Yosemite Valley Reviews

The views from the valley are breath-taking. There are peaks and falls and trails. If you are lucky enough to visit after there has been snow melt or rain, then you will experience the falls in their glory. Look for climbers on El Capitan, bring binoculars or a camera with a good lens. And wear good walking/hiking shoes!

Only had 1 day in Yosemite Valley. Entered through Tunnel View and rented bikes to travel along the Valley Floor. Rode from the bike stand towards Swinging Bridge over the Merced River along Southside Drive/Valley Loop to the Mirror Lake trail. Parked the bikes and walked to Mirror Lake. Bikes aren’t allowed on the trail. Biked back through Cook Meadow.
Returned the bikes and hiked the Lower Yosemite Falls trail. So much beauty, wish I had more time!

The amazing landscape was the best. Few animals but saw deer and a adolescent black bear ran in front of us on the way to get a drink in the river

Yosemite Valley is a small part of the overall park, but it seems to be the most visited. Small wonder, since the sheer granite cliffs around it are awe-inspiring to see. We arrived in mid-October, for three weekdays, so we didn't have to worry about the new entrance registration system. This timeframe seemed to be the sweet spot, since the summer crowds were gone, and it was yet early enough that there was low risk of encountering road-paralyzing snowfall (but we brought chains, just in case). Granted, in the fall the famous waterfalls were all but non-existent, but that was just part of the trade-off we made.
We found the one-way loop road around the Valley to be fairly efficient. There are plenty of pull-offs and some campgrounds along the way, and it worked just to have one person drive and the other admire the excellent scenery. While there were still many other visitors in the valley, at this time there were always at least a few empty spots in the large central parking lot. On the other hand, services in the valley are relatively sparse. There are some eateries in the village and a general store, and an expensive hotel or two, but that's about it. As far as we could tell, the nearest gas stations were either in El Portal to the west or up the mountainside to the north at Crane Flat.
Yes, Yosemite Valley's world-wide reputation is in some way its own worst enemy, but it can still be enjoyed if one does some careful planning to ensure one is there when most other people are not.

Scenic very beautiful subarea of Yosemite Park. Valley surrounded by mountains. Many hiking opportunities and beautiful photo motifs.

The tunnel view when emerging into the Yosemite Valley is truly awe inspiring. No one did it better than Ansel Adams. It is a must see spot. The valley has to be one of the most beautiful places on earth; however, there are some very serious problems on the valley floor. We had waited until after Labor Day to hopefully find it less crowded. If the second week of September has less people than high summer then the valley floor must seem like a DisneyWorld in the Woods experience. One would think that the two line bus system would be efficient, but we found it confusing, especially when the bus driver announces that he is changing his route to not stop at everyplace listed on his line’s schedule. Signage is poor and we found quite a few other tourist constantly scanning their maps and GPS to try and figure out how the heck they could get from point A to point B. Add the multiple ares under construction and you have quite a mess. There must now be so many visitors that the normal sanitation facilities are strained to the point that several “porta potties” are needed. I do not mind using one, but when the human waste has practically reached the rim of the toilet seat, then there is a serious problem that someone is ignoring.

Been here for a day last August 27, 2020 and NO DOUBT that it’s one of the best national parks in US and it has always been awe inspiring, jaw-dropping, and amazing experience. To make the most out of it, here’s some tips. Right now, it’s on phase 2 of re-opening- so MORE CROWD THAN Its first opening last June

1. Arrive very early. Even after or before hours, the park entrance in Tioga Pass has slip where you will fill up details of your reservation no. Car license plate , etc. Place it in car’s dashboard. Just be honest. Make sure YOU ARE COMING with Reservation.

2. TIOGA PASS is exceptional must pass road to see Tuolumne meadows, Tenaya Lake and Lembert dome, olmstead point etc

3. Do Download the NPS Yosemite app and NPS BIKE APP. Yosemite valley offers 2 hours free bike ride

4. The visitors center is officially closed. You can order outside the center though. Park provided list of items and price for you to order. Wait to be called and pick up your item/souvenir.

The village store and grill is open though as well as ansel adams gallery

5. Due to pandemic, visitors are still limited but the crowd was pretty much sizable on our time of visit. But there’s still ample parking space to popular spots

6. Sadly, there is no water coming from
yosemite falls and bridalveil falls - so minimal..

7. Most importantly, bring an equally appreciative and nature loving buddy with you. It can make or break your trip and you dont wanna ruin your first visit to Yosemite right?

Photos don't serve justice to how wonderful this place is. It's easy to get to, there are plenty of towns nearby to spend the night in case you need cheaper prices, the fee is per vehicle and there're restaurants inside. It's a good idea to take your own food (just don't throw garbage on the park please).

Make sure you have Google Maps downloaded and the maps for this park downloaded for offline use, it works just fine inside the park and can help you get to trails or places you'd like to see.

I've been there during the Winter and it was awesome (though some people say it's not good).

Good place for family but good luck with parking space 🤣
Parking should be locked in front gate and all traffic should operate by free buses.

So many beautiful places all through the valley! Majestic views, gorgeous meadows, the Merced River, Even in October it was rather crowded, but we usually found a place to park to get out and enjoy the scenery and short hikes.

Amazing park. So much to see and do. There are plenty of trails or you can drive around and stop at the view points.

It doesn't matter how many times I visit Yosemite, I will not get over how beautiful the vally is with the huge El Capitan, Half Dome, the river, the falls, etc. It is simple breathtaking. We almost always spot a bear in the valley, as we drive around. This past trip we saw 4 in the valley at different times (and one more on the road to North Dome). This trip, we took a bit of time to walk on some of the trails in the valley itself. Of course, they are simple/easy but also interesting. We passed a butterfly area on one such walk, which we would not have known existed from the car. All in all, I highly recommend Yosemite Valley.

Great time to visit except there was no Firefalls as due to the lack of water in the waterfall. Relatively uncrowded despite all the preparations for the crowds for the not to be seen Firefalls.

Absolutely stunning place. I had heard good things about the views, but words cannot describe the scale of the place. The hikes are long but they are worth every step!

A hundred words are not enough for the fires in the Yosemite mountain. Fire is a natural and essential part of the Yosemite forest environment enhancement. Later, after my visit, I found that The fires were carefully managed and studied. as it was my first trip and it became intriguing to see how the fire policies had changed from the natives to the present day. It was a winter wonderland at the time of my visit but, the burnt stumps looked spectacular in the white snow. I found out that researchers study the interaction of fire, wood with the park’s ecosystems, and suppress fires that are human-caused or threaten people or property. It became a very personal experience for me as I could not hike due to the snowfall. Just placed the camera from the car window and absorbed the beauty.

I went on a Nikon tour - they hit all the interesting places.There is no question why Ansel Adams got such wonderful photos. Stay in the park, a little dear but again well worth the cost. A lot of walking that is well worth the time. got the chance to go (?) don't miss it!

Looking for an adventure and something fun? Discover Yosemite Valley for its beautiful trails and scenery. The famous park is scattered with hikes for everyone of all abilities and skill levels.

Yosemite is a must see from sweet meadows to amazing granite cliffs to fabulous water falls to green lush Forrest to picturesque lakes. Would definitely need at least a couple of days to see the most well known attractions. The village has lots to see and a museum and Indian village a brilliant visitor centre and the guides and rangers are extremely friendly and knowledgable.

Simply breathtaking. We drove through Yosemite while travelling from Vegas to San Francisco and it was probably my most favourite part of the two week California/Nevada road trip. Words do not exist that can describe its beauty! Just go!

We visited Yosemite on our recent trip to California. Yosemite Valley is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. The Merced River runs through green meadows and woods and is surrounded by some of the most spectacular granite peaks. It really is a magnificent experience and the view of the valley view from the Tunnel View lookout is spectacular.
It is a long drive (almost 2 hours) into Yosemite Valley from the entrance of the park on the Oakhurst, California side. The drive is composed of many miles of winding mountain roads. Also Yosemite Valley can get very crowded. It is best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds and to find parking. I highly recommend getting out of your vehicle and hiking or biking. This allows you to experience the place a little better and to get away from the mass of people at the major sights in the park.
It is a beautiful place and I recommend a visit, but it is a little work to visit.

We went on our own from Fresno to Yosemite. Arrived at the area around 10am and had to wait in line just to enter the park for 50 minutes. Inside the park it is very difficult to find a parking space. The park is very big and offers a free shuttle to go around it, which is useful. You need more than 1 day to visit all the points of interest. Distances are long and slow once you are im the park. From the entrance to Yosemite valley it takes 1 hour. Id I go again I will definitely plan to stay in the valley for 3 days and sleep in one of their lodges. Nature is awesome, even if crowded you can enjoy yourself a lot. Finally they are doing road improvements that slow down everything, it took 40 minutes complete stop to be able to leave park. Note that it takes 2 hours to get to the park entry from Fresno.

We've read that, in the summer, every day at Yosemite is like Black Friday at WalMart. Late October was delightfully underpopulated. The scenery is glorious. The lone drawback is most of the falls are dry. On a scale of one to ten of complaints, it doesn't even make the needle move.

This is one of the most beautiful and scenic places I have ever seen or been. Outstanding natural beauty. Definitely go see this place.

Yosemite Valley is one of the most incredible, amazing and photographic spots in the US and maybe the world. From Tunnel View to Valley View and Mirror Lake to meadows below El Capitan, it has the best scenery you will ever find. This is my favorite National Park and the magical sights here are part of it. The sheer rock walls of El Capitan and Half Dome mix with incredible waterfalls like Yosemite Falls and Bridal Veil Falls make this a MUST SEE American natural treasure. I could go on and on but the words would not do it justice. You need to see it, it is that incredible. See the pictures

We visited whilst on tour with Scenic coach tour of California & Grand National parks of the West. This was apart of our trip. We absorbed the fresh air and the stunning views all around us as a park ranger on our Yosemite Valley Open Air Tram tour Interpreted the history, geology, plant and animal life in the region. We viewed the park’s natural highlights, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View and Yosemite and Bridalveil Falls.

On the Valley Floor Tour you get plenty of time to get off the bus and take some photos and get some information from the bus driver, in our case a very informative guy.

There are plenty of places to eat/rest up. You may see some rock climbers if you are lucky.

Many people say that this is the best US National Park. The scenery certainly deserves that accolade. Five star beauty.
However, the park is so poorly managed that it spoils the overall experience. A one star disaster.
It must be greed that allows the number of visitors to far exceed the ability of the infrastructure to handle them.
I appreciate that to accommodate all those who wish to visit this wonderful place then more car parking, viewing points and visitor amenities would need to be built. I personally feel that it would be possible to, at least, partly do this without overwhelming the environment. But if this is not possible, then visitor numbers need to be controlled in some way.
Currently, the car parks fill up quickly, there aren't enough shuttle buses, viewing points are overcrowded, restrooms are unsanitary (especially at Glacier Point) and general signage could be improved. It shouldn't be like this, the beauty of this place deserves to be appreciated properly. Come on NPS do something about the terrible situation in this park now!

Yosemite National Park is amazing! This was our first trip there. My advice is, if you are going, ARRIVE EARLY EARLY EARLY to find a parking spot in case you are staying outside Yosemite National park. Parking spots go in a flash. We arrived in the mornings by 7-7:30 a.m. and found a spot close to the visitor center. The falls are amazing in late spring....we were there in June and the flow of all the falls was incredible. Bring water to drink along the way and make use of the shuttle system.

Amazing and gorgeous place! So impressive to drive in and see this valley. We drove in to hike 4 mile trail and was too late for decent parking but we still found something. The valley was way too busy with people and I know it was not nearly as bad as the summer months but we definitely did not like that. We didn’t linger much after hike unfortunately due to the people. Was a little confusing getting around and we never did get food anywhere. All that said it was still worth every minute! And glacier point was worth that hike.!

Beautiful park! Overwhelming nature. Start your day early otherwise it’s getting crowded, specially in the valley. After Yellowstone the most beautiful park for me.

The drive through the mountains to get there is precarious, and nerve wracking. Once in the valley the major sights are truly awesome. In September after a very dry summer, several of the waterfalls were dry, with Bridal falls still active. The tram is a good way to get an overview but it requires a good map and some planning in choosing your desired destinations. Overall the free map and the street signs need improving. Plan time-of visit to avoid massive crowds.

Yosemite is amazing. I didn’t realize we would have time to stop here but we were able to drive through the valley and see the sunrise over Half Dome and the first rays on El Capitan. I’ll probably never get back there to see sunrise again - if you have the chance you must do this.

This place has everything. Waterfalls, pristine glacier carved granite monsters, abundant wildlife, great hiking trails and meadows, ride a bike, swim in the river.

Must visit at least once for everyone. You will never forget it..

This is a really special national park. on this trip across America we passed a total of 12 national parks and Yosemite is really at the top. enchanting nature, beautiful views, we really enjoyed it

When whites moved here they thought what a great place to farm and ranch. They also drained the wetlands and built a town. The Park Service is in the midst of removing all of that so it looks a bit more natural.

WE loved our first visit in September 2022 to Yosemite Valley. We stated at the awesome Rush Creek lodge and spa - a true resort - just west of the village on the edge of the park. Loved driving in and around the valley and hiking at so many quality sites.

Can anyone give this less than a 5? I guess if they're reviewing service, or the traffic signs (which I admit are bad), or people in general, they may give less than a 5. Regardless, for nature-lovers and others, this is a MUST SEE at least once in your lifetime. Really. It's that spectacular! There are trails for every fitness level, and eye candy everywhere you look. Don't miss the Ranger talks. Also, the Theater has wonderful programs. So much to do! Plan ahead, bicycle, hike, float down a river, tour (or stay! $$$$$) at the Majestic Yosemite...always to be known as the Ahwahnee Hotel. If you're driving in for the day, get there before 9 or risk not getting a parking space. Enjoy this beautiful, magnificent display of nature. This place is magical. And remember: SPEEDING KILLS BEARS!

California really has it all. This was a definite highlight for us. There's so much awesomeness here on a massive scale. What's not to love?

We were able to reserve a spot when Yosemite reopened to the public two weeks ago and spent the day in the Valley and man what an amazing place. We spent time
Hiking through one the meadows, hiked the lower Yosemite falls hike and had a picnic. We
Were also spotted a bear at around 6 pm right in front of El Capitan. It was beautiful and not too crowded due to lower park capacity. Can’t wait to go back again.

Yosemite Valley was the highlight of our recent five week United States adventure. Everything about the park is spectacular, the views of the valley, the wild life (we were lucky to see a couple of bears), sunset at Glacier Point and the giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove. Staff are super friendly and helpfully. We can’t wait to go back.

Nature's wonder, Yosemite Valley is a must visit for beautiful falls, scenic hikes, amazing meadows and of course hotels like the Ahwahnee Lodge, Yosemite Valley Lodge.

