Alert: Dome Fire causing minimal impacts: The Dome Fire is burning in the wilderness northeast of Wawona, resulting in a few trail closures. Smoky conditions are possible.
National Park
Yosemite
Half Dome is one of the most recognizable granitic formations in the world. NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Overview
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.
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. This fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it. Per-person nonresident fees still apply.
Entrance - Motorcycle: 30.00
Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Per-person nonresident fees still apply.
Entrance - Per Person: 20.00
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for people entering on foot, a bicycle, a horse, or a non-commercial bus or van. People 15 years and younger are free.
Entrance - Non-commercial Groups: 300.00
The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free.
Entrance - Education/Academic Groups: 0.00
An educational fee waiver is available for educational and scientific groups that are accredited or tax-exempt for educational purposes planning a trip for educational or scientific purposes related to Yosemite that is not primarily recreational.
Commercial Entrance - Per Person: 20.00
The fee is $20 per person for any resident 16 years or older. For any nonresident the fee is $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days.
Nonresident: 100.00
Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus: 200.00
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.
Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach: 300.00
This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.
Map
Things To Do
Category
6 Results
Visit the Yosemite Exploration Center
Free
Description
The Yosemite Exploration Center features interactive displays and exhibits highlighting Yosemite's many stories and resources. Bring the family and learn more about Yosemite's history, the people who originally called this place home, as well as more about meadows, animals, and sequoias!
The park film, The Spirit of Yosemite, is shown daily on the hour and the half hour in the theater behind the Yosemite Exploration Center. The first showing is at 9:30am, and the last showing is at 4pm.
Kids can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger by taking a self-guided handbook with them as they travel around the park and complete the activities that are the best fit for them. The Yosemite Junior Ranger handbook is available for free at visitor centers. When you are done, share your booklet with a park ranger at any Yosemite visitor center during operating hours to receive your badge.
Yosemite is one of the world's greatest climbing areas. Climbers here can enjoy an endless variety of challenges--from the sustained crack climbs of the Merced River Canyon to pinching crystals on sun-drenched Tuolumne Meadows domes to multi-day aid climbs on the big walls of the Valley. Yosemite is not just a climber's playground, however: its walls and crags are an integral part of a larger ecosystem, protected as Wilderness.
All of the roads in Yosemite National Park are scenic, but the most famous scenic drive is along the Tioga Road, a 46-mile (62 km) drive from Crane Flat to Tioga Pass. The road is typically open from late May or early June through sometime in November.
Yosemite National Park supports more than 400 species of vertebrates including fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. The high diversity of species is the result of diverse habitats in Yosemite that are largely intact. The park’s rich habitats range from thick foothill chaparral to conifer forests to expanses of alpine rock. Animals feel at home in each location.
Granite dome with trace amounts of snow.Upper Yosemite Fall and Merced River in springA mountain reflecting in a lake.A rainbow over a mountain in the distance.Cluster of tall trees with cloudy sky.Two tall waterfalls flowing down snow covered granite walls.A waterfall flowing down a granite cliff.El Capitan on left, Cathedral Rocks on the right, all covered in snow, low clouds and sunGlaciated valley with vertical cliffs.Mountains reflecting in waterMountains surrounding a lake.El Capitan and reflection in Merced River with some low clouds
