Yosemite National Park Custom Search Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things. Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large subalpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley.    CONTACTS Email - yose_web_manager@nps.gov Fax- 209-372-0220 Write to Superintendent PO Box 577 Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 Phone Visitor information & Headquarters - 209-372-0200 Visitor information for deaf/heard of hearing (TDD) - 209-372-4726 TRAVEL BASICS Operating Hours, Seasons The park is open 365 days per year, 24 hours per day. Reservations are not needed (nor are they available) to enter the park. The Tioga, Glacier Point, and Mariposa Grove roads are closed from October/November through May/June due to snow (the Mariposa Grove Road may be closed for a shorter period). All other parks roads generally remain open all year, though chains are frequently required. Some hotels and campgrounds in Yosemite Valley and Wawona, and the Valley Visitor Center are open all year. Getting There PLANE - Several airlines serve Fresno Yosemite International (off of Hwy 41), the Merced Air Terminal (off of Hwy 140), and the Modesto Airport (off of Hwy 120). CAR - There are four entrances to the park: -South entrance on Highway 41 north from Fresno -Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced -Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca -Hetch Hetchy Entrance (to Hetch Hetchy Valley) -Tioga Pass entrance on Highway 120 east from Lee Vining and Highway 395. The Tioga Pass entrance is closed from the first major snowstorm in November until late May to June due to snow. All other park entrances are kept open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow anytime between November and April. **Visitors may drive into and around Yosemite Valley. Reservations are not required (nor do they exist) to enter the park.** PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION - Visitors can ride YARTS buses from gateway communities outside the park into Yosemite Valley. YARTS and VIA buses connect with Amtrak and Greyhound in Merced. Weather & Climate Weather can change rapidly during all seasons of the year. Elevation plays a major role in temperature and precipitation. Yosemite receives most of its precipitation in the months of January, February and March. Summers are typically warm and dry. Spring and fall are transitional months, when warm, sunny days can suddenly become stormy. Clouds can build up during the summer to produce spectacular thunderstorm activity. For Yosemite Valley and Wawona (subtract 10-20 degrees for Tuolumne Meadows), AVERAGE weather is as follows: Summer: Typically dry, with occasional thunderstorms; highs in the low 90s, lows in the 50s. Fall & Spring: Highly variable, with typical high temperatures ranging from the 50s to 70s, with lows in the 30s. Rain is less likely early in fall/late in spring and rain or snow is likely late in fall/early in spring. Winter: Snowy, rainy, or (sometimes) even sunny days are possible, with highs ranging from the 30s to 50s and lows in the upper 20s. It is wise to pack for any season with clothing that can be 'layered,' ready to peel off or add on as conditions dictate. Always include some kind of rain gear. Accessibility The park's major sites can be viewed by automobile. Some trails and facilities are wheelchair accessible. Ask at any visitor center or entrance station for more information. Getting Around Free shuttle buses are recommended in Yosemite Valley (year round), Wawona/Mariposa Grove (spring-fall), and Tuolumne Meadows (summer). CAMPING Campgrounds in Yosemite Make Reservations by Phone at 1-800-436-PARK There are thirteen campgrounds in Yosemite National Park. Camping reservations for up to seven of these campgrounds are available five months in advance. Wawona, Hodgdon Meadow, and two campgrounds in Yosemite Valley are open all year. For More Information on this campground please call 209-372-8502 (info only) High Sierra Camps Yosemite Concession Services Corporation operates five High Sierra Camps, which are spaced 5.7 to 10 miles apart along a loop trail in Yosemite's beautiful high country. All lodging is in canvas tent cabins that have dormitory-style steel frame beds with mattresses, pillows, woolen blankets and comforters. Hot showers, soap and restroom facilities are available. However, guests must provide their own sheets or sleep-sacks and towels. Sleep-sacks and Trek Towels can be purchased through Yosemite Concession Services Corporation mail order for confirmed High Camp guests. Due to high demand, High Sierra camps are reserved on a lottery basis. Applications are available October 15 to November 30 annually. For More Information on this campground please call 559-253-5674 LODGING Accommodations in Yosemite Open All Year Yosemite Concession Services Corporation operates a variety of lodging units in Yosemite. For More Information on this lodging please call 559-252-4848 High Sierra Camps Yosemite Concession Services Corporation operates five High Sierra Camps, which are spaced 5.7 to 10 miles apart along a loop trail in Yosemite's beautiful high country. All lodging is in canvas tent cabins that have dormitory-style steel frame beds with mattresses, pillows, woolen blankets and comforters. Hot showers, soap and restroom facilities are available. However, guests must provide their own sheets or sleep-sacks and towels. Sleep-sacks and Trek Towels can be purchased through Yosemite Concession Services Corporation mail order for