Best time to visit is pretty much any time except for peak winter when some of the roads inside the park may be closed.

Take the drive, stop often. You will have unique views of spectacular sights all over this area. It will be busy, but worth it.

As beautiful as ever. Glad they are restoring areas and limiting public uae in some areas. Easy to navigate and get around with the shuttle or drive...limited parking in many areas.

We came ard 2 days before the storm came
In . It was calm and majestic. But the fall and river had drying up but nevertheless we still managed to captured breathe taking picture from there. This is a paradise for nature lover and photographer . It was too big to be explore in just a day but we couldn’t stand the cold temperatures so we only make it a day trip .

Really annoying that it is the same way in and same way out. Scenery is not breathtaking. Very high entry fee into this tourist trap.

The park is beautiful, very local for stops and photos.
We went in July 2025 , we scheduled over the internet at the entrance even having annual pass of the national parks .
We stayed about 40 minutes in the car queue to get in.
We took a half-day tour from the city of Tulare CA.
It was very worth it

Well, Yosemite is a REALLY amazing place that is clearly not limited to the valley. The problem is that for most of tourists Yosemite equals Yosemite Valley. Therefore, it's absolutely overcrowded there and a real challenge to park your car (which makes you lose a precious time). A hint : go in the park very early and do not hesitate to leave your car at the entrance of the valley to take the free shuttle.

Anyway this mass-tourism-atmosphere and the people strolling everywhere ruin the more than decent views of the valley, the calm of the meadows, and of course drive away the wildlife.

So to sum it up, rush Tunnel View (iconic view), Valley view, and flee to the hiking trails, to Glacial Point, to Tuolumne Meadow ...

One last thing : if you go at the end of the summer, you might be disappointed as the waterfalls are really thin.

We had one day walking around. Not a lot of water in the streams but the waterfall into Lower Falls was flowing. Took a walk up to the pool at the bottom of the waterfall. It’s a tough walk over the rocks but well worth it.

Awesome place a must see when in this area. We stayed in Mariposa about one hour away and spent 3 days exploring the park. It did not disappoint.

You must go early. You will catch the sun rising and hitting the scenes at the right spot. The park quickly fills up around 0900.

I made two day trips before reservations were required (starts May 21, 2021).
1. If you want an epic "challenge" hike, consider Vernal and Nevada Falls on the Merced River. It's demanding (lots of stairs), includes the "Mist" trail where you'll be cooled off, and offers incredible views of a glacial stair-step valley.

2. For an easier hike, park at Yosemite Village and hike to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. Then take the trail east, passing the [former Ahwahnee] Hotel. (Do stop and have a look at the great room with its Native American crafts.) Continue east under Royal Arches to Mirror Lake (Tenaya Creek). It's a peaceful hike. I had lunch by the creek. You'll be directly under Half Dome, towering above you.

3. Glacier Point is open! If you are only visiting once, take the drive (16 miles off of Hwy 41 road. The views of the Valley below, the back country, and Half Dome are mind-blowing.

Yes, the one-way traffic flow requires extra driving. The delays include the west valley exits (especially for Fresno south), as well as tree clearance south of Wawona.

Visited YNP on Thursday, 2/4/2021 the day before the park was reopening for guests at Yosemite Lodge and the Ahwahnee Hotel for a day trip.
Arrived at 8am and had the Lower Yosemite Falls bridge to ourselves for the whole 30 minutes we stayed to take photos of the smallish waterfall but plenty enough to make nice pictures of mist and splash.
Skies blue and sunny, temps 35-50's.
140 entrance was dry and clear of debris, what a pleasure to drive free of traffic both oncoming and behind.
The Mist trail was not cleared of snow which was knee deep.
The snow was powdery and dry...easy to brush off.
The Happy Isles restroom opened.

Bring your microspikes if you want to hike all the way to Mirror Lake but if you have none then you can easily make it to the Lower Pond...beware of black ice...very slippery. There is a restroom open there.
The outdoors ranger station for information was open at Yosemite Village, just follow the signs of the ranger hat.
Maybe saw a total of 30 people for our 7 hours in the park if you exclude rangers, YNP staff and the hardworking construction crews working the chainsaws to make excellent snow banks on the roads and sidewalks.
Bulldozers working on fallen trees and plowing the abundant snow.
100%compliance mask wearing.
People were friendly waving hello... socially distancing....

Try to make it before summer, late spring is an excellent time to view the falls in full force and less crowded.

Beautiful vally with different highlights. Easy to reach by shuttle bus once you have found a parking space and that is difficult on weekends. The hop on and of bus comes every 16 minutes and works fine. Highly recommended.

This is definitely worth the long trip to get here. The scenery is stunning; so much to see. We found getting a parking spot an issue at the village, but we eventually came across a space (we went on a busy Saturday). We visited the Valley Visitor Centre, saw Yosemite movie in the attached theatre, then went on short walk to Lower Yosemite Falls. All on a wonderful autumn/fall day.

Brilliant and majestic place where the mountains, waterfalls and valleys are all displayed in their natural grandeur. Worth a definite visit in this part of the world. We were even lucky to spot a bear in the wild that wandered close.

We had Best Bay Tours bring us here! The views are absolutely stunning!
We saw wildlife on one of the trails we hiked.
Could definitely spend more then 1 day at this park!

In September 2019, the two of us stayed for three days and nights in Yosemite Valley at Camp Curry. During our stay we managed to walk a few trails and take in some of the breathtaking scenery.

Day 1 - Arrival
First day we arrived and after dropping our gear at Camp Curry, took in some of the local trails around the shuttle bus lop on the valley floor to get our bearings. There are plenty of maps and directions within the park, however seeing it first hand helps massively.

Day 2 - 4 mile hike - Glacier Point - Panorama Trail - Mist Trail
We woke early to get the first shuttle bus (which was around 0645 am) from Curry Village to the closest stop for the start of the 4 mile hike. The bus stop was approximately a 15 minutes walk to the start of the 4 mile hike trail. It was just as the sun was rising over the valley floor so the first couple of hours were quite cold. We hiked up the trail to Glacier Point and arrived around lunch time and were able to take in the stunning views from the top. At Glacier Point there was a shop for refreshments and restrooms which were already quite busy at the time due to the tour buses which were turning up at Glacier Point.

We then hiked down the Panorama Trail which took us into the valley past a number of waterfalls including Illilouhette Falls, Nevada Falls and eventually to Vernal Falls. The panorama trail then allowed you to branch off into the Mist trail which could be quite steep, however as we were coming FROM Glacier Point, we were all downhill. We felt bad for the people coming uphill at this point. During the trails were managed to see some great viewpoints and by taking our time we probably were walking from approximately 7am to 530pm before we reached the valley floor back to Camp Curry. We were in no rush, so this included stopping for pictures, having lunch and stopping for snacks.

Day 3 - Sentinel Dome - Tunnel View - Valley Floor
This was our rest day after the hike the day before. We woke early and drove to Sentinel Dome just as the sun was rising to get some excellent panoramic shots of the valley. From here we drove back down to Tunnel View and got some pictures just as it was getting busy. After lunch, we ditched our car back at Camp Curry and we made use of the free shuttle bus system and jumped on and off to visit the other camps and areas in the Valley Floor. This included the museum, shops and other parts of the Merced River which cuts nicely through the valley. We then returned to Camp Curry and chilled with some pizza while the sun went down.

Day 4 - Leaving the Valley via Tioga Pass
Due to the time of year, the Tioga pass was open so we left Yosemite Valley via the northern Road going through Tioga Pass. There were plenty of places to stop and take pictures and see the Valley from a different perspective.

Overall, the experience of Yosemite Valley is magical, we were luck enough to be able to afford to stay within the Valley Floor at Camp Curry. In hindsight, this saved us a lot of time and effort, I believe that if we had stayed outwith the Valley and had to drive in each day and spent the time going through the checkpoints and dealing with the high volumes of traffic, we would never have had the perfect experience that we did.

This time we went to Yosemite Valley in the spring to see the waterfalls and I highly recommend it! If you are going to go, go when the waterfalls are flowing!

Yosemite Valley is the famous part of Yosemite National Park and the area with the most tourist infrastructure. This is where you can see the valley view, the major rock formations and the waterfalls...when there is water. And it's the seasonality of Yosemite that's the challenge. It's tough to visit in the winter - November through April - because of heavy snow. In the summer months, it gets so crowded that they limit visitor access and there are traffic jams. I visited in late October and there were mostly sparse crowds and no traffic. But Yosemite Falls was a trickle down the cliff, Vernal and Nevada Falls were reduced in intensity and Mirror Lake did not have a drop of water in it. I'd probably aim for spring before peak tourist season or fall right after the tourist season. And make sure to stay late at least one night for the terrific stargazing - I could see the Milky Way with a naked eye.

Wonder by any measure.

Hundreds of hikes to do for all levels
The fauna the exceptional flora. A unique setting.

If you go there only for one day frustration will be there. Like us...

We can swim in various places.

Place very frequent even too much at the level of Yosemite village. You can see the same on other points of view much less frequent just get organized before.

Plan a picnic,
Don’t be afraid to go a lot of miles because each place is amazing.
The Tioga Road is open only in summer, watch out for the immense detour if you want to go from the coast of death valley after in winter.

In short, to make absolutely well organized to be alone in the world avoids the village far too many people.

I mean, duh - it’s awesome.

Stunning natural beauty.

Perhaps the names of places and features should now include the names the original indigenous peoples used, instead of just the uninspired english names like “Half Dome” or “Cook’s Meadow”.

Just returned from a mini-vacation at Yosemite. Although we stayed right outside the park we went in each day. The weather was spectacular. The best part of the visit was that there were no crowds like in the summer. I been there dozens of times and this was probably one of my best visits.

Such as stunner to walk the meadows , visit the waterfalls, take in the vistas. The valley floor is full of animals and trails and river and granite faces . Lights on the rocks , stars at night, crisp and clear ..gorgeous

My favourite part of a 2.5 week California trip. Its simply gorgeous.

We did not get the regular August experience. Storm Hilary meant that temperatures were cooler, it was sometimes misty and cloudy, the falls were all in good flow etc and I think some folks might have stayed away due to the weather warnings (but it really wasn't that bad, just rained overnight).

At Sunday 3.30pm we experienced a 10 minute wait at the entrance gate on the 140, but after that it was plain sailing. Parking was available at our various stops and the Yosemite Valley Lodge, we didn't have to wait for meals at Yosemite Valley Lodge and we got on the first shuttle that came. Not the summer horror stories I'd read about.

We checked out Tunnel View and Cathedral Beach on the way into the lodge. My big walking day was Taft Point and then Glacier Point back to the lodge via the Panorama Trail, Nevada Falls etc (superb). I took a quick sunrise walk up to Columbia Rock for excellent views over the misty valley below. With the kids we wandered Cooks Meadow, Sentinel Bridge beach, Swinging Bridge, Lower Yosemite Falls, Jr Ranger Walk and the unmarked beach with a view to Sentinel Rock by the Hemlock building at Yosemite Valley Lodge - all easy and short.

On the way out we checked out El Capitan Meadow and Valley View.

I wish we'd booked for longer (talking of which, you need to book months in advance if you want to stay in the valley, which I would recommend for easy access to the walks and sights).

What an incredibly beautiful place to visit. Every direction you turn is a new postcard view. Hiking the numerous trails is a spectacular adventure, and makes you want to get into better shape.
Photographs don't do justice to the real thing.

We were here on a day trip from SFO. After tunnel view, we were left at the central valley by our tour operator and had moved around the valley for few hours. It was a nice walk around. We walked through the valley, viewing trees & mountains and surroundings. There are buses always running from the visitor center to different places of tourist interests.

Family of 4 teens (18, 16, 15 & 15yrs) and a 10yr old and we ALL pushed our individual athletic limits from free climbing, simple hiking, and riverside fishing. Beautiful and perfect for everyone of all ages and interests. Loved this natural getaway

This is a beautiful national park with excellent accessibility for all. Yes, there are a number of mountain trails that anyone with mobility problems most certainly wouldn't be able to tackle. However, a lot of thought and effort has gone into making the valley as accessible as possible, without destroying large areas of the natural environment. It is an absolute must see. I visited in May during the unexpected snow storm and it was breathtaking. The waterfalls were roaring, and when the sun burned through the cloud it was incredibly picturesque. The campsites were full, but as the park is vast it didn't feel overcrowded. Parking in the valley can be difficult so it's worth arriving early doors if you want to park near the start of a trail. I note that there are frequent shuttle bus services through the park though.

Yosemite valley has more trails to explore and impressive sights to see. I went in October so the Vernal Falls were almost non-existent. I took a trail to see both Vernal and Nevada falls. I crossed the Vernal Falls footbridge and the rest of the hike was rather steep and over boulders. Glacier Point is worthy of a visit. I wanted to take the Bridalveil Falls trail but it was closed. The tunnel view outlook was a short and nice stop for photos. Although this is a popular place in the park, I think it has some of the better trails. But they are not all easy. Do your research.

My wife and I stayed at Yosemite Valley Lodge, drove to see a lot of the vistas, saw an Elk, numerous raccoons and small animals. No bears 😒.
We had a blast. Some of the driving was challenging due to the hairpin turns. Be prepared!

Absolutely breathtaking! Had so much fun with the family. Did some climbing with the mountaineering school in Yosemite. This is a must do for everyone!

We visited here while in Yosemite National Park. The views are beautiful. My only complaint is traffic. We went on a Saturday in mid May and majority of the parking lots were full. I imagine it's much busier in summer.

I can't believe I am rating my favorite place on earth an "Average." I've had awesome stays and hikes here in the 70's and 90's. We returned to find that the trees in the valley had grown so tall and thick that the views of the cliffs and falls were largely obscured! From Curry Village, I could hardly see Glacier Point through the trees. Unbelievable! Times were when you could get breathtaking 360 degree views from countless areas on the valley floor. No more! I hoped the trails would be different. Snow Creek Falls Trail: I had to climb an almost 1,000 foot elevation gain to get above the trees. Upper Yosemite Falls Trail: It used to be that the view from the base of the upper falls looking up was indescribable. Now, I couldn't find one place where trees from below the trail, trees hovering down from above the trail, or a combination of both didn't block some significant portion of the falls. Sigh.

This is our third visit to the park and it still is truely our favourite, but only just in front of Yellowstone, Bryce and Zion.

