Don’t miss the very best of Yosemite! Read these Yosemite Travel Tips before you head to the park!
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:
- The 10 Most Spectacular National Parks you NEED to Visit!
Yosemite Travel Tips
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
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
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 DIY bug repellent and adequate sunscreen, as the sun is more intense at the higher elevations, especially along Glacier Point Road. Be sure to watch your speed, we saw park rangers giving speeding tickets!!
If your 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!!
60+ 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!
Yosemite Road Trip Tips
Before you head out on the road, don’t leave home without reading these tips:
20 Road Trip Must Haves
How To Save On Gas {20 Genius Hacks}
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…
25+ Side Hustles Ideas
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. Then… don’t miss the tips I’ve included that will show you how to score FREE National Park Passes for 4th Graders, Veterans and Disabled!
Best Ways To Score Cheap or FREE National Park Passes!
More Budget Yosemite Vacation Tips:
20 Ways To Save Money On Rental Cars
35+ Southwest Airlines Hacks! {What To Know Before You Fly}
25 American Airlines Flight Hacks {Tricks To Know Before You Fly}
23 Delta Airlines Travel Hacks
How to Travel for Free or Cheap {20 Brilliant Budget Hacks}
Yosemite Packing List
–> REI Discounts: Start scoring the best REI Discounts when you use these 10 popular REI money saving tips to help fuel your outdoor adventures!
–> Shop smarter when you use these these clever Cabela’s Sale Hacks {Secrets to Save BIG!}
–> Use these 20 Bass Pro Shop Shopping Hacks to get ready!
–> Take A Paper Map. Cell phone reception can be scarce when you are exploring a national park, so make sure to pack a Paper Yosemite National Park Map!
–> Bug Repellent to keep all those bugs away. Be extra frugal when you try one of these 17 DIY Bug Repellent Tricks. Having some repellent handy is a must when you stop to have a snack on the trail. You really don’t want your food to make you too popular with the flying insect world!
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Now that you’ve scored all of these Yosemite Travel Tips, don’t miss out! Get Even More Fun Travel Tips from The Frugal Girls right here…
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!
Marlene says
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…..