confirmed High Camp guests. Due to high demand, High Sierra camps are reserved on a lottery basis. Applications are available October 15 to November 30 annually. For More Information on this lodging please call 559-253-5674 FACILITIES Museums YOSEMITE MUSEUM Open All Year at least 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (closed for lunch) Phone - 209-372-0200 Location - Next to the Visitor Center in Yosemite Valley. Exhibits - Displays interpret the cultural history of Yosemite’s native Miwok and Paiute people from 1850 to the present. Demonstrations of basket-weaving, beadwork, and/or traditional games are presented. The Indian Village of Ahwahneee is a reconstructed Miwok village. Cultural demonstrations are offered during the summer. During summer, the Museum Gallery displays paintings from the collection of the Yosemite Museum. Visitor Centers VISITOR CENTERS AND INFORMATION STATIONS Phone - 209-372-0200 Location - Visitor centers are located in Yosemite Valley (open year-round) and Tuolumne Meadows (summer only). Information stations are located in Wawona (spring-fall) and Big Oak Flat (spring-fall). Wilderness Information Centers WILDERNESS CENTERS AND PERMIT STATIONS Phone - 209-372-0200 Location - Wilderness Centers are located in Yosemite Valley (spring-fall; visitor center during winter) and Tuolumne Meadows (summer only). Wildernes Permits are also issued at the Wawona Information Station (spring-fall), Big Oak Flat Information Station (spring-fall), and Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station (summer only).   Map Detailed Map Contact Info Phone, Email, Address, GPS coordinates Campgrounds Nearby List of Nearby Campgrounds Weather Local weather forecast These outdoors activities are available near Yosemite National Park.   Campgrounds Near Yosemite National Park: Wawona Campground, Mariposa County, 2 miles away Summit Campground, Mariposa County, 5 miles away Summerdale Campground, Mariposa County, 5 miles away Bridalveil Campground, Mariposa County, 5 miles away Signal Group Campground, Mariposa County, 6 miles away Crowsfoot Campground, Mariposa County, 6 miles away Big Sandy Campground, Madera County, 8 miles away   Marinas Near Yosemite National Park: Pines Marina, Bass Lake , 16 miles away   Hotels Near Yosemite National Park: Wawona Hotel, Yosemite National Park , 5 miles away Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite National Park , 5 miles away Ahwahnee Hotel, Yosemite National Park , 5 miles away Wawona Hotel, Yosemite National Park , 5 miles away Tin Lizzie Inn, Fish Camp , 6 miles away Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite, Fish Camp , 6 miles away Narrow Gauge Inn, Fish Camp , 7 miles away   Trails Near Yosemite National Park: Chilnualna Fall Trail, Mariposa County , 2 miles away,  7 hiking miles, 2879 feet elevation difference Pohono Trail, Mariposa County , 7 miles away, 11.4 hiking miles, 3527 feet elevation difference El Capitan Trail, Mariposa County , 9 miles away, 14.7 hiking miles, 4758 feet elevation difference Mono Meadow Trail, Mariposa County , 9 miles away,  5.2 hiking miles, 1019 feet elevation difference Buena Vista Trail, Madera County , 10 miles away,  22.4 hiking miles, 2797 feet elevation difference Four Mile Trail, Mariposa County , 10 miles away, 3.7 hiking miles, 3869 feet elevation difference Panorama Trail, Mariposa County , 10 miles away, 7.1 hiking miles, 3896 feet elevation difference   Ski Areas Near Yosemite National Park: Badger Pass, California , 5 miles away, 540 foot drop, 5 lifts, 10 runs Dodge Ridge, California , 39 miles away, 1600 foot drop, 10 lifts, 59 runs China Peak - formerly Sierra Summit, California , 40 miles away, 1679 foot drop, 11 lifts, 45 runs June Mountain, California , 41 miles away, 2580 foot drop, 7 lifts, 37 runs Mammoth Mountain, California , 46 miles away, 3100 foot drop, 27 lifts, 156 runs Bear Valley, California , 57 miles away, 1900 foot drop, 11 lifts, 67 runs Kirkwood, California , 67 miles away, 2000 foot drop, 15 lifts, 65 runs Sierra at Tahoe, California , 73 miles away, 2212 foot drop, 12 lifts, 46 runs Heavenly, California , 77 miles away, 3500 foot drop, 31 lifts, 94 runs Homewood, California , 89 miles away, 1650 foot drop, 8 lifts, 56 runs   Whitewater Near Yosemite National Park: Big Creek, Mariposa County , 4 miles away, Class IV-V+ - 1 miles long (Chowchilla Mountain Road to South Fork Merced River) Merced River, Mariposa County , 8 miles away, Class V - 4.8 miles long (Routes 120-140 Junction to Arch Rock Entrance Station) Merced River, Mariposa County , 10 miles away, Class II-V - 29 miles long (El Portal to Route 49 at Lake McClure) Merced River - South Fork, Mariposa County , 11 miles away, Class III-IV - 7.4 miles long (Snyder Gulch to Route 140 Bridge) Merced River, Mariposa County , 12 miles away, Class IV - 17 miles long (Red Bud to Bagby Reservoir)   Public Lands Near Yosemite National Park: Devils Postpile National Monument, Mammoth Lakes - CA , 64 miles away Sierra National Forest, California , 30 miles away Millerton Lake State Park, California , 32 miles away Stanislaus National Forest, California , 37 miles away   Golf Courses Near Yosemite National Park: Ahwahnee Golf Course, Oakhurst , 13 miles away River Creek Golf Course, Ahwahnee , 13 miles away   Lakes Near Yosemite National Park Bare Island Lake, Madera County , 13 miles away Givens Lake, Madera County , 13 miles away Spotted Lakes, Madera County , 18 miles away Bass Lake, Madera County , 18 miles away Tenaya Lake, Mariposa County , 20 miles away