Firstly, yes it is very busy but there is a reason for that - it’s one of the most popular parks in the world and for good reason. I’ll just tell you that we planned (actually my wife did) this well: 1st visit September during the week, stayed at Big trees lodge (now Wawona) and drove into park early: no problem, 2nd visit June during the week (amazing amount of water from melting snow), again no problem with park entry if you leave hotel at a reasonable time). 3rd visit September Friday and Saturday: stayed 1st night in park’s lodge and 2nd night Wawona, again no problem but that’s because we got up and parked at a reasonable time on the Saturday, you can’t arrive at 9:30am and think there will be no traffic.
We drove in via Tioga pass from Lee Vining which everyone should experience as it’s almost as beautiful as the area inside the village.
The whole park is beautiful at every turn, most parks have sections that are WOW and then sections that are really nice, Yosemite is WOW pretty much everywhere.

We stayed at Wawona (3rd visit), seriously, sitting on the veranda drinking a beer, eating nice food staring at a deer walking across the lawn, it doesn’t get much better. It’s basic, but that’s what you expect a hotel built in the 1870s to be like, I think someone complained there wasn’t a lift to the 2nd floor (there’s only 2 floors) - really!

I think if you really want to enjoy this magnificent place; go at a reasonable time of year, bring food (village food area is very very hard to get parking), go early in the morning (not daybreak, just early), try the Tioga Pass drive at some stage as well, it’s beautiful, especially when water is really flowing. Park inside one of the allotted areas and get the free shuttle that runs around the park.

Enjoyed my stay at Yosemite. Lot of waterfalls and hiking trails. Started at Devils postpile then to Yosemite. After Yosemite to kings canyon and Sequoia.

The views from this location are just magnificent. The weather was great full of sun bouncing off of the rocks. A true sight to behold.

You can see everything (almost) from the valley - looking up of course. Cafe opens at 11am, but large gift shop/snack shop open earlier. Lots of parking at visitors centers. Phone signals go out for most of the drive in Yosemite. We printed out our directions from sight to sight, and boy are we glad we did. Lots of restrooms, but several are closed! Beware!

Yosemite doesn't have a bad view. Everywhere we went was incredible. We especially loved the various views of El Capitán from the valley floor. You do need reservations to enter the park and although we didn't have a delay entering through the west gate we saw a long line to get in as we were exiting through the south gate. Some parts of the park were kind of crowded but the farther you get from the popular spots, the fewer people there were. And no spot in Yosemite is bad!

It's hard to put into words how stunning this place is.
We spent 2 full days in the park and that's just nowhere near enough, we will be going back next year and spending a week there.
Wherever you stand in the valley the scenery will blow you away, it's honestly like you've stepped into another world and it's the type of views you only see on the TV.

Yosemite Valley is beautiful any time of the Year, but our fourth trip to Yosemite was our first in the winter – and the valley did not disappoint. All of the landmarks were beautiful when viewed with light snow and rising steam created by a bright blue sky and full early morning sun. Over Christmas, the roads to Glacier Point and Toulomne Meadows were closed as usual in the winter. But crowds are smaller, the main valley roads are open and the valley is magical in full sunlight.

FYI, chains may not be necessary to reach the park, but it is required that you have them with you. We bought chains at WalMart, did not use them and returned them to WalMart on our return.

I was very fortunate to be able to visit Yosemite Valley with my family. We have visited many times in the past and it never disappoints! If you haven’t been you need to. It is absolutely the most beautiful place I have ever been. It is breathtaking! There are many wonderful hikes for all skill levels but you can see a lot of it right from your car ! There are so many amazing things to see; Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls , Yosemite Falls, El Capitan , the meadows, Mirror Lake, and the wildlife just to name a few ! There is no other place in the world like it ! I cannot believe that I waited so long to see it . So many wasted years ! Don’t make the same mistake! At least drive through. The view from Tunnel View as you drive in from highway 41 will hook you for life ! It can be hard to get reservations either for camping or staying at one of the three hotels/camps especially in this pandemic but it is worth every effort! It is a place of wonderful beauty and is filled with history.

so many outstanding sites from the mountains to the plus valleys. The park's buses are very convenient - run every 20 minutes - and take one to about 15-plus important places.

A place everyone should go - big sky, clean air, a true escape to nature. Spent 2 days but next time I'd go for a week to have time to hike everywhere and just soak it all in.

Yosemite is a must for nature lovers and photographers! We had our pup with us so we couldn't take the trails, but there are plenty of spots to park/pull over for picture spots, and plenty of signs describing the views/history behind the park. The roads are a little sketchy if you're not used to driving in the mountains/super close to cliffs, but it is worth the drive up!

Just gorgeous what can I say. I’m so glad we visited in winter but I am sure the summer is as enjoyable. Can’t wait to go agsin

As other reviews have indicated, the park is probably one of the most visited and busiest of all the national parks. If you can avoid coming on a weekend, you might be able to find a place to park. Get to the gate before 9am as that is when it starts to get busy and lines into the park will be long. We entered through the hwy 140 Mariposa gate in the beginning of October and it is a much easier drive than coming in through the hwy 41 entry gate but was still backed up on the Saturday we arrived and took 45 minutes thru the gate on our way over Tioga Pass to Mammoth Lake. On our way back home we entered from the Tioga pass entry point on a Monday and had no wait at 9am. There was very little traffic in the park and we were able to stop at all the popular areas for a few pictures. We did not hit any traffic till we got to the valley floor. Even with that traffic, we were able to park and take pictures all along the way. When we return, it will be during the week.

Wow great park, updated food. Hikes are easy or hard as you like. Really fun. Came for firewall and was not disappointed. Went all over the park. Still snow on the ground but all was plowed and clean.

Traveling on vacation, just had to go to Yosemite. the water falls were slow/trickling but running. This is August, Told the best time for the fall's is April/May. The view were Outstanding, Had a nice panic at the base of El Capitan, on the Merced River it was very nice for social distancing. Reservations are required right now and there is a cost. With the National Parks Senior pass it was free. There are several spots to swim in the Merced River. It was a good day.

We went to Yosemite Valley Lodge and rented bicycles. They have nice trails, very scenic for a bike ride. Along the way we saw a bear and it crossed the road ride in front of us!

My friend and I, who both live within an hour of the park, decided on a day hike. Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. Because it was a bit cold, it kept a lot of tourists at bay. But fortunate for us we had the park almost to ourselves!

Aramark provides too few busses around the Valley, causing large wait times. The park itself has cut off lots of parking unnecessarily for construction. Upper and Lower Rivers look a mess and should be opened for parking, if not camping. No reason to close those campgrounds and make them look such a mess. If you cannot get in and parked before 8:00 A.M. you have lost your chance. Stores are closed. It is NOT the Yosemite I remember at all.

This gorgeous area, in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Mountain Range, was the third to get its status as a National Park on October 1, 1890, and is still wowing every visitor today, even after 250 years. The Park’s diverse landscape supports more than 400 species of wildlife. It is known around the world for its towering granite cliffs, its deep Valleys, the ancient giant Sequoias (that can grow up to 300 feet in height with trunks 27 feet across), Ponderosa Pines, massive Oaks, and its Waterfalls. It also helps that photographer Ansel Adams made it even more famous by his amazing, fiery sunset photos of two of its formations – El Capitan and Half Dome.

It was one of the most incredible Parks that we have ever visited. Our jaws dropped as soon as we exited the Tunnel from Route 41, and got our first glimpse of the classic panorama of the Yosemite Valley, and the iconic sites of the Half Dome and the Bridal Veil Falls. We parked at the Village, and took the Shuttle to all the most-visited fabulously scenic spots, and were fortunate to capture some fantastic photos. The breathtaking views must be experience firsthand, because no photos or words do it any justice. At the end, we hiked up to Mirror Lake to take a mini-break before heading back home. It is no wonder that John Muir described this Park as “the brightest and the best of all the Lord has built”.

We felt fortunate to have stepped foot in this National Park, and were also happy to add a Sticker and a Stamp to our Parks Passport.

Absolutely, a “Must Visit” destination in everyone’s lifetime. It is like visiting Heaven on our Earth.

This is very unfortunate for the star of national parks worldwide. Unimaginable destruction due to forest fires, construction causing huge traffic jams. Shuttles not running, much frustration before getting to amazing natural points of beauty. The waterfalls, the hiking, the stream are all amazing, but the destruction of huge swaths of forest, the toppled redwoods. I don't know if there is a better way to manage and overhaul this park, that's not my job, but the current method is not it! Once in a lifetime trip, I am glad it's over! Next week reservation will be REQUIRED to enter park!!! Can't even imagine how that will work, don't want to find out.

One of the most spectacular parks in the US. We really enjoyed it there.
Very easy to hike, suitable for all levels and ages.
We took the shuttle that passes through all the major points. The shuttle is free! It is advisable to park your car near the Lodge Hotel and move inside the valley with the shuttle or by bike.
The routes are very beautiful and some in the summer also include water access, vantage points, picnic areas, mountain climbing, wildlife viewing and more ...
Near Hotel Lodg there is Starbucks cafe.
Inside the valley there are good restaurants.
There are cheap camping sites in the valley. It is advisable to book places in advance.
It is recommended to spend two to three days in the valley and other places in the park

Beautiful park!

Many views and hikes.

Allow 2-3 days to see the most popular places in the park.

The trip to the park can be done by shuttle (free), but it is more convenient by car.
Once in the park, day hikes are possible, otherwise, given the expanse of the park, the "road trip" formula is convenient to access and see all viewpoints!

Be careful, once in the park, it is about 1 hour drive to reach the center of the park with the most beautiful views.

The "America the beautiful" pass is very convenient. It provides access to parks (Yosemite, Grand Teton, Sequoia, Kings Canyon, etc.) at all times. The pass is per vehicle. Otherwise, admission is about $35 per vehicle.

NOTE: Reservation is required to access Yosemite ($2 on the government website) and Reservation for weekends starting in mid-August.

To visit the upper part of the park (North), staying on site and hiking is ideal, otherwise some areas are not accessible by car.

I recommend staying at Curry Village. There are campsites (tent), cabins for rent (cooker, bed, toilet) and huttopia style tents (bed only) for rent. The site has public toilets and showers and there is a very small store for food and other practical stuff.

To see the less crowded corners, to have access to several hiking options and to make the most of the grandeur and scenery that the park can offer. I recommend the camping formula to have more freedom and reduce travel times.

The "All trails" app is very convenient for planning hiking days, otherwise site maps are always accessible at the park entrance.

There are some stunning views here but all the people and cars spoil it. The trails are quite rightly accessible to all people but if you stay low then all the trails are busy and the car parks full unless you get there early. Much better to get up high. Views are stunning and the walk up to Mirror Lake is nice but as expected the lake is very dry around September. Food and drink expensive.

Yosemite is much more beautiful than pictures can show. travelled with my wife and two children.

Yosemite has something for everyone. The less abled can see stunning views of most of the main attractions literally from the roadside. There are also trails from simple to the Lower Yosemite falls to much longer day hikes and further. We drove in from Sonora which worked really well. My boys like doing an hour or two so we took the Mist trail as far as we could until we reached snow blocking the path.

The park is a must see for anyone who spending time in Northern California.

During these trying times of the pandemic of which, there is light @ the end of the tunnel we got out of our home to take a road trip.

We decided to take a trip to Yosemite National Park on 2 March 2021, after  restrictions were lifted on vehicle traffic. 

To be able to travel within the park with minimal traffic is wonderful. To be able to stop and take "post card" pictures of the surrounding beauty is an understatement.

I've posted pictures of the surrounding beauty to include the famous Ahwahnee Hotel, Half Dome, El Capitan, upper falls, etc.  It was a beautiful day.

Having a private guide for two days was really the way to go. We saw so much that we would never have known about our organize start time well see so much of Yosemite. It was amazing in every way

Yosemity is always beautiful year round. There are a lot of burned areas do to the last big fire. The road was in good condition, and was a nice slow drive in. You need to go early to avoid the big crowds in the afternoon. Was not much snow there this year, but still as always Beatiful. The Hotel is closed during winter. The little store a short distance from the Hwy 41 enterace was open, and everything open in Yosemity Valley. There are a few good view spots on the way in and Yosemie Valley, But there were more going out. Just take it slow and for all the sites and animals.

All around is natural beauty. You can see half dome and elcapitan. You can also see the falls from here.

You can't go wrong with Yosemite. It's so beautiful and lots to see. Stop and hike and get outdoors. It rained for a little bit on our first day but it blew through. Don't let rain stop you.

We made our first winter visit to Yosemite - and there are two caveats. One, check with recent reviews and the rangers to see if a trail you are interested in is open or passable outside the summer season. Even =-asking a ranger is sufficient, because I tried two hikes after being told they were open, but both proved to be impossible with Tracs or assisted devices. Two, take the warnings about tire chains with a huge grain of salt. I specifically requested a 4WD rental (more expensive) and bought chains - only to discover when spending a day at Badger Pass that the signs meaning nothing because there is no enforcement. The vast majority of vehicles in the Badger lot were standard sedans without chains and definitely not 4WD or even snow tires. I don't know how this is enforced, other than to say it wasn't when we visited. The road did have some packed snow/ice, but nothing to be concerned about. So, whether you believe the postings or not is up to you.

Was very very excited to catch the seasonal phenomenon that is the Yosemite Firefall. Beautiful!! I love coming out to Yosemite and was actually really glad that the park had decided to limit the number of guests in the park by way of reservation. Always love visiting this national park. Beautiful views.

There's nothing I can say that hasn't already been said by others. The views are incredible and leave you speechless. Lots of people around which can impede the views, but eh, what can ya do.

I think living here is pretty dope, its a cool place and community and since we aren't tourists we actually know that, yes it is crowded because its a cool place, no you cannot come here at 10 AM because the line will be too long, and yes the food sucks but bring your own instead of complaining. Just do the trip right instead of complaining when you aren't sent to the park in a private limo and escorted to every beautiful view. It is an amazing place, please visit and do it right.

Never been awe struck by a place.
This did it for me.
There are no words to describe it. When you come through Tunnel view and meet the view on the other side....... literally stunning.
I was quite emotional, I have been to many places and seen many things, but this place honestly is the most amazing thing I have ever seen.

Huge park! Lots of twists & turns on the roads and a long time between attractions, but well worth it! Only able to do a few short hikes. October was a good month to go due to not as many people!

So pretty with a layer of snow! Loved the views and the fresh air. We had a nice time and the weather was chilly-perfect!

Took the drive from the Lee Vining entrance to the valley. A spectacular day of views and trails to enjoy. Start early and give yourself a whole day to stop and enjoy all Yosemite has to offer

I've wanted to visit Yosemite for many years and when the opportunity to be in northern California presented itself, I knew that I wanted to visit, even if I would only have one day to see it. I did my research and decided on the most important things to see. We got a very early start and entered the park at the Big Oak Flat Entrance. We stopped at the Merced Grove to see the giant sequoia trees but it was a 3 mile hike, great going down, not so much coming back up! It was exhausting and looking back, I wish we would have gone on as weather would be moving in later that day that would end our touring. We briefly visited Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, Bridal Falls, Yosemite Falls, which was totally dry, El Capitan, Half Dome and various overlooks. Unfortunately the weather moved in as we were driving down Glacier Point Road, so we turned around as we could no longer see into the valleys and the drive and hikes would have been worthless. We drove south to the Mariposa Grove, beating the weather, took a 1-2 mile hike before leaving the park via the Fish Camp Entrance. It was a full day of beautiful scenery, twisting and winding roads with my sweetheart. I shall return Yosemite!

