perfect time to stroll the valley floor and if you’re super adventurous, rent some snowshoes and tackle a great snowshoeing trail. It goes without saying, dress warmly. Bring skiing apparel or waterproof clothing if you have it, you’ll thank me later. Also, I recommend bringing spare clothes to change into after a long day perusing the snowy valley paths.

Spring: Let’s call this February to April/May. The snow is melting, the spring sun is showing its face after a cold winter and the waterfalls are ferociously flowing with bitter cold water. Some of the roads & trails might start to re-open during this period so you might be able to get a good day of hiking in. Wear layers as you can go from cold to warm and back to cold again as you move around and take breaks. The crowds are still not too busy and it’s a relaxing time to visit in my experience. The exception to that is the week or 2 in February when the Firefalls spectacle occurs. I’ll get into this further on.

Summer: May – September. Prepare for the crowds, that is my best advice. Expect the weather to be fabulous. The park fills up to the brim during the summer and sometimes reservations are required, to manage the overflow. (refer to tip 1). The weather will be stunning, the trails will all be open, you might be lucky enough to win the Half Dome lottery and life will be good. As long as you get there early and snap a good parking space. Trust me when I say, arrive early during this season. Bring a picnic to avoid the long queues at the park cafes and eateries. Don’t feed the squirrels or other wild animals and never leave anything behind (littering is not cool).

Autumn/Fall: September-October. Arguably the best season to visit. The crowds are dying down, the weather is still beautiful for hiking, and best of all, the leaves are turning orange. This is a great time to visit if you love photography. Again all the trails will be open and the vibe will be less hectic than during summer. A great time to conquer some of the longer hikes like Nevada Falls, Half Dome, Clouds Rest, Glacier Point and anywhere along the John Muir Trail.

Hikes

I’ll start with Easy to Difficult and these are hikes I have personally tried and tested. I highly recommend wearing proper attire for any of these trails including good shoes or hiking boots, layers, sun cream, water, and snacks, to name some of the obvious things. Don’t forget your camera, of course! You will save yourself some heartache by downloading the Alltrails App to your phone and downloading your hikes in advance. The cell signal in the Park is weak at best so it’s best to do your research before you arrive.

Yosemite Valley Floor

• Distance: 13 miles in full but it can be as long or short as you make it.

• Difficulty: Easy. Pet and Child Friendly.

• Points of interest: Bridal veil Falls, Lower Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, El Captain, Sentinel Beach

• Top Tip: Park anywhere in the park and begin your hike there. You can’t go wrong.

• Buzz Word Firefalls – an annual spectacle where the sun casts a shadow over Horsetail Falls to display what looks like a waterfall made of fire. This usually occurs in over a few days in February each year and gathers huge crowds of photographers and nature lovers. I was lucky enough to be there in 2021. This can be viewed from several locations along the Valley Floor.

4 Mile Trail to Glacier Point

• Distance: 9 miles Return

• Difficulty: Hard. Elevation Gain 1000m.

• Points of interest: Unrivalled views of the Valley Floor along the trail and life-changing views from Glacier Point of the surrounding mountains & greenery.

• Top Tip: Bring good footwear and maybe hiking poles if you’re feeling fancy. There are restrooms at Glacier Point. Don’t forget a picnic.

Upper Yosemite Falls

• Distance: 6.6 miles out and back

• Difficulty: Really Hard. Elevation Gain 1000m (give or take).

• Points of interest: Spectacular views of the Valley and the Falls from above.

• Top Tip: A decent level of fitness is required for this one, it’s non-stop uphill the whole way but the views are worth it. Go early to avoid crowds.

Vernal and Nevada Falls Via Mist Trail

• Distance: 6.3 Loop

• Difficulty: Medium to Hard

• Points of interest: Breathtaking views of waterfalls and nature. Will most likely encounter some wildlife along the way.

• Top Tip: If you only have time for 1 hike in Yosemite, make it this one.

Half Dome via the Mist Trail

• Distance: 15-16 miles. Elevation Gain 1500m+

• Difficulty: Insanity. *Requires Permit*

• Points of interest: Once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to scale the ropes with no harness, to one of the highest points in the park. I personally didn’t complete the final ascent, not for those who are afraid of heights but even to get to the base of Half Dome is a spectacle and a thrilling experience.

• Top Tip: This isn’t for the faint-hearted and requires a lot of pre-planning and a really good level of fitness combined with a love of adrenaline-boosting activities. As the Park Ranger informed us on the way up, “There’s only one way down” so don’t attempt it if you’re not confident you’ll survive (like me).

Bonus Round: Tunnel View (No hike required)

A short 5-minute drive from the Valley and one that you simply must not skip in order to get the quintessential Yosemite Snap. Parking is available at the viewpoint and although it is always busy, people usually only spend a few minutes to get a photo and leave again. You’re welcome.

Round up

Yosemite is a very, very special place to visit. Please respect Mother Nature and leave no trace. Do not approach or feed the animal. Park in designated parking zones. Keep on the trails. Enjoy every last second. Pack accordingly. Fill up your gas tank before arriving. There is something in the air at Yosemite that automatically makes you happier and feel healthier. She is the ultimate vibe.

Please feel free to reach out to me on Instagram if you have any questions ahead of your visit to Yosemite National Park.

Travel safe,

Olivia