Bridalveil Creek Campground

• During the campground's open season (approximately mid-July through early September) reservations are required. Reservations are required for all sites, including the horse sites (3) and group sites (2). Campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date) at 7 am Pacific time. Horse site reservations are only available by calling 209/375-9535. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Camp 4 Campground

• Camp 4 is open all year. Sites are shared, with up to 6 people per site. In 2025, from April 18 to November 1, reservations are required and available one week in advance of your arrival date. Up to six people can be registered for a site per each reservation transaction. For part of the year, the campground is open on a first-come, first-served basis and visitors self-register for a site upon arrival. A ranger may be onsite to help register campers. Space is available on a per-person basis and you can register/reserve for up to the maximum stay limit.

Crane Flat Campground

• Reservations are required when Crane Flat is open (approximately July through mid-October). Campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date) at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Hodgdon Meadow Campground

• Reservations are required from April 15 through October 5, 2025. During the rest of the year, the entire campground (other than the group sites, which close) are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Lower Pines Campground

• Reservations are required seasonally when Lower Pines is open (mid-April through late October). Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

North Pines Campground

• North Pines Campground reservations are available by early access lottery; any available reservations after the lottery are available up to five months in advance starting February 15. Successful lottery applicants will have an opportunity to make a reservation for campsites in North Pines Campground during an early access period. Reservations are required seasonally for North Pines when it is open (early April through late October). After the early access period, remaining campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Porcupine Flat Campground

• During the campground's open season (approximately mid-July through mid-October), reservations are required. Campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date) at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Tamarack Flat Campground

• During the campground's open season (approximately mid- to late June - mid-October), 52 sites will be available by reservation only. Campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date) at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground

• Typically, during the campground's open season (approx. July - September), all sites are available by reservation. About half the campsites are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to two months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. The other half of campsites are available two weeks in advance on a daily rolling window (i.e., 14 days in advance) at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Upper Pines Campground

• Reservations are required all year for Upper Pines. Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Wawona Campground

• Reservations are required in 2025 from April 15 through October 5. During the rest of the year, Loop A is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Loops B and C are closed in winter. The group site is available by reservation only year-round. Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Wawona Horse Camp

• Wawona Horse Camp reservations are required from early to mid-April through early to mid-October. During the rest of the year the campground is closed. Campground reservations are available in blocks of one month at a time, up to five months in advance, on the 15th of each month at 7 am Pacific time.

White Wolf Campground

• During the campground's open season (approximately July - September), a reservation is required. Campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date) at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Yosemite Creek Campground

• During the campground's open season (approximately mid-July through early September), reservations are required. Campground reservations are released two weeks in advance on a rolling daily window (i.e., 14 days in advance of arrival date) at 7 am Pacific time. Be aware that nearly all campground reservations in Yosemite for the months of May through September and for some other weekends are filled the first day they become available, usually within seconds or minutes after 7 am Pacific time.

Acting Superintendent's Office

Although Yosemite was set aside as a national park in 1890, the National Park Service had not yet been created. Following the precedent set in Yellowstone, our country's first national park, the U.S. Army Cavalry also patrolled General Grant National Park (now known as Kings Canyon National Park) and Yosemite National Park. Each summer over 200 soldiers, usually cavalry, rode from the Presidio of San Francisco to protect both parks.

• This small A-frame wooden cabin has an orange door located left of center. There is a cement patio and a shingled porch roof, slanting downward from the building, held up by two wooden posts. A single window sits above the porch and a smoke stack off the left side of the roof. Between the porch roof and the window is a black and white sign that reads: Office of the Acting Superintendent, Yosemite National Park. A flagpole waving the American flag and picnic table are in front of this structure. An exhibit sign reads: On October 1, 1890, a national preserve of 932,600 acres was established, surrounding Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Between 1891 and 1913, cavalry troops from the Presidio in San Francisco spent the summer months here to protect and administer the area. After several seasons, they succeeded in abating sheep herding in the delicate high country meadows. The troops built miles of high Sierra trails for patrol purposes, trails suitable for visitors as well. In addition, they dealt with wildfires, poachers and lost travelers. This particular building was erected in Wawona as headquarters for the commanding officer who acted as superintendent of the Park. From here, troops visited the big trees, patrolled the high country and stocked lakes and streams with trout to provide fine angling.

Anderson Cabin

Tourist parties provided business for local residents. George Anderson, a miner and blacksmith, worked as a guide in the late 1800s, and escorted visitors on expeditions in Yosemite. In 1875, he was the first person to climb Half Dome. He spent his winters in this building at Big Meadow (now called Foresta), and his summers in Yosemite Valley.

• This small log cabin has a steep roof, with rows of vertical shingles. it has a door made of vertical wooden planks, set left of center, with a larger window to its right and a small window to its left. A stone chimney rises up along the right sight of the structure. An exhibit sign reads: Mountaineer Artists' paintings excited the curiosity of folks, and interest in the area grew rapidly. In 1864, the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias were granted to California as a public trust. At first, travel into these areas was only on foot or horseback. But soon, nationwide and local improvements in transportation, such as the transcontinental railroad (1869) and stage roads into Yosemite Valley (1874), made travel more practical. Men such as Scots emigrant George Anderson proved many of these visitors needs, serving as blacksmiths, cooks, and trail guides. Anderson himself built many of the trails still used in the Valley area. In October, 1875, he succeeded in scaling the back side of Half Dome, and visitors used his rope for several years thereafter to make their own ascents. Anderson used this floorless cabin as his residence at Big Meadow, northwest of Yosemite Valley, when not working elsewhere in the area.

