 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Managing
Editor:
|
 |
 |
 |
|
Yosemite National Park
Use the menu below to quickly access information on this park:
Visitation Highest in June, July and August; lowest in December, January and February Location Yosemite, CA Address Headquarters: Yosemite National Park Telephone (209) 372-0200 Operating Hours & Seasons Open 24 hours a day, year-round Directions There are four entrances to the park. A: The south entrance on Highway 41 north from Fresno. B: The Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced. C: The Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca. D: The 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 approximately early June due to snow. The roads entering the park on its west side are kept open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow anytime between November and April. Transportation To Park: Access by state highways 120, 41, and 140. Several airlines serve Fresno Yosemite International, and United Express serves the Merced airport. Motor coach transportation is available year-round from Merced Amtrak station and transportation center to Yosemite Valley.
Personal vehicle, bicycle, tour bus. Free shuttle bus service in the eastern end of Yosemite Valley (year-round), between Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias and from Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake (summer only). Fees, Costs & Rates The cost for entry is $20 per private, non-commercial vehicle for a seven-day stay. The individual entry fee, for those arriving by bus, bicycle, on foot, motorcycle or horse is $10. There is an annual Yosemite Park Pass available for $40, good for unlimited visits to Yosemite for one year. Golden Eagle Passport The Golden Eagle Passport is an entrance pass to any national park, monument, historical site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge that charges an entrance fee. It is a great convenience for those who plan on visiting several different areas that charge special fees. It is valid for one year from the purchase date. A Golden Eagle Passport may be purchased for $50 at any National Park Service entrance fee area or by mail. To order by mail, send check or money order (no cash, please) to: National Park Service Where entry is by private vehicle, the Golden Eagle Passport will admit the passholder as well as any passengers. Where entry by private vehicle is not possible, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Eagle Passport will not reduce use fees, such as those for camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or cave tours. It covers entrance fees only. Golden Age Passport The Golden Age Passport is a lifetime entrance pass for those United States residents 62 years or older. These may be purchased at any National Park Service entrance fee area for a one-time processing fee of $10. The Golden Age Passport cannot be purchased by mail or telephone. Proof of age and citizenship or permanent residence must be shown at the time of purchase. The Golden Age Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. When entrance is not via private vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder as well as children, spouse, and parents. The Golden Age Pass grants a 50 percent discount to the holder on any federal use fees charged for things such as camping, swimming, parking, boat launching, or tours. It does not, however, reduce the price of special recreation permit fees or fees for concessions. Golden Access Passport The Golden Access Passport is a free entrance pass to any national park, monument, historic site, recreation area, and national wildlife refuge for those who are blind or permanently disabled. The Golden Access passport may be obtained at any National Park Service entrance fee area. Proof of a medically determined disability and eligibility for receiving benefits under federal law is necessary at purchase. The Golden Access Passport will admit the passholder and any passengers in a private vehicle. Where entrance is not by vehicle, the pass will admit the passholder, spouse, children and parents. The Golden Access Passport also provides a 50 percent discount on any federal use fees charged for services and facilities. It does not cover special recreation permit fees or fees charged for concessions. All passes described above are non-transferable. Facilities & Opportunities
There are four visitor centers in Yosemite National Park. The Valley Visitor Center, located in Yosemite Valley is the largest and most comprehensive in terms of displays, books, postcards and maps. The Big Oak Flat Information Station, Wawona Information Station and Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center are open on a more limited basis. Paths, Roads & Trails 8 miles of paved bike path in Yosemite Valley, 160 miles of paved roads within the park, 840 miles of trails. Programs & Activities Regularly scheduled ranger-led walks, talks and evening programs. Concessionaire-operated bus tours, guided horseback rides and bicycle rentals. Lodging & Camping Facilities The Yosemite Concession Services Corporation operates lodging in the park. Rates range from $42 per night for a basic tent cabin with nearby bathroom, to over $200 per night for a room at The Ahwahnee. Reservations can be made in advance by calling (209) 252-4848 or by writing to Yosemite Reservations, 5410 East Home, Fresno, CA 93727. The National Park Service operates campgrounds in Yosemite. Call 800-436-CAMP for reservations. A variety of hotels, motels and campgrounds are available in the communities and areas outside of the park. Food & Supplies Food service and groceries available in the park and in surrounding communities. Recommended Activities & Park Use Viewing waterfalls and well-known rock features in Yosemite Valley; visit to Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias and historic Wawona area; drive or hike to Glacier Point, an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the High Sierra; drive to Tuolumne Meadows along Tioga Road and take a hike - numerous trailheads available. Basic Visit Recommendations Stay for a minimum of four hours to tour Yosemite Valley. It will require at least two days for a visit to all sites and areas in the park. Special Events & Programs Activities are available year-round. Visitor Impacts To prevent congestion and overcrowding, automobile access may be temporarily restricted in Yosemite on spring weekends and busy holiday weekends such as Memorial Day, Fourth of July and Labor Day. If restrictions are necessary, they are expected to be in effect from mid-morning to early evening, depending on available day-use parking space and traffic congestion. Meadows, riverbanks, and oak woodlands have been severely damaged by long-term human uses. Please respect restoration efforts in these areas and stay on maintained trails. Parking When you arrive in Yosemite