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 |
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.
Parks you could combine with it
- 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, and the closest town of any size is Yosemite Valley — about 25 min away.
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. Recreation.gov releases most national park campsites six months before the arrival date, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern time. Windows are set per campground, so confirm yours on the Seasons and Fees tab on that campground page.