Two tall waterfalls flowing down snow covered granite walls.

National Park

Yosemite National Park

visit on nps.gov

Info

Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.

Park Photos

Two tall waterfalls flowing down snow covered granite walls.
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Yosemite Falls will sometimes only trickle at the end of summer, but wet winters can rejuvenate the flow.

Credit: NPS / Cindy Jacoby

Two tall waterfalls flowing down snow covered granite walls.
Upper Yosemite Fall and Merced River in spring
A rainbow over a mountain in the distance.
A mountain reflecting in a lake.
A waterfall flowing down a granite cliff.
El Capitan on left, Cathedral Rocks on the right, all covered in snow, low clouds and sun
Glaciated valley with vertical cliffs.
Mountains reflecting in water
Cluster of tall trees with cloudy sky.
Mountains surrounding a lake.
Granite dome with trace amounts of snow.
El Capitan and reflection in Merced River with some low clouds

Activities

Auto and ATV
Scenic Driving
Biking
Camping
Backcountry Camping
Climbing
Hiking
Backcountry Hiking
Horse Trekking
Horseback Riding
Arts and Culture
Guided Tours
Hands-On
Living History
Junior Ranger Program
Museum Exhibits
Bookstore and Park Store
Boating
Fishing
Paddling
Tubing
Snow Tubing
Skiing
Swimming
Astronomy
Wildlife Watching
Birdwatching
Park Film
Ice Skating
Snow Play
Snowshoeing
Food
Shopping

Fees

Passes

Operating Hours

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours per day, 365 days per year.

DayHours
Friday
All Day
Monday
All Day
Sunday
All Day
Tuesday
All Day
Saturday
All Day
Thursday
All Day
Wednesday
All Day

Hetch Hetchy area is only open from sunrise to sunset (except for permitted backpackers). All day visitors must exit Hetch Hetchy by sunset. The road is also closed to all vehicles (including backpackers) from sunset to sunrise.

DayHours
Friday
Sunrise to Sunset
Monday
Sunrise to Sunset
Sunday
Sunrise to Sunset
Tuesday
Sunrise to Sunset
Saturday
Sunrise to Sunset
Thursday
Sunrise to Sunset
Wednesday
Sunrise to Sunset

Weather info

Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) in the Sierra Nevada, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)