Yosemite National Park – What You Need to Know

We visited Yosemite National Park and these are the things you need to know before you go.

Plan Ahead

Pre-planning is a must before you head to this beautiful park. We learned this the hard way. Did you know that some national parks require a reservation? We didn’t. This was definitely a lesson learned.

We waited in line for over an hour before being politely turned away at the entrance gate. However, all was not lost. We went and had a late lunch at a beautiful nearby lodge (Jackalope’s Bar and Grill – Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite). We got back in a much shorter line just before 4 p.m., which is the time that anyone may enter without a reservation.

Budget-Friendly

Current admission prices can be found on the park’s website HERE.

This park honors the America The Beautiful Pass. We have found this to be a huge money saver for the national parks. A one time fee covers everyone in your car (with the exception of some parks) for an entire year. We purchased ours for $80. If you are going to 2-3 parks it pays for itself!

Multi-Day Park

Yosemite is HUGE. It would take days to see all of this magnificent park. Time was not on our side. So, we hit the highlights. We will most definitely be going back.

Must Sees:

Half Dome – This mountain is very popular among climbing enthusiasts.

El Capitan – Another impressive mountain.

Bridalveil Falls – The intensity of this waterfall depends on the amount of snow that is melting at the time of your visit. Take the time to go to the bottom of the fall. It is truly awe-inspiring.

Tunnel View – As the name suggests, you travel through a tunnel to reach this magnificent point. This location boasts an incredible view of El Capital, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls in one panoramic location.

Busy Park

This park can get very busy. However, other than the long line of traffic, we never felt crowded by people.

Download the NPS App

This is a non-negotiable. There is little to no cell service in this massive park. It is very easy to get lost. If you download the app there are maps that can be very helpful should you lose GPS.

Yosemite was an incredible adventure for us. We will be making a return visit.

Want more information about other national parks we’ve visited? Check out our other posts Things to Know Before You Go – Bryce Canyon Edition and Things to Know Before You Go – Zion National Park Edition.

And remember, break the monotony, not the bank.

–Marnie & Jeff