Suggested Itineraries

How to See the Park in 1 or 2 Days

This is a park that begs for an extended visit, but those with a limited amount of time will also have an enjoyable experience, especially if they make use of the park's shuttle bus. The bus is free, easy to use, and operates year-round (though with fewer stops in winter). For that reason, we've included shuttle-bus stop numbers wherever possible throughout the valley sections in this book. Bus stops are well marked and within easy walking distance of all parking lots.

You can get on and off the shuttles at any point, but be sure to stop in the Valley Visitor Center (shuttle-bus stop nos. 5 and 9) for an orientation on the forces that carved the valley.

If you're not interested in taking off and exploring alone, opt for one of the guided tours.

The base of Lower Yosemite Fall (shuttle-bus stop no. 6) is an easy walk from either Yosemite Village or Yosemite Lodge. From the base, you can see a portion of the magnificent water show. During peak runoff, it's not uncommon to get wet, as the force of the fall sends spray in every direction. In late winter and early spring, a huge snow cone caused by freezing water rises up to 200 feet from the base of this fall.

Happy Isles (shuttle-bus stop no. 16) is another major attraction. Located at the convergence of several inlets, the valley's nature center is an especially great stop for those traveling with kids, but the area gets most of its traffic because it is also the trail head for Vernal and Nevada falls, two picturesque staircase waterfalls that can only be reached by foot.

Next, we recommend a visit to Mirror Lake (shuttle-bus stop no. 17), a small lake named for the near-perfect way it reflects the surrounding scenery. It's slowly filling up with silt and is less dramatic and mirrorlike than it used to be, but its shore still offers a beautiful view of Half Dome.

If you still have more time to explore, choose anything that piques your interest from a variety of hikes and activities.

Seeing the Park by Car or Shuttle

In the eastern section of Yosemite Valley, two words pertain -- shuttle bus. The only reasons to use your private vehicle are to enter and to exit.

Elsewhere in the park, however, a vehicle is more appropriate. If you want to explore Wawona or Tuolumne, hike near Tenaya Lake, or check out Mariposa Grove, having your car is convenient because there is currently no direct bus service from the valley to these destinations. So unless the National Park Service develops a transportation system that reaches beyond the valley walls, automobile travel will remain necessary. If you want to leave most of the driving to others, though, some sample package tours are described below, or you can inquire at tour desks in Yosemite Village, the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Lodge, or Curry Village.

Taking Aim at Traffic -- An estimated 7,000 cars enter Yosemite National Park on any given day, leaving many visitors mired in traffic jams. To help ease the traffic volume, an in-park bus system has been in operation for nearly a decade. The project, a joint effort between the National Park Service and the Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS), shuttles visitors into Yosemite from nearby communities and commuter lots along the three highways leading into the park. Although it is still a bit early to claim success, park officials are optimistic about the project's ability to help manage Yosemite's traffic problems, thereby providing all visitors with a better and more satisfying experience.