Tag: California national parks

Yosemite National Park is a breathtaking wonderland nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, known worldwide for its dramatic granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls, and ancient, towering sequoias. From the moment you enter Yosemite Valley, you’re greeted by a majestic, almost surreal panorama: the sheer face of El Capitan rising nearly 3,000 feet above the valley floor, Half Dome’s iconic silhouette etched against the sky, and the enchanting mist of Bridalveil Fall tumbling down rocky slopes. Don’t let the prospect of adventuring by yourself deter you from seeing these staggering feats of nature. 48 hours in Yosemite is the perfect amount of time to see the most unforgettable sights, go on a few awe-inspiring hikes, and watch a breathtaking sunset or two.

These landscapes are more than scenic—they are a rare, living testament to the power of glaciers, volcanic activity, and tectonic forces that shaped the land over millions of years. Each vista in Yosemite offers a new sense of wonder and awe, combining rugged, untouched beauty with a peaceful serenity that draws millions of visitors each year. It’s no wonder Yosemite is consistently one of the most-visited parks parks in the National Park System!

Yosemite’s place in history as one of the first protected landscapes in the world adds to its legacy. In 1864, during the heart of the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant. This made Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove the first public land ever set aside by the U.S. government for preservation and public use. This landmark decision was the foundation of the National Park system (NPS). 

While Yellowstone is heralded as the first national park, much of the nomenclature used to protect Yellowstone land was modeled after the Yosemite Grant. The big difference? Yosemite is housed entirely in California, whereas Yellowstone occupies regions of Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Due to its multi-state occupancy Yellowstone became the first park protected nationally. Yosemite was not long after! In 1890, Yosemite was officially designated as a national park, making it the third in the NPS. Today, it stands not only as a paradise for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers but as a symbol of America’s commitment to preserving its most extraordinary natural treasures for future generations. 

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year 

The most popular time of year to visit is summer into early fall, with the highest visitation in July and August. This time of year, you can expect temperatures to get up into the 80s and 90s, but it will cool off into the 50s in the evening. 

Having just visited mid-October, I am a staunch supporter of the slightly-off-season visit! With highs in the 70s, it was perfect for hiking… but not too cold to camp through the evening! No real chance of snow and likelihood of rain is still pretty minimal. The only downside is that the park has dried out some. Mirror Lake becomes more of an enchanting puddle and the Mist Trail is much less likely to soak you, compared to early summer. None of this takes a way from the beauty of the park— just a slightly different experience. Worth it, in my opinion, to deal with almost HALF as many fellow visitors!!

Thou Shall Not Pass

Due to issues with congestion and traffic in the park, a timed reservation system has been implemented at Yosemite. This only is in place during the busy season! In 2024, this was as follows: 

4/13 – 6/30	Reservations only required for weekends and holidays from 5 am to 4 pm
7/1 – 8/16	Reservations required daily from 5 am to 4 pm
8/17 – 10/ 13	Reservations only required for weekends and holidays from 5 am to 3 pm

This differs from the $35/vehicle entrance fee everyone pays for admission into the park. The entry fee is enforced year-round as it’s important for preserving and maintaining the park. The timed entry reservation system is completely different! Its sole purpose being to control the influx of people into the park. This is an online reservation system, so there is a $2 fee. You can make your ticketed entry reservations here. 

If you have camping or lodging reservations in the park or are on a park-authorized commercial tour, you do not need to worry about securing a timed entry reservation. 

Accommodation Station 

Yosemite National Park offers a diverse range of lodging options. If you’re looking to stay in the park and enjoy a bit more comfort and style, there’s a few different historic lodge and hotel options. For outdoorsmen (and women) more keen to be surrounded by nature’s simplicity, you actually have two different kinds of options here. There are 13 campgrounds in the park for a “typical” tent-camping experience. There’s also a handful of hybrid camping options including some permanent canvas tents and structures in the backcountry. Regardless of where you’re resting your head, each option brings a unique way to experience Yosemite. There really is a perfect retreat for every kind of adventurer. 

As noted above, a nice perk of staying in the park is this precludes you from needing a timed entry pass, if you happen to be visiting during the high season months. Two birds with one stone!

Yosemite will sometimes close down an area for a season to do maintenance. All Lodge and Modified Camping availability is visible using the links below or at travelyosemite.com. Similarly, campground closures and anticipated re-openings can be found at recreation.gov. 

