Are you looking for a new camping destination for yourself or your family? If so, consider Yosemite National Park in California. Established in 1890, this park has become very popular with campers, hikers, artists, and nature enthusiasts. And if you’re into backcountry adventure, this is the place for you.
And here is a sneak peek at what will you see when you visit Yosemite National Park. Several waterfalls, including Bridalveil Falls, Verna Falls, Nevada Falls, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Majestic rock faces such as El Capitan and Half Dome. Beautiful giant sequoias. The Mariposa Grove. The gorgeous landscape of the Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. It will take your breath away.
Camping is an enjoyable experience on its own. However, knowing the best activities to engage in while visiting Yosemite or camping within the park can only enhance your experience. All of these activities are free, for the most part, and great ways to enjoy your time away from home! This is what a vacation is all about.
Take A Hike To The Top Of Half Dome
You’ve seen Half Dome in pictures, postcards, and even calendars. Now it’s time to see it up close and personal. Yosemite National Park’s iconic Half Dome rises nearly 5,000 feet from the Yosemite Valley floor and 8,800 feet above sea level. If you are up for this challenge and want to see some of America’s most beautiful scenery from an even higher vantage point than just hiking along the trail, then this hike is for you!
Hiking the famous Half Dome in Yosemite National Park can be a very challenging experience, but it is well worth the effort. The hike is about 16.3 miles roundtrip and takes between 12-14 hours to complete. The trail climbs over 5,300 feet in elevation, so it’s not for the faint of heart.
You will need to obtain a permit before your hike. These permits are lottery-based. Please refer to the website link for more information on how to obtain one. There is a small application fee and also a per person fee.
The hike begins at Happy Isles Trailhead of the John Muir Trail which starts by crossing Vernal Fall on a wooden bridge before climbing steeply for 3 miles (5 km) to reach the top of Nevada Fall where hikers can enjoy a picnic lunch or simply take in the views before continuing another half-mile (1 km) uphill to Half Dome Village.
After spending some time here soaking up all this natural beauty, we recommend making your way down via Mirror Lake Loop Trail – an easy 1-mile walk through the woods.
This is a great way to cool off and enjoy the scenery before heading back down for your car or shuttle ride home!
Take An Easy Hike To See Yosemite Falls From Below
It’s one of the most iconic views in Yosemite National Park. The water cascades down from the top of El Capitan to the base, nearly 2,400 feet below. But what if you could see it from an entirely different perspective?
Yosemite National Park is a beautiful and awe-inspiring place. It’s one of the most popular national parks in the United States with about four million visitors each year. And when visiting Yosemite it is the waterfalls people want to see.
Yosemite Falls is located near the center of Yosemite Valley, which spans 4 miles long by 2 miles wide (6.4km by 3.2 km). The falls are considered to be a major attraction, especially for those camping at Camp Curry or Hetch Hetchy, as it provides them with an excellent opportunity to get close enough to see the falls without backpacking for hours on end.
This short and easy walk is a great way to see the falls without having your view obstructed by trees. The trail is paved and only takes about 20 minutes roundtrip. If needed there are water and restroom facilities available. It is a great spot for family pictures.
Watch The Sunset At Glacier Point
Glacier Point at sunset is one of the most breathtaking scenes in Yosemite Valley. It’s a popular destination for day hikers and campers alike. It’s not an easy drive or hike, but if you do visit be prepared for jaw-dropping views as a reward. So prepare for crowds. Once there you’ll find panoramic views of Half Dome and other iconic landmarks from the top.
By car, it is about an hour’s drive from the valley floor. For the more adventurous, take the Four Mile Trail. This is a 3,200-foot elevation gain hike. It takes roughly 3 to 4 hours one way to hike the 4.8 miles.
Hiking is the best way to view Yosemite National Park from up high without needing to hike Half Dome.
The temperature drops significantly once you are up there so make sure to bring warm clothing. Glacier Point also has water spigots for those who want a break from carrying their supplies.
Nothing Beats The Tunnel View
The Yosemite Valley is a well-known place that attracts thousands of visitors annually. One of the most popular places to visit in this area is Tunnel View located on Highway 41. This viewpoint, which was constructed by the National Park Service, provides an excellent view of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall with Half Dome in the background.
This viewpoint is accessible by car and provides a great place to stop for those who are driving through the valley. There is also an easy hike from the parking lot to this viewpoint for those looking for a more in-depth experience.
Of course, once you make your way down the mountain you can visit Bridalveil Falls up close before heading to the Yosemite Valley floor. It is by far one of the favorites of visitors.
The Mist Trail – Explore Vernal and Nevada Falls
As one of the more popular hikes in Yosemite, it can also be very crowded. However, that is usually just with the first of the three legs of this trail. The trailhead starts at the Happy Isles Trail in the Yosemite Valley.
The first leg ends at the Vernal Falls Footbridge. It is a relatively easy hike that takes about two hours round-trip.
The second leg, which is a little more strenuous, ends at the top of Vernal Falls. This section has you hike through the mist trail. You get to understand the name once hiked the trail. The total round trip time is roughly 3 hours.
The final section is a short walk to Nevada Falls, which is about one mile from the trailhead. The total round-trip time for this hike is about four hours, but it’s worth every minute of your day.