Visited park after snow. Trials may be a bit harder to travel, but the park sure is beautiful. And as a plus, there barely any people, so you pretty much get the park all for yourself.

After climbing to the top of the world, a nice descent to the valley to admire the green expanses and the paths that climb suddenly, nice experience!

So you already know that Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places on the planet - that's why it's the Disney of National Parks. For me it lived up the hype. We waited until after labor, went on weekdays all in attempt to avoid the maddening crowds - for the most part we did but it was still a very busy place. 5 stars on the scenery for sure, 2 stars for government mismanagement. Specific gripes: tough parking, driving is a bad idea if you can avoid it (use the free shuttle as much as yo can), speed limits aren't enforced at all, honking car horns, road ragey drivers, long ques for anything. Visitor center opened at 9am, crowd of about 80 people waiting to get in- There were 2 rangers at the help desk, so that will take up several hours of your yosemite time if you want any assistance. Shuttle to Glacier Point - we wanted to take the one way (bargain $26 per person) so we could hike down. It was booked solid and we couldn't. Turns out there are only 2 a day and they book up fast. Perhaps at $26 each way they could add more?
I would like to see some crowd control of some kind, some speed enforcement, and since owned by the US Taxpayer, perhaps they could ease up a little on the price gouging. But the bottom line: spectacular, jaw dropping scenery - I'm glad I went.

We just wrapped up a 5 day trip in early June 2022. The waterfalls were flowing. I strongly encourage anyone going to the park in 2022 to take advantage of the bike rentals to get around the Valley. We covered so much ground on the bike paths saving our energy for hiking. All of the trail heads have bike parking. The shuttle buses are running but the wait times are long and the buses are extremely crowded - standing room only.

And still not see everything that there is to do. Short and long hikes, checkout the app all-trails app for details on maps/times/difficulty. We stayed on housekeeping camp which was perfect EXCEPT I wish they had a give/take table. There were a few things we could have used and a few things we would have liked to have passed along

A fantastic place for a family walk and enjoy wonderful natural views. I recommend you test your strength and climb to the top of the waterfall.

I’ve been to many NP but Yosemite is my favorite. Had friends from Germany visiting so planed a short trip up to park to show all its wonders off. The water run off this year is epic. Flowers were in bloom and nice comfortable weather. Our guest truly loved their day in the park.

What a breathtaking place. You can look in ANY direction and see absolute beauty. I have never seen such a wide range of natural beauty. Mountains, trees, rocks, birds, rivers, lakes, etc… Nothing else like it.

We chose a few hikes while in Yosemite Valley, but there are certainly more options. One of my favorite things was just sitting by the Merced River watching the water peacefully flow by. After seeing the same river flow over the edge of Nevada Fall and Vernal Fall, this was a lovely quiet way to end the day.

When I had planned my trip to Yosemite I was very apprehensive considering the long drive as I had plans to come back the same day.
However the view is something which was completely worthwhile.
It’s beautiful and nature as the best.
We saw the Half Dome the Tunnel view the al Captan mountain.
However you need atleast 4 days to cover the whole park

We spent two days at the park, staying near Mariposa. Wonderful experience, we didn't find any crowds or had any problems with queues or parking. The second day we rented the bike and it was a lot of fun. We even spotted a bear! The landscape is magnificent, you won't regret it!

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, gives you an insight of what's to be set out before you, make sure you have all-day pluss if you can. El Capitan Yosemite Valley Glacier Point
Sequoia Groves enjoy enjoy

you can see the Yosemite falls at the valley, there is also a "valley view", you can see El Capitan and Bridalveil falls at the "valley view", There are some easy trails in the Yosemite valley, e.g. the Lower Yosemite fall trail, the Cook's meadow loop.
The view at Swinging bridge is beautiful

We arrived at night so couldn't see much as we were driving in, but as we came to the end of El Portal Road there was a break in the trees, and the view was amazing - El Capitan lit up by the moonlight, and we could see some climbers were their head torches on. We stayed at the North Pines Campground - highly recommend. The next morning we took a walk through the Valley, via Yosemite Falls and then down to El Capitan. The walk was superb, lots of wildlife, incredible scenery, great weather, and although we didn't plan for this because of the time of year it wasn't crowded at all (we had a lovely long chat with a local, and they told us early May was the best time to visit because the weather is usually good and it's right before the rush of summer climbers, campers, and tourists). The Yosemite Valley Welcome Centre is well stocked, and has a great gift shop. We didn't visit Curry Village, but heard good things. On our way out, we went via Tunnel View which was heaving with cars and visitors - we managed to get some great pictures from the car thankfully as there was nowhere to park - get here early if you want to actually stop and really take in the view! We can't wait to come back some time - was one of the highlights of our honeymoon!

We drove through the valley and it was a really beautiful place in June. The sights around, with the mountains, falls, trees etc made it special, and a place worth going to.

What a wonderful trip and experience. It was nice not to be too crowded but still seemed to be a lot of people there.

From here there are numerous paths that branch off to explore the valley. Even for those who, like us, are not used to walking a lot, you will find easy routes that immerse you completely in the forest.

It was brutally hot the day we were in the valley, therefore we did not do a lot of hiking. The afternoon temp got up to 105 F. Nonetheless, just driving through was a joy. There are plenty of paved walkways that can be used to get out and walk if you have pets with you (they are not allowed on unpaved trails), but again, we didn’t do a whole bunch of out-of-car activities. Lesson learned - go very early in the day for hiking and walking activities! Enjoyed our time in this part of the park.

This was the highlight of our trip to the Southwest part of the US. The scenery in Yosemite is beautiful and the waterfalls are spectacular! We had an awesome time and look forward to visiting again in the future.

Driving through Yosemite Valley was amazing. Artists Point was my favorite. We went there in the morning and again in mid-late afternoon. The light for photos is much better later in the day.

Absolutely amazing views. We’re not hikers so preferred to drive to each point. Because we weren’t hikers it didn’t take us all day though. The views were magnificenty and definitely worth a visit. Take food though as the services inside are abysmal (as are the toilets). Unfortunately no money has been spent on these areas and they let the park down terribly.

When you arrive make sure you analyse the map you are given and plan your drive well so. you know where to get the best location stops and pictures. It is very easy to drive past a section and miss it. Take your time.
There are some amazing sights to see here with some impressive waterfalls.
It can get cold in the shade areas so factor that in if walking about with kids.
The gift shop wasn't that big but had some interesting items for sale include a discount section.
The restaurant area was very nice and modern with a good selection of food albeit a bit pricey. A side section had a comfy area with large chairs and a gorgeous fire. As we went during late October the Christmas tree was up and it was all very cosy.
The drive there and back takes you on some very steep roads with some amazing views but some scary drops off the edge of the road so take your time and concentrate. It won't help you if the family are being loud and disruptive in the back when driving so close tO the edge!

Allow enough time to fully enjoy this park. Lots of winding roads up and down and driving is slow (as it should be). Plenty of areas to pull off and take pictures. Beautiful scenery! Short walk to Bridalveil falls which had a fair amount of water for October. The visitors center is pretty good except for finding a parking place (on a Monday in October) We had to ride around and watch for someone leaving and follow them to their car.

Yosemite is definitely somewhere that doesn't get old after visiting multiple times. You can easily spend several days there and feel like there isn't enough time to see everything. During the summer it obviously is much more busy and crowded but because the park is so large it can be easy to find pockets where you feel like you have it to yourself. We suggest trying to stay at Camp 4 if possible because of the location that it has to several popular trails and low cost per day. Because a lot of people come in during the day just to visit parking can be a pain so if you can stay somewhere central it can be easier to walk, bike, or take the bus to many places and avoid the hassle of parking and driving. If you do choose to drive in we suggest getting in as the sun rises especially if you want to park near a major trail such as the mist trail. There are a variety of things to do for all types of activity levels so this park is often times visited by large families in the summer as kids are off for summer vacations. We hope to be back here during fall and winter to be able to see how much different the park looks with the change of seasons! For more information on our visits in the park check out our other reviews and follow us on instagram!
- @wanderingwithustwo

Unbelievable views! The fact that these mountains were moved by a glacier is astounding! A definite must see for young and old!

There's no sign telling you that the one mountain is El Capitan. There were no climbers on it the day we visited the park. With Skyline Drive, in Virginia, there are mile markers. Signs tell you how many miles to Skyland or Big Meadows. Not here. There's a shuttle bus system, but there's more than one. It was all confusing. Our shuttle bus driver told us which mountain was El Capitan. While most pictures show the meadow at El Capitan, if you're not a fan of heights, thie rest of the park is up really high. Overall, I'm glad we went.

From there you have views of ALL the beauty of Yosemite. Of all the spots in the Valley, the cemetery was my favorite. So peaceful, full of birds and critters. Sit quietly and listen to the wind blow through the black oaks. A special place.

The road in Yosemite National Park makes a big circle around Yosemite Valley. So it literally is in the center of your trip around and around the park. Pull off anywhere and get a view of El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls or whatever and beautiful Yosemite Valley will be in the foreground of your pictures. Make sure to try to get out early morning or late evening when the sun lights up the meadows.

We drove from an overnight stop in Buck Meadows to our next overnight stop in Bishop. This took in Yosemite Valley and the Tioga Pass. What can I say? No wonder this is a national park! The scenery is spectacular! Enjoy. Soak it up!

Years ago we visited Yosemite Valley and it was magnificent. It still is -- if you can find a place to park. Seriously, if you have a choice, don't go during high season.

Nice environment but bizarre that they charge entrance and don't clean the toilets with so many people a day. It smelled like hell, it couldn't be flushed. What a calling card, outrageous.

If you go to Yosemite you must go into the valley. That is where a lot of hikes are as well as the lodging, shops and restaurants.

Parking can be a challenge, but there is a convenient shuttle service that runs every few mins. It’s worth using because a lot of the places are fairly spread out.

One thing that you need to do is stop to see the climbers on El Capitan. You can find a few during the day. The best viewing is right after nightfall because you will see the climbers with their headlamps and lights in their tents.

Between smoke from the Creek Fire, and COVID shutdowns, the valley is a shell of itself at the moment. The visitors centers, shuttles, etc... are not open, meanwhile the gift shop and store remain open (scratches head). Unfortunately the park waited too long to close the park during the horrible air conditions. My advice, wait until after fire season is completely over and don't chance it.

I have to be honest, this place blew my mind away. Never have I visited anywhere so beautiful with unbelievable 360 degree views. From the views across the valley from Glacier Point to walking in the valley and looking up at Half Dome and El Capitan and walking alongside some breathtaking waterfalls. Just ‘Wow’!!
Watched some climbers climbing El Capitan through binoculars - they looked like small dots on this spectacular rock.
We went at the end of June and we stopped at all the tourist spots to take photographs on our drive in to the valley and didn’t find it overly busy.
It did get a little bit busy with traffic in the afternoon so get in early, find a parking space and hop on and off the free shuttle bus which stops at various points in the valley.
We stayed in Oakhurst which was a great base to visit Yosemite and was about a 45 minute drive away. I’m glad we stopped here as I wouldn’t have liked to stay in the valley and the prices to stay there are extortionate anyway.
One of my all time favourite places but unfortunately we didn’t get to do and see all that we wanted to. There are lots of challenging, long walks which I’d like to have done. I’ll be back one day - absolutely stunning!

Travel during the pandemic was nice. I wish he had more time to hike, but the sites along the drive were good enough for us for the first trip out here.

There weren't many people entering the park in early November which was nice because the roads weren't congested. The roads are well maintained which is very important on the winding roads. The most inconvenient part of the park was the closure on 41 south entrance which leads to Fresno. It was only open for 1 hour from 12noon-1pm. Because of this closure we spent a lot of time driving around the park to get to our next destination of Sequoia national park. It took us an extra hour because of the road work.

It was a great time to go to see the leaves changing colors. Definitely recommend starting your day early so you can get a lot of hiking done. Weather was cool with a breeze and warm when you are in the sun light. Very comfortable climate.

Invested in an annual park pass for $80 since we were going to sequoia and kings canyon parks. Otherwise to access the park its currently $35.

Yosemite is a natural wonder that's unparalleled in the world. My first time in the winters as I wanted to avoid the tourists. The valley was mostly dry with snow patches. The stark landscape though was haunting as always.

This is truly a special place- the feel of being in the pine trees and meadows with granite peaks on all sides is something everyone should experience. just beautiful. and there is so much to do in the valley. Highly recommend biking easily available for $$ at curry village or Yosemite lodge. took a little effort tof ind it but its worth it.

What can I say it’s Yosemite!! What an incredible place to visit! Seeing half dome and El Capitan was a rush. I have waited for this a long time. I will be back.
It’s a bucket list must see!

the park is beautiful but we did not realize that it is more for people to go hiking or climbing. it was a nice drive into the park. we did a few small hikes. seen the waterfalls, but they were not running that great due to the weather(they were dry) we did seem some deer. plenty of camping and lodging within the park. place to eat. bathrooms are clean along the way.

The Yosemite Valley is vast and you won't run out of scenery to enjoy. The waterfalls do dry up a lot in the Summer months- some just down to a trickle but even then, there are plenty of beauty spots to enjoy and places to have a picnic.

$35 to get in. Yosemite is awesome, beautiful, and simply amazing. As soon as you enter the park there are various trails and turnouts that you can use to take photos or video. As you keep driving down the 41. You will eventually hit a tunnel which is a thrill itself. Immediately after there is a Vista point that allows you to appreciate the whole valley in its entirety. You can also stop here and take pictures. You won't regret it. Keep driving down and you will encounter a waterfall and further down you will reach the bottom of the valley, here there are different trails and some waterfalls you can walk to for some amazing photographs. If you come during snow season, be aware, it can get very slippery. Some of the sights to see are Mirror Lake, upper and lower falls among others. It is cold during the winter so dress appropriately. Follow me and my adventures ig: Sin_Aguayo_Canelito

If there is one place like Heaven on earth, it definitely is the Yosemite National Park.

Our family were there for only 2 days, it was completely not enough, and we fell in love with the amazingly beautiful and magnificent scene especially the Mountain views.

We highly recommend to plan the hotel and tour in advance since the drive was super long for kids.

The valley is the central part of the park and from here there are countless roads and routes post discover, but the valley itself is quite an experience. Simply by touring the circuit you have great views of the different attractions of the park. It is advisable to rent a bicycle and take all day to travel it calmly and enjoy every corner.
There is the river, there are waterfalls, the view of the captain and the dome, many places to rest or have a picnic, and there is even a shop to buy everything you need.

