š Park Overview
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.
š¤ Weather Information
Yosemite National Park covers nearly 1,200 square miles (3,100 square km) in the Sierra Nevada, with elevations ranging from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)
š Directions
You can drive to Yosemite year-round and enter via Highways 41, 140, and 120 from the west. Tioga Pass Entrance (via Highway 120 from the east) is closed from approximately November through late May or June. Hetch Hetchy is open all year but may close intermittently due to snow. Please note that GPS units do not always provide accurate directions to or within Yosemite.
Images
Upper Yosemite Fall and Merced River in spring
Credit: NPS Photo
Yosemite Falls will sometimes only trickle at the end of summer, but wet winters can rejuvenate the flow.
Credit: NPS / Cindy Jacoby
A hike up to Sentinel Dome rewards people with great views of the landscape around them.
Credit: NPS / Bob Roney
Cathedral Peak is one of the most recognizable peaks in the Yosemite Wilderness.
Credit: NPS / Cindy Jacoby
The walk to Lower Yosemite Fall is a popular and easy hike.
Credit: NPS Photo / Cindy Jacoby
Tunnel View is perhaps one of the most photographed views in the park.
Credit: NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Glen Auilin is one of five High Sierra Camps, located in the Yosemite high country.
Credit: NPS
Yosemite National Park's massive giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) live in three groves in the park. The most famous of these is the Mariposa Grove, which contains about 500 mature giant sequoias.
Credit: NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Tenaya Lake is a favorite place to stop along the Tioga Road in summer.
Credit: NPS
Half Dome is one of the most recognizable granitic formations in the world.
Credit: NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Activities
Topics
Operating Hours
Entrance Fees
Entrance Passes
3-Day Weather Forecast
Friday, Mar 6
Sunny
High: 41Ā°F | Low: 19.9Ā°F
Humidity: 53%
Wind: 13.4 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2
Sunrise: 06:22 AM
Sunset: 05:57 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (93%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 19.7Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Saturday, Mar 7
Sunny
High: 43.9Ā°F | Low: 22.5Ā°F
Humidity: 53%
Wind: 12.3 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 2
Sunrise: 06:21 AM
Sunset: 05:58 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (87%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 22.3Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Sunday, Mar 8
Sunny
High: 54.7Ā°F | Low: 30.4Ā°F
Humidity: 70%
Wind: 12.5 mph
Rain Chance: 0%
UV Index: 3
Sunrise: 06:19 AM
Sunset: 05:59 PM
Moon: Waning Gibbous (80%)
Visibility: 6 mi
Dew Point: 36.2Ā°F
Cloud Cover: 0%
Pressure: N/A mb
Air Quality (PM2.5): N/A
Ozone: N/A
EPA Index: N/A
Weather Alerts (2)
Wind Advisory issued March 5 at 6:49PM PST until March 7 at 10:00PM PST by NWS Hanford CA
Effective: Mar 5, 2026 9:49pm
Expires: Mar 6, 2026 6:00am
* WHAT...Northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
expected.
* WHERE...Kings Canyon NP, Sequoia NP, South End of the Upper
Sierra, Upper San Joaquin River, and Yosemite NP outside of the
valley.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind impacts will primarily be for areas
above 8,000 feet.
Wind Advisory issued March 6 at 2:36AM PST until March 7 at 10:00PM PST by NWS Hanford CA
Effective: Mar 6, 2026 5:36am
Expires: Mar 6, 2026 2:00pm
* WHAT...Northeast winds 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 50 mph
expected.
* WHERE...Kings Canyon NP, Sequoia NP, South End of the Upper
Sierra, Upper San Joaquin River, and Yosemite NP outside of the
valley.
* WHEN...Until 10 PM PST Saturday.
* IMPACTS...Gusty winds will blow around unsecured objects. Tree
limbs could be blown down and a few power outages may result.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...Wind impacts will primarily be for areas
above 8,000 feet.
Park Alerts
Park Events
Family Ranger Talk (Yosemite Valley)
Topics vary. Meet in front of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center (shuttle stop 2.)
Program hosted by the National Park Service.
Location: Meet outside the welcome center, located next to Yosemite Village Parking. Use Shuttle Stops 1, 2, or 4.
Date: Sep 25, 2024 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Historic Ahwahnee Hotel Tour (Yosemite Valley)
Learn about the history behind Yosemiteās famous luxury hotel on this complimentary one-hour tour.
Meet on the hotelās back lawn.
Program hosted by Yosemite Hospitality.
Date: Sep 25, 2024 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
The Ansel Adams Gallery Photography Walk (Yosemite Valley)
Join a staff photographer for a brief field lecture in Yosemite Valley.Ā Space is limited; registration required.
Location: The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in Yosemite Village, near shuttle stop 5.
Date: Jan 29, 2025 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
In the Field: Creative Smartphone Photography (Yosemite Valley)
Join a staff photographer to learn how to make better photographs with the camera you always carry.
Classes hosted by The Ansel Adams Gallery.
Location: The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in Yosemtie Village, near shuttle stop 5.
Date: Jan 29, 2025 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Discovery Walk (Yosemite Valley)
Join a ranger for an easy walk and learn more about what makes Yosemite special. Topics vary daily. Meet in front of the museum in Yosemite Village (use shuttle stop 5.)
Program hosted by the National Park Service.
Date: Jul 8, 2025 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Guided Nature Walk (Yosemite Valley)
Join a naturalist for an easy guided walk of Yosemiteās natural areas. Meet at the Yosemite Valley Lodge Amphitheater, near the lodge's front office (use shuttle stop 7.)
Program hosted by Yosemite Hospitality.
Location: The Yosemite Valley Lodge amphitheater is located in the courtyard behind the Lodge front desk. Use Shuttle Stop 7 or Yosemite Falls Parking.
Date: Aug 20, 2025 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Yosemite After Dark (Yosemite Valley)
Grab a flashlight and join a Yosemite naturalist for a nature walk at night! Recommended for kids 11 & up.
Program hosted by Yosemite Hospitality.
Location: Yosemite Valley. Meetup location provided upon registration.
Date: Sep 24, 2025 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Evening Programs (Yosemite Valley)
Yosemite naturalists present a variety of topics on natural and cultural history. Meet at the Yosemite Valley Lodge Cliff Room (between the lounge and gift shop. Use shuttle stop 7.)
Program hosted by Yosemite Hospitality.
Date: Nov 1, 2025 12:00am to Mar 17, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
In the Field: Creative Smartphone Photography (Yosemite Valley)
Join a staff photographer to learn how to make better photographs with the camera you always carry.
Classes hosted by The Ansel Adams Gallery.
Location: The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in Yosemtie Village, near shuttle stop 5.
Date: Nov 26, 2025 12:00am to Jan 27, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams (Yosemite Valley)
Join a staff photographer for a field class around Yosemite Valley.
Classes hosted by The Ansel Adams Gallery.
Location: The Ansel Adams Gallery is located in Yosemtie Village, near shuttle stop 5.
Date: Nov 26, 2025 12:00am to Jan 27, 2026 12:00am
Paid Event
Visitor Center & Contacts
š Physical Address:
PO Box 577
Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
š Voice Phone: 209/372-0200
āļø Email: yose_web_manager@nps.gov