Plan Your Visit

Plan like a Park Ranger

Top 10 Tips for Visiting Yosemite in Summer 2021

Plan Like a Park Ranger

 

Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.

Top Things to Know

1. Pack your patience: millions of people visit Yosemite from April through October. Yosemite Valley is the main destination for most visitors but there are many places to go in the park.

2. Early birds avoid traffic! From spring through fall, arrive in the park before or after peak hours (before 9 am and after 5 pm) to avoid delays and traffic congestion.
3. Plan ahead: reservations are required to enter Yosemite from May 21 through September 30, 2021.
4. Keep wildlife wild: do not approach or feed animals.
5. Drive responsibly: observe posted speed limits and use pullouts to take pictures and let other cars pass.
6. Protect Yosemite’s bears: always practice proper food storage and follow speed limits.
7. Staying connected: cellular service is limited. Don’t be surprised if you can’t receive calls or texts in the park.
8. How can you help four million people? Learn how to visit Yosemite in a way that is fun, memorable, and safe.

 

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  Basic Information

  Entrance fees, weather forecasts, hours of operation and more.

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  Reservations Required to Visit Yosemite

  Find out what kinds of reservations provide entry to Yosemite and how to get them for May 21 through September 2021.

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  Planifique Su Visita

  Yosemite: No es tan solo un gran valle sino también un santuario para la vista humana, la fuerza del granito, el poder de los glaciares, la

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  Lodging, Camping, and Wilderness Permits

  Hoping to spend the night in Yosemite? Learn more about lodging, camping, and obtaining wilderness permits.

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  Places to Go

  Which area of Yosemite will you explore next?

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  Things to Do

  Find activities that fit into your Yosemite adventure!

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  Directions & Transportation

  Find your route to Yosemite, check the status of roads, and view park maps.

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  NPS App

  One app, every park at your fingertips. The NPS App offers tools to explore more than 400 national parks nationwide.

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  Hours & Seasons

  Is there a best time to visit Yosemite? It depends what you're looking for, and each season has its advantages.

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  Accessibility

  Yosemite's goal is to provide the highest possible level of accessibility to our visitors.

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  Safety

  Whether you're sightseeing by vehicle or trekking into the wilderness, read our tips on staying safe in Yosemite.

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  Guiding and Transportation Companies

  Find authorized guiding and transportation companies that operate in Yosemite. Authorization to operate is not a recommendation by the NPS.

 

Yosemite Trip Planning Videos
We've made this series of videos to help you plan your trip. So far, we have a general orientation video, along with videos about easy, moderate, and strenuous day hikes in Yosemite Valley.

 

Books and maps to help you plan your trip

The Yosemite Conservancy bookstore specializes in the very best Yosemite guides, maps, and books. Many of our titles are written by park based experts, making them some of the most comprehensive resources you will have.

When you shop at Yosemite Conservancy bookstore you are also supporting the park. Proceeds go straight back into helping preserve and protect the park, and provide a wide range of visitor services.