Arch Rock Entrance

Welcome to Yosemite National Park! Prepare to let your curiosity guide you to new places. Pick up a map and brochure as you enter your national park. A unique natural feature welcomes visitors to the park, via the Arch Rock entrance. Two house-sized boulders, situated on either side of the inbound road, form an archway for visitors to pass through. It's a truly exceptional experience upon first entering Yosemite National Park. The park entrance fee can be paid upon arrival.

• As you approach the entrance station, a ranger-managed booth sits in the middle of the road. There are two lanes on each side of the booth. As you drive away from the booth, the two lanes merge into one lane, for both inbound and outbound traffic. The American flag waves during business hours. <br /><br />Just past the ranger-managed booth, on the inbound single lane into Yosemite, two house-sized boulders, situated on either side of the road, form an archway for vehicles to pass through. This can be a tight squeeze for oversized RVs or commercial buses.

Artist Cabin (Chris Jorgensen Studio)

Explorers, writers, and early tourist parties of the 1850s returned from Yosemite with stories of spectacular beauty. Artists were drawn to Yosemite, where they found inspiration in the magnificent scenery. Paintings, drawings, sketches, and photographs publicized and popularized Yosemite. Consequently, many people chose to travel the arduous route to Yosemite and experience the beauty firsthand. Thus, artists played a key role in increased awareness, tourism, and protection.

• This log cabin has horizontal logs, filled with white cement, making up the base of the structure. A large A-frame roof sits atop the base, consisting of horizontal and vertical logs, filled with white cement. There is a brown door near the right side and one rectangular window to the left. There is a covered front porch. An exhibit sign reads: Artist's Cabin - Artists were among the first pioneers to enjoy and appreciate this area for the sake of its natural beauty and grandeur. It is they who brought to public attention the magnificence of 30-foot wide trees and 1,000-foot waterfalls, instilling a sense of wonder in those who had never seen the Yo-Semite. The era of the artist in Yosemite extends form 1855 to the present time. This cabin was built in Yosemite Valley around 1900, on the bank of the Merced River near Sentinel Bridge. It served as the home of artist Chris Jorgensen. Jorgensen maintained a studio nearby, and specialized in scenics. He was one of many artists who popularized Yosemite.

Badger Pass Ski Area

Since opening in 1935, Badger Pass Ski Area has been a favorite ski destination for families and Yosemite enthusiasts. The ski area boasts fewer crowds and fun winter activities including skiing, snowshoeing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snow tubing. The ski area is accessible by vehicle or via free shuttle bus from Yosemite Valley.

• Upon entering the Badger Pass Ski Area, ski slopes and chairlifts can immediately be seen in the distance. Driving further onto the property, parking spots start to become available on both sides of the road before approaching the main ski lodge, which is on the right. The ski lodge is a two-story building and has two dining areas, an activity's desk, a sports shop, locker rooms, and alpine rental shop. On the back side of the ski lodge are several ski slopes, differing in grade and difficulty level, a few chairlifts, and an A-frame ranger station. Back in front of the ski lodge, the road continues past a Nordic ski center on the left, which is in a brown trailer, before circling around into a large parking area. Some parking spaces are labeled for overnight parking only, and requires a wilderness permit. All other parking spots are available to all visitors. The road eventually loops back around to the ski lodge area, with the option to turn right to exit the premises and meet up with the Tioga Road.

Bar 1899

You'll find Bar 1899 on the Curry Village Pizza Deck, where you can enjoy creative cocktails—including our popular Agave Smash, numerous tap beers and a selection of small plates to savor. Just the thing after a long day on the trail. Indoor seating is available and there are TVs to view the game!

• Curry Village services are located in one building complex, with a layout shaped like a big square, with only two sides of the square being utilized. As you approach the building from the Curry Village Parking area, there is a raised deck that extends along a majority of the front side of the building that requires going up a few steps. Circular, sometimes umbrella'd, picnic tables are randomly placed on the deck. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right: The Mountain Shop and Yosemite Mountaineering School entrance, the Meadow Grill order and pick-up windows, and Curry Village Gift Shop. Near the gift shop are another set of steps and a ramp that leads down to a walking path that goes around the side of the building to more services. Another raised deck extends across almost half of that side of the building. After climbing a few steps onto the deck, more circular picnic tables are randomly placed about. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Pizza Deck order and pick-up windows, Bar 1899, and the entrance to go inside the Seven Tents Pavilion to access Mother Curry's Kitchen, the Coffee Corner, indoor seating, and restrooms.

Base Camp Eatery

Grab some food at the Base Camp Eatery, which includes a Starbucks coffee bar, and serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The Base Camp Eatery offers a greater menu variety, new recipes using local/seasonal ingredients with a greater emphasis on front-of-house cooking and fresh food concepts, and grab-and-go selections. Open year-round, see website for hours and menus. Located on the Yosemite Valley Lodge premises.

• The Yosemite Valley Lodge complex is made up of three main buildings that are situated in close proximity to each other, and form a triangular shape, around an outdoor courtyard. The building to the west of the front desk office, connected by a breezeway, is where, from left to right, the Base Camp Eatery, Starbucks, and Mountain Room are located. The Base Camp Eatery glass doors each have a triangle with a plus sign in the middle, and the words Base Camp Eatery, welcome, beneath the triangle. Six newspaper vending machines and a large touch screen information kiosk are along the wood-paneled wall to the right of the entrance, along with a black metal sign that reads Base Camp Eatery. Inside, to the left of the main entrance, is a large eating area with one row of tall, long, community style tables with tall benches, surrounded by rows of individual tables and chairs. To the right is an indoor entrance to Starbucks. Straight ahead are six touch screen ordering kiosks and the food pick-up counter. The room has tall ceilings with large, exposed wooden beams, glossy cement floors, and recessed and hanging lights.