Lodges 

• The Ahwahnee
• Yosemite Valley Lodge
• Wawona Hotel
• Curry Village (wooden cabins and permanent canvas tent ‘cabins’) 
• White Wolf Lodge

Modified Camping/Permanent Tents

• Housekeeping Camp – three-sided concrete structures with canvas roofs and privacy curtains
• High Sierra Camps – backpacking to permanent structures (requires lottery participation) 
• Tuolumne Meadows Lodge – canvas tent “cabins” 
• Glacier Point Ski Hut – large bunk bed area that sleeps up to 20 people in a single room (only open in winter; must transverse backcountry to arrive) 

Campgrounds*

• Upper Pines
• Lower Pines
• Camp 4**
• Bridalveil Creek 
• Hodgdon Meadow
• Crane Flat
• Tamarack Flat
• Tuolumne Meadows
• Porcupine Flat 
• North Pines 
• Wawona  
• White Wolf 
• Yosemite Creek 

* Campsites go like HOTCAKES!!! Campgrounds will be fully booked up weeks in advance, but there’s hope for last minute campers. I snagged 3 nights in the park with less than a week’s notice using Campflare. It’s an app that will let you know when a campsite in a given campground becomes available. Be prepared to act fast though because things do not stay vacant long! 

** It’s worth noting, Camp 4 is an awesome campground, but it has a bit more of a hostel feel than other spots in the park, as it’s a shared site campground. Also, you do have to walk your tent and camp items a short distance. Overall it’s a bit less individual or private than other campgrounds in the park, but some people really dig that vibe. All in all, it’s a cheaper campground/campsite (for a solo traveler) at only $10/person/night. 

Yosemite Valley Shuttle

Yosemite Valley is a popular area of the park, so to facilitate traffic and parking concerns, there are two shuttle systems within the valley. They both run from 7am to 10pm, hitting the key points of interest, as noted below. Since the East Valley shuttle runs a smaller loop, buses tend to arrive a little more frequently. Even at that, the longest wait time is estimated to be about 22 minutes. 

Two Day Itinerary 

While I am no stranger to a fun solo adventure, anything more than two or three days starts to feel like a lot of time by my lonesome. That’s just me though! I felt that about 48 hours in Yosemite was the perfect amount of time to experience the park’s highlights without feeling rushed. There’s ample time to explore iconic spots like Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove— taking in scenic views via a couple moderate-length hikes, a relaxing bike ride, and breathtaking drives. 

It’s worth noting, everyone has different comfort levels, but ~8 miles is the most I like to hike by myself. If you are visiting Yosemite with friends or if you feel comfortable going on long hikes solo, Half Dome is one of the most renowned hikes in the park. The ~16 mile trek was a bit much for me to tackle alone, but it is an option! Especially if you’re open to staying a third day! 

DAY 1

To make the most of a full day, it does help to arrive in Yosemite the night before. That way, when you wake up, you’re ready to hit the ground running. I stayed at Camp 4, which was very centrally located, but there’s certainly other lodge and campground options in the valley to choose from. 

Vernal & Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail

The Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail is an awesome hike because it combines breathtaking waterfalls, diverse terrain, and unforgettable views into one memorable hike. This trail takes you up close to the powerful cascades of Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. A rather immersive experience, the waterfall mist cools off hikers as they ascend, hence the trail’s name. Climbing the granite stair-master-come-to-life alongside Vernal Fall is rather unforgettable, but so worth it as you’re rewarded with sweeping views of Yosemite Valley and the Merced River atop Nevada Falls. 

The hike is around 6.5 miles from the trailhead. A heads up/FYI, I ended up parking in Curry Village, which made it more of an 8ish mile hike– just so you’re mentally prepared. It’s certainly not an impossible endeavor, but the 2,208 ft of elevation is definitely not easy peasy. 

Yosemite Valley Loop Trail Bike Ride 

After a rewarding hike it’s nice to just relax for a minute. While I loaded up the cooler and brought a bunch of food with me, it was super comforting to know Yosemite has loads of food options. It’s so peaceful to just snag a spot to rest for a bit and enjoy lunch with an awesome view. 

Up next? A bike ride! The Yosemite Valley Loop is about 20 miles total, but even just doing part of it is a worthwhile adventure. The path weaves past Mirror Lake, El Capitan, the Meadow, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite Falls. It’s a bit of a choose your own adventure. Even better? There’s a free bike share program in Yosemite that allows use of bikes for 2 hours at a time. That was about all the physical activity I was keen on, after the morning hike, but The Yosemite Valley Lodge has bikes for rent as well if you’re looking to cruise around a bit longer ($30 Half Day/$40 Full Day). 

