Don’t miss the very best of Yosemite! Read these Yosemite Travel Tips before you head to the park!
Then… have even more fun planning national park adventures with these must-read tips for The Grand Canyon and Zion National Park!
Yosemite Travel Tips
Yosemite National Park is a busy place. So knowing the best time to visit, the best parts to explore, and the most epic scenery to catch is a must.
That’s why I’ve put together this guide for you. I want to help you experience the very best that Yosemite has to offer.
There are so many fun and unique things to do in Yosemite… and so much breathtaking beauty to take in. So prepare to indulge in your very own Yosemite adventures with some help from these tried and true Yosemite Travel Tips and National Park Hacks.
Here’s what to know before you go…
Related: 101 Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets
When To Visit Yosemite
One of my top Yosemite Travel Tips is to try to plan your visit for when the park is less crowded and busy.
I personally visited the park mid week and went into the valley floor in the evening hours after almost everyone else had left.
I loved how we practically had the park to ourselves by simply arriving mid week towards the end of the day.
My Personal Favorite Yosemite Travel Tips
Walk the paved Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and stop by the visitor’s center to see the Ansel Adams Gallery.
Lower Yosemite Fall
View of Lower Yosemite Fall from Sentinel Dome
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls
Glacier Point Road
Driving the Glacier Point Road is a must, be sure to stop at Washburn Point and Glacier Point for incredible views!
One extra benefit of being in the park near sunset, you just might get to see some Yosemite wildlife!
Along the Glacier Point Road, you MUST consider hiking the short 1.1 mile Sentinel Dome trail for stunning 360 views of the entire valley.
It was at this point that the famous explorer John Muir convinced Theodore Roosevelt to make Yosemite a National Park.
Top of Sentinel Dome looking toward Half Dome
Top of Sentinel Dome looking across Yosemite
Half Dome viewed from Sentinel Dome
View near Sentinel Dome
One of the highlights of any trip to Yosemite are the waterfalls.
Be sure to plan extra time to hike up to Vernal Falls.
Vernal Falls
Tunnel View
Another excellent viewpoint is the Tunnel View along the Wawona Road.
If you are coming into Yosemite from the West entrance, be sure to have your camera ready, as you will drive through a rock tunnel.
Bring your bug repellent and adequate sunscreen, as the sun is more intense at the higher elevations, especially along Glacier Point Road.
Also, be sure to watch your speed, we saw park rangers giving speeding tickets!!
If you are up for a little extra adventure, consider driving 2 hours south to the connecting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, where you will see the world’s largest trees.
Check out these Sequoia National Park Travel Tips!
More Yosemite Travel Tips
Now, check out these amazing Yosemite Travel Tips shared by your very own frugal friends…
Patricia said: “Mist Trail to Vernal Falls. Lower Yosemite Falls trail. Drive to Glacier Point. Rafting on the Merced River.”
Kim said: “We floated down the Yosemite River, it was fun and relaxing.”
Jamin said: “Bridal Veil Falls” and shared this Yosemite Map!
Debbie said: “Everything! Make the drive up to Glacier Point. We almost didn’t and it was amazing. And Mariposa Grove.”
Cecillia said: “Climbing up to Half Dome, Falls Trail… these are from my hubby. Personally, I like the ice cream shop.”
JoAnn said: “It is amazing and beautiful. You have to see the Ahwahnee Bridge and creek behind the Ahwahnee Hotel. That is my special place! Have fun!!!”
Mary said: “Camp there and anything you do or see will be wonderful, a beautiful area of the US.”
Jan said: “Hike the Mist Trail.”
Anna said: “The falls, Mirror Lake and the Redwoods. If yall are up to it, hike to the top of Half Dome. Check out the Yosemite Sierra FB page for more tips. If you want a hotel in a town nearby, the Oakhurst Best Western is the best, with great rates and an awesome indoor pool!”
Debby said: “Live there! Timing is everything. Beautiful place.”
Nicole said: “You should check out when it is free to enter… there’s usually one or two weekends per year that are free. Or, go the week or two before memorial day, it’s still off-season and less people!”
JoAnn said: “You HAVE to go rafting in the Merced River ( nearby and you can rent a raft). It is amazingly beautiful, peaceful and one of the ways to get some beautiful pictures. Not rough at all and you can stop along the way and swim. Have a great time!”
Mark said: “Seeing the Valley from Half Dome and Fire Falls are great if you can walk well. View the valley from the top of Half Dome, and Glacier Point. Mariposa Grove has the big trees. The whole valley is beautiful, but during tourist season, it is a ZOO! Lots of beautiful coastline from Ventura to the SF Bay. If you like big trees, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National parks. North of Eureka are some Redwood State Parks along the coast. You should look into going there sometime.”
