Yodel-Ay-Hee-Hoo! You have finally made it to Yosemite National Park in California. But is Yosemite National Park worth the visit? Parking woes. Confusing signage. Tons of people. It’s like when you hear hype about a movie and become so excited to see it you can hardly wait. Then, the day arrives when you finally get to watch it only to go, “meh.”
Granted, the above sentiment has to do with our mindset and the experiences we had (or did not have) in Yosemite and the surrounding area. But I’ll get to that part of the story shortly.
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. We stayed in Merced and would not do so again. It took over two hours to arrive at Yosemite Valley from Merced.
*Note: Some of these links are affiliate links, meaning that if you book through my link, I will make a small commission (at no extra cost to you).
Table of Contents
Where Not to Stay
Repeat. Merced.
Let’s just say our prayers were answered that we still had a car in the morning with four wheels still attached. The Gateway to Yosemite? Debatable. This town is way too far out to spend the night and then visit the park, unless you get up before the world awakes.
Where to Stay
Mariposa on Highway 140 looks like a nice, typical mountain town and it is where we would stay if we were to visit Yosemite again. The historic downtown has a feeling of the Old West and California Gold Rush days. There are no strip malls, chain stores, or traffic lights.
Originally, we were going to stay in Mariposa but opted for Merced due to hotel prices. Don’t make the same mistake we did.
rel=”nofollow” Booking.comTwo other places on El Portal Road that looked good to stay at were Yosemite View Lodge, right outside the park gates and Cedar Lodge.
Traffic Woes
Our visit to Yosemite was on a Saturday in September. Traffic was bumper-to-bumper entering the park. Go to the park as soon as the gates open. Another big mistake—we did not arrive in the park until early afternoon. We spent an hour driving around in circles like a giant caterpillar of automobiles trying to find a place to park.
Traffic is only one way in Yosemite Valley so if you miss a turn, be prepared to go the full circle all over again. Literally, all the parking lots were blocked off. Finally, we just parked in the lot of Yosemite Valley Lodge where we found a space. The concern of a parking ticket didn’t even phase us at this point.
The excessive time driving around in circles caused our visit to Yosemite to be disappointing as much time was wasted inside the car. The visitor center is not at the entrance of the park—as with many other parks we visited—and it is not accessible by car. The park trails are poorly signed and laid out.
If you stay in the park, there are free shuttles so you will not have to fight the traffic.
Yes, the views of the towering granite cliffs are a rock-climbers dream with their 90-degree gripping angles. Admittedly, our less than life-changing experience would be due to poor research on our part. Nothing I read about the park provided any information on the difficulties of parking or how long the drive into the park took or the horrors of parking.
Where to Park
Maybe I am not the best person to answer this question, but here goes…
There are three major parking lots in Yosemite (of which there was no availability on our visit):
- Yosemite Falls Parking Lot,
- Yosemite Village Parking Lot
- Curry Village Parking.
Free shuttle service to destinations throughout Yosemite Valley is available at each of the above parking lots. If you have a lodging or campground reservation, park at your lodge or campsite. Once you find a place to park, do not move your car. Stay there and take the shuttles.
The Most Distinctive Monuments in Yosemite National Park
Half Dome is Yosemite’s most distinctive monument. Cook’s Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, Tunnel View, and Glacier Point are a few of the best places for a view of Half Dome.
Glacier Point is located 30 miles (a one-hour drive) from Yosemite Valley or Wawona. To get there from either of these places, take the Wawona Road (Highway 41) to Chinquapin, then turn onto Glacier Point Road. At Glacier Point, a short, paved, and wheel-chair accessible trail takes you to an exhilarating view 3,214 feet down to Yosemite Valley below. (Source: Yosemite Guide August 28, 2019-October 1, 2019).
We never found the turn off for that picture-perfect view from outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Hwy 41. You know, the picture you see and go, “That’s Yosemite!”? Maybe we were just dizzy from driving in continuous circles.
El Capitan is a massive granite monolith standing 3,593 feet from base to summit. Climbers from all over the world come to scale the incredible cliffs.
Where Not to Eat
There are places to eat in the park; however, beware of the food quality. We ate at Degnan’s Kitchen—a cafeteria-style eatery with an outdoor patio. The French fries and onion rings were lukewarm. They tasted dry and stale like they had been sitting on a countertop for some time waiting to be devoured by some poor, hungry tourist like us.
