Yosemite Travel Guide
One of the most magnificent natural wonders of this world is Yosemite Valley in California. It is a hiker and climbers paradise, and attracts millions of people from around the world every year to take in all its glory. From hiking, to swimming, to biking, to even watching rock climbers scale the walls of El Capitan, there is something for everyone in Yosemite National Park.
The park boasts amazing views of mountains such as Half Dome, El Cap, Middle Cathedral Rock, and all around them waterfalls hundreds of feet high. Yosemite certainly is a natural wonder of the world. There are many activities all about, and you could spend a week in the park and feel as though you only scratched the surface.
So to help you plan your next trip to Yosemite National Park, here is the complete travel guide with everything you need to know about the area!
WHERE TO STAY
Staying inside the park gives you the perk of being able to get a head start to your day, as every activity you want to do is right there when you wake up. There are many airbnb and motel/hotel options outside the park, but you have to remember that you will still need to drive in, which could add 30-45 minutes to either end of your day. So here are some great options for places to stay within the park itself.
THE AHWAHNEE $$$
THE WAWONA $$$
WHERE TO HIKE
This is why you visit Yosemite: the natural beauty, and getting out into it. There are so many hike options all over Yosemite, and it is these hikes that are the draw for visitors from all over the world! Here are a few great hiking options.
LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL (easy)
BRIDALVEIL FALLS TRAIL (easy)
MIRROR LAKE TRAIL (easy)
VERNAL FALLS TRAIL (moderate-hard)
YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL (hard)
HALF DOME TRAIL (hard)
WHERE TO EAT
Food is a very important part of traveling to Yosemite, because you need to keep on top of fueling your body. Many people choose to pack food in, but there are also places throughout the park to get a good meal.
VILLAGE STORE (Groceries) $
SWIMMING HOLES
One of the best things to do in Yosemite in the height of summer is, after a long, strenuous hike, jump into the water to cool off. It is so refreshing and rejuvenating; you will feel so happy after a good, cold swim! Please remember when swimming to be safe, as there are no lifeguards on duty at the park. Here are the spots to take a dip!
MIRROR LAKE
(easy 1.5 mile hike to this lake, and can be nice and shallow on dry years)
MERCED RIVER
(lots of spots all along the valley floor. Has a current, and is great for floating down on an inner-tube)
TENAYA LAKE
(easy hike to get to, and also popular for fishing)
HOW TO GET AROUND
What are the best ways to get around this very large National Park? Let me break them down for you.
CAR
The easiest way to get around the park is by car. You are in control of where you want to go and when if you are in a car.
BIKING
Another option is to get around by bike! Depending on your skill level on a bike, you can pretty much go anywhere you want on the roads in the park with the understanding that it might take a bit longer than by car.
SHUTTLES
Shuttles are also available to take folks all over the valley floor, to specific stops. You are limited in how quickly you can get around in a shuttle, but it is a great way to get around if you don’t have your car with you.
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