Map of Yosemite National Park in California

Yosemite Valley is the heart of the magnificent 1,200-square-mi  park that spurred conservationist John Muir and photographer Ansel Adams  to some of their best achievements. The park is so large that it can be  grouped into several different areas. Yosemite Valley is famed for its  waterfalls, such as the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls, highest in North  America, and the granite monoliths of El Capitan and Half Dome. Some of  the best views of this valley can be seen from Glacier Point. The Wawona  area, near the south entrance, has a cluster of historic buildings and  the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. Both Wawona and Yosemite Valley  are open year-round. The Hetch Hetchy reservoir area and the subalpine  Tuolumne Meadows, on the other hand, stay open only as long as snowfall  allows. There are a few developed areas within the park, including  Wawona and Yosemite Village in Yosemite Valley, which has lodges,  restaurants, the Ansel Adams photography gallery, a medical center, and  other services. Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove were granted  to the State of California in 1864. The national park was established  in 1890. The federal government accepted lands returned by the state in  1906. The El Portal site was authorized in 1958. The park was designated  a World Heritage Site in 1984.    

WHAT TO SEE & DO    

Auto and bus touring, backpacking, bicycling (rentals), bird-  and wildlife watching, cross-country skiing, fishing, hiking, horseback  riding, ice-skating, rafting, rock climbing, skiing, swimming, viewing  geological features and waterfalls. Facilities: 4 visitor centers:  Valley (Yosemite Valley), Big Oak Flat, Wawona, and Tuolumne; 196 mi of  scenic roads, 800 mi of hiking trails, museum. Bookstores. Programs  & Events: Ranger-led walks, talks, and evening programs; bus tours;  horseback rides; theatrical events; tram tours. Tips & Hints: Plan  to spend at least four hours touring Yosemite Valley and two days to  visit entire park. Drive slowly and with extra caution in case of  wildlife on the roads. Use turnouts to pull completely off the road to  look at views, take photographs, etc. Do not enter the water near the  brim of a waterfall. Check water conditions with park staff and swim  only when the water is low. Dress in layers and bring rain gear to  accommodate weather changes. Expect warm, dry summers; most moisture  falls Jan-Mar. Busiest July and Aug., least crowded Nov. and Jan.    

FOOD, LODGING & SUPPLIES    

Camping: 13 campgrounds in park (1,445 sites; $8-$40; some flush  toilets, some vault toilets). Backcountry camping allowed (permit  required, see below).  Hotels: In the park: Ahwahnee Hotel (99 rooms, 24  cottages; $357), Curry Village (18 rooms, 183 cabins; $76-$110),  Redwoods Guest Cottages (tel. 209/375-6666; 120 units; $88-$500), Wawona  Hotel (104 rooms; $96-$161), White Wolf Lodge (4 cabins; $84), Yosemite  Lodge (239 rooms; $103-$146).  Restaurants: In the park: Ahwahnee Hotel  Dining Room (tel. 209/372-1489; $15-$30), Mountain Room Restaurant  (tel. 209/372-1281; $18-$30), Wawona Hotel (tel. 209/375-1425; $ll-$24),  White Wolf Lodge (tel. 209/372-8416; $12-$17). In Oakhurst: Castillo's  Mexican Restaurant (49271 Golden Oak Loop, tel. 209/683-8000; $6-$12),  Kyoto Kafe (40423 Rte. 41, tel. 209/692-2400; $5-$14), the Mountain  House (Rte. 41 at Rd. 222, tel. 209/683-5191; $5-$ll).  Groceries &  Gear: In the park: The Village Store (9012 Village Dr., tel.  209/372-1253).    

FEES, HOURS & REGULATIONS    

Entrance fee: $20 per vehicle or $10 per bus passenger,  bicyclist, or walk-in. Free shuttle bus in east end of Yosemite Valley  (year-round) and between Wawona and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias  and from Tuolumne Meadows to Tenaya Lake (June-Sept.). California  fishing license required. Wilderness permit (free in person; $5 for  telephone reservations) required for any backcountry camping (tel. 209/  372-0740). No pets on trails or beaches or in backcountry or public  buildings. Leashed pets restricted to specific campgrounds. No hunting.  No discharging weapons. Don't deface or remove natural historic  features. The Tioga Pass entrance is closed Nov.-early June because of  snow. Park open daily. Yosemite Valley Visitor Center open June 15-Sept.  15, daily 8-7; Sept. 16-June 14, daily 8-5. Tuolumne Meadows Visitor  Center open June-Sept, daily 9-5.    

HOW TO GET THERE    

There are four entrances to the park: the south entrance on Rte.  41 north from Fresno, the Arch Rock entrance on Rte. 140 east from  Merced, the Big Oak Flat entrance on Rte. 120 east from Modesto and  Manteca, and the Tioga Pass entrance on Rte. 120 west from Lee Vin-ing  and U.S. 395. Closest airports: Merced (80 mi), Fresno (94 mi), San  Francisco (200 mi).    

CONTACTS    

Public Information Office, Yosemite National Park (Box 577,  Yosemite, CA 95389, tel. 209/372-0200). Mariposa Visitors Bureau (Box  425, Mariposa, CA 95338, tel. 209/966-2456 or 800/208-2434). Yosemite  Sierra Visitors Bureau (41969 Rte. 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644, tel.  559/683-4636). Lee Vining Chamber of Commerce (Box 130, Lee Vining, ? A  93541, tel. 760/647-6629 or 760/647-6595).    

Yosemite National Park. How to get by car to the Yosemite  National Park. How to book a room and its price in the Yosemite National  Park