Summary
3/3
Entrances open
$35
7-day fee
9 live
Cameras
Historic Crowd Data
Avg. monthly visitors, 2015–2024 · National Park Service
Light
Moderate
Busy
Very Busy
Peak season is June–September, when nearly half of Yosemite's annual visitors arrive. For noticeably lighter crowds, aim for November–March.
Plan Your Visit
Park Entrance & Traffic Conditions3 open · $35▾
Hwy 140 · Arch Rock Entrance
Open
El Portal Road / All-Season Highway
Most reliable year-round route from Merced. Follows the Merced River through a scenic canyon.
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Hwy 120 · Big Oak Flat Entrance
Open
Big Oak Flat Road / Tioga Pass
Main route from the Bay Area via I-580. Also connects to Tioga Pass (seasonal — typically closes Oct–May).
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Hwy 41 · South Entrance
Open
Wawona Road / Fresno Route
Main route from Fresno and Southern California. Passes through Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
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Valley TransportationShuttle · Bikes▾
Valley Shuttle System Free ▾
Hours7:00 AM – 10:00 PM daily
Valleywide Route19 stops · every 22–32 min
East Valley Route9 stops · every 18–22 min
Key StopsVisitor Center, Curry Village, Ahwahnee, Valley Lodge, Happy Isles
Glacier Point / TuolumneSeasonal · check NPS for dates
NPS shuttle map & schedule ↗
Bike Rentals Apr – Oct ▾
Half Day$30
Full Day$40
LocationsCurry Village · Valley Lodge · Yosemite Village
AvailabilityFirst-come, first-served
ADA / AccessibleReserve via 209-372-1208
IncludesHelmet · child trailers at Curry & Lodge
More biking info ↗
River Conditions · Merced River2 gauges▾
Happy Isles Bridge
⏳
USGS 11264500
-- cfs·-- ft·--°F
Pohono Bridge
⏳
USGS 11266500
-- cfs·-- ft
Things to Do7 categories▾
Hiking Trails6 trails▾
Lower Yosemite Fall TrailEasy
Paved loop to the base of North America's tallest waterfall
1 mi loop · 50 ft gain
Mirror Lake LoopEasy–Mod.
Valley-floor walk to a reflective pool below Half Dome; longer option continues as a full loop
2–5 mi · 100–200 ft gain
Mist Trail — Vernal & Nevada FallsMod.–Strenuous
Granite steps through waterfall spray; distance depends on turnaround point (footbridge, Vernal, or Nevada Fall)
1.6–8 mi RT · up to 2,000 ft
Yosemite Falls TrailMod.–Strenuous
Switchbacks to Columbia Rock or all the way to the top of Upper Yosemite Fall
2–7.2 mi RT · up to 2,700 ft
Four Mile Trail — Glacier PointStrenuous
Steady climb up the valley wall to panoramic views of Half Dome; closes above Union Point in heavy snow
9.6 mi RT · 3,200 ft gain
Half DomePermit
Cable ascent on the final pitch; day-hike permit required via March lottery or 2-day-ahead draw. Cables up late May–early Oct, weather permitting
14–16.4 mi RT · 4,800 ft gain
Rock Climbing4 options▾
El Capitan & Half DomePermit (free)
World-renowned multi-day big-wall routes; overnight climbs need a free, self-registered wilderness climbing permit (no quotas)
Tuolumne Meadows DomesSeasonal · Tioga Rd open
Sun-drenched granite domes and crack climbs in the high country
Yosemite Mountaineering SchoolSeasonal
Guided instruction and gear rental for all skill levels · 209/372-8344
Camp 4Walk-in
Historic climbers' walk-in campground; base-of-wall camping is prohibited park-wide
Water Activities3 ways▾
Self-Guided Raft RentalsJun–Jul
Stoneman Bridge to Sentinel Beach on the Merced; closes when the Pohono Bridge gauge tops 7 ft
Tenaya Lake KayakingSummer
Nonmotorized boats and kayaks; PFD required for all occupants
SwimmingSummer
Permitted park-wide except a few posted closures; seasonal pools at Curry Village & Valley Lodge
Biking3 ways▾
Valley Bike Paths12+ mi
Paved, mostly-flat network winding through Yosemite Valley · 15 mph limit
Bike RentalsDaily
Curry Village, Yosemite Village & Valley Lodge; first-come, first-served. E-bikes allowed
Free Bike ShareLate spring–fall
App-based, 2-hour trips from Yosemite Village stations
Horseback & Mule Rides2 options▾
Guided RidesSpring–fall
Day rides and pack/saddle trips via Yosemite Hospitality stables · 209/372-4386
Private Stock CampsPermit rules apply
Designated overnight sites at Wawona, Bridalveil Creek & Tuolumne Meadows; max 25 head per party
Winter Sports3 ways▾
Badger Pass Ski AreaMid-Dec–Mar
Downhill skiing & snowboarding at California's oldest ski resort (opened 1933), 7,200 ft
Cross-Country Skiing & SnowshoeingMid-Dec–mid-Mar
Marked routes at Badger Pass/Glacier Point Rd, Crane Flat & Mariposa Grove; rentals & lessons at Badger Pass Nordic Center
Curry Village Ice RinkMid-Nov–mid-Mar
Outdoor skating in the shadow of Glacier Point, a tradition since 1929
Yosemite Valley Concession Information4 areas▾
Yosemite Village4 locations▾
Village Store8 AM – 10 PM
Groceries & Supplies
Degnan's Kitchen7–11 AM & 11:30–6 PM
Deli · Café
Village Grill11 AM – 6 PM
Burgers · Seasonal
Ansel Adams Gallery9 AM – 5 PM
Art · Photography
The Ahwahnee4 locations▾
Dining Room7 AM – 9 PM
Fine Dining
Ahwahnee Bar11 AM – 11 PM
Bar · Snacks
Sweet Shop7 AM – 10 PM
Pastries
Gift Shop9 AM – 7 PM
Gifts · Souvenirs
Yosemite Valley Lodge4 locations▾
Base Camp Eatery7 AM – 9 PM
Food Court · Starbucks
Mountain Room5:30 – 9 PM
Dinner Restaurant
Mountain Room Lounge4:30 – 11 PM
Bar · Appetizers
Lodge Gift Shop8 AM – 8 PM
Gifts · Supplies
Half Dome Village (Curry Village)4 locations▾
Gift & Grocery8 AM – 8 PM
Groceries · Gifts
Mountain Shop8:30 AM – 6 PM
Outdoor Gear
Pizza Patio & Bar12 – 9 PM
Pizza · Seasonal
Curry Pavilion7 AM – 9 PM
Casual Dining
Bird Watching269+ species▾
Peregrine Falcon
Nests on El Capitan and other granite walls
Golden Eagle
Soars above the valley rim and high country
American Dipper
Dives into the Merced River for aquatic insects
Steller's Jay
Bold, crested jay common around the valley floor
Clark's Nutcracker
Caches whitebark pine seeds in the high country
Park Contact Information