Yosemite National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

Yosemite National Park Active and Adventure Travel Guide

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Waterfall in Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park, California (Photodisc/Getty)
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Yosemite National Park Active and Adventure Travel Tips

By Karen Kefauver

  • Start early in the morning to set out for the approximately 12-hour hike to the magnificent Half Dome. The final climb to the top requires using cables to ascend.
  • A short walk up a paved trail to the bottom of Lower Yosemite Fall provides great views of all of Yosemite Falls, plus a close-up of the lower fall. Note that this waterfall is often dry from August through October.
  • For advanced rock climbers, Snake Dike is the easiest technical climbing route to the top of the famous Half Dome. The summit of Half Dome rises 5,000 feet above the Yosemite Valley floor and provides amazing views of Yosemite and the High Sierra.
  • Though ice climbing can be found in Yosemite, it's a good idea to always check with local climbers and review current weather conditions. The valley is too low to maintain reliable conditions, so often climbs are only in good condition for a week.

Yosemite National Park

In 1851, in an attempt to subdue a group of Indian people, the state-sanctioned Mariposa Battalion entered Yosemite Valley. They became the first group of non-Indians to record their entry into the Valley, but their descriptions of it ensured they would not be the last. One man later wrote, "None but those who have visited this most wonderful valley can even imagine... the awe with which I beheld it. ... As I looked, a peculiar exalted sensation seemed to fill my whole being, and I found my eyes in tears with emotion." Read More

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3 Questions | 3 Answers
  • Is March a good time to visit the Yosemite National Park? We are interested in rock climbing, hiking and visiting the highest peak there.
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question
  • Taking my S.O. to Yosemite for the first time. We are staying at Yosemite lodge. His heart is set on hiking Taft Point and we only have one full day. Glacier Point is 4 hours round trip from the Lodge. How can we combine Taft and maybe Navada Falls via Panorama? Any combo hike as an alternative combinations that take it all in? We have 7 to 8 hours. "Strenuous" is ok. Thanks!
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  • I want to hike some of the trails in Yosemite this winter, Jan.Feb. or March. What is the weather at that time of the year?
    Read 1 answer or Answer this question

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Hotels

from: $79

Wawona Hotel

Best Resorts & Lodges
8308 Wawona Road
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389 Map

Distance: 18.8 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
4.0

Meeks Bay Resort and Marina

7941 Emerald Bay Road
Meeks Bay/Lake Tahoe, CA 96142 Map

Distance: 90.7 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars
expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
from: $90

Mammoth Mountain Inn- Mammoth Resort

1 Minaret Road
Mammoth Lakes, CA 93546 Map

Distance: 32.9 mi.
(from destination center)

Hotel Class: 3 class stars

expert favorite hotel
Expert Rated & Recommended
4.0
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Attractions

Top of Nevada Falls Hike

expert favorite attraction
(Yosemite Valley)
Happy Isles Shuttle Stop #16
Yosemite National Park, California 95389

Distance: 9.6 mi. (from destination center)
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0

Mono Lake

expert favorite attraction
13 miles east of Yosemite National Park
Highway 395
Lee Vining, California

Distance: 28.4 mi. (from destination center)

Description: One of the oldest lakes in the western hemisphere, Mono Lake is hauntingly beautiful, reflecting... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
5_0

Devils Postpile National Monument

expert favorite attraction
Devils Postpile National Monument
P.O. Box 3999
Mammoth Lakes, California 93546

Distance: 29.0 mi. (from destination center)

Description: Basalt columns stretch 60 feet high at Devils Postpile National Monument. Visitors will also find cascading Rainbow Falls and surrounding mountains.... Read More
Expert Rated & Recommended
5_0
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Airports

Major Airports near Yosemite National Park

Distance (mi.)
Reno/Tahoe International Airport 115.5 map
Sacramento International Airport 127.5 map
San Jose International Airport 134.6 map

Other Smaller Airports near Yosemite National Park

Distance (mi.)
Merced Municipal Airport 65.9 map
Fresno Airterminal Airport 74.8 map
Modesto Municipal Airport 79.3 map

Flight Deals to Yosemite National Park

Originating From
Las Vegas (LAS) to Reno (RNO) $147
Phoenix (PHX) to Reno (RNO) $227
Minneapolis/St Paul (MSP) to Reno (RNO) $250
Detroit (DTT) to Reno (RNO) $257
Boston (BOS) to Reno (RNO) $257

Feature Articles

More Yosemite National Park Active and Adventure Feature Articles (11) »
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