Crashing down 594 feet, this thunderous waterfall is at its fullest in spring and early summer. The sound of the roaring falls will fill your ears as you take a walk along the winding trail that hugs close to its edge. Along this stretch of trail are scenic vistas for those who want some great shots with their camera!
Visit Mirror Lake For A Refreshing Swim
This trail can be easy or slightly moderate depending on your fitness level. The total round-trip time, or loop, is about three hours and the elevation gain of this hike ranges from 400 to 600 feet.
The Mirror Lake Trail is a great hike especially for those who want to see some of the most famous landmarks in Yosemite. Along this trail, you will see the Vernal and Nevada Falls, Half Dome (which is one of Yosemite’s most recognizable landmarks), and Liberty Cap.
Mirror Lake is often referred to as Mirror Meadow due to the lack of water in the late summer months. A great time to visit is after a season of heavy rainfall in the California mountains.
But when there is water, be sure to cool off. The temperature of the water is usually around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Very refreshing after a long hike through the meadow.
Go Fishing In Tenaya Creek
Tenaya Creek begins at Tenaya Lake, which is located high in Tuolumne Meadows. It plunges down an almost impassable canyon over Pywiack Cascade down to the valley below Mount Watkins. The creek then continues to flow until finally, it meets the Merced River.
The creek is one of the more underappreciated places to fish in Yosemite. The Tenaya Creek begins at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center, a popular destination for hikers in Yosemite National Park who want to explore high country lakes. The creek is stocked with trout and has some excellent fishing spots nearby.
If you like fishing this is a perfect opportunity, so don’t forget your gear.
Ride The Sugar Pine Railroad
The Sugar Pine Railroad is a historical attraction in the Sierra National Forest that offers visitors an opportunity to take part in history. Found near Yosemite’s southern entrance, this historic railway was built for Madera Sugar Pine Lumber Company and has been standing since 1874.
Your dreamy day out at Yosemite National Park just won’t be complete without riding our vintage trains from 1881 that were once used by President Rutherford B. Hayes when he was visiting California’s sequoias. With whistles blowing and side doors open so passengers can glimpse Mother Nature’s beautiful scenery passing them by (sometimes even including wildlife!), there are no other rides like this one anywhere else than The Sugar Pine Railroad.
For more information on prices and times, visit the Sugar Pine Railroad website.
Hike To The Golden Crown Mine – Ghost Town
The Golden Crown Mine is located at Mono Pass, on the boundary of Yosemite National Park at 11,000 ft elevation. It was established during the height of the Tioga silver boom. The mine was originally opened in 1883, but it closed down after only a few years.
The remote Golden Crown Mine is a window into Yosemite’s history. Although this hike is rather strenuous, visiting this mine is a great way to experience the history of Yosemite.
Gazing at the remainders of the miner’s cabins is a great reminder of the harsh and difficult life of the miners. The hike is roughly 3.7 miles with an elevation change of 950 feet. There are great views of Mono Lake and the surrounding countryside.
This hike is best done as a day hike.
Make A Day Trip To Mono Lake
Mono Lake is a large, shallow saltwater lake in Mono County, California. It sits at an elevation of 6192 feet and has a surface area of about 68 square miles (170 km2). The average depth is 33 ft with the deepest point being 260 ft. The alkalinity level is also one of the highest in North America.
Due to the high alkalinity, the lake does not have any fish. However, it does have life. The water is filled with trillions of brine shrimp and alkali flies, which are the main food source for migratory birds, including the California gull and Western grebe.
Of course, your visit isn’t complete until you see the tufa towers. These towers are formed by calcium carbonate that is deposited on the lake’s shoreline. The tufa formations were created when water from Mono Lake evaporated and left behind calcium carbonate. The tufa formations are the most popular attraction at Mono Lake.
From Yosemite, you take Highway 120, or the Tioga Road, and travel east. The road winds through the mountains where you can begin to see the beautiful mountain peaks. Enjoy the site of Tenaya Lake as you enter Tuolumne Meadows and then on to Tioga Pass. At an elevation of 9,943 feet, it is the highest roadway in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
Once off the mountain, you enter the city of Lee Vining and the gateway to Mono Lake.
Wrapping It Up
What Else Is There To Do around Yosemite?
There are so many other fun things to see and do while visiting Yosemite. You and your kids, if you have them, can wade in the local streams to cool off. There are plenty of picnic areas as well for you to enjoy a nice meal while staring at the beauty around you.
Take a drive to Mariposa Grove and see the famous giant sequoias.
Use the Yosemite Valley Shuttle System to get around the park. Check out the Yosemite Lodge, The Ahwahnee hotel, and Curry Village.
If you like art, The Ansel Adams Gallery has beautiful artwork from the famed photographer. This is located at the Valley Visitor Center. Pick up print or two while you’re there.
Rent a bike and go for a nice ride through the valley. There are plenty of areas to explore and you won’t have to constantly look for parking.
As you can see there is plenty to do while camping at Yosemite. Mother Nature is on full display when you visit the park. It is best to visit the park after good winter snow or a spring shower. But make sure you schedule your time well in advance. Yosemite is a popular destination and the campsites fill up quickly so plan your trip accordingly.
