|
-SPONSORED LINKS-
Yosemite LodgingYosemite Hotels Yosemite Maps Yosemite Camping Yosemite Weather Yosemite Tours Yosemite Pictures Yosemite Vacation |
|
Sponsored National Park Search |
|
|
|
Visitation Information
Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours a day, year round with the highest visitation in June, July and August and the lowest in December, January and February.
Yosemite National Park embraces almost 1,200 square miles of scenic wild lands set aside in 1890 to preserve a portion of the central Sierra Nevada that stretches along California's eastern flank. The park ranges from 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 13,000 feet and has these major attractions; alpine wilderness, three groves of Giant Sequoias and the glacially carved Yosemite Valley with impressive waterfalls, cliffs and unusual rock formations.
Some activities to enjoy while visiting Yosemite National Park may include but are not limited to: viewing waterfalls and well-known rock features in Yosemite Valley; visit to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and historic Wawona area; drive or hike to Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the High Sierra; drive to Tuolumne Meadows along Tioga Road and take a hike, numerous trailheads available. There are also regularly scheduled ranger led walks, talks and evening programs, concessioner operated bus tours, guided horseback rides and bicycle rentals.
Season Information
Summer - June through September - See lots of the park, and lots of people
Areas to visit: All areas of the park are usually accessible by car by late May or early June, although services along the Tioga Road often open a bit later in June.
Climate: Warm to hot, with occassional rain (usually as afternoon thundershowers, especially at the higher elevations).
Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 87�F (31�C) / 51�F (10�C)
Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 ft / 2,600 m): n/a
Rivers & Waterfalls: Most of the water flowing in Yosemite comes from snowmelt in the high country, so runoff decreases during the dry summer. Peak runoff typically occurs in May or June, with some waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) often only a trickle or completely dry by August. Other waterfalls, including Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil, run all year, however their flow can be very low by late summer.
Wildflowers:
Yosemite Valley & Wawona - Most blooming occurs in June, with redbud, Sierra onion, lupine, Mariposa lily, pentstemon, and flowering dogwood beginning in May.
Tuolumne Meadows - The season begins in late summer for subalpine flowers. Beginning around July, look for little elephant's heads, gentian, pentstemon, yarrow, and shooting stars.
Fall - October & November - See lots of the park, but few people
Areas to visit: All areas of the park usually remain open through October, and sometimes into November. However short-term closures may occur due to snow, and services often are not available along the Tioga Road after September. Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year.
Climate: Quite variable, with weather ranging from hot to cold, dry to rainy or snowy.
Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 54�F (12�C) / 35�F (2�C)
Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 ft / 2,600 m): n/a
Rivers & Waterfalls: Water levels tend to be very low, with waterfalls (including Yosemite Falls) containing little or no water. Some waterfalls, including Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil, run all year, however their flow slows to a trickle by fall.
Fall colors: Yosemite is not known for having spectacular fall colors because most of the trees are evergreen. Still, big-leaf maples, black oaks, and other deciduous trees tend to be showy around mid-October.
Winter - December through March - A season of snow & solitude
Areas to visit: While Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, the Tioga Road is closed (usually sometime in November). Once closed for the season, vehicles are not permitted between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass, including in the Tuolumne Meadows area. The road to Glacier Point is also closed (usually sometime in November). However from mid-December though early April, the Glacier Point/Badger Pass Road is plowed to the Badger Pass Ski Area where both downhill and cross-country skiing is popular. Tire chains are often required on park roads. When they are, you must carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving.
Climate: Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold, though sunny and chilly days are not uncommon.
Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 53�F (12�C) / 28�F (-2�C)
Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 ft / 2,600 m): n/a
Rivers & Waterfalls: Water levels tend to be low, but once some snow and rain have fallen, Yosemite Falls begins flowing again (though not at springtime levels).
Spring - April & May - The perfect season for waterfalls!
Areas to visit: While Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, the Tioga and Glacier Point Roads remain closed due to snow, often until late May. Tire chains sometimes are required even during spring. When they are, you should carry and know how to use them, regardless of the type of vehicle you are driving.
Climate: Highly variable, with sunny and relatively warm days, but still an occassional winter storm.
Yosemite Valley & Wawona (4,000 ft / 1,200 m): 69�F (21�C) / 39�F (4�C)
Tuolumne Meadows (8,600 ft / 2,600 m): n/a
Rivers & Waterfalls: As warmer weather begins to melt the snow, even the smallest creeks are rushing with water. You may see many small, unnamed waterfalls and cascades all along the Valley rim. Larger creeks and rivers, along with the better known waterfalls, tend to reach peak runoff in May or June.
Wildflowers: It's too early for wildflowers in the park, though you might see California poppies and other species at lower elevations on your way to Yosemite. Redbud and dogwood also tend to bloom in May.
Junior Ranger Programs
Children ages 3-6 can complete a Little Cub activity booklet (including attending a ranger program and picking up litter).
Cost for the activity booklet is $3.00 (plus tax). When it's completed, the children receive a little cub button. This booklet (published by the Yosemite Association) is sold in the Nature Center at Happy Isles,Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Centers, and Wawona and Big Oak Flat Information Stations.
Kids ages 7-13 can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger by purchasing a self-guided booklet published by the Yosemite Association. This booklet is sold for $3.50 plus tax at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, Nature Center at Happy Isles (May through September), and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center (June through September), and Wawona and Big Oak Flat Information Stations (May through September). In order to earn a Junior Ranger patch, the booklet must be completed, a bag of trash collected, and a guided program attended.