It is amazing to be surrounded by the mountains. There are waterfalls everywhere. The hikes are nice. The accommodations leave something to be desired as does the food. You pay an exorbitant amount of money for less than nice. The trails could be marked better and the features labelled better. Sooooo many people. You can't connect with nature when you are in line as if you are at Disney.

I love that the park is limiting the amount of cars that are entering. It is no long lines like driving on the freeway during rush hour with bumper to bumper cars not moving. they rerouted a few roads so that people can ride their bikes (you can rent them for either 1/2 or full day) or walk around the park. The park shuttle in not in service as of June 2021. parking is still limited with the amount of people stay or visiting the park. we stayed overnight and most day visitors were heading out around 5 pm but they start arriving around 630 am. limited food options with long lines so pack a lunch and some snacks before coming. forget finding a cold drink or ice cream at the shops as the turnover is high so the drinks don't stay in the fridge long enough to get cool. the water level for the river is low due to the drought but we did see kids and kids at heart floating on their innertubes.

We were fortunate to secure a recreation.gov park pass and so we rerouted our road trip and entered the park on the east side. There were many traffic delays due to construction and it took a very long time to get to the valley. On our last trip we came in via the west entrance which led us to the valley much faster. We visited in April last time and there were waterfalls everywhere. The park seemed incomplete without them.

It’s no wonder California has a huge covid problem, 70% of the people don’t were face coverage and don’t care about social distancing. There were a lot of people that did try to pull up their masks when you got close and I’m good with that( thanks) but most don’t give a crap if they are outside even when there are so many people trying to see the amazing sites.

The park is like no other place in the US, the views are jaw dropping and I cant wait to return again after covid.
But covid limited the crowds for sure, and can’t imagine how hard it would be to navigate this big park when it full.
The trails are steep, dusty and crowded.
Tioga highway is the best place to avoid the crowds.

Just stunning. The mountains, the waterfalls, the wildlife, the fresh air. We had warm sunshine and clear blue skies. Heaven on earth.

What is there to say other than that this is a piece of heaven even in a year with low waterflow levels. We were fortunate enough to visit during the COVID-related limits on entrance, with vehicle traffic limited to about 50% of capacity - and, as we were then Monday to Friday, it felt even much below 50%. The only complaint one could possibly have in the valley is the congestion and limited parking, neither of which were remotely a factor for us.

If there is to be a complaint, it should be to question why so many people are allowed into the valley during non-COVID times. NPS - Lighten the load on the park!

Fantastic weekend trip! So much to see and appreciate about Mother Nature. Hiking trails for all levels- waterfalls are spectacular this time of year. Rented a bike a rode around post-hike. Food options are limited and lines long so I’d suggest packing a picnic . Get there early as parking may be challenging. If you’re planning to stay over and can’t stay at park , try Mariposa - easy 45 minute drive .

If you must drive through the Valley on the Weekend expect it to take 2 hours. If you take the bus system bring some anti-bacteria gel, becuase you are packed in like a Train from India.

Yosemite Valley is beautiful! Definitely worth visiting but know that it’s going to be crowded. We had a parking space near the chapel and Sentinel bridge at 10am & made the mistake of moving to a parking lot near the village. The shuttles were extremely crowded and unreliable. After hiking to the base of lower Yosemite falls, go around to the left and relax on the rocks with a snack. When hiking to Mirror lake, you will chose either the road or trail side. It’s a fairly long loop so know we couldn’t just cross over the water. We ended our day at Sentinel beach picnic area watching both Yosemite falls and Bridalveil Fall and wine.

We have been to over 20 national parks. This is one of our favorites. If we lived in California we would keep coming back. Can't believe we waited so long to come here. Don't miss Glacier Point at Sunset.

I was giddy with excitement - thrilled to finally get to Yosemite! We overnighted in Mariposa after driving in from Vegas. I was surprised by the number of people visiting in early January...I can't imagine how crowded it must be in the summer. While there was a decent crowd, traffic and walking trails weren't bad. There were long lines at the eateries that were open in the Village area so we waited til we left to get coffee for the road. We just drove the road and hit all the viewpoints and the walking trail to the falls. It was a picture perfect day! Hotels and lodges in that part of the park were opened and operating so that's an option if you plan a visit in the winter. Many roads and areas of the park were closed for the season but this part of the park had everything we wanted to see and it was perfect for a day, or even multi-day visit.

So much to do and see you will need atleast 4 hour min to see some of this beauty's highlights. You could easily spend a few days exploring. Grab a map and head out. You can drive, hike, walk, hire a bike, take one of the many tours. Beautiful in all seasons but with a little snow it is spectacular. Little pricey to stay in the area so we stay about an hour out and travel to the park each day. Make sure you call into the visitors centre. Loads of wildlife, even saw a bear from a distance. Pack a picnic and take advantage of the many locations with great views to sit and take it all in. Great for all ages. Well worth staying a few days in the area. Magnificant trees and a great treasure. Do yourself a favour and don't miss this one. You can even do night tours. Check out all tours available to make the most of your trip.

The Valley was easy to see by eco bus, but I also took the tour, which was well worth it. I learned more that way and was glad to let someone else drive. Take some hikes too! I’ll be back. I loved the beauty here.

We had three days exploring the Yosemite national Park. What a fabulous place!
For someone who is not a fan of heights, it was quite a challenge but I am so glad that I visited.
We were pleased that we didn’t need to be in the park over the summer season as it does get very busy. By the time we got there in October things had quietened down a little during the week (no booking necessary), although the weekends were still busy and a booking was essential in advance.
The park had just had a big tidy up and there wasn’t a piece of litter anywhere, impressive when there are 3.9 million visitors every year.
The views are amazing and traffic is on a one way system in the valley to alleviate the traffic. Having a limited number of visitors per day has to be the way forward as it then helps to minimise the impact on this delicate area. Sadly there was not a huge amount of water at the time and the river and falls were not running much. Maybe another trip is required to see it in full flow.
We joined a talk by Eric Nelson, one of the park rangers who made a one hour (free) talk turn into an amazing, two hour talk and walk which was so informative. The enthusiasm and passion he showed for this beautiful place was a credit to the park. Give this man a pay rise. If I lived nearer, I would be volunteering.
Let’s hope that the powers that be allow the park to be maintained the way it was intended and had been cared for by the indigenous people without too much interference.
Would highly recommend a visit.

Walt Whitman and Ansel Adams loved this location. With good reason, it is a wonder of natural beauties; falls, canyons, cliff faces, rivers and wildlife (including bears)

Magnificent, breathtaking landscapes, don't be afraid to walk a lot of kilometers because the splendid views are high up or walk a lot because the other wild landscapes are remote in the forest

Worth the 4 hrs drive from SF. We went in December. We were happily surprised that it had snowed and the areas had white beautiful snow all around. Lovely!

I had not been to Yosemite since I was 10 years old, (I'm over 60 now) and my memories from them have always stuck. This trip will once again leave lasting memories and a warm feeling of mother nature's beauty always. We picked the perfect time to go - Valentines Weekend. There was still snow on top of the summit, but the roads were clear - including of traffic. There was hardly any. As you drive down into the valley you go through 3 tunnels and suddenty it's like THERE IT IS!! Half Dome, Cathedral Spikes, El Capitan, and the waterfalls everywhere!
We hiked to Bridalveil falls - which was a short hike from the parking lot. And walked around Awahnee Lodge - which was beautiful inside and out. I personally LOVE that the roads are one way and 2 lanes, so that you can pass people who are going really slow - and there are signs everywhere that it's a $280 fine to stop in the middle of the road or block traffic! I've been to Yellowstone and people do that all the time!
February is a great time to go! Air is clean and crisp, traffic non-existent, everyone is friendly, and they have the traffic flow down.
By the way - VERY Pet Friendly! And the trails are easy to maneuver. I didn't really wear hiking boots, but it was easy to walk everywhere.

Yosemite valley is the tourist attraction in Yosemite national park. The valley surrounded by granite mountains like EI Capitan, half dome etc. Water falls, forest, park are there. People used to visit the valley in the week end and on holidays

One of the loveliest spots on earth. No matter how many times I visit, I'm always amazed by the majesty and beauty of Yosemite Valley. I recommend visiting in the spring, when the plants are greener and there's water in the falls.

We enjoyed a full day in Yosemite Valley, We wish we could have seen it when the waterfalls were running more than a trickle, but coming in late August is not a good time to see the waterfalls. The valley is very majestic and even with the smoke from the fires, it was very beautiful. The hike up to see Vernal Falls was very steep and felt like an eternity if you are out of shape. The valley was busy but not overcrowded in late August. Going in August, you have to know you may be fighting smoke from the fires that occur that time of year.

If you are going to Yosemite the Valley is awfully crowded and the scenery is good but not spectacular. To really enjoy Yosemite go to the eastern part of the park where there is less traffic and people and the scenery is Spectacular. The best part start about 10 miles west of Tolumne Meadows and is great all the way all Tioga Pass Road to the Park exit.

It’s a very special place on this planet. A must see. Hiking and biking are a wonderful way to spend your day.

We went in August 2020. You need a reservation to be able to enter the park as they are trying to reduce the number of people due to COVID.

Yosemite National Park is amazing. The views are amazing and the park is so big.
We spend the whole day in the park, unfortunately we didn't do many hikes or camped the night, but it was still worth the trip.
We drive a lot inside the park as the park is huge and there are many roads taking you to the many view points.

There are a few restaurants inside the park (burgers, sandwiches, etc.) that are very affordable surprisingly.

One day is enough to see the main landmarks and viewpoints but two days would be ideal if you like to camp and do some hikes.

We spent 3 days visiting in the park, mid-week mid-May, , travelling in from Midpines each day, about 50 minutes (have you seen the price of in-Park accommodations, even if you can get a booking 😱).
Yes it's very busy, and even when we got to know our way around there were times when finding parking anywhere other than the central Visitor Centre parking was almost impossible.
Were somewhat caught by the weather. As Brits we expected 60sF at best, so the mid-80sF was a bit brutal when trying to hike. So we kept to the lower trails with little elevation change.
So why only 4*?
Overcrowding? No. That would be unfair, after all we are party of that "problem".
NO, our issues were
Signage - especially in the larger car parks, and around the ground works particularly at Curry Village. Totally inadequate.
Catering - to much emphasis on the "mass market", when you can find it (see "signage" above) and strange, inadequate hours, especially early in the day
Curry Village car park is potentially a car/suspension killer especially the track at the furthest reach. I know they are doing work but these holes should have some IMMEDIATE remidial work.
Hire bikes - which "challenged" person thought it was a good idea to rent hundreds of bicycles to amateurs, but have NO BRAKES on the bikes? Near misses from uncontrollable bikes/cyclists aplenty. Not clever when bikes and pedestrians are sharing so much of the off-road footpaths and trails.
Really enjoyed the 3 days though

We stayed in Yosemite for 1 night. In the Valley we only found 1 place to eat which was a deli with food that didn’t taste that great and average prices. We only ate there because nothing else around. Only found one other restaurant and that was closed. Other than that the scenery is pretty!

One of the most amazing parks in the world. What ever you want to do is amazing. I love the early spring, April, May, the falls are going strong, attendance is less too. Lodging is expensive but location, location, location. When our family was young we spent many weeks camping, which they loved.

It's always an amazing adventure. Rt 120 is closed going into the park, so exoect delays. The park currently has a lot of water and flooding in the valley. So make sure to bring appropriate gear. The plus about the water is that the Modesto river is spectacular, and the falls are flowing perfectly. Crowds are heavy this time of the year, so expect delays. The entry fee is $35.00, I have an annual pass and highly recommend getting one. Make sure to gas up before getting to the park. Enjoy yourself and the sites.

Great Views, Great Views, Great Views!!!!! This area of the park has a little bit of it all. Time must be spent here.

I always enjoy myself when I visit Yosemite... The monstrous rocks and great hikes leaves all who visit in AWWWEE!
I like to ride my bike around the park and get great photos . next time I hope to hike Half Dome!!

A relaxing scenery , fresh air flora and fauna, amazing trees . The water falls is refreshing with cool water . Wonderful gift from God for humanity to enjoy

My favorite place in the world! So inspiring place and it's especially beautiful here in May, because the waterfalls are the most full-flowing at this time.

Just returned from a weekend trip to Yosemite National Park. It was absolutely gorgeous! We arrived at the Park very early (before 7 am) which I highly recommend. A few hours later, it was bumper to bumper cars to get in and parking spaces were few and far between. There is a free shuttle to go around the Valley, but we chose to walk, which worked out better for us. There are also places to rent bikes which is another great way to get around. We walked the lower trail up to Yosemite Falls which was in all its spring glory! Yosemite should definitely be on everyone's bucket list!

There’s nothing quite like coming out of the tunnel and seeing Yosemite Valley before you. A beautiful area, but often busy. There’s lots of hiking and sightseeing, hotels and restaurants. Find a place to park and take the shuttle wherever you want to go. Be aware that there are two shuttles: one goes all around the valley and the other makes a smaller loop.

Majestic does not begin to say it all. Saw rainbow colors coming off the waterfalls. Wow..... Just wow......

We had a great time exploring Yosemite National Park! The current permit entrance program made for less crowds and a great time. We enjoyed many hikes but the night skies were our favorite! Watching people climb El Capitan was awesome and if you are adults only you can use their free bike share program in the valley - 2 hours to ride around and explore! We did feel that there are less signs than most national parks but it adds to the charm of wilderness! Definitely worth visiting for a few days. Make sure to get an entrance permit due to covid.

Living in Los Angeles for over 20 years, this is only my second time to Yosemite, and the first to the Valley.

This is one of the most amazing and picturesque spots in all of California, and certainly one of the best National parks. The variety, and diversity in one area is simply stunning.

We highly enjoyed hiking the Mist Trail, Sentinel Dome, and several other hikes that were incredible, and in the 4 days there we barely touched the tip of the iceberg.

This definitely warranty’s a second trip back to the valley to hike Half Dome, as well as a few other hikes that seemed very appealing.

Perfect mountain get away, Yosemite NP never disappoints.... book well in advance, bring your bikes, don’t approach the wildlife and just relax.

We visited in late September and the fall colors were beginning to develop. I bet in October it is even more spectacular!

Think of the most spectacular scenery you have ever seen and then try and imagine something even more spectacular. That is Yosemite.
We spent three days driving around and doing some of the easier trails. Each day we saw completely different aspects of the valley full of fascinating facts and history about the landscape and the people that have lived there over the centuries.
I could not recommend this special place more for a visit, preferably in the spring.
If you are into photography- bring all your lenses!

