yosemite national park: everything you need to know
Yosemite National Park has been on my travel bucket list for a long time. I went many years ago in high school with my dad, but have been wanting to visit again since moving out to California. The park has breathtaking views of massive granite cliffs, incredible waterfalls, and ancient sequoia trees. Last year pre-pandemic, Alex and I had gotten reservations at one of the lodges in the park for June and I was stoked. Needless to say, those got cancelled with the pandemic and the park then closed the lodge for the entire summer to do repairs. Since buying the rooftop tent last summer, we’ve attempted to get campsite reservations many times and finally secured a spot for August. The trip was well worth the wait.
Looking to go to Yosemite too? Here’s what you need to know:
Yosemite National Park
Camping Reservations go FAST. Reservations open up 5 months in advance for campsites at 7:00 am PST and go within the minute. Check the website for the day reservations open for when you want to visit and set your clock! You will want to be ready to checkout as the clock turns to 7. While the National Parks website has a ton of information about camping on it, you’ll make reservations through Recreation.gov. Get your account set up in advance as well so you’re not trying to do that morning of. If you aren’t into camping, I would highly recommend trying to get lodging within the park. The park is BIG and driving in and out everyday will use up a lot of time that could be spent enjoying the park.
view from our campsite
Bears. Yosemite has a lot of them. Remember you are a visitor to their home. To keep them and you safe, everything with a scent needs to go in the bear bins (unless you’re actively using them). This includes all food and toiletries (toothpaste, soap, hand sanitizer, sunscreen, etc). When packing, I find it easiest to have all food in one bin and all toiletries in another. This way you don’t mistakenly leave something with a scent in your car and it’s easy to take everything in/out of the bear bins. Bear bins are provided at every campsite and most trailheads as well. Again, this is for your safety and the bears.
Carry in, carry out. I feel like this should be common knowledge but still see trash / face masks / snack wrappers / etc. on the trails so it’s worth repeating. Whatever you bring with you on the trails should be carried out with you. Help the park to stay clean and protect the integrity of the nature you are there to visit.
What’s open, what’s closed: Due to winter weather, Tioga Road and Glacier Point road don’t open till the end of May and April respectfully. Tioga Road will take you to locations such as Tuolumne Meadows, Tioga Pass, Lembert Dome, and Cathedral Lakes. Glacier Point Road takes you up to Glacier Point which has incredible views out over the entire park. If any of these destination are on your must see list, consider visiting the park in June or later. Additionally, Bridalveil Falls is currently closed through the end of 2022 for rehabilitation. I recommend checking the park website in advance of your trip for updates on what is open or closed.
hazy (wildfire) smoke view of half dome from Glacier Point
Consider when to visit: Depending on what you want to see and the experience you want to have, different times of the year will be best for your visit to Yosemite. Spring is the best time to see the park’s epic waterfalls, with many of their flows peaking in May, then becoming smaller throughout the summer. Yosemite falls was almost dry when we visited in August. As mentioned above, certain parts of the park and roads are open from late spring to early fall. Finally, summer is the busiest time at the park where you will experience the most crowds, especially in the valley. The fall will be much quieter, but also colder. There’s no bad time to visit, just different experiences based on when you do :)
Lower Yosemite Falls in August
Questions about visiting Yosemite? Leave em below :)