Big Oak Flat Entrance

Welcome to Yosemite National Park! Prepare to let your curiosity guide you to new places. Pick up a map and brochure as you enter your national park. The park entrance fee can be paid upon arrival. Park passes can be purchased here, and park brochures are available.

• The one lane approach to the Big Oak Flat Entrance splits into three inbound lanes. Three small wooden kiosks are situated between each lane. The last lane on the left is the only outbound lane. The National Park Service logo is placed above the windows on each kiosk. The logo consists of a downward pointing arrowhead, a sequoia tree, a mountain range, a lake, a bison, and text that reads National Park Service. A flag pole waving the American Flag is located in front of the middle kiosk. A sign in front of the far right kiosks reads, Credit cards preferred. Yosemite National Park. <br /><br />Entrance fees (Valid for seven days with receipt), Private Vehicles are $35, Motocycles are $30, and Person (walk-in, bicyclist, organized non-commercial groups) are $20 per person. <br /><br />Annual passes include one for Yosemite National Park for $70, an Interagency Pass (valid at all 400+ federal fee areas) for $80, Interagency Senior Pass (Ages 62+ - U.S. citizens/permanent resident) for $20, Interagency Military Pass (U.S. active military and dependents) for free, and an Every Kid in Park - 4th Grade Pass (Current U.S. 4th graders with voucher) are free. <br /><br />Lifetime Passes (U.S. citizens/permanent residents) include Interagency Senior Pass (ages 62+) for $80, and the Interagency Access Pass (permanently disabled) for free.

Big Trees Loop - Anatomy of a Giant

These massive trees grow bigger and live longer than almost any other living things on earth. Which of the following factors do you think is most important to their longevity? Insulating bark? Many tiny seeds? Lifelong growth? Widespread roots? Read this wayside exhibit to find out more.

• This wayside exhibit is the second stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, curves outward to get a closer look at the trees. Several giant sequioas line the path ahead and make other visitors look small. Shrubs and saplings are near to the fence, while some large, mature sequoias can be seen in the distance. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, Anatomy of a Giant. Panel text reads, these massive trees grow bigger and live longer than almost any other living things on earth. Which of the following factors do you think is most important to their longevity? <br /><br />Insulating Bark - Rich with tannins and up to two feet (.61 m) thick, giant sequoia bark protects the trees from threats such as fire, insects, and disease. <br /><br />Many Tiny Seeds - Germinating from a seed no bigger than an oat flake, a mature giant sequoia can produce as many as 400,000 seeds per year. <br /><br />Lifelong Growth - Sequoias never stop growing. They are among the fastest growing trees on earth and continue adding volume throughout their lives. <br /><br />Widespread Roots - Sequoia root systems grow out, not down, and extend 100-200 feet (30-60 m) from a tree's trunk. These shallow roots can fuse with other giant sequoias in order to share resources, as opposed to competing for them. <br /><br />Bronze Tactile Relief: a section of a sequoia tree trunk is located to the immediate left of the exhibit panel. It has bumpy striations running up and down it.<br /><br />Illustration: A cross section of a sequioa tree and its roots cover the right side and bottom of the exhibit panel. Below ground, the roots are very shallow and spread throughout the bottom of the panel. Above ground, the thick tree trunk rises off the panel, before it reaches the crown. A separate illustration of a sequioa cone shows an egg shaped cone, the criss-crossing indentations. Three small, oat-like seeds fall from it.

Big Trees Loop - Ecology of the Grove

Think of the grove as a neighborhood, or ecosystem, where the resident plants and animals rely on each other to survive. Read this wayside exhibit to find out more about what roles mammals, birds, trees, snow, fire, and the sun play in this neighborhood.

• This wayside exhibit is the third stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, curves outward to allow for a closer look at the trees. Several giant sequoias line the path nearby, making visitors crane their neck back to see the height of the tree. Shrubs and saplings are near the fence, while some larger, mature sequoias can be seen in the distance. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, Ecology of the Grove. Panel text reads, Think of the grove as a neighborhood, or ecosystem, where the resident plants and animals rely on each other to survive. Mammals and birds spread seeds and support healthy populations of plants and insects. Tree bark, leaves, needles, and other plant litter provides food for tiny organisms, which digest the materials and return nutrients to the soil. Snow melt, fire, and sunlight provide vital energy for life in the forest. Each factor, working with the others, is key to the success of this grove and its residents.

Big Trees Loop - Grove Restoration

The ground you stand on was once asphalt, which did not give falling sequoia seeds a chance to germinate. Read about recent efforts to restore this area back to a place where giant sequoias can thrive.

• This wayside exhibit is the eighth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A dirt path lined with wood railings, leads to an open area filled with tall grasses and shrubs. A cross-cut of a tree trunk is to the side of the path for seating purposes. A wayside exhibit titled, Grove Restoration is next to the path. Panel text reads, the ground below you was once part of a paved road system. When sequoia seeds fell from the giants above, they landed on asphalt, with no chance of germination.<br /><br />Today, falling seeds can land on fertile, well-hydrated soil - the perfect place to start their long journey to adulthood. This change was made possible by a historic restoration effort during the years surrounding the National Park Service centennial in 2016. This effort removed asphalt, replaced roads with trails, and restored natural hydrology. Ongoing efforts such as these help to return natural processes to the grove. <br /><br />Illustration: The thin branches, sprouting from the ground, covered completely with pine-like leaves. This small sapling is next to the girth of a mature giant sequoia's reddish-brown trunk, that bulbs out at its bottom.