A Tale of Two Children
Even though the food was not good, we were entertained with people watching. Whilst enjoying our mediocre dinner, two young boys about the age of 10 were entertaining themselves in the dining area.
“What’s that?” Said curious boy #1, pointing to a small, skittish, furry creature.
“I think it’s a squirrel.” Curious boy #2 exclaiming with glee.
“Holy shit!” Obviously, curious boy #1 has not been in the wild much. The mother of the boys quickly chided them for swearing and the boys went back to munching on their food.
Although we did not see much other wildlife besides children and squirrels, bears and mountain lions reside in Yosemite. Do not let children run ahead and do not keep food in your car. A travel blogger friend told us a story of their visit to Yosemite and having the back end of their car peeled back like a can of sardines from a bear foraging for food in their vehicle.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?
Fall
See more of the park and fewer people in the fall. October to November is the wonderful season of autumn in Yosemite National Park.
All areas of the park usually remain open through October, and sometimes into November; however, short-term closures may occur due to snow. Services are not available along Tioga Road after September. Overnight parking is not permitted after October 14th. Yosemite Valley and Wawona remain accessible by car all year, however tire chains may be required, depending on conditions. Check the National Park Service website for updates.
Weather is quite variable in the fall ranging from hot to cold to dry to rainy or snow. Temperatures in Yosemite Valley & Wawona average 54°F (12°C) / 35°F (2°C).
If you are going to see waterfalls, fall is not the time to visit Yosemite National Park. Water levels are generally low and waterfalls can dry up. Some waterfalls, including Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil, run all year; however, their flow slows to a trickle by fall.
Fall colours are also not prominent as most Yosemite trees are evergreen so do not expect dazzling colours that you might see elsewhere.
Winter
December through March is the season of solitude in Yosemite National Park. Many roads close during the winter so it is best to check the park’s website for details.
Do note, the park can be remarkably busy during the winter holidays, especially in late December and early January. Traffic will be congested and parking limited. Imagine that.
Winter in Yosemite is snowy and cold, though sunny days are common. Cold also depends on what part of the planet you live in and the weather you are accustomed to. Yosemite Valley and Wawona averages 53°F (12°C) / 28°F (-2°C)
Water levels still tend to be low in winter but once the snow falls, Yosemite Falls begins to flow again, though not at springtime levels.
Spring
Tis the season of waterfalls. If you are a waterfall hunter, Yosemite National Park in spring is the place for you. Runoff causes peak flows to reach between May and June.
Avoid delays and arrive at Yosemite before mid-morning. Entrance stations and popular areas like Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point fill up quickly.
Weather in spring is highly variable with sunshine and relatively warm days, with chances of an occasional snowstorm.
Temperatures in Yosemite Valley & Wawona average 69°F (21°C) / 39°F (4°C).
While most of Yosemite remains snowy through May and into June, some hikes from Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy are often snow-free by April, and most are usually snow-free by sometime in May. Backpacking options remain limited.
Summer
June through September are where you can expect to see a lot of the park and a lot of people.
Weather is warm to hot with occasional rain. The rain usually falls as afternoon thundershowers in higher elevations. Yosemite Valley & Wawona average 87°F (31°C) / 51°F (10°C).
Rivers and waterfalls slow down in the summer. Some waterfalls, including Yosemite Falls, can reduce to a trickle in the dry season of the summer and can be completely dry by August. Other waterfalls, including Vernal, Nevada, and Bridalveil flow all year; however, flows can be exceptionally low by late summer.
June is the time for wildflowers in Yosemite National Park so if you are looking for a blast of colour, early summer is the time to visit.
Hiking Trails in Yosemite National Park
With over 800 miles (1287 kilometres) of hiking trails to explore all with varying degrees of intensity, there is no better way to enjoy Yosemite than on foot. Speak with a ranger at the visitor centre to help you plan your day as you know your limits and timeframe. A few trails that we either did or saw other people doing while we visited the park are listed below.
What should you do if you have 1-2 hours?
- Godspeed if you only have 1-2 hours in Yosemite.
- Stop at Bridalveil Falls for a photo opportunity. The flow of the water is heavier and lighter depending on the season. From the Bridalveil Fall parking area, there is an easy hiking trail of 0.5-mile (0.8 kilometre) roundtrip, 20 minutes.
