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By far the most popular National Park in California! If you are planning an overnight stay in the main valley, make sure to make your reservations 6 -12 months in advance! No jokin'
 Yes! Yosemite |
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 YARTS offers summer bus service from Mammoth with stops in June Lake and Lee Vining to Yosemite Valley |
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 to the east |
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 to the north |
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Bordered by these 3 excellent National Forest. ( The environment's beauty doesn't stop at the park boundary ). Yosemite Camping doesn't have to be crowded if you have the proper resources! |
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 Off-season:
less crowded & well worth the experience |
 Eastern side of Yosemite National Park is bordered by high mountain peaks of granite & less crowded camping options in neighboring Inyo National Forest. |
Winter wonderland! Visit Yosmite by Amtrak in the snowy months & get a real visual treat.
Helpful Phone Numbers:
| Yosemite Assoc. El Portal 209/372-4745 |
Curry Co. Reserv 209/252-4848 |
High Sierra Camps 209-454-2002 |
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Backpacking
Pretty much the only way you can camp away from the crowds in the valley is to strap on a backpack & head for the backcountry.
- permits are required for overnight backcountry camping
- check with the correct ranger district for all back country camping restrictions
Parking for trail heads are at:
- Camp Curry - located in the Valley for hiking up to Half Dome areas
- Tulomne Mdws. - High-country, Hwy.120, 46 mi. from the Valley floor
Campgrounds
All the campgrounds are large & reservations are common. The valley fills up fast, where the backcountry (Hwy.120) campgrounds are further out of the way & less visted. This our only recommendation, the smallest of the campground in the Park:
| campground | elev. |
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veg | toilet | water | link | |
| Camp 4 - Sunnyside | 4000' ? | 32 | pines | flush | piped | NPS | Valley, walk-in, climbers |
| Porcupine | 8100' | 52 | pines | pit | no | NPS | June-Sept |
| Tamarack Flat | 6300' | 52 | pines | vault | no | NPS | June-Sept, primitive |
| Yosemite Creek | 7659' | 75 | pines | pit | creek | NPS | June-Sept, on creek |
Big suggestion:
- Try the surrounding areas to the park.
- Inyo National Forest - East end of Yosmite, Eastern Sierra High Country
- Bass Lake Large Recreational Lake
- Sierra National Forest- South of Yosemite, off Hwy. 41 to the east, Nelder Grove
- Stanislaus National Forest - North of Yosemite, Hwy. 120 & 108, Lumsden
 Trails Illustrated Map: CA - Yosemite |
to the east |
to the south |
to the north |
Hiking
Destination: Half Dome? Valley floor to Half Dome is17
mi. RT & 4000' elevation gain.
You can do this hike in one day if --
- long summer day, bring flashlights otherwise
- start hike at daybreak, before sunrise
- will take approx. 10-12 hrs.
- don't mind crowds hiking with you
- you are in really good shape
- stair climbing doesn't phase you
- spend 1 hour or less atop the dome
- bring daypack with food & liquids
Destination: Yosemite Falls
Valley floor to Yosemite Falls is a butt kicker, but fun hike
with amazing views. The elevation gain is steep but your reward
is great. You can also do this hike from Yosemite Creek campground
off of Hwy. 120, along the creek, for a more mellow route.
Destination: Tulomne Meadows!
Much better area for seclusion. Plenty of day hikes & areas
to picnic, relax & explore. Get outta the Valley & experience
the rest of Yosemite.
Teneja Lake along Hwy 120
Rock Climbing
Rock climbing paradise. Over 3500 established climbs with a range of all difficulties. Granite cliffs surround the Valley & many take to the challenging walls.
- El Capitain
- Half Dome
- Great Circle
- Wheat Thin
- Reed's Direct
- Bishops Balcony
- Killer Pillar
Classes are available from Yosemite Mountaineering School.
| Yosemite Valley September - May 209/372-1244 |
Tuloumne Meadows June - August 209/372-1335 |
Sierra Mountain Guides offers guided instruction to these areas.
Basic rules & regulations:
- Motorized drilling prohibited
- Do not climb within 50 feet of Native American rock art
- Do not begin or end a climb in an occupied capsite without occupant permission
- Slings & bolt hangers not visible to general public (most gear should match rock color)