Big Trees Loop - How Giants Fall

Giant sequoias can survive for thousands of years, but they are not invincible. What conditions threaten a giant sequoias survival? Read this wayside exhibit for more information.

• This wayside exhibit is the seventh stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, gives a close look at two fallen trees. What is left of the roots sprawl out in all directions from the end of the sequoia trunk. Shrubs, saplings, and other plants and trees grow around the fallen trees. A long wood bench with metal armrests is along the fence. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, How Giants Fall. Panel text reads, giant sequoias can live and grow for thousands of years. They can survive lightning strikes, fires, droughts, and winter snows. They have natural defenses against insects and fungus. But they are not invincible.<br /><br />Severe, repeated fires and soil erosion can weaken the sequoias' foundations, making them vulnerable to toppling under pressure from heavy snow or high winds. <br /><br />Humans threaten the giant sequoias as well. In the early history of California, people logged thousands of sequoias, carved tunnels through trees, and created roads and trails that damaged roots and interfered with water flow. Now human-caused threats, such as air pollution, pathogens, and climate change may jeopardize the trees' long-term survival. Their future depends on how we treat the earth. <br /><br />Illustration: The large trunk of a giant sequoia tree is leaning to the right, as roots snap, and are unearthed from the ground, as if it's in the midst of falling.

Big Trees Loop - Relics of the Past

Learn more about the relationship giant sequoias have had with other plants, through the ages, on this wayside exhibit.

• This wayside exhibit is the tenth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A dirt path lined with wood railings, transitions to a wooden boardwalk over a very wet area. Tall, green, reed-like plants, called horsetails, stand errect in this wet area along with other plants. A wayside exhibit titled, Relics of the Past, and is next to the path. Panel text reads, One of the oldest land plants, Equisetum (also called horsetail) has hollow stems that arise from a series of underground branches. Part of a primeval forest, these plants and giant sequoias have co-existed since the age of dinasours. <br /><br />Illustration: Three different kinds of plants seem to be shooting out of the ground from the same root system. The middle plant is a green, chute that has four sections, like small, thin bamboo. <br /><br />The success of these ancient forest dwellers depends on an adequate water supply, making hydrology key to survival. A sequoia's shallow, impressive root system extends to many water sources. Two to six feet beneath you, these roots stretch outward in all directions reaching for over 100 feet in order to capture this vital resource.<br /><br />Illustration: A cross-cut illustration of a tree growing, in the middle of the exhibit panel, shows the roots, below ground, shallowly spreading outward as opposed to downward.<br /><br />Caption: Due to their shallow nature, it is important to stay away from the bases of sequoias in order to avoid trampling their root systems.

Big Trees Loop - Restore and Protect

In 1864 Abraham Lincoln paused during the Civil War to set aside the Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley as a protected state reserve "for public use, resort, and recreation." Yosemite National Park was then established in 1890 and this grove incorporated into the park in 1906. Today, we value the quiet majesty of these giant sequoias and share a responsibility as park stewards to limit our impact on them.

• This wayside exhibit is the twelvth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A dirt path lined with wood railings leads to an open area that has several saplings growing, each having its own wire mesh protective tubes around it. Straight ahead, through the trees, the beginning of the loop trail can be seen. A wayside exhibit titled, Restore and Protect, is next to the path. Panel text reads, when we respect and care for natural havens such as the Mariposa Grove, we not only restore vital ecosystems and environmental processes, we also preserve places vital to the human spirit. <br /><br />Today we value the quiet majesty of the sequoias, respecting them as ancient sentinels. As stewards of this place, we share a responsibility to work together and limit our impact on these rare giants.<br /><br />Walk gently, do no harm, savor your discoveries, and leave inspired. You can make a difference by being a steward everywhere you go, in this grove and beyond. <br /><br />Photo: Ten people, men and women, wearing gloves, yellow or white hard hats, and blue t-shirts, all gather around a fallen log, ready to move it. <br /><br />Quote: Ask the questions that have no answers. Invest in the millenium. Plant sequoias. Say that your main crop is the forest that you did not plant, that you will not live to harvest. Say that the leaves are harvested when they have rotted into the mold. Call that profit. Prophesy such returns. - Excerpted from a poem by Wendell Berry.

Big Trees Loop - Stages of Life

The slender young giant sequoias around you, distinguished by their foliage of round, overlapping scales, distinctive conical profiles, and soft, spongy bark, beat great odds in finding the right conditions to sprout toward maturity. Find out what the perfect conditions are that allow a seed to become a mature giant sequoia, on this wayside exhibit.

• This wayside exhibit is the sixth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, curves outward to get a closer look young giant sequoias and saplings near the boardwalk. Shrubs and other plants and trees grow in this area. A long wood bench with metal armrests is near the center of the boardwalk, while a single-person bench with a back and arm rest is next to the fence. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, Stages of Life. Panel text reads, each tiny sequoia seed has the potential to become a mighty tree, but only few encounter the right conditions to reach maturity. The slender young sequoias around you beat great odds in finding the perfect mixture of soil moisture, temperature, and sunlight necessary to germinate and grow.<br /><br />Over the next few centuries, these slim saplings may grow to be 250-300 feet (76-91 m) tall. They will increase in volume, developing wide buttresses at their bases. Their upper limbs will expand, becoming as thick as the trunks of other trees, and their lower limbs will drop off. After they reach their full height, their crowns will become round, often with a broken (or snag) top. <br /><br />Illustration: Four trees are side by side. A small sapling, a larger cone-shaped tree, which is a young sequoia, a tall giant sequoia that has a full, round crown, and a larger giant sequioa with a snagged trunk at its top.

