Discover the stunning beauty of Yosemite National Park

One of America's premier national parks

Yosemite National Park is one of the main natural parks in the United States, with its rock formations, pine forests, and the beautiful waterfalls that can be seen in this wonderful place.

It has an approximate area of 3 thousand square kilometers, with places that have different altitudes. To get to know this wonderful natural setting, you can do it through its hiking trails, using a bicycle or by car, or doing a Road Trip; In the way you prefer, here I will show you what you cannot miss.

Where is Yosemite National Park located?

If you are wondering where Yosemite National Park is, we will tell you that it is located in the state of California, relatively close to cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles, extending through the Sierra Nevada mountain ranges.

The most visited area is the Yosemite Valley, considered the nerve center of tourism in the park, where its emblematic rock formations are found, along with the most famous waterfalls.

The geological formations that are seen in Yosemite National Park have an approximate date of 10 million years; creating the valley that can be seen in the interior of the territory, about a million years ago.

Today, the park is a tourist spot that attracts millions of visitors a year; however, this was sacred territory for its original inhabitants, the Ahwahnechee indigenous tribes, who lived on these lands until the 19th century, with the arrival of the white man.

What to see and do in Yosemite National Park?

1. Half Dome

The Half Dome stands out for being an imposing granite dome, one of the first landscapes you will appreciate when you arrive at Yosemite National Park, as well as being one of the favorite goals of many climbers.

This stone mountain reaches just over 1,400 meters from the base of the valley, totaling about 2,694 meters above sea level ; located in Yosemite Valley, very close to the most famous waterfalls in the park.

Very close to there, El Capitan is also located, another great stone mountain and one of the points, next to Half Dome, that you cannot miss.

2. The Captain

El Capitan is a granite rock wall, which rises about 940 meters from the base of the valley, rising some 2,308 meters above sea level.

It is another of the most desirable rocky mountains for climbers, although you can reach its top without climbing, thanks to the trails that take you to its highest point.

From the top of El Capitan, you will be able to see wonderful landscapes, observing some places, which you can visit later.

3. Tioga Pass

Tioga Pass is a route that can be done by car or bicycle, where you will appreciate several of the landscapes of the park, thanks to the many viewpoints that are on your route.

Yosemite National Park has four entrances, of which only one is on the east side, the Tioga Pass.

On this route you will be able to observe the mountains and lakes of the park, for example one of the first stops is the Ellery Lake, with its mountains in the background that sometimes have snow on their summits.

Another of the wonderful views offered by Tioga Pass is the Toulumme Meadows, with its beautiful green meadows.

Upon reaching the Yosemite Valley area, from the Olmsted Point stop, you will be able to see the Half Dome. Traveling the Tioga Pass is one of the best ways to see

4. Butterfly Grove

One of the most impressive areas of Yosemite National Park is to visit the sequoia forest, with trees that reach 100 meters in height, and are close to 3,000 years old.

In this beautiful sequoia forest you can visit the tunnels that form between the trunks of the trees, being a must-see for visitors to the place.

There is also a tree known as the Grizzly Giant , next to some fallen logs, where you can see the huge roots of this tree.

5. Yosemite Falls

In addition to the long rocky mountains that can be seen in Yosemite National Park, the waterfalls are the other great attraction of this natural space.

Several of the waterfalls found in Yosemite Park are among the highest in the world, being the Yosemite Falls , the tallest in North America, and number five in the world.

Are Yosemite Cascades or Yosemite Falls , are actually three different waterfalls ; First, there is the upper waterfall, then the middle waterfall, and finally, the lower waterfall, which can be covered on foot in a few minutes.

Another of the most famous waterfalls is the one known as Cascada Velo de Novia, which is one of the most famous, with its wide waterfall, between the granite mountains, where the white thread of the waterfall can be seen.

6.Mirror Lake

Mirror Lake is a very famous natural pool in Yosemite National Park, where in addition to being able to swim or bathe in its waters, you will see the reflection of the surrounding mountains in the water.

This lake has the particularity of having little water during most of the year, however, when spring and the beginning of summer arrive, it is when the lake reaches its highest water level.

It is one of the best things to do and see in Yosemite National Park.

7. Glacier Point

Glacier Point lookout is without a doubt one of the most important tourist centers in Yosemite National Park.

From this beautiful viewpoint you will be able to appreciate the best views of Yosemite Valley, its waterfalls, and the Half Dome; This being the main reason why it attracts millions of tourists every year.

It can be visited both by car and by bicycle, through the Glacier Road, or through the Tioga Road that connects with the Tioga Pass.

8. Tunnel View

The best place to observe El Capitan and Half Dome at the same time is the Tunnel View, from where you will also see the Velo de Novia Waterfall.

This view changes depending on the seasons, for example, at the beginning of spring the waterfall is seen at its maximum splendor; or during the winter season, El Capitan and Half Dome will be seen with snow.

Meet the best hotels near Yosemite National Park

To enjoy the experience of getting to know this national park in depth, it is important to have a good accommodation, which is close to Yosemite, in addition to offering the best amenities.

Yosemite Valley Lodge

The Yosemite Valley Lodge is one of the hotels near Yosemite that offers its guests internet service, television, refrigerator, in comfortable and pleasant rooms.

The Hotel allows accommodation in its main building, or in some nearby cabins of the same establishment, where you will live an experience closer to nature, but enjoying all the services offered by the hotel.

It has restaurants, it has a swimming pool, they offer bicycle rental and they organize some excursions to Yosemite Park.

The Ahwahnee

It is one of the most famous hotels near Yosemite National Park, where, in addition to being able to enjoy excellent vacations with the family, you can organize events and/or business conferences.

The Ahwahnee is considered a historic hotel because, in addition to being similar to the time of its founding, it seeks to show the history of the park, from ancient times to the present day.

It has its swimming pool, internet, television in the rooms, private balcony, as well as a business and conference center.

Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite

With all the comforts for the family, which also offers shows at night. Many visitors to this hotel have noted the excellent food, its close location to Yosemite, and the good service received at the spa.

Yosemite Lodge View

Not only does it have a privileged location to Yosemite Park, but for this reason, the hotel offers one of the best views to its guests, from the private balconies of the room.

In addition to all the comforts such as restaurants, internet, television, etc., the rooms have a kitchen and allow pets.

Rush Creek Lodge and Spa at Yosemite

Although it is a little further away from the previous establishments (it is located 30 kilometers from the park), it is considered one of the best hotels near Yosemite National Park.

It has rooms for the whole family, along with electronic amenities, in addition to having its restaurants, bars, pool and spa.

All around you will also appreciate the beauty of nature, with its green forests and stone mountains.

These have been the best places to see in Yosemite National Park, along with a small list of hotels where you can stay, so you can experience the best vacations in this natural paradise.