Junior and Senior Rangers (summer) and Snow Rangers (winter).
Junior Rangers (ages 8-10) and Senior Rangers (ages 11-12) experience nature through interactive learning during a three-hour class with a Park Ranger. Summer Ranger Guided program available in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and in Tuolumne Meadows. Winter program is self guided and information may be picked up in Yosemite Valley.
The Sierra Club presents free evening programs on natural history and conservation issues. The Lodge is open seasonally during daytime hours for browsing through its library and learning from educational displays. There are also books and planned activities especially for children.
Yosemite Association Field Seminars Botany, geology, astronomy, ecology, and ethnic studies are only a few of the topics covered in field seminars offered throughout the year and described in a catalog issued annually. Catalogs are available at Visitor Centers.
The Yosemite Institute This residential program for students, young adults, families, and teachers features nature study under the guidance of an experienced staff. The Institute also hosts Elderhostel groups (see an Elderhostel catalog for listings). Their programs feature small class size and in year-round classes.
Yosemite Institute
PO Box 487
Yosemite, CA 95389
Interpretive programs are offered year-round by National Park Service rangers, concessioner staff, and park parters.
All regularly scheduled programs are listed in Yosemite Today.
| Program | Days | Time | Length | Description |
| Explore the Forest in Winter | Daily | 10:30 am | 2.0 hrs | Ranger walks. Wear warm clothes and boots for this moderately strenuous walk. While snowshoes are provided, they are not recommended for children under 10 years of age. A $ 2.00 per pair maintenance fee is charged. NOTE: Ranger walks start when the Badger Pass Ski Area opens for the season. |
| Program | Days | Time | Length | Description |
| Ahwahneechee Stories and Games | Tue | 2:00 pm | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk. Meet behind Visitor Center. |
| Ansel Adams Gallery Camera Walk | Sat | 3:00 pm | Varies | Limited to 15, sign up in advance and meet on Gallery Porch. |
| Evening Programs | Sun - Mon | 7:30 pm | 1.0 | Yosemite Lodge Cliff Room, include talks, slide presentations, storytelling and music. |
| Film - Ansel Adams, Photographer | Sun | 6:30 pm | Varies | Visitor Center West Auditorium. |
| Granite and Ice | Mon | 2:00 pm | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk. Meet at bus Stop number 7. |
| Morning Light Photo Walk | Mon | 8:30 am | 1.0 hr | The Alhwahnee Yosemite Concession Service. |
| The Future Yosemite Valley | Sat | 2:00 pm | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk. Meet in front of Visitor Center. |
| Trees in Winter - Ranger Walk | Fri | 2:00 pm | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Bus Stop number 4. |
| Wildlife in Winter | Wed | 2:00 pm | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk. Meet at bus Stop number 11. |
| Yosemite's Legacy | Thu | 2:00 pm | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk. Meet in front of Visitor Center. |
| Yosemite's First People | Sat | 10:00 am | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk. Meet behind Visitor Center. |
| Program | Days | Time | Length | Description |
| Ranger Programs | Sat | 10:00 am | 1.0 to 1.5 hrs | Ranger Walk, "Yosemite's Yesteryears." Meet at the Covered Bridge adjacent to the Wawona General Store. |
Ansel Adams Gallery
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm - Daily
Located in Yosemite Village next to the Visitor Center. The Gallery offers works of Ansel Adams and contemporary photographers. For more information, call the Gallery at 209-372-4413.
Echoes of Tenaya
This inspiring audiovisual program provides a good introduction to Yosemite's splendor. It is shown regularly in the Visitor Center's West Auditorium; show times are posted on auditorium doors.
Indian Cultural Exhibit
9:00 am - 4:30 pm - Daily - closed for lunch
Displays interpret the cultural history of Yosemite's native Miwok and Paiute people from 1850 to the present. Demonstrations of basket-weaving, beadwork, and/or traditional games are presented.
Indian Village of Ahwahnee
Located behind the Yosemite Museum and always open. Sometimes there are opportunity to join Indian Cultural Program staff for demonstrations or programs about Ahwahneechee skills and culture.
Museum Gallery
Hours of operation vary. Check door of Gallery for current schedule.
Exhibits may include historic paintings from the Yosemite Museum collection (through 15 Feb), and Yosemite Renaissance XII, contemporary works of art selected from juried competition (opens 28 Feb).
Yosemite Museum
10:00 am - 4:30 pm - Daily
Located in Yosemite Village next to the Visitor Center. The Museum Shop carries books, and traditional Indian arts and crafts.
Visitor Centers
There are four visitor centers in Yosemite National Park.
The Valley Visitor Center - Located in Yosemite Village just west of the main post office (shuttle bus stops #6 and #9). Information, maps, wilderness permits, books, exhibits, a multilingual One Day in Yosemite program, and an exhibit of contemporary art produced as a result of an artists' pack-trip into Yosemite's high country.
Hours: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm - Daily
The Big Oak Flat Information Station - spring-fall
Wawona Information Station - spring-fall
Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center - summer only
Phone - 209-372-0200
Location - Wilderness Centers are located in Yosemite Valley (spring-fall; visitor center during winter) and Tuolumne Meadows (summer only). Wildernes Permits are also issued at the Wawona Information Station (spring-fall), Big Oak Flat Information Station (spring-fall), and Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station (summer only).
Copyright © 1995 - 2007 Hillclimb Media
This site is in no way associated with the United States Government, the Department of the Interior or the National Park Service
