Where Should I Stay When Visiting Yosemite?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  • The Ahwahnee. Yosemite’s historic crown jewel and upscale hotel, the Ahwahnee is arguably the best place to stay in all of Yosemite. …
  • Wawona Hotel. …
  • Yosemite Valley Lodge. …
  • Curry Village. …
  • Other Lodging Inside Yosemite Park Boundary To Consider.

What is the closest town to Yosemite National Park?

  • El Portal, CA.
  • Lee Vining, CA.
  • Oakhurst, CA.
  • Bass Lake, CA.
  • Mariposa, CA.
  • Groveland, CA.
  • Twain Harte, CA.
  • Yosemite West, CA.

How many days is enough for Yosemite?

You can get a nice look around in just

one day

. To make the most of such a short visit, use this guide to one day in Yosemite. If you can stay for a weekend, try the Yosemite weekend getaway planner. If you only plan to do a few hikes and drive around to see the sights, three days is enough to see most everything.

Which side of Yosemite is best?

If you want to visit Yosemite and avoid the crowds, taking the

Tioga Pass

is the best way to go. It’s usually not crowded during early mornings. Aside from this, another entrance you can take is the Hetch Hetchy entrance. It’s known for giving visitors a peaceful drive, as Yosemite visitors do not usually take it.

What is the best month to go to Yosemite?

The best times to visit Yosemite are

May and September

, when the park is accessible, but not too crowded. It’s important to know that many roads and trails in Yosemite are closed for the majority of the year due to snow.

How long is the hike up Half Dome?

The

14- to 16-mile

round-trip hike to Half Dome is not for you if you’re out of shape or unprepared. You will be gaining elevation (for a total of 4,800 feet) most of your way to the top of Half Dome.

Do you have to pay to drive through Yosemite?

Yosemite National Park has had an entrance fee since 1913. The current rate of

$30 per vehicle or $25* per motorcycle

has been in effect since 2015. The park is one of 117 in the National Park System that charges an entrance fee. The remaining 300 sites are free to enter.

How far is Yosemite from the ocean?

The drive from Yosemite National Park to Laguna Beach is

390 miles

(627 km).

How is the drive from San Francisco to Yosemite?

Yosemite is about 170 miles away from San Francisco and

about a 4-hour drive

. So, we recommend starting your day as early as 5 AM or 6 AM to have full experience in the park.

How far apart are Sequoia and Yosemite?

The drive from Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park to Yosemite National Park is

215 miles

(346 km).

How long does it take to drive through Yosemite?

A drive to Yosemite is

roughly 4 hours

(in ideal traffic conditions) and is most convenient if you are headed to the northwestern parts of Yosemite (Groveland, Buck Meadows, etc.)

Is Yosemite worth visiting?

Is Yosemite Worth It?

Yosemite is definitely worth visiting for its beauty of nature and unique features that can’t be found anywhere else

. If you are the adventurous type or just appreciate the wonder of the great outdoors, Yosemite National Park is one of the best trips you can take.

Can you walk into Yosemite?

If you have a lot of energy,

you can walk, ride a bike, or take a horseback ride with Yosemite Trails into the park without a reservation

.

Can you drive through Yosemite park?


You can drive your car into and around Yosemite

, although some roads are closed from around November through May/June and tire chains may be required on open roads from around October through April (depending on conditions). You can use public transportation to get to and around Yosemite all year.

Is the south entrance to Yosemite open?

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year. However,

the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours

(approximately) and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June.

What months does it snow in Yosemite?

Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about

November through May

. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)

Is Yosemite crowded in May?

The biggest drawback to visiting Yosemite in May is that

it is starting to get more crowded

. While it is not as busy as it is in the peak summer season, you can definitely tell that the warm weather is drawing people in, and that school is getting out of session.

When should I go to Joshua Tree National Park?

The best time to visit Joshua Tree National Park is

March to May and October to November

. Though the park is open year-round, temperatures are most comfortable in the spring and fall, with an average high of about 85 degrees.

Is Half Dome El Capitan?


El Capitan in Yosemite National Park

rises nearly 3,600 feet above the valley floor (7,500 feet above sea level) making it one of the most prominent features in the park. One of the largest exposed pieces of granite in the world, this behemoth attracts rock climbers from aroundthe world.

Is Half Dome a hard hike?

The trail to Half Dome from Yosemite Valley is

an extremely strenuous hike

covering over 17 miles. Hikers gain 4,800 feet of elevation along the trail that passes highlights such as Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, before reaching the cables on Half Dome’s steep granite domes.

Has anyone fallen off Half Dome?


13 people have died scaling Half Dome since the national park was established

, and there have been around 300 accidents there, as the Chronicle notes. And many of those accidents have involved the smooth granite portion near the top of the cliff edge where Thursday’s accident occurred.

Can you sleep in your car in Yosemite?

Within Yosemite National Park,

you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you’re registered to stay in

(except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it’s a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.

Can you walk into Yosemite without a reservation?

Other than the entrance fee,

you don’t need a reservation or permit to visit Yosemite

. However, you should get a lodging or campground reservation if you plan to spend the night.

How many waterfalls are in Yosemite?

How many waterfalls are there at Yosemite? There are

more than 25

waterfalls at Yosemite National Park, ranging in size from the 100-foot-tall Alder Creek Falls to the 2,425-foot-tall Yosemite Falls.

Whats the closest beach to Yosemite?


Sentinel Beach Yosemite

is on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley, next to the Swinging Bridge. You can get there from Highway 140 driving down Southside Drive. Watch for signs. Sentinel Beach is accessible all year, but summer, of course, is the best time for getting in the water.

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.