When it comes to a quick road trip in America, National Parks always win the toss but then which one is where the math begins. Yosemite National Park is our pick for this weekend getaway on the west coast. One of the largest parks, Yosemite National Park is a perfect recreational and adventure gateway with granite cliffs, crystal clear streams, heritage sites, mountains and meadows, lakes and glaciers and so much wilderness that it truly makes you witness biological diversity at its best.
From family attractions, wonderful lodging and souvenir shops in Yosemite Valley, The hiking and photography gems of Glacier Point to 47-mile long scenic wilderness of Tioga Pass, No matter what route or start point you take to drive to Yosemite National Park, two things are most crucial to your road trip – a good car with Google map and the right clothing. Over 15-16 most amazing places to see or cover, Yosemite National Park needs more than 2 days but if that’s all you have you could still get enough to add Yosemite National Park road trip into your accomplishments.
Yosemite National Parkvia Road
From family attractions, wonderful lodging and souvenir shops in Yosemite Valley, the hiking and photography gems of Glacier Point to 47-mile long scenic wilderness of Tioga Pass, irrespective of your pick at this national park, a self-driven car with functioning GPS is highly recommended. A rental car from Los Angeles, San Francisco or Las Vegas is probably the best way to have a good weekend road trip adventure to Yosemite National Park. There are tour buses, or you could land in one of those nearby airports like Fresno International Airport and get a car from there. Lodging is no problem at Yosemite National Park, so whatever route you take you would be easily able to cover a very decent amount fo the park with 2 days and a 1-night stay at Yosemite National Park.
The rivers, glaciers and mountains might sound appealing to the hikers and campers, but that’s not all there is. Yosemite National Park is perfect for a romantic escape from the crowded city life too and then there are many interesting things for kids as well. The scenery Yosemite National Park offers something for everyone.
Best time to visitYosemite National Park
Winter must be avoided if possible, cause a lot of places are inaccessible like the Tioga pass or Glacier Point, but you could always enjoy the Yosemite Valley. Autumn and Spring visit ate perfect for fall colors and waterfall, this is also a fairly less crowded time to visit. It’s the summer when Yosemite National Park is bursting with tourists, as the diminishing waterfall invites hikers, campers and climbers.
Reasons to chooseYosemite National Park road trip weekend
01 Tunnel View, Half Dome & Glacier Point
If your road trip route starts from Los Angeles, then you would find yourself on Highway 41, driving through Wawona and thus though Wawona Tunnel. The tunnel itself is surrounded by many must-see attractions like the giant granite Half Dome and the mesmerizing Bridalveil Falls. The whole drive through magical scenery is like being inside a painting.
Glacier Point is largely known for the wonderful views it offers along with its waterfalls. This viewpoint is one of the most famous Yosemite sites attracting hundreds and thousands of camera-ready tourists. It is also the place to view and capture the popular Half Dome with side as a perfect dome curve and the other with steep fall. Not many know what happened to the other half or did it even exist. Half Dome can be seen from both the Tunnel and the Glacier point and is quite loved by hardcore hikers.
02 Hetch Hetchy Valley, Mist Trail & Mirror Lake
The abundance of nature, science valley views and some amazing falls and lakes add too many reasons to drive through Yosemite National Park. One giant man-made reservoir feeding the city of San Francisco, Hetch Hetchy Valley is vast, intimidating and magnetic making it hard to ignore when passing by. This reservoir, at the northwest side of the Yosemite park, is also a good place to capture the wilderness as the forest like valley has spring meadows and wildflowers along with local wildlife.
Mirror Lake is a small and scenic picnic spot kind of a place that with its crystal-clear water gives you an enchanting reflection of the large Half Dome mountains. This destination is largely popular among photographers and road trippers seeking a good spot to pause for few clicks.
Every hiker’s favourite destination, Mist Trail is a 3-mile hike that takes you to a trail that offers a view of Half Dome, Vernal Falls and other sites. This hike gets its name as while descending you end up passing through sprays of mountain water and it misty beauty.
03The famous Yosemite Falls
Yosemite National Park is known to a host to some of the most beautiful natural waterfalls. The view of each one has its own beauty. If you are lucky, you might end up sipping in the glorious beauty of a rainbow at his fall. Yosemite Falls on the other hand needs no introduction, as its 6th tallest fall in the world with the thunderous thrashing fall water that lets you enjoy a glimpse of the rare moonbow. The best place to enjoy this fall is to hike all the way up, tricky hike though for non-hikers. Bridalveil Falls are easily visible from Tunnel View via Route 41.
Yosemite National Parkwith Kids
- The Giant Sequoias that you’ll witness when passing by Mariposa Grove are tall, giant and hug seekers that children and adults can’t resist running upto it, embracing it and exploring its insane beauty.
- The various camp grounds with wide sky, riverside serenity, marshmallow roasting and local activities from campgrounds are where you’ll find children laughing and yelling Elmer after an urban legend.
- Families with children are often found to have a good break at the banks Merced River when the summer heat makes water level fall offering shallow sandy banks perfect for wandering in, swimming and rafting. El Capitan Meadow, Stoneman Bridge, Happy Isles and Stoneman Bridge are few such fun banks to bring kids to.
- Half Dome ice-cream and Ice Skating
Half Dome Village is a children-friendly placed with some very fancy ice-cream scoop variety making your little ones smile with joy. Having ice-cream under the view of Glacier Point is a perfect family photo op. Winters in Half Dome also means fun at skating rink and local hot chocolate delicacy.
Lodging at Yosemite National Park
The camping and lodging at Yosemite National Park include, campgrounds, RV camping, camping tents, historical hotels and local village cabins. The variety of lodge options cater to everyone from under the sky caper, economical cabin stay seeker to luxury hotel kind of traveller. The most popular Yosemite National Park lodging options include the Yosemite Valley Lodge, Campgrounds, Housekeeping camp, accommodations in Curry Village and RV stays.