The short answer: The BEST place to stay in Yosemite is
INSIDE the boundaries of the national park
. The long answer: Yes, staying inside Yosemite National Park is more expensive than staying in one of the small towns just outside the park.
How can I stay in Yosemite without a reservation?
- Camp 4 is open on a first-come, first-served basis from late fall through winter. …
- Search recreation.gov frequently; you might find a cancellation in a campground that accepts reservations in or near Yosemite.
Is it worth staying in Yosemite?
We recommend staying as close to Yosemite as possible, yes, the closer you are, the more expensive the accommodations. However,
the money you spend will be worth it for the amount of time it will take you to drive to Yosemite Valley
.
How many days do you need in Yosemite?
If you only plan to do a few hikes and drive around to see the sights,
three days
is enough to see most everything. If you'd like to linger, you'll have time to enjoy more ranger-led activities, attend evening programs, take tours, and hang around enjoying the scenery.
Can you stay overnight in Yosemite?
When you stay overnight at Yosemite Park you have a few options for lodging.
You can stay at a hotel-type of lodging, cabin, or tent camp
. Getting the Yosemite reservation you want can be a dog-eat-dog event. Reservations are required year-round for all Yosemite Valley's properties.
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.
Which entrance is best for Yosemite?
Your most direct route to Yosemite is through the
Big Oak Flat Entrance or the Arch Rock Entrance
, which is located southeast of Big Oak Flat.
How should I prepare for Yosemite?
- Sturdy Water Shoes for Playing in Rivers and Waterfalls. …
- Binoculars to Watch Climbers and Bears. …
- Sturdy Boots for Hiking on Granite. …
- A Rain Jacket. …
- A Couple Water Bottles or a Hydration System. …
- A Sun Hat, Sunglasses and Sunscreen. …
- Warm and Cold Clothing Layers.
Can you just show up to Yosemite?
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 hard is it to get a first come first serve campsite in Yosemite?
You must have a reservation to camp in Yosemite.
There is no first-come, first-serve camping in Yosemite in 2021
. Learn more about current park operations. It is very difficult to get camping or lodging reservations from spring through fall and during holiday periods all year.
How do I sneak into Yosemite?
- Take the Back Roads. Not every road into Yosemite is bisected by an admission booth. …
- Catch the Red Eye. The Yosemite entrance booths aren't manned round the clock. …
- Hike In. The Pacific Crest/John Muir Trail runs right through the heart of Yosemite. …
- Bus In. …
- Trash Talk Your Way In.
Can I stay inside Yosemite National Park?
Inside Yosemite,
you can choose to stay in hotels, cabins and vacation homes inside the park
. There is every style of lodging from the historic Majestic Yosemite Hotel to rustic tent cabins at Half Dome Village.
Are there waterfalls in Yosemite in August?
Yosemite Falls—and other waterfalls in Yosemite—reach their peak flow near the end of May, but usually remain high well into June.
By August, waterfalls have little water or (in the case of Yosemite Falls) may be dry
.
Why should you go to Yosemite?
Waterfalls Galore
They are at their best in late spring when the waterfalls are carrying snowmelt from the mountains. Some are an easy walk to visit and some are a more challenging hike. Yosemite Falls is a good choice to see, and there are different trails to different views of the falls.
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.)
Are there Redwoods in Yosemite?
In fact,
these are the trees that we are proud to grow here at Yosemite
. The redwood trees sometimes grow taller than Sequoias, but Giant Sequoia Trees beat redwoods in size by volume. They are much larger in diameter at the base which makes them qualify as the largest tree in the world.
Is there BLM land near Yosemite?
There are three developed BLM campgrounds along the Merced River between Briceburg and Bagby
. The campgrounds are accessed by crossing the suspension bridge just past the Briceburg Visitor Center and heading down river along the unpaved Briceburg River Road (old Yosemite Valley Railroad Grade).
Are there bears at Yosemite?
American black bears found in Yosemite National Park
have long been of intense interest to park visitors and managers. Seeing one of the approximately 300 to 500 black bears in Yosemite can evoke excitement, awe, and fear. If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear.
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.
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.
How crowded is Yosemite?
With all of the superlatives come the crowds;
some 3 million people visit the valley each year
. That amounts to 95% of all Yosemite visitors, whereas the valley occupies only 1% of the park's 1,169 square miles.
Can you hike Half Dome in May?
Summer 2022 Updates
A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite National Park during peak hours (6 am – 4 pm) from May 20 through September 30, 2022.
If you have a permit to hike Half Dome, you do not need an additional peak-hours reservation
.
Which entrance to Yosemite is least crowded?
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.
Can I 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.
Do you have to pay to enter Yosemite park?
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.