Big Trees Loop - The Fallen Monarch

No one knows how old this tree is or when it fell. Notice the roots of this tree. Sequoias do not have deep tap roots; instead the roots spread out near the grounds' surface to capture water. While the roots are usually no deeper than six feet (2 meters), they can fan out more than 150 feet (45 meters), providing a stable base to balance the massive trunk. When visitors stay on the road and trails, it minimizes soil compaction that damages these surface roots.

• This wayside exhibit is the ninth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A dirt path lined with wood railings, leads to a massive giant sequoia, that is about 26 feet in diameter and over 200 feet long, laying on the ground, with its large root system exposed at its right end. The roots of the tree about are about 20 to 25 feet in height and look like a wood coral reef, with multiple branches curling and extending upward. A cross-cut of a tree trunk is nearby and used for seating purposes. A wayside exhibit titled, The Fallen Monarch is next to the path. Panel text reads, an enduring mystery, no one knows how old this tree is or when it fell. Initially encounted by the Traditionally Associated Tribes of Yosemite and later photographed with countless visitors, it remains a memorable feature of the grove.<br /><br />Although the bark and sapwood have decayed, the remaining heartwood is fortified with tannins. This natural compound protects the tree, and it may take several more centuries to decompose. <br /><br />Illustration: A fallen tree lays on the ground. The remainder of the large root system are in the forefront, sprawling in every which direction, while the trunk of the tree gets smaller as it lays toward the horizon line, away from the viewer. <br />

Big Trees Loop - The Wonder of Sequoias

You are standing in the midst of one of Yosemite's natural and cultural treasures-and among the world's most massive living organisms. These trees, Sequoiadendron giganteum, are not the oldest living things. Although the oldest giant sequoias may exceed 3,000 years in age, some living specimens of the ancient bristlecone pine, Pinus arista, are more than 4,600 years old!

• This wayside exhibit is the first stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, paves a way through the Mariposa Grove. A large log is split in two and serves as a bench, with a backside that slightly leans backward. Several giant sequioas line the path and make other visitors look small. Other trees in the grove, which include incensed cedars, ponderosa pines, and sugar pines, noticably grow among the sequoias. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, The Wonder of Sequoias. Panel text reads, you are standing in the midst of one of Yosemite's natural and cultural treasures - and among the world's most massive living organisms. <br /><br />The trees around you have stood strong for centuries. One tree in the grove, the Grizzly Giant, is estimated to be between 1,800 and 2,800 years old. Another tree in the grove is so old and large that a 128-year-old ponderosa pine is growing in its crown.<br /><br />Think of the human history these trees have witnessed over the last few thousand years. Through harsh Sierra seasons, severe fires, floods, and droughts, these ancient giants have remained ever-resilient and awe-inspiring. <br /><br />Illustration: Two trees stand side by side. The tree on the left has a full crown, thick limbs, and a broader trunk, and is labeled, giant sequoia. The tree on the right is noticably more slender and taller, with more wispier, thin branches, and is labeled coast redwood. <br /><br />Caption: The giant sequoia is the largest tree in the world by total volume; the coast redwood is the world's tallest.

Big Trees Loop - Traditional Ecological Knowledge

The Traditionally Associated Tribes of Yosemite National Park worked collaboratively with cultural and natural resource managers to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge with science-based adaptive management throughout the park. Read this wayside exhibit to see what practices were used to enhance the biodiversity of the forest environment.

• This wayside exhibit is the fifth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, curves outward to get a closer look at the giant sequoias and the wetland area that runs below the boardwalk. Shrubs, saplings, and other plants grow in this wet areas. A wood bench with metal armrests is in the area. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, Traditional Ecological Knowledge. Panel text reads, Yosemite's First Stewards - Traditional Ecological Knowledge in the Mariposa Grove includes traditional gathering of various plants and minerals, and the use of low-intensity fire to enhance the health and biodiversity of the forest environment.<br /><br />The Traditionally Associated Tribes of Yosemite National Park work collaboratively with cultural and natural resource managers to integrate Traditional Ecological Knowledge with science-based adaptive management throughout the park. <br /><br />Illustration: Three different-sized baskets with slightly different shapes have black and red indigenous designs around them. Four bunches of different kinds of natural plant materials are bunched together.<br /><br />Caption: The skills needed to produce beautiful and functional baskets have been shared through many generations. <br /><br />Ethnobotany of Willow - Willows are a woody perennial plant important to the indigenous people of central California. As caretakers of the land, tribal members use Traditional Ecological Knowledge to maintain the plant. Different parts of the willow are used for medicine, utilitarian tools, ceremonial lodges, and most importantly, basket material. <br /><br />Illustration: Slender branches with elongated leaves up and down each branch are bunched together in one plant, growing out of the ground.<br /><br />Caption: Willows are environmental indicators of abundant and consistent water sources.

Big Trees Loop - Water and Wetlands

Most of these giant sequoias consume a lot of water. Where does the water come from? find out more about the importance of wetland areas to giant sequoias and other plants and animals found in the grove, on this wayside exhibit.

