All four main entrances to the park meet in Yosemite Valley, the most popular of the park's three destination points (the other two being Tuolumne Meadows and Wawona). The valley is a mile wide and 7 miles long, set at about 4,000 feet above sea level. The granite walls of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Glacier Point tower another 4,000 feet overhead. The picturesque Merced River, fed by several small brooks and creeks, winds lazily through the length of Yosemite Valley.
It's relatively easy to find your way around Yosemite. All road signs are clear and visible. At first, Yosemite Valley might seem to be a confusing series of roadways, but you'll soon realize that all roads lead to a one-way loop that hugs the valley's perimeter. It is easy to find yourself heading in the wrong direction, so be alert whenever you merge and just follow the signs.
We recommend visitors use year-round shuttle-bus service in the Yosemite Valley; Wawona and Tuolumne Meadows offer a similar service during the summer months only. Driving in any of these places during peak season -- or even off-season in the valley -- is not fun, so use the shuttles as much as possible.
Seeing the Park by Car & 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 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, and Curry Village.
Taking Aim at Traffic -- To help ease the traffic volume at Yosemite National Park, an in-park bus system has operated for nearly a decade. An estimated 7,000 cars enter Yosemite on any given day, leaving many visitors mired in traffic jams. 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 Yosemite visitors with a better and more satisfying experience.
