- VISITATION:
- Highest in June, July and August; lowest in December, January and February.
- LOCATION:
- Yosemite, CA
- ADDRESS:
- Headquarters: Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
- TELEPHONE:
- (209) 372-0200
- OPERATING HOURS, SEASONS:
- Open 24 hours a day, year-round.
- CLIMATE, RECOMMENDED CLOTHING:
- Weather can change rapidly during all seasons of the year. Elevation plays
a major role in temperature and precipitation. Most of the moisture comes
in the months of January, February and March, and the winter climate is relatively
mild. Sierra summers are typically warm and dry. April and November are transitional
months, when warm, sunny days can suddenly become stormy. Clouds can build
up during the summer to produce spectacular thunderstorm activity.
It is wise to pack for any season with clothing that can be "layered",
ready to peel off or add on as the thermometer dictates. Always include
some kind of rain gear.
- DIRECTIONS:
- There are four entrances to the park: the south entrance on Highway 41 north
from Fresno, the Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced, the Big
Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca and the Tioga
Pass entrance on Highway 120 east from Lee Vining and Highway 395. The Tioga
Pass entrance is closed from the first major snowstorm in November until approximately
early June due to snow. The roads entering the park on its west side are kept
open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow anytime between
November and April.
- TRANSPORTATION:
- To Park: access by state highways 120, 41, and 140. Several airlines serve
Fresno Yosemite International and United Express serves the Merced airport.
Motor coach transportation is available year- round from Merced Amtrak station
and Transportation Center to Yosemite Valley.
In Park: personal vehicle, bicycle, tour bus. Free shuttle bus service in
the eastern end of Yosemite Valley (year-round), between Wawona and the Mariposa
Grove of Giant Sequoias and from Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake (summer only).
- FEES, COSTS, RATES:
- The cost for entry is $20.00 per private, non-commercial
vehicle for a seven-day stay. The individual entry fee, for those arriving
by bus, bicycle, on foot etc is $10. There is an annual Yosemite Park Pass
available for $40.00, good for unlimited visits to Yosemite for one year.
- FACILITIES AND OPPORTUNITIES:
- Visitor Center/Exhibits:
There are four visitor centers in Yosemite National Park. The Valley Visitor
Center, located in Yosemite Valley is the largest and most comprehensive in
terms of displays, books, postcards and maps. The Big Oak Flat Information
Station, Wawona Information Station and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center are
open on a more limited basis.
- Trails, Roads:
- One-hundred and ninety-six miles of paved roads within the park, 840 miles
of trails. Eight-miles of paved bike path in Yosemite Valley.
- Programs/Activities:
- Regularly scheduled ranger-led walks, talks and evening programs. Concessioner-operated
bus tours, guided horseback rides and bicycle rentals.
- Lodging and camping facilities:
- Lodging in the park is operated by the Yosemite
Concession Services Corporation.
Rates range from $33.75 per night for a basic tent cabin with nearby
bathroom,
to over $200 per night for a room at The Ahwahnee. Reservations can be made
up to one year and one day in advance by calling (559) 252-4848 or by
writing
to Central Reservations, 5410 East Home, Fresno, CA 93727.
Campgrounds in
Yosemite are operated by the National Park Service.
Reservations are available by visiting the National
Park Reservation Service.
A variety of hotels, motels and campgrounds are available in the communities
and areas outside of the park.
- Food/supplies:
- Food service and groceries available in the park and in surrounding communities.
-
Other Concessions/NPS-Managed Visitor Facilities and Opportunities:
- The Ansel
Adams Gallery in Yosemite Valley.
- Yosemite
Bookstores located at the Valley Visitor Center, Tuolumne
Meadows Visitor Center, Wawona Information Station, and Big Oak Flat
Information Station operated by the Yosemite Association.
- Accessibility:
- The park's major sites can be viewed by automobile. Some trails and facilities
are wheelchair accessible.
- RECOMMENDED ACTIVITIES/PARK USE:
- Viewing waterfalls and well-known rock features in Yosemite Valley; visit
to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and historic Wawona area; drive or hike
to Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half
Dome and the High Sierra; drive to Tuolumne Meadows along Tioga Road and take
a hike - numerous trailheads available.
- RESERVATIONS/PERMITS:
- Wilderness permits are required for any overnight travel into the park's
back country. The number for Wilderness Permit Reservations is 209-372-0740, the number for
Wilderness Information is 209-372-0745.
Permits are required for commercial filming, weddings and other special activities
through the Special Use Permit Office at (209) 379-1850.
- BASIC VISIT RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Stay for a minimum of four hours to tour Yosemite Valley; will require at
least two days for visit to all sites and areas in the park.
- SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS:
- Activities are available year-round.
- VISITOR IMPACTS:
- To prevent congestion and overcrowding, automobile access may be temporarily
restricted in Yosemite on spring weekends and busy holiday weekends such as
Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. If restrictions are necessary,
they are expected to be in effect from mid-morning to early evening, depending
on available day-use parking space and traffic congestion.
To learn more about bear safety (yours and theirs), see The Bears are not to Blame.
- To learn more about how the NPS is planning for Yosemite's future see Park
Planning/Management Issues.
- ADJACENT VISITOR ATTRACTIONS:
- Contact local chambers of commerce and visitor bureaus.
- Yosemite
Area Traveller Information on line.
- ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
- Write Public Information Office, Yosemite National Park
P.O. Box 577
Yosemite, CA 95389
Phone (209) 372-0265, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 9:00 a.m.
to 5:00 p.m.