• This wayside exhibit is the fourth stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A wooden boardwalk with wood and metal fencing, curves outward to get a closer look at the trees. A wood bench with metal armrests is in the area. Several giant sequioas line the path ahead and make other visitors look small. Shrubs and saplings are near to the fence, while some large, mature sequoias can be seen in the distance. A wayside exhibit adhered to the wooden fence is titled, Water and Wetlands. Panel text reads, giant sequoias can consume hundreds of gallons of water every day. Most of the water comes from snowmelt, which flows along the surface of the ground into wetlands or filters underground through loose soil. <br /><br />This boardwalk was built to enable water to move freely through the wetland below while allowing you to explore this stand of trees. Restoration of wetland areas re-establishes the natural flow of water, not only for giant sequoias, but for all of the grove's plants and animals. <br /><br />Illustration: a small, narrow stream makes its way through foliage consisting of a flowering bush and a bunch of tall, green stalks, in a sequioa grove. A deer stands near a sequioa tree, small in stature when compared to the size of the sequoia trunk.<br /><br />Caption: Some plants you see here, such as equisetum and the flowering western azalea, are adapted for life in saturated soil and live alongside giant sequoias.

Big Trees Loop - Wildlife in the Grove

The Mariposa Grove provides a protected home for 35 species of mammals and 35 species of birds. Serious threats to Yosemite's wildlife and the ecosystems they occupy include loss of a natural fire regime, non-native species, air pollution, habitat fragmentation, and climate change. Learn about one of Yosemite's rarest species, the Pacific Fisher, on this wayside exhibit.

• This wayside exhibit is the eleventh stop of 12 on the Big Trees Loop Tour. A dirt path lined with wood railings leads to an opening in the trees, a circular area that is line with boulders. In the center of the circular area is an oddly shaped outline of the canopy of a giant sequioa, inlayed into the ground with stones. To the opposite side of the circular opening is a bronze statue of a fisher, set on a stone pedastal. A wayside exhibit titled, Wildlife in the Grove, is next to the path. Panel text reads, the Mariposa Grove is home to 35 species of mammals and 35 species of birds. As humans transform landscapes worldwide, protected natural habitats are increasingly scarce and more important than ever. How many wild places still exist for wildlife where you live?<br /><br />This grove provides a protected home for several rare species, including the Pacific fisher. Scientists estimate that between 125 and 250 fishers live in Yosemite. This medium-sized weasel, a California Species of Special Concern, is an important predator that makes its home in the cavities of old-growth trees and raises 2-3 kits each year. <br /><br />Illustration: A weasel-like animal sits on a tree branch with its long tail hanging over the side. <br /><br />Caption: Even while protected in this national park, fishers face threats. Illegal use of rodenticides on public land can kill wildlife or seriously compromise their health. Many fishers are hit by vehicles. Please drive slowly to keep fishers and other animals safe.

Big Trees Loop Trailhead

Winding through an impressive forest with many giant sequoias, this trail offers numerous interpretive panels on the life and ecology of this unique place. This loop is relatively flat and is wheelchair accessible. Big Trees Loop (easy) 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop-trip; 30-45 minutes.

• Approaching the Big Trees Loop Trailhead from either the parking area or the shuttle drop off area, the most noticeable feature is the fenced-in pathway that zigzags between towering giant sequoias as it makes its way deeper into the grove. <br /><br />On the right side of the path entranceway sits a row of trash and recycle bins and a split log that serves as a long bench. To the left of the entranceway are several interpretive panels, a drinking fountain, and a bronze, tactile relief model of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (Caution: The bronze, tactile relief model is often in direct sunlight and could be too hot to touch). <br /><br />Three interpretive panels are lined up against a waist high fence. The first panel is titled A Way of Life Continues and explains the origins of stewardship of the grove by local native tribes, the Bishop Paiute Tribe, Bridgeport Indian Colony, Mono Lake Kutzadika Tribe, North Fork Rancheria of Mono Indians of California, Picayune Rancheria of Chukchansi Indians, Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation, and Tuolumne Band of Me-Wuk Indians. There is a sepia toned picture of a group of people, with a caption that reads, some members of the Tribal Working Group, Yosemite Conservancy, and NPS staff. There is also an area titled Greetings from the Traditionally Associated Tribes of Yosemite National Park, that contains five different tribal translations. There is also a map that shows the ancestral homelands of the park's Traditionally Associated Tribes, which are marked by a red dot in areas surrounding Yosemite. <br /><br />The second panel is titled Visiting the Mariposa Grove. There is a map showing all the trails in the Mariposa Grove, and a list containing hiking trail options that range from easy, to moderate, to strenuous. For information regarding park maps, call our park accessibility coordinator at (209) 379-1035. A call-out box titled Grove Etiquette reads, You are visiting a truly special place. Please take care to not damage this grove or impact the experience of other visitors. Please stay on designated trails and respect fenced areas. Be a steward of the grove - please no climbing or graffiti. Strive to leave no trace. No dogs, no collecting, no bikes. <br /><br />A third panel is titled A Legacy of Conservation and shows a sepia toned picture of Abraham Lincoln, as well as a picture of a National Park Service (NPS) uniform hat and belt, to show the significance of the sequoia cones featured on both the NPS uniform hat band and belt.<br /><br />A sign at the trailhead reads, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.

Blacksmith Shop - Yosemite

By 1900, many people had made the trip to Yosemite on horseback or by horse-drawn stage. Roads were rough on horses and riders. It took eight hours to travel approximately 25 miles from Wawona to Yosemite Valley. A four-up stage (a stage being drawn by four horses) changed horses four times during the trip. Consequently, 16 horses were used to make the journey. Blacksmiths shops were located throughout the park, and "smithys" offered valuable assistance along the roads.

• This small one-room wooden structure has an A-frame roof that extends outward and is held up by two wooden posts, creating a porch-like area. The building is surrounded by dirt and dry pine needles and pine cones. There are two tree trunk stools in the front.

Bridalveil Fall

Enjoy an up close view from the base of this often-windswept waterfall. Especially in the spring, expect to get wet while standing at the base of this thundering waterfall that plunges 620 feet (189 meters). In some cases the spray off Bridalveil Fall is so strong, you may not even be able to easily access the end of the trail. During the rest of the year, look for its characteristic light, swaying flow. Expect icy and very slick conditions in winter.

• The trail that leads to the base of Bridalveil Fall begins at the east end of the Bridalveil Fall Parking Area, which is laid out like a loop, with a single entrance on the west side of the lot. A wooden structure containing four vault restrooms, with trash and recycle bins in front, is located nearby, clockwise from the trailhead. Tall pines and cedars surround the area and the fall is not visible from the parking lot. There is no tap water available. The trail retreats into the dense forest and starts to ascend at a steep grade next to the rushing waters of Bridalveil Creek, before reaching the Bridalveil Fall viewing area. Dependent on the season, bystanders may get drenched from the mist in a matter of seconds. Rocks and boulders line Bridalveil Creek. A sign in the viewing area reads, Danger! Strong Current. Stay back from the stream. The boulders are treacherously slick. If you fall in, icy water will quickly incapacitate you. Strong currents can batter you to death against the rocks. The message repeats in German, French, Spanish, and Japanese.

Bridalveil Fall Parking Area

Prepare to be awed as you approach the misty bottom of Bridalveil Fall from this parking area. The Bridalveil Fall parking area often fills up quickly in summer and traffic jams are common when getting in and out of this parking lot. Parking is also available a little further east on Southside Drive into Yosemite Valley (a few hundred yards), where you'll find parking on either side of the road with a different trail option.

• The Bridalveil Fall Trailhead Parking area is laid out like a loop, with a single entrance on the west side of the lot, and parking spaces on both sides of the roadway. A few designated accessible parking spots are located at the east end of the loop, near a wooden structure containing four vault restrooms, with trash and recycle bins in front. The trail to the base of Bridalveil Falls starts further around the loop, counter-clockwise from the restrooms. Tall pines and cedars surround the area and the fall is not visible from the parking lot. There is no tap water available.

Bridalveil Fall Trailhead

A short walk will lead you to the base of Bridalveil Fall, allowing you to get an up close view of this often-windswept waterfall. Plunging 620 feet (189 meters), Bridalveil Fall is the first major waterfall you'll see when entering Yosemite Valley. In spring, it thunders; you can expect to get wet! In some cases the spray is so strong, you may not even be able to easily access the end of the trail. During the rest of the year, look for its characteristic light, swaying flow.

• The trail that leads to the base of Bridalveil Fall begins at the east end of the Bridalveil Fall Parking Area, which is laid out like a loop, with a single entrance on the west side of the lot. A wooden structure containing four vault restrooms, with trash and recycle bins in front, is located nearby, clockwise from the trailhead. Tall pines and cedars surround the area and the fall is not visible from the parking lot. There is no tap water available.

Cathedral Beach Picnic Area

Picnic tables and grills are conveniently located at this scenic spot along the Merced River that offers views of El Capitan. This picnic area is available from dawn to dusk. Cathedral Beach Picnic Area, is located on Southside Drive, several miles east of Bridalveil Fall.

• The Cathedral Beach Picnic Area is on a dirt road that is located on the left side of Southside Drive, the eastbound, one-way road leading into Yosemite Valley. The dirt road leads down a small hill into a heavily forested area, passing vault toilets and trash and recycle bins on the left, along the way. There is a dirt, circular, parking area, with no designated parking spots at the bottom of the hill. Picnic tables with accompanying grills are randomly spaced out along the perimeter of the dirt parking area. Multiple paths lead out of the forest and onto an open sandy and pebbled beach, along the Merced River. The massive El Capitan rises above the treeline.

Cathedral Lakes Trailhead

The shimmering waters of Cathedral Lakes rest below Cathedral Peak, named by the California Geological Survey (CGS) in 1863. The trail climbs steadily to Upper Cathedral Lake. Near the top of the climb, it passes a spur trail to Lower Cathedral Lake (0.5 mile to lake). The return hike follows the same route. This is one of the busiest trails in the Tuolumne Meadows area.

• The Cathedral Lakes Trailhead is located on the south side of Tioga Road in Tuolumne Meadows and is marked by a brown metal sign. The sign reads Cathedral Lakes, and has an icon of a backpacker and an arrow that points south. Limited roadside parking is available on both sides of the road. The northside of the road is an open meadow with panoramic views, while the south side of the road is forest. Along the roadside parking, near the beginning of the Cathedral Lakes Trail are four brown food lockers, three green recycle bins, three brown trash bins, then another six food lockers. A little further down the road are five portable restrooms, summer only. A yellow metal sign with a black outline and black text reads, warning, bear damage is common in this parking area. The sight or odor of food in your vehicle greatly increases the chance of your car being damaged! Federal regulations state that all food be removed from your vehicle and stored in the bear-proof boxes located in each campsite. Don't be bear careless! An illustration of a black bear is at the top of the sign. <br /><br />A wooden sign at the trailhead has text carved out of it that reads, Cathedral Lakes - 3.5 miles, Sunrise H.S.C. - 7.8 miles, and Yosemite Valley - 21 miles. The dirt path descends into the forest. A slender, four-sided, wooden post sticks out of the ground and reads, no camping, on all four sides.

