Yosemite National Park: planning guide
A granite valley and high Sierra country in California. Waterfalls in spring; valley floors get crowded in summer.
Yosemite National Park is in CA, United States. The nearest town is Yosemite Valley — roughly 9.2 mi (14.8 km) out, about 25 min of driving.
When to go
Best window: July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow. Shoulder season: late June and late September.
High passes and trails hold snow from October into June, and some roads close entirely for the winter.
Afternoon thunderstorms build fast above treeline in summer. Start early and be off exposed ridges by early afternoon.
Closest towns and cities
| Town | Distance | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Yosemite Valley | 9.2 mi (14.8 km) | 25 min |
| Midpines | 30.6 mi (49.3 km) | 1 hr 5 min |
| Bridgeport | 31.5 mi (50.7 km) | 1 hr 6 min |
| Mammoth Lakes | 34.6 mi (55.7 km) | 1 hr 12 min |
| Mariposa | 35.4 mi (56.9 km) | 1 hr 13 min |
| Ahwahnee | 36.3 mi (58.4 km) | 1 hr 15 min |
| Oakhurst | 37.9 mi (61 km) | 1 hr 17 min |
| Tuolumne City | 38.8 mi (62.4 km) | 1 hr 19 min |
Before you go
Yosemite National Park does not gate the entrance itself. Specific roads, hikes, or tours still need a permit or timed ticket.
| Booking | Covers | How |
|---|---|---|
| Half Dome Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
| Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits | One hike or backcountry trip | Permit or lottery |
Camping
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bridalveil Creek | Reservable | — |
| Bridalveil Creek Horse Campsites | Reservable | — |
| Camp 4 | Reservable | — |
| Crane Flat | Reservable | — |
| Hodgdon Meadow | Reservable | — |
| Lower Pines | Reservable | — |
| North Pines | Reservable | — |
| Porcupine Flat | Reservable | — |
| Tamarack Flat | Reservable | — |
| Tuolumne Horse Campsites | Reservable | — |
| Tuolumne Meadows | Reservable | — |
| Upper Pines | Reservable | — |
Permits
| Name | Booking | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Half Dome Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
| Yosemite National Park Wilderness Permits | Permit / lottery | — |
Where Yosemite National Park sits
Official Yosemite National Park site — hours, closures, and fees.
Drive times from Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park sits close enough to Kings Canyon National Park, Sequoia National Park, Pinnacles National Park, and Death Valley National Park that one drive from home can cover more than one park.
| Park | Apart | Estimated drive |
|---|---|---|
| Kings Canyon National Park | 88 mi (142 km) | 2 hr 32 min |
| Sequoia National Park | 108 mi (174 km) | 3 hr |
| Pinnacles National Park | 131 mi (211 km) | 3 hr 33 min |
| Death Valley National Park | 188 mi (302 km) | 4 hr 53 min |
Long trails through this park
Pacific Crest Trail crosses Yosemite National Park. The published corridor is CA–WA.
- Pacific Crest Trail — official trail site.
Parks close by
- Kings Canyon National Park
Deep granite canyon and giant sequoia groves in California’s Sierra. Shares a boundary with Sequoia National Park.
- Sequoia National Park
Giant sequoia groves on the western Sierra slope in California. Big trees, granite, and shared access with Kings Canyon.
- Pinnacles National Park
Volcanic rock spires and talus caves east of the Salinas Valley in California. Condors sometimes soar overhead.
- Death Valley National Park
Hot, dry basin and range in California. Salt flats, sand dunes, and colorful badlands; summers are extreme.
Common questions
Where is Yosemite National Park?
Yosemite National Park sits in CA, United States. Yosemite Valley, about 9.2 mi (14.8 km) away — roughly 25 min of driving.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?
Generally July through mid-September, once the high country is clear of snow, with late June and late September quieter on either side.
Can you camp in Yosemite National Park?
Yes — Recreation.gov lists 16 campgrounds at Yosemite National Park. Upper Pines Campground is released a whole month at a time, on the 15th of the month five months earlier, at 7:00 a.m. Pacific time.