Valley, park your car and walk to the places you want to see. Distances are short. If you prefer, use the free shuttle bus system that serves most of the valley. Either way, you'll save gas and frustration. If you are visiting for the day, park your car in the day-use parking lot at Curry Village. Adjacent Visitor Attractions Contact local Chambers of Commerce and visitor bureaus. For Additional Information Public Information Office Phone (209) 372-0265, Monday through Friday (except holidays) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Yosemite National Park embraces a vast array of scenic wild lands set aside in 1890 to preserve a portion of the Sierra Nevada that stretches along California's eastern flank. The park ranges from 2,000 feet above sea level to more than 13,000 feet and offers three major features: alpine wilderness, groves of giant sequoias and Yosemite Valley. The 196 miles of roads and 840 miles of trails give access to all of these features either by car or by foot and by free shuttle bus in some areas. To get to know the real Yosemite, however, you must leave your car and take a few steps on a trail. You don't have to walk far to discover the grandeur that can be found here and the values this special place offers. Millions of people have come to Yosemite and left refreshed and relaxed and perhaps a bit more knowledgeable about what they want out of life. Native Americans Native American people have lived in the Yosemite region for nearly 4,000 years. By the mid-19th century when the first non-native peoples entered the park, the native residents were primarily of Southern Miwok ancestry. Trade with the Mono Lake Paiutes from the east side of the Sierra for pinyon pine nuts, obsidian and other materials from the Mono Basin resulted in many unions between the two tribes. The native people of Yosemite developed a complex culture rich in tradition, religion, songs and political affiliations. They used the valley's varied plant and animal resources to the best of their abilities. The pattern of oaks and grassland noted by early visitors to Yosemite Valley is probably a direct result of the intentional burning of underbrush practiced by native people. The Mariposa Battalion Although the first sighting of Yosemite Valley by non-native peoples was probably by members of the Joseph Rutherford Walker party as they crossed from the east side of the Sierra in 1833, the first actual known entry into the valley was not until nearly 20 years later. After the discovery of gold in the Sierra Nevada foothills in 1849, thousands of miners came to the Sierra to seek their fortune. Their arrival resulted in conflict with local native people who fought to protect their homeland. Because of such interaction, the Mariposa Battalion was organized as a punitive expedition under the authority of the state of California to bring an end to the Mariposa Indian War. The battalion entered the Yosemite Valley on March 27, 1851. Early Tourists and Settlers Writers, artists and photographers spread the fame of "the Incomparable Valley" throughout the world. A steadily increasing stream of visitors came on foot and horseback, and later by stagecoach. Realizing he could make money off the tourism, James Hutchings became Yosemite's first entrepreneur. Hotels and residences were constructed, livestock grazed in meadows, orchards were planted, and a result, the resource suffered. Protection is Sought for Yosemite Inspired by the scenic beauty of Yosemite and spurred on by the specter of private exploitation of Yosemite's natural wonders, conservationists Frederick Law Olmsted and I.W. Raymond among others appealed to Congress. Wawona served as an overnight stop for visitors in transit between Yosemite Valley and Mariposa. On June 30, 1864, President Lincoln signed the bill granting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias to California, as a public trust and they were set aside for protection. Galen Clark was chosen as the first Yosemite Guardian. In 1875, the year the original Wawona road opened, the Washburn brothers purchased the area and built the Wawona Hotel that is still in operation today. Wawona focuses on Yosemite's human history. It is the setting of the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, a collection of relocated historic buildings and horse-drawn coaches. Later, John Muir's struggle against the devastation of High Sierra meadows resulted in federal legislation which created Yosemite National Park in 1890. Military units with headquarters in Wawona administered the park while the state continued to govern the area covered by the original grant. This dual control was terminated in 1906 when California ceded original grant lands to the federal government. Civilian park rangers took over in 1914, and two years later Congress created the National Park Service, with Stephen T. Mather as its first director. Around the turn of the century, Hetch Hetchy Valley became the center of a bitter political struggle when the city of San Francisco wanted to dam the Tuolumne River for a source of drinking water. In 1913, conservationists led by John Muir lost the battle when the Raker Act was passed, allowing for the construction of O'Shaughnessy Dam. Increasing Tourism Requires A Management Plan The day of the stagecoach drew to a close in 1907 with the construction of the Yosemite Valley Railroad from Merced to El Portal. An automobile entered the park illegally in 1900, but by 1913 the auto was permitted in Yosemite. In 1925, two major concessioners were consolidated into the Yosemite Park and Curry Company. Impacts resulting from increasing tourism in Yosemite Valley continued to become apparent. Camper use of meadows and traffic on unpaved roads left the valley dull with dust by the end of each summer. As visitation and need for year-round visitor services increased, village functions were relocated from their original flood-prone location on the south side of the valley to the present Yosemite Village site on the north side. Visitation exceeded one million in 1954 for the first time and by 1976 the visitor count was well over two million. In the early 1970s, Yosemite management established one-way road traffic patterns, eliminated cars in the east end of the valley, offered free shuttle bus transportation in the valley and tram tours in the Mariposa Grove, converted the parking lot at the Valley Visitor Center to a pedestrian mall and generally encouraged visitors to park their cars and enjoy the park by walking or using public transportation. The Yosemite General Management Plan, which articulated the needs for park-wide visitor services, resource management, interpretation services, concessions management and park operations in the coming years, was completed in 1980. Yosemite Concession Services Corporation became the parks main concessionaire on October 1, 1993. Its contract with the National Park Service will run for 15 years.
