Yosemite National Park

Winter Morning Sunrise Tunnel View Yosemite Valley – Yosemite National Park. Photo credit Chase Lindberg via Flickr / Licensed under CC by 2.0

First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more. Click here for current conditions and planning your visit. Webcam images of El Capitan, Half Dome, the High Sierra and Yosemite Falls are also available.

Iconic views of El Capitan and Half Dome can be seen on a drive around the Yosemite Valley floor. If you’re up for a hike, the John Muir Trail and Mist Trails lead up to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, with spectacular views of Liberty Cap.

Covering an area approximately the size of Rhode Island, the Yosemite Wilderness includes both the Tuolumne and Merced watersheds. During the summer months the Tioga Road (Hwy 120) traverses the park and provides quick access to the high country, including Lembert Dome, Olmsted Point Overlook, and Tioga Lake. Continuing out of the park towards Eastern Sierra destinations brings travelers through impressive Tioga Pass, and no visit is complete without a stop at the Whoa Nellie Deli.

Hidden in Yosemite’s peaceful northwest corner, Hetch Hetchy Valley is a treasure worth visiting in all seasons. Located at 3,900 feet, Hetch Hetchy boasts one of the longest hiking seasons in the park and is an ideal place for thundering spring waterfalls and wildflower displays.

Since its opening in 1935, Badger Pass (now Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area) has been a family favorite ski resort, and is one of only three lift serviced ski areas operating in a US National Park. In addition to downhill facilities, there are extensive cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails.