Yosemite National Park Travel Forum

I'm (together with a friend) a first time visitor to Yosemite National Park, arrival expected around the 22nd of July, by car. I expect to stay for about a week, at least.

I'm looking to find out what places weshould include as 'must sees' and where it would be convenient to stay as to avoid too much driving around, budget places if possible..

Has anyone some proposals based on prior experience?

Looking forward to hearing from you.

Best regards,
Sonja

Hi Sonja,

Here are my favorites off the top of my head...

Lower Yosemite Falls...easy to get to...1/2 mile off the main road...

View from Glacier Point...

Hike Half Dome...great views of waterfalls along the way, and the hike to the top is great...takes a full day...well worth it!

Camping is not so expensive...there are sites all aroung the park...

John

How much hiking do you want to do? Hike the Mist Trail at least to the top of Nevada Falls, hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls, visit Glacier Point, hike through the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, hike to the top of Sentinal Dome and Taft Point, take a hike or two through Toulumne Meadows, hike to the top of Lembert Dome, hike to Chilnualna Falls. Is that enough hiking? :-)

When my parent's visited me out there for the first time, I took them up to Glacier Point before doing anything else so they got an overview of Yosemite Valley from above and could them orient themselves easily when we got into the valley. They thought that was extremely useful.

Hi Sonja,

Araby (another VTer) gave me this website address for booking campsites, although there is very little left already http://reservations.nps.gov/index.cfm?CFID=1202426&CFTOKEN=16378911

There is also the BUG hostel outside the park at http://www.yosemitebug.com/reservations.html

Here is a boking site for the major hotels in the park (including Curry Village - a tented village of cabins, The Awhahnee & Yosemite Lodge) http://www.usa-lodging.com/motels/califn/YosemiteNationalPark.htm

You may also want to try emailing the park service, who are currently trying to help me with accommodation at YOSE_Web_Manager@nps.gov

Cheers
Bob

Hi Sonja,

If you really don't want to drive around alot and have not settled on accommodations, may I suggest an area known as Yosemite West.

Yosemite West is surrounded by Yosemite National Park located between Wawona and Yosemite Valley. There are numerous private homes that are rented to the public year round. You are physically INSIDE the park, AND MUST go through the park's south entrance (hwy 41) to get access, using the park roads to get to these homes. This map will help.

http://yosemitewest.com/parkmap.html

Pine Arbor Retreat, Jumping Deer, and Cozybear Cottages are independent renter sthat provides accommodations in this area. There are many more. This link will help.

http://www.yosemitewest.com

They are not listed on most PARK accommodations LISTINGs since they are not part of the the Park's concession services. They range from single bedroom condos to villas. These accommodations also have complete kitchens to cook your meals and lower your travel costs. You are centrally located in the park but since you are in a private community, you are away from the crowds.

Hope this helps.