Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. Visitors from around the world travel to California each year to visit this iconic National park.
We are huge believers that there is no bad day in Yosemite, but there are so many missed opportunities by most visitors when it comes to Yosemite. This page is designed to help you discover more of one of the nations most popular parks.
Here are a few facts that you might not know of Yosemite:
1. Yosemite might be our nation’s 3rd national park, but it sparked the idea of national parks. Twenty-six years before it was a national park, President Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant on June 30, 1864, protecting the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley. It was the first time the government protected land because of its natural beauty so that people could enjoy it, and we’re still benefiting from their foresight today.
2. Yosemite’s granite rock formations glow like fire at sunset. Sunlight plays amazing tricks at Yosemite — illuminating El Capitan and Half Dome in brilliant reds and oranges. Horsetail Fall is famous for appearing to be on fire when it reflects the orange glow of sunset in mid- to late-February. It’s a spectacular sight reminiscent of Yosemite’s historic Firefall, which occurred nightly until 1968, when hotel operators would push campfire embers over Glacier Point to wow park goers.
3. The park’s diverse landscape supports more than 400 species. While at Yosemite, look all around and you might spy one of the park’s many amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals looking back. One such animal is the rare Sierra Nevada red fox, which was spotted for the first time in nearly 100 years on a wildlife cam, roaming the high elevations of California’s Sierra Nevada.
4. Yosemite is home to one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. At 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is one of tallest on the planet, but did you know, it’s actually made up of three separate falls? Upper Yosemite Fall, the middle cascades and Lower Yosemite Fall makeup Yosemite Falls, which can be seen from numerous places around Yosemite Valley.
Backpacking Yosemite
Backpacking Yosemite National Park is an incredible experience. Start your trek from one of dozens of trailheads and customize your journey with an incredible trail network with in the park.
Find a Trail
- Yosemite Valley
- Tuolumne Meadow
- White Wolf
- Hetch Hetchy
- Tenaya Lake
- Wawona
Camping Yosemite
Camping in Yosemite National Park has multiple options for visitors. Stay in the Valley with the crowds or Venture to the East and Tuolumne meadows for high altitude lower crowds.
- Yosemite Valley
- Wawona
- White Wolf
- Tuolumne Meadows
- Outside the boundaries
Things To Do:
Boredom is not something you will find in Yosemite National Park. Places to Discover and experiences to be had are around every corner. Hiking, Photography, JR Ranger programs, Museums, Bike, snowshoe, ski, raft trips and more.
Things to Do in Yosemite
- Hike Yosemite
- Horseback riding
- Biking Yosemite
- Rafting the Tuolumne
- Photography in Yosemite
- Sights to See in Yosemite
- Winter Skiing and Snowshoeing
Lodging in Yosemite
Lodging in Yosemite has great options for most budgets. Historic, Luxury, glamping and rustic. Take your pick on location, price and amenities.
Places to Stay in Yosemite National Park
- Ahwanee Lodge
- Yosemite Valley Lodge
- Curry Village
- Wawona Hotel
- Tenaya Lodge & cottages
- Rush Creek Lodge
- Evergreen Lodge
- Auto Camp
Yosemite Trip Itineraries
Yosemite national Park Day trips are a specialty at Sierra Rec. We visit the park multiple times per year each time making a new adventure. here are some of our favorite downloadable trip itineraries for Yosemite National Park.
Editors Choice Yosemite National Park

Nevada Fall Yosemite National Park

Backpacking Echo Lake – Yosemite National Park

Hiking Cathedral Lakes in Yosemite National Park

Fletcher Lake and Vogelsang High Sierra Camp

GAYLOR LAKES LOOP – Yosemite National Park

Boothe Lake – Yosemite National Park
