Yosemite National Park Tips

It's also one of America's busiest parks, which can make visiting a challenge at times. Use these Yosemite National Park tips to avoid the crowds and get the most out of your visit.

Find Accommodations Nearby

It's impossible to see all of the park in a single day, yet finding a place to spend the night can be a challenge. Rather than fighting for a spot in one of Yosemite's campgrounds and lodges, look for a place to stay outside the park. Nearby communities like Mariposa and Oakhurst, California, offer a variety of accommodations within a short drive.

Visit During the Off-Season

Some folks don't mind crowds, but if you'd rather experience a little solitude when you're visiting Yosemite National Park, you might want to avoid the busy summer season. The park is every bit as stunning during the off-season, with glorious wildflower blooms in spring and an extraordinary display of colorful fall foliage. Some things to do in Yosemite are actually only possible during the off-season. A good example is Horsetail Falls, where the specific angle of the setting sun illuminates the water into a fiery shade of orange in the evening—a phenomenon that can only be seen in February.

Head to Hetch Hetchy

Tucked away in the tranquil northwest corner of the park, Hetch Hetchy Valley is well off the beaten path, despite being every bit as stunning as the more popular Yosemite Valley. The Hetch Hetchy area features Wapama Falls and the O’Shaughnessy Dam, along with dozens of hiking trails, including a route to the top of the imposing Smith Peak—a 13-mile round trip that rewards hikers with panoramic views of the valley and surrounding peaks.

Explore Tuolumne Grove

Some of the biggest attractions at Yosemite National Park are its giant sequoia groves, where some of the largest trees on earth grow in an unspoiled habitat. You don't want to miss your chance to visit these ancient giants. But while many visitors head straight to the famous Mariposa Grove, you can enjoy a less crowded experience by opting for the Tuolumne Grove, home to several dozen mature sequoias. You can even walk through the famous Tunnel Tree, a 30-foot-diameter sequoia stump that had already died when a passageway was cut through it in 1878.

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