- Walk Lower Yosemite Fall trail. The trail is flat and an easy walk with lovely views of the falls. 1.0-mile (1.6 kilometres) roundtrip, 20 minutes. You can access the trail from shuttle stop 6.
- Get the famous picture of El Capitan and Half Dome from Tunnel View. This is the view we never found. Both El Capitan and Half Dome are easily recognizable and visible from the Southside and Northside drive.
What should you do if you have a half-day?
- Explore Upper Yosemite Fall Trail to Columbia Rock. This is a strenuous, 2-mile (3.2 kilometre) roundtrip hike with a 1,000-foot gain. Access the trail by camp 4 near shuttle stop 7. Expect a time frame of 2-3 hours to complete this hike.
- Mirror Lake Loop hike allows for exhilarating views of Half Dome and Mt. Watkins. Note: swimming is not permitted in the lake. The trail begins at shuttle stop 17. The first mile of the trail is paved and leads directly to Mirror Lake. The trail is 5 miles (8 kilometres) and is a moderate hike. Expect 2-3 hours for this hike. Also, pets are not allowed on this trail. Source: Yosemite Guide August 28, 2019 – October 1, 2019.
What should you do if you have a full day?
- Hike the Valley Floor Loop, a 13-mile (21 kilometres) full loop that will take approximately 5-7 hours to complete. This moderate trail is accessible by lower Yosemite Fall shuttle stop 6. Source: Yosemite Guide August 28, 2019 – October 1, 2019.
Is a Visit to Yosemite National Park Worth It?
Not every visit and experience while travelling is top-notch, nevertheless, with more time and better planning, I’m sure Yosemite is a must-experience National Park. Our lack of foresight for the time it would take to get to Yosemite Valley and to park were keys in our unsatisfying experience. Please, learn from our key takeaways:
- Stay as close to the park as physically possible.
- Arrive at the park as soon as the gates open.
- Don’t drive in the park. Take the shuttle where you need to go.
- Take your time. This is not a National Park to rush into and rush back out again.
- Plan. Know exactly what you want to see and where you want to go so that you don’t miss out.
All pictures in this post are taken by Charlotte, yours truly, as always, unless otherwise stated.
Mission statement: Transform your life with travel—one destination, one adventure, one story at a time.
Yes, yes, yes it’s worth it! I’ve been 8 times since I moved to California 20 years ago. The best way to experience it is to stay in the park.
Not as many driving and parking issues to deal with this way and you wake up bright and early with the awe inspiring granite sky!
Believe it or not all but 1 of my visits were in Summer even though crowded we still had amazing trips. This past Summer I stayed in Groveland and the long drive to the valley really does take away from the experience but it was still worth the daily drive. The two places we’ve stayed are housekeeping village and Curry (aka Half dome village) both are great choices.
I’ve done a lot of hiking there but my favorite activity is to find a quiet place to sit and take in all the beauty!
I agree 100% Maureen! Staying in the park would offer a person the best experience. It certainly would have made the world of a difference for us. Also, thank you for your suggestions on where to stay. That is helpful for myself and other readers 🙂
Is Yosemite worth it? Yes – there is a reason it is one of the top 5 most popular and visited parks. But please, please, please do some research and plan ahead. The author talks about getting there “when the gates open”, but except for unusual circumstances when the entire park is closed, the gates are always open. If the ranger is not at the gate to receive your entrance fee, they will ask for it when you leave. A single fee is good for 7 days. And be sure to ask for the Yosemite Guide with your admission and keep it with you. There is lots of good information, lists of hikes; lists of ranger talks and guided hikes, etc. I’m not sure how she missed the turn out for the Tunnel View – it is a very, very large parking lot next to the road just before you enter the Wawonna Tunnel on the valley side on highway 41. During the summer months (May – September) there are usually information booths set up with experienced and knowledgeable volunteers to answer your questions, direct you where you want to go, and help you plan your day. (I know because I am one of them every June). This past year was an exception because of Covid restrictions; we are all waiting to hear what will happen this year. 4- 5 million visitors visit the park every year; probably 75 – 80% of those visit during the summer months; and 75-80% of those concentrate their visit in Yosemite Valley. Be aware that the Valley comprises about 5% of the entire park. There are other areas with different experiences and views that are well worth exploring. Yes, traffic is a horrible problem. The main parking lot closest to the village and visitor center is usually completely full before 10 am in