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Granite dome with trace amounts of snow.
NATIONAL PARK

Yosemite National Park

Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.

Photo: NPS / Cindy Jacoby / NPS

CA
state
33
things to do
$20
to enter
6
parks within a day
OVERVIEW

About Yosemite National Park

Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. 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.

WITHIN A DAY'S DRIVE

Pair it with another park

6 in range

Driving times from Yosemite National Park, one way, via road — a realistic day is 8–10 hours behind the wheel.

BEFORE YOU GO

Entrance fees

Entrance - Private Vehicle

$35.00

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. This fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it. Per-person nonresident fees still apply.

Entrance - Motorcycle

$30.00

Valid for 7 days. Admits up to 2 private, non-commercial motorcycles with up to 4 total passengers. Per-person nonresident fees still apply.

Entrance - Per Person

$20.00

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for people entering on foot, a bicycle, a horse, or a non-commercial bus or van. People 15 years and younger are free.

Entrance - Non-commercial Groups

$300.00

The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free.

Entrance - Education/Academic Groups

Free

An educational fee waiver is available for educational and scientific groups that are accredited or tax-exempt for educational purposes planning a trip for educational or scientific purposes related to Yosemite that is not primarily recreational.

Commercial Entrance - Per Person

$20.00

The fee is $20 per person for any resident 16 years or older. For any nonresident the fee is $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. This fee is valid for seven consecutive days.

Nonresident

$100.00

Each non-US resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an Annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.

Commercial Entrance - Mini-bus

$200.00

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.

Commercial Entrance - Motor Coach

$300.00

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days. For any nonresident there is an additional fee of $100 per person for anyone 16 years or older. A commercial use authorization is required.

WHEN TO GO

Hours

Yosemite National Park

Mon
All Day
Tue
All Day
Wed
All Day
Thu
All Day
Fri
All Day
Sat
All Day
Sun
All Day

Hetch Hetchy

Mon
Sunrise to Sunset
Tue
Sunrise to Sunset
Wed
Sunrise to Sunset
Thu
Sunrise to Sunset
Fri
Sunrise to Sunset
Sat
Sunrise to Sunset
Sun
Sunrise to Sunset
THINGS TO DO

Activities

Arts and CultureAstronomyAuto and ATVBackcountry CampingBackcountry HikingBikingBirdwatchingBoatingBookstore and Park StoreCampingClimbingFishingFoodGuided ToursHands-OnHikingHorse TrekkingHorseback RidingIce SkatingJunior Ranger ProgramLiving HistoryMuseum ExhibitsPaddlingPark FilmScenic DrivingShoppingSkiingSnow PlaySnow TubingSnowshoeingSwimmingTubingWildlife Watching
PLAN YOUR VISIT

Getting there

Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) in the Sierra Nevada, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to enter Yosemite National Park?
Entrance to Yosemite National Park starts at $20. See the fees section above for each pass and vehicle type.
What is there to do at Yosemite National Park?
Popular activities include Arts and Culture, Astronomy, Auto and ATV, Backcountry Camping, Backcountry Hiking, Biking.
Which national parks are within a day's drive of Yosemite National Park?
Within about a day's drive you can reach Devils Postpile National Monument (2 h 4 min), Manzanar National Historic Site (3 h 19 min), Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site (3 h 45 min), John Muir National Historic Site (3 h 56 min), Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front National Historical Park (4 h 3 min), Alcatraz Island (4 h 5 min).