This was my first visit to Yosemite and it was everything I expected. Fortunately I had researched the trip and realised that I required to pre-book to enter the park on the National Park website (it cost a few dollars only). Entry was $35 and we really enjoyed the fantastic views throughout. It was busy though - even in late September.

We visited Yosemite in early September.
It was quite a busy park, some nice walks but it was very busy and unfortunately there weren't any waterfalls.
It's a nice park but definitely not our favourite national park in America.

we tried to take some of the short hikes off the valley floor - nope, closed due to snow and ice. It is January, of course there is snow and ice! All you can do is drive around the floor loop, stop by side of road for photos, and maybe play in the nearby snow. forget hiking in the area.

We loved Yosemite Valley. We rented bikes and explored the entire valley. We would highly recommend this for ease. No need to look for parking.

Yosemite is simply awe inspiring. An exclamation mark on natures grandeur. We walked the Taft point to Glacier point trail via Sentinel Dome and the walk from the valley to Nevada falls. The latter is hampered by trail closures making it a difficult day walk at the moment. Forget Mirror Lake, it and Yosemite falls are dry at the moment due to drought,something we as Aussies can commiserate with. All the same, if you have a few days to tag onto a Cali trip make sure you spend them here and take the opportunity to do some walking. Fabulous!!

We have enjoyed Yosemite Valley so many times, and we seem to find something new with every visit. This time the ‘new’ thing was finding big crayfish (crawdads) in Tenaya Creek.

We walked a loop from the Church Bowl Picnic Area to the Ahwahnee, up & down the Mirror Lake Loop, through the edge of the North Pines Campground, and back. The crayfish were easily seen from the bridge over Tenaya Creek between the campground and the Backpacker’s Campground. What a fun find.

We enjoyed a secluded picnic on the trail from Mirror Lake Road/Trail to North Pines CG. We sat near Tenaya Creek and enjoyed the scenery. On our last visit we picnicked alongside the Merced River near El Capitan Meadow. There are so many places to enjoy Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite National Park is open but only allow those with reservations made on-line entrance to the park. On July 1, we were able to make reservations for entry on August 1. The reservation is good for 7 days but you have to arrive on the day of your reservation or you won’t be able to gain access on any of the remaining days.

We drove in through the HW 120 entrance and had to wait an hour in a massive line of cars before making it to the park gate. The line was backed up over a mile and past the Hetch Hetchy road intersection. We slowly made our way to the gate and saw they had all 3 gates operational. It took each vehicle a few minutes to check in and be given a sticker for the front windshield. It looked like a ton of people accessing he park but when we made it into the valley, there were not too many people considering the time of year.

We made it to all the major highlights in the park, however the 94 degree heat kept us not too far from the AC in our car. There was only a small amount of water coming over Bridalveil Falls and the parking lot was closed and under renovation. There was very little water coming over Yosemite Falls. Hotel reservations were made a few days after we made our park entry reservation. Most all of the lodging was booked up due to the park limiting the amount of rooms available. The restaurant at the Ahwahnee Hotel was open for pick up / take out only.

One of the most scenic parks in the US. We'd just come from the Grand Canyon. It's a 4 out of 10 compared to Yosemite. Stay in the lodge. Hire the bikes for half a day, get in around 9am as they run out . And if you have a car take the hr drive to Glacia point. 2 nights is all you need. It's amazing.

We passed through Yosemite Park. To make our road trip.
Beautiful, the park with a total area of 3,081 km2, it is the third largest national park in California after those of Death Valley. 94% are classified as “wildland” within the Yosemite, tourists can visit only 36 km2 or about 1% of the park. So a lot of visitors.

Stunning, exceeded expectations. Quiet as kids back at school (end August), entrance to park quick, parking easy and availability on all buses. Temperatures hot (over 40c) so hikes challenging. Water refill sites available.

Really enjoyed our time here! We stayed in the park for 2 days. The second day we used the shuttle system which worked well, even on Labor Day weekend. So much to see here and the shuttle service is a great way to get around.

One of the best National Parks in the US. Stunning views and great hikes. Only downside it gets easily crowded.

We visited Yosemite National Park in mid October and unfortunately did not have great weather which restricted what we were able to do. Snow in the upper elevations kept us in the valley and steady rain kept us indoors longer than expected. On our last day the sun came out and we were able to explore some. We loved our time in Yosemite Valley and look forward to returning.

I highly recommend spending the time and money on this full day tour. The guide, Tyler, was easy going and very knowledgeable of the area and park. We would have never been able to see all the sights in one day without using this type of service. The views were amazing and Tyler shared his photography knowledge with us when we were challenged with the best shot.

Traveled to Yosemite last summer with my husband and son. Amazing views and geology. Go early in the morning as by mid-day there are tons of people making driving almost impossible. Did not take the shuttle because of time constraints, but recommend the shuttle if you can.

I HIGHLY recommend Wildland Trekking for the Pacific NW/Alaska 7 day inn based hiking trip. My favorite parts were hiking to Exit Glacier, the salmon run, and staying at Bear Creek Lodge. The views are INCREDIBLE and the food SPECTACULAR! The guide was obviously a PRO and helped to make the whole experience MAGICAL!! I would say "once in a lifetime" but I hope to go back!!

I've been to Yosemite so many times I've lost track. Probably nine or more times. I love it every time i go. It's soooooooooooooooo beautiful!
I went one time in the winter when nobody else was there. It was breathtakingly beautiful. A coyote came right up to my car to say hello. The snow made the place look like heaven.
Yosemite and The Grand Canyon are the two best places on this earth.

Yosemite has been on my bucket list to visit for years and I am sorry to say whilst I am glad I visited I wont be going back.

The Valley - be prepared it took us over 90 mins to get here from 2 different park entrances. You do not go any where fast and Yosemite Valley is a one way system. There is parking there, but even in September finding it wasnt easy. You are encouraged to use the shuttles to reduce traffic but you have no idea how long you need to wait.

I was expecting the Valley to be stunning and it was, but I wssnt expecting there to be so little there and the feeling of isolation/helplessness is like nothing I have ever experienced. Be prepared when you go, if staying in or near the valley, we were in West Yosemite which is a 45 minute drive, make sure you take food if you can. There is one shop for food, which had flipping stupid queues and was amazingly expensive. There is a cafe for fast food next door, again very long queues & expensive. There was a vegetarian and a gluten free person in our party of 4, so difficult to find food.

We walked around the Valley and to Curry Village which was not well sign posted.

In short, glad I have been, we left a day early as there are only so many photos you can take of the same thing.

The Yosemite Valley offers many trails with great views of the towering heights above.
Use YARTS (bus system) in the off peak months, it will help you get around efficiently. There is parking and a couple of places for food and bevearages (also pack food- jerky granola, etc.). There are stations to refill reusable water containers too. If I had more time I would have hiked the trail to Mirror Lake, the four mile trail to Glacier Point and the trail to Vernal/Nevada Falls. Our visit in November was pleasant and not crowded.

...derived from an old Indian tribe (Yohhe'meti or Yos.s.e'meti) that once lived in the valley and were feared by other tribes as 'killers.'

Now the views & photos are the killer shots.

We arrived early on a June weekday from Oakhurst with great weather and parked at the Yosemite Falls parking lot and then walked and used the shuttle system from there. It got busier and busier as the day progressed. Pack some patience.

Memorable spots? Any and all!

Took a day-trip tour by bus via Hilton San Francisco Union Square. Beautiful place to commune with Mother Nature. Make sure to visit the falls for a refreshing treat! Bucket list checked!

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful natural parks in the world. In fact, it's one of the most beautiful places in the world. It has everything: beautiful trails, waterfalls, lakes, mountains (can climb), cycling, viewpoints, etc.
Impermissible.
But given that, we go to the practical information: the most important of all is that at certain times of the year, such as the high season of holidays, weekends, holidays, etc., it is necessary to make a Reservation to enter. Reservation is made on the official website (www.recreation.gov) and costs $2. Important: without this Reservation you do not enter the park, there is no crying or sailing. And at the moment of the Reservation you must already choose the day of the visit.
With the Reservation at hand, vc goes to one of the park entrances on the chosen day and pays the fee, which costs $35 per car (no matter how many people you have inside the vehicle) and is valid for 03 consecutive days. The value is from August/2024.
It's not easy to get to Yosemite. By car it takes about 5 hours from Los Angeles and about 4 hours from San Francisco. But there are several cities around the park to stay in. I chose the larger one with the best structure, but still very small: Mariposa. But there are several others.
And it is possible to stay inside the park, in campings or in hotels (expensive). The park has a super structure, for whoever stays there or not: it has numerous bathrooms, great and clean, scattered everywhere and a store in the Yosemite Valley with a market inside that benefits from many supermarkets that I have seen. Outside of that there's only one snack bar with a very thin hamburger.
The park has 4 areas:
Yosemite Valley: the largest, the main, and where are the main tourist attractions.
Wawona and Mariposa Grove: giant sequoias forests. The most well-known forest is the Mariposa Grove, where there is the Grizzly Giant trail, 3,2 km long. Unlike Yosemite Valley, this region only has 01 parking, in the visitor center Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza. From there you take the free bus to the trails, including the Grizzly Giant. There is a restaurant at the Wawona Hotel (15 min drive from the visitor center).
Tuolumne Meadows
Hetch Hetchy Valley
These last two are less tourist. I can't talk much because I didn't know.
Additional information: it is important to arrive early (the park is open 24 hours a day): Although there are numerous parking spaces spread across the Yosemite Valley, it is not easy to find vacancies in the summer. Once you have found a place for your car, leave it there and don't move anymore: to get around there are two free bus lines that run through the Valley and almost always leave you close to the main sights, trails, tours, etc.
From Mariposa to reach the Yosemite Valley take highway 140 and continue to the end. It takes about 1 hour. And the road is beautiful.
To get to the area of the giant sequoias (Wawona and Mariposa Grove) is just take the road 40 and in the city of Oakhurst (which seems to be a good city, say pass) take the road 41 to get to the visitors center Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.

Our favorite part of the trip to Yosemite. I could spend days just exploring the valley and all the meadows! Great spot for a sunset :)

It only takes up 1% of the park but it is the most amaizing part. At every turn there is another iconic site that you will never forget. Go early in the season and beet the crowds.

This is very beautiful place and touch heart of nature bus place is very asowm and water fall is very big and water neat and clean

Amazingly impressive! we had beautiful weather, just right temperature. We stayed at Yosemite view lodge (no celular signal there, you pay for WiFi) just a short car ride from the park entrance, when you drive and see this majestic cliffs or when you hike to the gigantic trees it makes you feel the wonder of nature.

Yosemite is green, alive, full of water and light. The waterfalls, the giant redwoods, the view of Half Dome... it's all so powerful and delicate at the same time. We saw a bear (from afar!), picnicked in the lawns and breathed clean air like never before.

Yosemite is green, alive, full of water and light. The waterfalls, the giant sequoias, the view over Half Dome… it’s all so powerful and yet gentle. We saw a bear (from a distance!), had picnics in the meadows, and breathed the purest air ever.

Took the family for a day-trip to hike and enjoy nature. All of the hotels in the park are closed, beware. We could not find a clean restroom anywhere! Toilet paper all over the floors, dirty sinks and stalls, trash cans full, the smell was awful! Way to keep it clean, yikes! Two stars only for the beauty at the park, as long as using a bathroom isn’t an issue.

We got there early enough to find a parking spot at the visitor's center. But soon after the crowds came with a vengeance. Granted, it was a on a Sunday so we got the weekend crowd - but the visitor experience and park management could not keep up with it. Poor crowd and traffic management. Shuttle buses were packed and some people said they waited for up to an hour for one to come.

But this isn't just a Yosemite issue - it's a problem that many of the more popular national parks face. Yes - they need to limit daily visitors via a reservation system, especially on the weekends and during peak tourist times. Other national parks do this with some success.

One trail past Mirror Lake was blocked by spring flood waters and there was no signage - so we had to follow an unmarked impromptu bushwhacked trail to get around it. We navigated it easily - but people of lesser abilities were forced to turn around.

Also the much of the park was still closed due to winter conditions and needed road repairs - even in early June.

Overall, it's a stunningly beautiful place, but poor visitor and traffic management made it an average experience for us.

My wife and I both agree this is the most beautiful National Park we have visited. All the parks have their own special beauty, but Yosemite is special! Parking is at a premium and we visited in early May. From Memorial Day through summer ne ready for long traffic lines. Utilize the shuttle noses as much as possible and allow extra time.

Yosemite National Park is simply one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen and probably ever will be. My recommendation would be to do some research before you go, just so when you see in real life it will mean more knowing some of the history. Visit as much as you can of the National Park. Its hard to say much more as words can't describe this wonderful place.

Fantastic view of the valley and mountains all at once. Most popular stopping area for pics. Parking gets more limited as the day goes on.

This place is extremely crowded, full of cars that are circling around, desperately searching for a free parking place. There are multiple parking lots, but they are still not sufficient. I and my boyfriend circled through them for more than 1 hour just to find a place to park. Maybe it would be reasonable to consider some regulation for the entrance of cars to the valley and use e.g. shuttles from certain point further instead.
There are multiple restaurants, accommodation options, toilets and drinking fountains at this place, adding to the impression that this is a small tourist village.
The atmosphere and the views of the mountains and steep rocky walls around are very nice. You can do some small hikes, and check out e.g. Yosemite Falls.

we enjoyed riding bikes through the valley and being able to see so many different aspects of Yosemite. Stops at the various streams was key to staying cool.

the park, the views, are amazing. you can't quite appreciate the enormity of El Capitan until you are in front of it.

Keep in mind you can't drive you car around (lose parking spot) and there are no shuttles running. Bathrooms are not exactly close at times, be prepare to walk some distance when needed. I also found the trail signs very confusing, and the map likewise, never had that problem in other NP's.

we visited Sat/Sun 4/3 and 4/4. First day we drove up Hwy 41 getting to the gate at 7:30am (we were worried about the crowds and park ranger said to be there before 9am to get parking). We arrived to parking area at visitor center at 8am. Parking was wide open. Seems like the park isn't in full swing yet. even at 10am there were still spots. But we got back after hike in the afternoon all lots were full and at 3pm where was a line to get out of the park all the way back to the farthest parking lot. Sun we got there later, 10am still no problem with parking, we left at 2pm before the afternoon rush to get out.

If I was to go again I consider renting bikes to get around, lock them up at trailheads.

I would absolutely recommend a trip to this national park treasure. The scenery is spectacular! However a couple of items surprised me. We stayed in Curry Village in the platform tent which provided a Queen and two twin beds. It was clean and had necessary basic appointments. The density of the tents made for overcrowding at the 2 restaurants there so plan on eating early or late. Two other options for dining were not open this season which accounted for the long wait times. There was a nice cafeteria style breakfast option and a Peete’s Coffee. Bathrooms were adequate.

We also came to hike. What we discovered is that Yosemite hiking is either very easy with paved walkways about a mile in length or very strenuous hikes with major elevation changes and nothing in between. Probably our fault for not investigating more before arrival. If you do a strenuous hike I’d recommend soaking your feet in the river off one of the many sand bars. Very refreshing!

We were there the week of the 4th and with the reservation system there was less than a 10 minute wait time to enter the park. A little deceiving though because all the day parking in Yosemite Village was full by 9 AM and the camp stores were swarming with people. It was easy the find a quiet place outside Yosemite Village however and traffic flow was good. A visit through the historic Awahnee is worth it.

We were touring down from Seattle to San Diego, doing lots of National Parks, and i have to say i was a little disappointed in Yosemite. It was probably the busiest park we visited, and we had the whole day to explore, mainly driving through and stopping for photo taking. The best part for me was near the end, i really loved the pale flat faced rocks, and at 9,000 feet up, you could see for miles.

Despite the wildfires that have ravaged much of the park's scenery, Yosemite Valley has, for the most part, been spared. The views are amazing, and it offers amenities that are not to be seen within many miles. Yes, you are a captive audience; still, traveling through the Valley and seeing its sights is an enjoyable, memorable way to spend at least one day.

Beautiful view, Do not get a sandwich at Degnans. waste of money. Bread with little lettuce and sauce and less meat

Yosemite never gets old for me. I love this beautiful nature. It’s become more and more touristy though. There’s way more people than I last remember (2011) so some parts of the area was congested with people.

The valley encompasses the magnificent cliffs, waterfalls, meadows and wildlife that spells Yosemite. It is beautiful in all its seasons. It is the national park among national parks. It is one of the oldest and perhaps the most beautiful. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, you decide. Just visit!!!

We've had the time to visit many National Park's in the USA. Yosemite is one of our favorites. We visited on a weekend and expected large crowds. Fortunately, in the hotel lobby a guest mention go early to avoid long lines. We left Oakhurst at 5:30AM for the 90 minute drive and glad we did. By the time we left at 3PM Yosemite was a sea of humanity.

It's hard to describe the beauty of the valley. The ancient sequoia trees, the falls, river, meadows, El Capitan and Dome are breath taking. If you are a people watcher there is an array of nationalities.

My wife and I, traveling from New Jersey, successfully enjoyed Yosemite. If we were to do it again we'd probably repeat our same plan. First, we went in May when a light jacket and shorts were most comfortable, the waterfalls from the snow melt were in full roar, traffic was still manageable, and we made it a two day event - one with the tour - Discover Yosemite. We stayed at the Hampton Inn Oakhurst and entered ourselves the first day, doing things we knew the tour would not encompass; lunch at the Ahwahnee hotel, visiting the gift shop, and on our own exploring. We took the tour the next day - a Saturday, when we didn't need a reservation and we let the tour operator maneuver the heightened parking. Between both days we got great photos and saw probably every notable view in the Valley. We highly recommend the Discover Yosemite tour - which picked us up at our hotel - if you only visit once let a knowledgeable guide present it to you. By all means, make your last stop Glacier Point where you'll get a never to forget breathtaking panoramic view of the entire valley below.

Yosemite is breathtaking! Everyone should see the magic and beauty of this work of nature. From the Tunnel View to Half Dome, there is much to see and do. While a week is optimum to experience the trails and scenery, it is worth seeing even for a day. Be sure to plan your visit!

We were visiting Yosemite to celebrate my 70th birthday.
My birthday fell on a Saturday so I booked three rooms at the Ahwahnee Hotel and dinner for eight in the dining room. The hotel and dining experience was excellent.
We were sightseeing near Bridal Veil Falls and started heading to the hotel which was about five miles away. Because of traffic it took us nearly three hours to travel the five miles. We were late for our dinner reservation, fortunately the dining room held our table for us.
Lesson learned, don’t go to Yosemite on a weekend.

We had an amazing time with Bella and Trey. They were great guides and gave us a very thorough and fun filled tour. Would definitely recommend this tour.

Walk anywhere in the valley and you will see beauty. Get away from the lodge and falls and you can find peace and quiet even during busy times. So much to see and do, this is a must visit location. Beware that parking can be tough to find, so arrive early and use the shuttles to get around. Gift shops, visitor center, market, restaurants, bike rental. Whatever you need, you'll find it here.

We visited Yosemite in September 2019, first day we hiked the 4 Mile trail, Panorama trail and the John Muir trail! Such a fantastic yet tiring day, Glacier Point was busy but worth it, the waterfalls were down to a trickle but still some water.
Tips:
1. Take lots of water and snacks as the shop at the top of Glacier point was closed.
2. Take tissues because the toilets are horrid, a giant hole in the ground that you have to squat over.
3. Take a rain coat and hoodie in case the weather changes.
4. Make sure you have good walking boots, look after your feet.
5. The trails can be cobbles and loose rocks so be careful and watch where you step.
6. Pack suncream, bug spray and a hat, it's very sun exposed on the Panorama trail.
7. Watch where you sit or rest, snakes hide within the rocks.
8. Leave early so you don't get stuck out in the dark.

The second day we walked around the valley floor to the swinging bridge, the chapel, the Ahwahnee hotel, and around the museum and gift shops. When we left the park we stopped by El Capitan to take picture and enjoy the views. This was by far the best part of our holiday, the scenery is breathtaking and the trails are fantastic! Enjoy!

Nov 2-5 stayed at yosemite lodge. Great location twmps in high 70s. Crowded but not like a summer day. Alot closed but hiking is still the thing to do. Hiked upper Yosemite falls, saw 12 people on trail. Hiked vernal falls, nevada falls, and mirror lake. All dry but still for the memories. Drove to glacier point for the must see views.

Yosemite falls dry at this time but views were great, we preferred the higher views. Not much else to do on the valley floor, drove past tunnel view and El capitan on the way and also stopped at Bridalveil

We did a tour and stopped here and absolutely loves it the whole place just blows you away and walking towards the waterfall is amazing

Stunning scenery. Lots to explore. Beautifully clean and cared for. Great trails. Only disappointment was we didn’t see a bear!

Such a beautiful place but the bathrooms at the Curry parking lot are so filthy! Looks like they have not been cleaned in months. Trash and , feces everywhere!

Spectacular scenery. In September, many waterfalls don’t have water, but no matter. Tunnel View overlook is a must. We rented bikes and did most of the Valley Loop trail. It is totally doable for most, even kids. I would advise trying to do it midweek, as we did…we walked portions of it on Saturday, and there were definitely more people on it. A half day rental should be sufficient. We also hiked a climbers route trail to the base of El Capitan, and that was a good use of time, enjoyed watching the climbers. We did hike Mirror Lake, but it was completely dried up and honestly I don’t think I’d recommend it. Get your phone cameras set to panoramic, because views and scenery deserve that setting!

Like so many have said, great National Park. In May the waterfalls are going full force. We visited with adult children (not teens) and it was wonderful. Wether you go full hiking mode or more tourist mode, the Valley is a great place to visit. We were there 3.5 days and could have stayed longer.

Be ready to do a lot of walking, hiking or biking. We found park rangers to help with directions on where to go. The art display was amazing with Ansel Adam's work on display. The different falls you can walk to and see up close. Wonderful time in nature, just wear the right shoes and layers for changing temperature.

My husband and I drove from Fresno to Yosemite on a Saturday and were unfortunately turned away as the park requires reservations on the weekends - being from Australia that felt bizarre but I'm not mad about it. It was a beautiful drive and now we know for next time!

Lots of nice trails and surroundings. For leisure and sport and family. Lots of shadow spots in the sun to rest and take naps.

For nature lovers. A superb walk in early spring. A little just visited in one day as part of a bus tour from San Francisco.

This place is truly magical, breath taking and well worth taking as many photos as possible. Photos don't do it justice. The amazing, huge sequoias are majestic, El Capitan is unmistakably the largest 'rock' I have ever seen. Take binoculars to watch the climbers.

We visited during Summer of 2020 and the Park Service was requiring reservations and limiting the total number of visitors in the park. I had avoided bringing my family here in the past as the volume of visitors was overwhelming the services. When I was a kid, Yosemite was relatively empty and traffic was minimal. This last visit reminded me of what the Park used to be like - quiet and almost meditative (yes, this was a while ago) as there were so few visitors.

We were staying in Lee Vining and made the beautiful drive over 120/Tioga Pass Road and down into the Valley. Take your time here. Stop along the way and get pictures. Take in the view. Don't rush from point to point just because the signs are directing you to different locations.

Yeah it’s a magnificent place; but I’m gonna talk about the cons since I wish I had known more about this and at least had been more mentally prepared for it.
It feels like going to Disney World, it’s crowded like no other National park we have ever been. We waited for and hour for some of the shuttles. We got in and it was packed, there was soo much traffic, it took an hour to travel 10 stations. Repeated this three times to get to the main areas; half of the day is wasted in bus stops and the road. The drivers yell at you and they seem very unhappy. Yeah it might be an awful job with soo many people; but the park should offer more shuttles and train the drivers to be kind because it ruins the whole experience of being in a peaceful place.
The controlled fires covered some of the views. The air quality was soo bad I left with a sore throat after being there a whole day. Definitely not a place to breath fresh air.

What a place. If you like the outdoors and hiking, this your place! I’ve been to dozens of National Parks and this is as good as it gets. Clean, easy hiking and road access. Don’t miss this gem. I recommend hiring a hiking guide from the Yosemite Mountaineering as School. It’s not cheap, but it’s worth it. Ask for Nick, he was great. Bring plenty of water, good well broken in boot and dress in layers. The view are spectacular.

And just hope you don't get the one angry bus driver. But anyways the shuttle makes it easy to see a lot and do a lot in one day. The food is also pretty good at the village restaurants.

Yosemite is a great scenic area but the traffic is unbelievable. Get there early or there is no where to park. Traffic jams are normal. It’s so popular. If you can Everett find a parking space you can have some fun. I won’t be back soon.

Absolutely incredible... An absolute must have at least once in your lifetime. Can't wait to go back!

We drove in from Fish Camp after breakfast, and spent about 8 hours touring the valley.
We had perfect sunny weather in April, and we spent most of our time stopping at turnouts, walking on trails and taking photos. The waterfalls were full and the river was running fast
What a gorgeous place. We do recommend arriving early for sunrise or staying overnight in the park.
Just beautiful!

#1 advice for visiting in summer: Make sure you have a daily entrance reservation (or lodging reservation) to enter the park. I suspect many people drive up and are turned around at the entrance because they did not get a reservation to enter the park that day. They do not place signs on the 4 entrances to the park early enough for people to be informed they cannot enter without a reservation (they post the signs just before the entrances, which is after people may have driven an hour or more to get there). Without a reservation, you can get in after about 4:30/5pm when the Rangers no longer staff the entrance booths.

#2: the Free Bike-Share program is NOT in Operation in any practical sense, even though the website shows its status as "Open." The app does NOT show accurate locations of any bikes in the park (bikes would show on the live app map, but I never found any bikes at any of the locations near Yosemite Village) . Yosemite staff at info booths near where the bikes were normally parked had no idea about the program, except to say that it was not working at all.

#3: riding the shuttle bus back from or to Happy Isles/Camp Curry may be a challenge as many people board at those locations.

Yosemite should seriously consider offering many more (hundreds) of free or very-low-cost bike rentals for a pollution-free way for people to get around. Yes, the initial outlay will cost thousands and they may lose some income from their regular paid bike rental shop. But, the cost would be off-set by reducing the number of shuttle buses required (it's a big expense to buy buses, pay for maintenance and fuel and for bus driver salaries). This would reduce the number of people needing to ride buses and the long wait times when it gets crowded and you have to wait for a bus with space.

#4: Had a wonderful stay at Housekeeping Camp. BUT, one problem with all the Valley campgrounds is that there are firepits at every campsite and everyone will be making a fire at night. Most are not good at making fires so you'll end up with a TON of smoke from smouldering attenpts at making a fire from most campsites. I had brought a small Solo Stove and kept a small fire going most of the evening that had very little smoke.

Meanwhile, a neighbor was having problems getting a fire going and smoke from his attempts filled the whole area between about 6 housekeeping units. I was letting my small smoke-free solo stove die down after 10 pm (the cut-off for fires) when a Ranger came by to tell me to put out my fire (though it was just down to a few twigs and maybe 10-20 minutes more of embers. I mentioned it was a Solo stove and entirely contained and wasn't producing any smoke. He said it was an air quality issue. I put it out with water (causing it to smoke out), and noticed the irony that all night long I was producing less than 1 percent of the smoke that my neighbor was putting out.

Yosemite should consider creating a larger central campire pit (maybe one for about 5-10 campsites) made from one of the higher tech double-walled stoves that use a secondary burn to reduce incomplete combustion and smoke. These would be much easier to start a fire and would reduce smoke in the Valley at least 20-fold, because they would be more efficient and people could share firepits so you would have fewer small, smoky fires lit up in an area. It would also increase the community atmosphere.

#5: A better method needs ot be created to allow people to find campsites that become available when people cancel. Our first night in Housekeeping Camp we saw that about half the units around us were empty. People didn't show up and probably didn't officially cancel. I see this often in the other Yosmeite campgrounds as well. This is a lost opportunity for people to have a chance to stay in the park, as they think everything is entirely booked up.

The park is absolutely amazing and the sites unsurpassed!!! We stayed in the little camp, Curry Village (last minute cancellation), which worked for us. It is extremely crowded and impossible to park many times. If there is something you wish to see without crowds, be there when the gates open and plot your sites logistically, otherwise can be a two mile back up to get in at the gate, and so crowded to park and walk around. We ate dinner two nights at the Ahwahnee which was good. Highly recommend their cottages to stay instead of hotel, but need to make reservations well in advance of a year out. I found the park accommodations to be a bit run down and in need of TLC. Definitely do a dusk loop car ride, see amazing wildlife, bears, deer, elk, etc. Was also 115 degrees when we went, so hiking was too hard and the waterfalls dried up. I'm sure Spring would be optimal.

Visiting Yosemite was beautiful. The park staff were very knowledgeable and kind. The Mist Trail opened up while we were there. The hike to Vernal Fall was amazing.
Road construction adds time coming in to park. I read a lot of reviews on here in the advice column of how you need to have a structured itinerary : that proved difficult because we visited as trails and parts of the park were actively opening. I’m glad we went with open ended plans, we had a great time and saw more sights than we would have planned to see. We hiked a total of 18 miles in the 2.5 days we were there. I wish we could have been able to get campground reservations in the park, but I obviously understand it’s popularity. We chose not to gamble on a first come, first serve spot (and I’m glad about this because the open campgrounds were full for RV spots).