the summer. The other lots usually fill up before noon (and no, it’s not like a mall where someone is going to leave soon if you just keep driving around. Yes, the busses are very crowded and difficult to get on, but it is worth it if you don’t want to walk. (And you can’t drive to some of the places in the valley you might want to see). So bring a bucketful of patience and good humor. The author talks about “the entrance” , and complains that the visitor center is not located near it. That is because there are 4 different entrances to the park. And there are 4 different visitor centers – one at the Mariposa Sequoia Grove; one in the Tuolumne Meadows area; one very small one at the Big Oak Flat entrance; and the main one in the Village in the valley. Is it worth it? With proper planning and time, yes!!!!! I made my first trip to Yosemite over 25 years ago, and I haven’t quit coming since. I usually come several times a year; since I retired I usually go 4 – 6 times a year. Sometimes I camp; sometimes I stay at lodging in the valley; sometimes I stay at tent cabins in Tuolumne Meadows; sometimes I stay outside of the park. Staying in the park takes planning ahead – I make my reservations for my summer visit in Housekeeping Camp a year in advance to get a riverside cabin. Please come, give yourself some time; make sure you have the right attitude to deal with the crowds; Talk to the volunteers and rangers – I promise you will not be disappointed.
Thank you for your comments, Cheryl! I agree with you 100% that proper planning and time are necessary to make the best out of your visit to the park. That was our biggest mistake when visiting Yosemite—lack of planning and extensive research. We were on a 13-day road trip from Texas back to Canada when we decided to include Yosemite on our drive. We erroneously thought we could have a good visit of Yosemite in an afternoon. None of my research mentioned the traffic horrors or how important it was to stay close to the park or within the park. That was the point of my article. To advise people of our experience and not to make the same mistakes we made. Since our time in Yosemite was short, we chose to visit the Yosemite Valley. On this road trip through the US, we visited seven National Parks in total. All were outstanding and easy to navigate in a short period of time. We always stopped at the visitor centers first and spoke with rangers on how to maximize our visit. We didn’t find this the same experience at Yosemite on the day we visited. And how we missed Tunnel View is also beyond me, but we did. Again, I agree, proper planning is essential when visiting Yosemite.
We stayed in Oakhurst, which has quite a few reasonably priced hotels, restaurants, and a couple of grocery stores. It is about 1/2 hour to the South entrance. We had three days so we saw what we wanted to see more than once. It was truly one of the best experiences of mine and my family’s life. Not to be missed.
Hi Chris, and thank you for your accommodation suggestion! It will be helpful to future readers and visitors to Yosemite.
Sorry to hear of your experience. We visit several times a month year round making day trips from Modesto. Only twice have we encounter difficulties which happened on major holidays. We go during the week Monday thru Wednesday and usually find parking is wide open and on occasion see but a few people. We normally arrive after 12:30 P.M. and stay to take in sunset. A truly enjoyable and life changing experience. When we stay over night Yosemite View Lodge is our place to stay. So, we are off to Yosemite within the hour.
Hi Rick and thank you for your comment! I am glad you had a good experience at Yosemite. Also, thank you for the accommodation suggestion as it is helpful for future readers. Safe travels!!
Yosemite is definitely worth the visit. Every time we visit we discover something new. And each time we are left hungry for more. We have been there so many times that i cant remember the count, but Yosemite never disappoints, any weather any time you visit. If you visit on a busy day, its best to skip the valley floor and instead visit other areas like the Tioga pass road. This area is less crowded but equally beautiful and very good for families. Giant rocks that my kids enjoy climbing on, lakes for swimming and smaller water falls to soak in. If visiting in early summer or spring, mist trail is a must near the valley floor. If you miss getting a reservation, drive to the hetch hetchy area, it does not require reservations. Overall, visiting Yosemite does need some homework to be done. We generally start early and reach there by max 9 am and have never got stuck in traffic even on weekends. So reaching early is the key. There are a lot of blogs about the different areas of Yosemite. I have always found them more helpful than the official website. I hope this info helps.
Thank you for your helpful suggestions! Much appreciated for other readers and myself if I make it to Yosemite again. Cheers!