Eight years before Yellowstone was established as the United States’ first national park, President Abraham Lincoln signed a document called the Yosemite Valley Grant Act in 1864. The act protected Yosemite Valley in northern California and the nearby Mariposa Big Tree Grove for public recreation.
“This is a historic act, the first time anywhere (in America) that land has been set aside for public protection and enjoyment,” said Scott Gediman, Yosemite National Park’s public affairs officer.
We now know the valley and its surroundings as Yosemite National Park, one of America’s most popular national parks, with 3,897,070 million visitors by 2023, designated in 1890. You’ve probably heard of its world-famous sites, such as Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and the towering ancient redwoods.
“Yosemite National Park is an iconic national park. We attract visitors from all over the world to the park,” Gediman said.
Here’s what travelers need to know about Yosemite, the penultimate national park in USA TODAY’s yearlong series.
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What makes Yosemite National Park so special?
At 1,200 square miles, Yosemite has a lot to offer visitors.
“Between the natural history, the cultural history, the wildlife, the beauty and the size, there’s so much to see and do in Yosemite,” Gediman said. “We think this park encompasses so many ideals and things that come to people’s minds when they think of national parks.”
Of course, there’s the park’s natural beauty: iconic monoliths like Half Dome, the stunning Yosemite Valley that delighted famed naturalist John Muir, and some of the world’s tallest waterfalls.
Beyond its natural wonders, the park is steeped in history, from the indigenous people who have lived there for centuries to the establishments that speak to “the growth of the national park system,” Gediman said. One of California’s first mountain hotels, the Wawona Hotel, was established in 1856 during the Victorian era and features a swimming pool and golf course right in the heart of the park. Then there’s the Ahwahnee Hotel, built in 1927 as a luxury hotel and now considered “the crown jewel of national park lodges,” Gediman said.
Do I need reservations to visit Yosemite National Park?
Yes, if you are planning to visit us this summer.
The park is piloting a reservation system to enter the park during peak hours, from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m., on select days between April 13 and October 27, to help manage traffic. (You can still enter without a reservation before 5 a.m. and after 4 p.m., though.) Reservations cost $2 and are available seven days before your park visit, but you’ll have to hurry: They sell out almost immediately.
Can I drive through Yosemite National Park?
Yes, you can drive through Yosemite (with a reservation).
Tioga Road, also known as Highway 120, is one of the most scenic drives in the park. The 46-mile (74 km) route takes travelers past iconic landmarks like Tenaya Lake and the Tuolumne Meadows, and up to an elevation of just under 10,000 feet when it reaches Tioga Pass. However, Tioga Road, like others, closes depending on the season.
What are the closest cities to Yosemite National Park?
Several historic towns surround Yosemite’s four corridors, including Sonora, Jamestown, and El Portal. Travelers can find hotels, campgrounds, restaurants, and gas stations in these towns, as well as a rich gold mining and railroad heritage.
What is the best time of year to visit Yosemite National Park?
There is no bad time of year to visit Yosemite. However, spring and summer are the most popular seasons to visit.
“The park comes back to life after spring,” Gediman says. As the ice melts, waterfalls roar and meadows bloom. “Summer is beautiful and great for hiking,” he says. The park’s lakes become a popular destination for visitors to swim and canoe.
However, if you visit the park in the fall, you’ll encounter fewer people and still enjoy nice weather and longer days, according to Gediman. In the winter, the park is still open, although some parts are closed. “Winter is the quietest time of year, absolutely beautiful. There’s snow, it just depends on the altitude of the park.”
Who are the indigenous people who live in Yosemite National Park?
Traces of Yosemite’s indigenous peoples date back nearly 4,000 years, and many tribes continue to call Yosemite home today. Today, seven Native American tribes and groups traditionally associated with the valley make up the Mariposa County Native American Council: the Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, the Bishop Paiute Tribe, the Bridgeport Indian Colony, the Mono Lake Kootzaduka’a, the North Fork Rancheria of the Mono Indians of California, the Picayune Rancheria of the Chukchansi Indians, and the Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians.
To learn more about Yosemite’s indigenous peoples, park visitors can stop by the village of Wahhoga, the last remaining Native American village in the valley, which was dismantled in 1969 and its residents expelled.
The National Park Service worked with the tribes to build a round house in the village where natives perform religious ceremonies that could also be used for public education.
“They help us build earth-friendly facilities,” Gediman said.
Tribes also consult with the National Park Service on prescribed burns, or cultural burns, a centuries-old practice intended to reduce the risk of wildfires and encourage the growth of other plants.
“We have very close relationships with the tribes,” Gediman said. “It’s a privilege, if you will, to work with these tribes.”
Kathleen Wong is a travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Hawaii. You can reach her at kwong@usatoday.com.