Set Up Camp

If you’re down to camp, Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4 are all located in Yosemite Valley. For anyone planning a last minute trip in Yosemite’s busy summer season, Camp 4 might be your best chance at snagging a campsite as these are released one week out. The other three campgrounds open up campsite reservations 5 months in advance. North Pines is actually so sought after, there’s a lottery system in place as part of the booking process there! A friend recommended Camp 4 to me, and I loved it! It’s set up a bit different than typical national park campsites, but it lends itself to a fun, community environment. 

Tunnel View

Finish the day out by taking in the sunset at Tunnel View. It’s hard not to feel like a photographer, with the sun painting El Capitan and Half Dome with rays of golden light. This spot is easily accessible, making it a popular choice for capturing postcard-worthy photos. Even if you don’t take a single picture, simply soaking in the magic of Yosemite’s dramatic landscapes is an unbeatable way to round out the day. The sweeping views from Tunnel View at sunset encapsulate both the grandeur and tranquility of Yosemite in an unforgettable scene.

DAY 2 

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center 

This is the largest visitor center in the park and the main hub for park information. It’s a must-stop for any park-goers looking to secure their park stamp! It also offers a buffet of resources like maps, exhibits, and interactive displays that cover the park’s history, geology, and wildlife. 

I sometimes like to snag a couple postcards at the park visitor center to send to my sisters, and there’s a very conveniently located post office right around the corner. In general, there’s a lot in the area by the visitor center, so go to the bathroom, grab a snack, and get ready to go, because day two takes us out and away from the valley. 

Glacier Point 

Home to one of the most spectacular, panoramic views in the park, Glacier Point features sweeping vistas of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the High Sierra peaks. Sitting at over 7,200 feet, this viewpoint provides a breathtaking perspective of the valley and its renown, granite landmarks.

Depending on how much time you have or perhaps how your legs are feeling, you have two options for taking in the view. You can either take a short walk to a viewpoint or hike the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trail. The latter is about 5 miles round trip and a little over 1,000 feet of elevation. It makes for a nice, brisk start to the day. This is what I opted for (and loved it), but either way you’re going to have a beautiful morning. 

Glacier Point is accessible by car for approximately late May through October or November, depending on conditions. 

Mariposa Grove 

Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 giant sequoias. These are one of the largest and oldest trees on Earth, with some towering over 200 feet tall and living for more than 2,000 years. These ancient giants, like the iconic Grizzly Giant, offer visitors a rare glimpse into the ancient natural world, making a walk through the grove a powerful, humbling experience. There’s a tranquility to the forest that is simply different from other regions of the park. 

Getting to Mariposa Grove is a bit of an adventure. After arriving at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, everyone must take a shuttle to the grove. Once you arrive at the grove, there’s a few different hiking options, but we recommend the 2 mile Grizzly Giant Loop Trail. How many times in life do you have the opportunity to see a 3,000 year old tree?? 

Mariposa Grove Shuttle Hours

6/25 – 9/2	8 am to 7 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 8 pm). Buses pick up every 10 to 15 minutes
9/3 – 11/2	8 am to 5:30 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 6:30 pm). Buses pick up about every 15 minutes
11/3 – 11/30	Weather permitting, 8 am to 3:30 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 5:00 pm). Buses pick up about every 15 minutes
12/1 – 4/15 (at least)	No shuttle service available

When the shuttle service is not running, the only way to reach Mariposa Grove is via a 2 mile walk (each way) along the Washburn Trail or the Mariposa Grove Road. 

Bunking Down

Where you choose to spend the night is rather dependent on where you are headed the next morning. I live in southern California so the Wawona campground was perfectly situated. That being said, if you are headed north, you might want to consider another campground or sleeping accommodation. If you decide to stay at the Wawona Campground, the Wawona Meadow is an awesome spot to stargaze! 

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As a solo traveler, I felt 48 hours in Yosemite was the perfect amount to sample the park and experience the sights for myself. Exploring by myself, I’m always happy to have just gone out there and adventured, instead of always waiting to go with someone else. That being said, I’m already excited to head back in the future— hopefully to hike half dome with some friends! Life is a balance— happy travels!

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