Yosemite National Park Camping Tips
201 Camping Tips and Tricks
These little-known camping tips and tricks for beginners to pros are about to take your next adventure to the next level!!
61 Easy Camping Menu Tips
Enjoying a good old fashioned S’mores in a gorgeous national park tastes extra amazing!
125 RV Recipes
Heading to Yosemite in your RV? After a big day exploring Yosemite, you’ll be hungry hungry hungry!
How To Visit Yosemite On A Budget
So You’re Planning a Trip to Yosemite?
To keep your vacation budget-friendly, you’ll need to plan ahead. One of the first things you’ll want to do is start stashing cash away for your ‘Yosemite Trip Fund’. Need to increase your travel fund stash?
One of the easiest ways is to make extra money on the side in your free time! Here are my favorite tricks for ramping up the vacation budget…
27 Side Hustles Ideas
Discounted and FREE Yosemite National Park Passes
The Yosemite National Park entrance fees can really add up, so be sure to take advantage of these easy ways to save on your Park Entrance Fees.
So make sure you know these 6 ways to score yourself Discounted and Free National Park Passes to your favorite national parks.
I’ve even included tips for how you can score FREE National Park Passes for 4th Graders, Veterans and Disabled!
#1: Visit Yosemite on Free National Park Entrance Days
The easiest way to save money on national park entrance fees is to simply visit when it’s FREE!
Did you know that the National Park Service offers up to 6 Free Entrance Days each year?
#2: Buy the American The Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass
If you plan on visiting any national park (or parks) for 3 days or more in the same year, it will almost always save you money when you buy the America The Beautiful Interagency Annual Pass for $80.
This pass will give you unlimited access to most national parks for 1 year.
I buy the annual pass for my family almost every year. In addition to using the pass to explore new parks for the first time. We also love to use it to visit the Grand Canyon, Zion, Arches, Bryce Canyon, Yosemite, and Saguaro National Park as often as possible.
#3: Get The Lifetime Senior Pass
If you are 62 years or older, the savings get even better. You can buy a Lifetime Senior Pass for just $80!
#4: Your 4th Graders Can Visit National Parks, including Yosemite National Park, for FREE!
Don’t forget about your 4th grader!
If you have a 4th grader or know someone that does, make sure to have them sign up to receive their Free National Park Pass for 4th Graders! (valid for school or homeschool)
#5: Score a Free Military Pass for Active Duty, Reserve, Veterans and Gold Star Families
If you are a Veteran or a member of a Gold Star Family, you can sign up to receive a Free Interagency Annual Military Pass.
This pass will give you and up to 3 more occupants in your same car Free National Park Access!
Related: Military Discounts for Travel
#6: Get The Free National Park Access Pass!
If you have a permanent disability, or you know someone that does, be sure to take advantage of the Free Lifetime Access Pass!
More Budget Yosemite Vacation Tips
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More Fun and Frugal California and National Park Vacation Ideas
Want to visit even more places near Yosemite?
Get ready to score even more Frugal Travel ideas for your next trip…
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45 Grand Canyon Travel Tips You Can’t Afford to Miss!
Zion National Park Travel Tips (what to know before you go)
Bryce Canyon Travel Guide (16 Amazing Things to Do)
Lassen Volcanic National Park Travel Guide
101 Frugal Travel Tips and Best Kept Secrets
So… have YOU ever been to Yosemite before?
What are some of your favorite Yosemite Travel Tips for places to see, things to do, etc?
Leave a comment & share!
YOSEMITE – my favorite place. 1.If you raft the Merced, bring your own inflatable boat. Way cheaper than renting. River is VERY calm. Get out at Swinging Bridge, DEFLATE your boat and follow the paved path to Yosemite lodge (get ice cream-enjoy) take the free bus back to campgrounds or wherever…. 2. Little know fact in Yosemite. Almost every WEEKEND during the summer you can watch up to 16 Hang Glider pilots take off from Glacier Point if you get to the top between 8-9 am (depending on how many are flying). Take off is the rock right below the geological hut. Watch from above take off. If you choose to watch landings instead, go back to the meadow by Swinging Bridge. Landings will take place from about 8:30 until they all land but no later than 10:00. My husband is a pilot, and yes, this is allowed by Yosemite NP. They have an excellent safety record. 3. visit the Wawona area. Much quieter than the valley and a must see is the Wawona Hotel, and Pioneer Village. Hikes here are great too. 4. if you can, take kayaks to Tenaya Lake, or just stop and enjoy playing in the water. I’ve been going to Yosemite almost every year for 40 years. I could go on, and on, and on…..