Lodging Hotel reservations can be made at the hotels front desks for same day accommodations or via the free reservations telephone lines in hotel lobbies and visitor centers. If you would like to reserve accommodations in advance, write or call Yosemite Reservations, 5410 E. Home Avenue, Fresno, CA 93727, (209) 252-4848. Camping Visitors to Yosemite are able to make campground and tour reservations by calling (800) 436-PARK. Campground reservations can be made up to three months in advance. Reservations are required at North Pines, Upper Pines and Lower Pines. Sunnyside Walk-In campground sites are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Outside Yosemite Valley
Reservations are also required at Group Camps in Wawona, Tuolumne Meadows, Hodgdon Meadow and Bridalveil Creek. Check-in/Check-out time for Yosemite Valley campgrounds is 10 a.m. Maximum length for recreational vehicles in valley campgrounds is 40 feet. The camping limit in Yosemite Valley is seven days May 1 - September 15. Check-in/Check-out time for campgrounds outside the valley is noon. Maximum length for recreational vehicles is 35 feet. The camping limit outside the valley is a total of not more than 14 days, expect for Wawona which is limited to 7 days, May 1 - September 15. Reservation & Wilderness Permits Free wilderness permits are required year-round for all overnight trips into Yosemite's wilderness. They are not required for day hikes. Yosemite uses a trailhead quota system that limits the number of people who may begin overnight hikes from each trailhead, each day. This system is designed to avoid overcrowding and to reduce impacts to wilderness areas. At least 50% of each trailhead quota is available on a first-come, first-served basis the day of, or one day prior to, the beginning of your trip. Reservations are available from 24 weeks to two days in advance of the trip start date, and can be made by writing to: Wilderness Permits Or by calling (209) 372-0740. A $3 per person non-refundable processing fee is charged for all reservation requests. Please include the following information with your request:
Permit stations are located in Yosemite Valley at the Wilderness Center, Wawona, Big Oak Flat, Hetch Hetchy, and Tuolumne Meadows. Call (209) 372-0200 for open permit station locations and hours. Permits are also available by advance reservation. Wilderness permits are not a registration; leave an accurate itinerary with family or friends before you begin your trip. Return to National Parks Directory
This content is provided courtesy of Maptech¨.
Perfect for the active explorer, the Maptech National
Park Digital Guide is available for sale now. |
|||
Yosemite
National Park embraces a vast array of scenic wild lands set aside
in 1890 to preserve a portion of the Sierra Nevada that stretches
along California's eastern flank. The park ranges from 2,000 feet
above sea level to more than 13,000 feet and offers three major
features: alpine wilderness, groves of Giant Sequoias and Yosemite
Valley. The 196 miles of roads and 840 miles of trails give access
to all of these features either by car or by foot and by free shuttle
bus in some areas. To get to know the real Yosemite, however, you
must leave your car and take a few steps on a trail. You don't have
to walk far to discover the grandeur that can be found here and
the values this special place offers.
In
Park:
Visitor
Center & Exhibits
[ Jeep Sporting Journeys | Jeep Journal | Camp Jeep | Travels In The Area ]
[ Jeep Travel Directory | Upcoming Events | Past Issues | All Outdoors ]
All Outdoors¨ is
a registered trademark of All Outdoors, Inc. Copyright © 2000 All Outdoors,
Inc.
All rights reserved. Copyright ©1995-2000 DaimlerChrysler Corporation. All
rights reserved.
Jeep is a registered trademark of DaimlerChrysler Corporation.
Important information and applicable terms and conditions