I had low expectations for this park, which may be why it surprised me. Breathtaking views (Olmsted point, Glacier point, Tunnel view), and many paths. If you choose the less traveled ones you can walk in complete solitude even without leaving at dawn: we only came across a team of woodcutters.

Great place to drive and just take time to admire the landscape. Take your time and enjoy the view (and make sure to have a full tank of gaz before leaving).

Yosemite National Park is an icon of USA majestic natural beauty. This park draws the attention of it's a dramatic waterfall, giant sequoias, abundant wildlife, and awe-inspiring cliff-like Half dome and El-captain.

This breathtaking view must be experienced. So many photos. But you have to see it for yourself. Photos are grand, but the eyes need the sight!!!

Rent the bikes! We rode all over the Yosemite Valley on the bikes, tandem with a 5 yo, pulling two little in a trailer - so fun!! You can ride from water fall to waterfall, and see the beautiful meadows and all the sites.

we traveled all across the us parks and yosemite have the worst rangers we encountered in all the other parks combined we had never met such a rude ranger and it is also the only park where we got a ticket on top...we came through tioga pass it was like 3pm there was supposed to be 5 or 6 campings after tioga pass i was driving a 45 feet rv and after crossing tioga pass we saw that all campings were closed ...also when we came into the park we found it funny that there was nobody at the gate...the we flagged a ranger as with a big rig in big mountains i never drive in the dark in parks...he told us we had no choice but to go back out the park through tioga pass some 30 miles back or keep driving in total darkness for 47 miles...he said those were no choices for me to help us find a safe spot to park instead of helping us he said if you stop anywhere i will find you and give you a ticket...that was at around 6pm...in november...i said to my wife and kids ok we will drive slow and try to make it to the valley where was the only open camping ground..after driving like 10 miles up and down big hills and curves i was all sweaty and could not continue...i found a place out of the way to park overnight...at 7am next morning we hear somebody banging wildly at our door kids going scared...when i opened the door that ranger named Dalrymple was there and he said you deserve what you are going to get i was astonished at the atitude of this us parks rangewr...they should not keep rangers like that..i love all national parks but yosemite is the only national park with a courthouse onsite...there must be a reason!!

No matter how many photos or descriptions you see of Yosemite Valley, nothing will ever compare with seeing this in person. It's unreal to be surrounded by all these amazing vistas of pure beauty. Select any of the multiple trails and just wander around to admire the major peaks, waterfalls, and valley floor. The key stops are well marked along the road, and the US Park service map that you get when you arrive is quite helpful too. I was fortunate to visit on a very quiet day and almost had the park and trails to myself, which only added to the enjoyment. Note that the road entering the Valley--where it crosses the Yosemite River and becomes Southside Drive--was under construction when I visited in late mid-March, 2021. As such the road was completely blocked for up to 30 minutes at a time. This also will impact you if you plan to exit via Wawona Rd. It appeared one lane was entirely dug up, but hopefully they will have it reopened in time for the summer crowds. Just be patient and enjoy all the wonderful natural scenery around you!

Yosemiye Valley is the heart of the park, a kind of concentrated beauty. There are many other amazing places in the park, but these require a long ride or walk, and here in the valley the attractions are close to each other.

BREATHTAKINGGGGGGGGG.. our first visit, and cant forget it ever.. We drove from SFO and stayed inside the valley .. did a 2 day 1 night trip.. amazingggggggggggg views.. One of the best national parks i have ever visited.

You have everything here.. Rainbows, water falls, trails, nature, hikes, mountains, valleys, etc etc.. i love photography, but this trip, I didnt carry my heavy lenses, and wanted to enjoy nature with my mirrorless and phone cam.. Just loved every second..

We exited the park through stanilas national park.. roads were tough to drive, and there was no gas stations.. make sure you have enough gas, and if u see a gas station pls fill it up 100 %..

Loved it overall. one of our best trips in our life..

What can I say? World class. Good time of year to go as we got to see fall colors and not as crowded.

Spent two days here. Glacier Point is a must! Sentinal Dome trail is worth the hike. Stop at the tunnell view pulloff. Waterfalls are not running too much in October. They must be awesome in the spring! Bridal Veil Falls were still nice. Vernal Falls was a waste of time. Try to spot the climbers on El Capitan. You can see their headlamps at night. Beautiful National Park!

This park is wonderful, the view is awesome when you come from the south and tunnel view.
Rocks, forests, falls this is a magic place ! A must see !

First time back since annual fall trips up until 2020. It's far too overcrowded now. More than an hour of stop and go just to get to the entrance gate. No parking available anywhere on the valley floor. Took us almost an hour to find a parking spot, and that was in a place that required parking permits (that we didn't have). Hoards of people, everywhere. People feeding wildlife so they could get a cute instagram photo. It's a shame that they don't limit the number of daily visitors and cars.

We had been counting down to the day we visited Yosemite and it lived up to every expectation. We got there quite early, around 8:30am and there was no queue to get in and the roads weren’t busy.

We stopped off to take in El Capitan, before parking close to the village center to walk the Yosemite Falls trail.

After this we drove to Glacier Point, via Tunnel View and Sentinel Dome - we only had a day here so we didn’t walk up, but the drive was bendy and steep and hard work on its own.

The views are, as you’d expect, incredible. Everywhere you look, whether at a view point or walking around, everything looks like a picture.

We finished with Mirror Lake, and this is where I would just mention that, as we went late September, there was very little water around the falls and the lakes, so that is something to take into account when planning. Of course the pro side of this is less traffic and footfall.

It’s $35 for a pass, which lasts a week, and whilst we did everything we wanted to in a day, I can see why people could spend two or three days here doing different trails.

If you travel a lot then this park does not have a wow effect. If you visited European countries like Spain, Italy, Montenegro..etc, then there will be no magic. You have to pay 35 dollars to enter this park while you have similar nature outside the park. The hotels near this park are so so (very outdated, back in time). For me it was too overrated. In the park you cannot make a round but have to drive back the same way.

Great two days experience. Drove in from our hotel 20 odd minutes away each day, entrance was busy but quick. Got confused by all the roads and trying to decide where we had been or not been. Did some walks. Loved viewing El Capitan. By the second day we had worked out where to go. Stopped all along the way no problem to see what we wanted or park to walk. Great experience.

The Yosemite Valley is the tourist heart of Yosemite National Park and is very impressive in terms of landscape. A wide, wooded valley framed by steep granite walls and numerous waterfalls. Accordingly, the tourist infrastructure with hotels, restaurants and visitor centre is concentrated here.

There are many short and longer trails through meadows, forests and along waterfalls. Some of them are also easily done with strollers, such as the way to Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall or the Cook’s Meadow Loop. Due to the large selection, it is worthwhile to inform yourself in advance and adapt the activities to the time budget and your own condition.

Accommodation directly in the Valley is usually booked weeks in advance and is also very expensive. Accommodation outside the park often offers much better value for money, but requires a longer journey of about 1 to 1.5 hours. The traffic management in the Valley itself is a bit tedious: The street is designed as a one-way street. If you miss an exit, you have to do a complete extra lap for about 10 minutes.

By the way, the best view of the Yosemite Valley with minimal effort is from the Tunnel View viewpoint at the exit of the valley.

It’s about an 1-1 1/2 hr ride from the gate we used depending on traffic. Lots of road construction along the way. Once there it could be crowded. This is a great starting point for many wonderful adventures. Breathtaking views are all over.

I have been going to Yosemite for 45 years and I must say that this weekend's experience was the worst. Literally once you got in the park (0900) there were only unsafe parking spots. There is massive traffic within the park (1 hour) and massive traffic getting through the tickets booth (up to 2 hours) There are controlled fires which make the air quality poor. There is 1 shuttle each 30 mins in the morning which increases as the day progresses. If you must go be in the park, go no later that 0730 am; if not turn around. The hiking is spoiled by the shear # of people (we hiked to Nevada Falls and it was nuts). The NPS has created this situation by not having a reservation system, and not having a parking area outside of the park so that people can shuttle in

This was my third trip. The views are wonderful every where. I still have not seen the whole park, it is just that big. I turn 50 this year, so I set a goal to hike from Yosemite Valley to Half Dome Summit. I planned and trained and made it this week. The National Park Service website gives you lots of information. All bookings are online, even the special lottery to get Half Dome Summit passes. They have rental bikes or you can hike through most of the valley. A car to reach the outer locations like Mariposa Grove or Tioga Pass Road. We stayed in the Curry Village tent/cabins. Even with Covid limitations we found meals at most locations. My children loved it too.
The only negative is that you must book about 6 months ahead. There are thousands of other people who want to experience it too.

This area of Yosemite is the main part. All of the well known Yosemite rock formations are here. The parking and traffic can be rough, but they were reasonable on a late Sunday in October. I loved the scenery but I did not allot enough time for a hike in this area. Just a word of caution, when it gets dark, it gets DARK! Please be advised that the sun went down at 6:00 P.M. in late October.

Spectacular scenery on the way in and out. wonderful scenery from the valley floor with good waterfalls. Did not have long here unfortunately as there are good paths to explore. We just did the basic touristy thing walking to the waterfalls and the village. interesting to see the scale of El Capitan. Unbelievable that some one has solo free climbed this. Madness.

We were overwhelmed with the beauty of the valley from the moment we caught our first glimpse from the tunnel view on our arrival. The grandeur of the granite rock faces towering over our heads was beyond my expectation. The variety of hiking trails for different skill levels was great!

Enjoyed finally seeing this park in person!
So diverse and beautiful! The valleys and tall mountains and rocks are exquisite.

Never knew they had such a waw place in US beside it I will write also about the whole tour we took around our trip to reach Yosemite , the place is well organized , tickets, food and drinks, tours and buses , hiking, views , arrangement for family, and solos .... many fantastic views

This is one of the most beautiful valleys in the entire country without a doubt. A day isn’t enough to see everything this beautiful area of the park has to offer

Amazing place! Can't in words describe how amazing this was. I have never seen anything like it... We actually saw a mountain lion. If my collegue I was there with haven't also seen it I guess noone would have believed me. But luckely she also saw it and I know for sure I didn't go crazy seeing things in the shadows in the forest. We took the Mirror lake trail and enjoyed a break at mirror lake. Amazing with the mountains surrounding this resting place and if I could ever go back I would. I'm out of superlatives...

Beautiful fall colours all along the way. It was an amazing view. The curry village and visitor center area was too crowded over the weekend. We just went for Fall colors and enjoyed them.
Note: We tried searching online for places to see Fall colors and were suggested Tuolumne Meadows. We did go there but did not find so many colors as many as we found in the Valley.

It’s easy to be craning your neck at all of Yosemite’s dramatic vistas, and hiking along the valley gives you a perspective that’s quiet and more normal feeling, yet with surrounding dramatic vistas. You can amble along an easy pathway reading about milkweed and butterflies... or sign up for a tram tour that takes you to various spots. I’d opt for both.

This was an add on to our trip to Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park and boy are we glad it opened up in time for us to go! It was a beautiful place, stunning scenery, good roads and just plain beautiful!

It should be on everyone's go to list!

One of the most unforgettable parks of our trip (we should have dedicated more days to it). A green heart with waterfalls, mountains and valleys... where every corner makes you feel the strength and grandeur of nature. Beautiful to take your breath away.

Yosemite Valley is basically the epicentre and beating heart of the park. You can get to all of the popular sites from here. The scenery is truelly breathtaking. Make sure you take a camera! Unfortunately we didnt see any bears or big horn sheep. But we did see plenty of chipmunks!

One tip - DO NOT go at the weekend, if you must, then go extremely early otherwise you will spend literally hours looking for a place to park.

Yosemite is one of the finest National Parks in the world but suffers badly from poor management. If the people running the place would limit the numbers of people entering, or better still only allow pre-booked tickets up to a certain number then make that date unavailable online, it would make for a much more enjoyable visit. They know you're going to spend half of your day looking for a space to park but are more than happy to take your money.

It still gets 5 stars because of the sheer beauty of the place.

We always wanted to visit this place and it was like a dream come true. We are from Costa Rica.

The park is just huge and has a lotof things to do like camping or hiking or just walking so there is something for everyone. The visitors center has a lot of information about the park which we loved and everything is well organizaed and looks well.

They have a nice groceries shop inside and also a nice restaurant with gluten free food that actually was a super plus for us.

We had the luck to see some animals and since it was winter the park was all covered in snow and for us that was just amazing.

I would just recomend to really have a lot of time so you can enjoy the best of this place.

Got our reserved park entry to YNP and spent our 4th of july weekend at this majestic park. There were no crowds, no traffic, no congestion. We had the park all by ourselves literally. This was taken at the yosemite valley at sunset during our leisure bike ride.

This is for the sight seer who doesn't hike or camp. We entered the Park at El Portal, the middle of the 3 entrances on the west side of Yosemite. This is by far the best place to enter since it leads directly to the main attractions. The entry booth is not far from the road. After entry, it is about a 15 minute drive to El Capitan. Another few minutes takes you to Half Dome. A total of 30 minutes takes you to Yosemite Village, which contains the Visitor's Center (there is poor signage directing you to the Center), shops, some restaurants, a very nice gallery of Ansel Adams photography and bus stops. The bus is handy when the Park is busy, but since we were there off season, we drove to the various sights. Don't forget to see Tunnel View. If you are visiting in the fall, I recommend going by the end of September since some attractions close after that time.
The next day, we drove to Glacier Point which is closer to the south end of the Park. A nice view.

Just to begin: Yosemite has been a gantastic and impressive Park througout the last 30 years. With our visit in Aug 2024 (family, RV mid size) our experience has been not been encoraging to come back. You eed to di a lot of prevooking and when you enter the Park 0600 in the morning there is still no designated RV parking available. If you want to travel through US as a family an RV might be your first choice but at Yosemite you will betreated 2nd maybe even 3rd class tourist. RVs are not seen as wemcome guests. Although we found a good Spot recommended by a Park enployee we have been es Ortes by Rangers to the parking ar valley lodge. Rangers seid is just a ten Minute walk (wgich is not the truth). Rangers said that there is even a bus taking you easily to the visitor Center (which is not the Truth as it is the green line where you first encircle the whole valley before you get to the visitor center). So be careful what Information they provide as they just want you to get outside of the Park.
You end up simlar as im Bryce soending more time on shuttle Busses than in nature. Woth our experience in 2024 I do think if you want to travel Zion, Bryce, Yosemite etc. You should not rent an RV as you are not welcome anymore. (Despite the fact that C23 are sometimes even smaller than regular US Tricks and by the way: it is not a dedicated RV parking at Yosemite! Regular Carsten are parking there too and you either convince the kids standing up at 0500 am or you maxbe get the remaining parking or you leave. So you might be planning half a year before to visit Yosemite, and then you end up with nothing!!!! Think the time of visitng national Parks in US with an RV is foreever gone which could be o.k. but people should know before they invest so much time and Monet on this trip.