Chilnualna Falls Trailhead

Chilnualna Falls, pronounced "Chil-noo-al-na," flows all year, with peak flow in May. It is a strenuous hike, but well worth it for its views of the falls and Wawona Dome. Chilnualna Falls are comprised of five large cascades sliding through and over large granite formations above the Wawona basin - water here is fullest in spring and early summer. This strenuous trail allows for you to view the Chilnualna Falls cascades in many locations along the hike.

• The parking area for this trailhead is located in a residential area. There is an information board that tells about the hike, the flora and fauna found in the area, a history of the trail, and a bit about the waterfall. There is a basic map that shows the trail, represented by a squiggle line, that runs along the river.

Chinese Laundry

The Chinese Laundry houses interactive displays and exhibits that celebrate the Chinese workers who helped make Yosemite what it is today. The exhibits in this historic building highlight a previously forgotten story in Yosemite’s rich and diverse history.

• A simple brown building with shingle siding and several windows on each side. The roof is peaked with a small window near the top. At the front, there is a small roof overhanging the building's entry porch. The entry has a small step leading up to the small porch from the side. The porch has wood paneled floor and a simple fenced railing that wraps around the corner opposite the steps. The door to enter the building is on the front of the building, on the left right after going up the step. The building is next to a narrow road and surrounded by small and medium-sized cedars and pines.

Church Bowl Picnic Area

Let the views of Half Dome and Glacier Point across Ahwahnee Meadow inspire you as you enjoy a picnic at Church Bowl Picnic Area. There are picnic tables and grills at this scenic spot along Ahwahnee Meadow. Potable water and flush toilets are available.

• Church Bowl Picnic Area is located right off the road, along Ahwahnee Drive. There are scattered picnic tables in the dirt, among tall incense cedars and ponderosa pines. Parking is available right off the road. A brown wooden structure in the midst of the picnic area is the restroom facility. Across the street, views open up in the Ahwahnee Meadow. Half Dome and Glacier Point are clearly visible from here.

Cobertizo de Carretas

Mucho antes de que los automóviles entraran al parque, la única forma práctica para que los visitantes disfrutaran y experimentaran Yosemite era con carretas tiradas por caballos. Los carruajes de la época pasada de Yosemite están estacionados en este cobertizo de carretas, símbolos icónicos de la historia del transporte del parque.

• Un camino de tierra conduce a esta estructura de madera abierta con vigas, postes y barreras de madera y troncos. Alrededor de 10 carruajes históricos tirados por caballos se atesoran aquí. Una de las carretas es verde, de cuatro ruedas, un espacio básico lo suficientemente grande como para sostener un barril de metal con un grifo, y sólo un asiento al frente. Otro carruaje es un poco más elegante, con un chasis amarillo y una carrocería roja que acomoda cuatro filas de personas, incluyendo al conductor. También, tiene un toldo en la parte superior. Por el camino de tierra hay un granero gris y un corral. Árboles altos rodean el área.

Cook's Meadow Loop Trailhead

Walk through the heart of it all! Enjoy views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and Royal Arches from the center of Yosemite Valley as you saunter through this large open meadow. This short, easy walk offers stunning views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock. From the visitor center, walk west along the bicycle path toward Lower Yosemite Fall. At shuttle stop #6, cross the street and follow the bike path, bearing left as the path forks.

• Approaching Cooks Meadow can be a different experience throughout the seasons. In summer, the plants and grasses in the meadow are tall, erect, and green. In fall, the plants and grasses appear to be trampled, lay flat, and look dry, and yellow. In winter, the meadow may be snow-covered, and in spring, it may glisten and sparkle first thing in the morning due to frost. There is a raised boardwalk that circles the meadow with wayside exhibits along the way. From the middle of the meadow, trees no longer obscure the view, and a 360 degree panoramic view of the near 3,000 foot cliff walls open up. Facing north, the upper Yosemite Falls is showcased above the treeline. To the east, the iconic Half Dome is seen, also above the treeline. To the south, Glacier Point and Sentinel Rock rise above the treeline, and to the west, the length of the valley walls go into the distance and curve to the right, showing off the mighty works glaciers played in carving out such a broad valley.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Change: From Lake to Meadow

Notice how flat the floor of Yosemite Valley is. At the end of the last glacial period, as with each post-glacial warming trend, huge volumes of water from melting glaciers flowed into Yosemite Valley, bringing tons of rock, gravel, sand, and silt. This debris slowly filled the shallow lake. A succession of bogs and marshes thrived before the meadows eventually appeared.

• At a corner where the sidewalk splits into several different directions, a wooden post with the number two and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands. A residential area can be seen up a street while across an adjoining street is an open meadow. Yosemite Falls can be seen through the trees.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Change: The Pace of Glaciers

Look up to the granite walls, spires, and cliffs all around you! The rock's story begins about 100 million years ago with granitic magma deep within the earth. This molten material was formed from older continental rock, as it was over-ridden by the westward-moving North American Plate. About 35 million years ago, dramatic uplift began that eventually raised the Sierra Nevada to its current height.

• An oak leaf and acorn symbol and the number one are carved into a slender wooden post located next to the sidewalk. The sidewalk is between the visitor center and the road. Yosemite Falls can be seen through the tall trees that grow in the areas that aren't paved.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Change: The Passage of Seasons

The weather in Yosemite Valley differs from other places in the Sierra Nevada with similar elevations: summers are warmer and winters are colder. Here, the 3,000-foot-high cliffs trap warm air in the summer and funnel cold air down Merced and Tenaya canyons in the winter. The cliffs also shade half of the Valley because of the low-angled winter sun. The Sierra Nevada enjoys a "Mediterranean" climate, which means relatively dry summers and wet winters.

• Along a paved path on the outskirts of a large, open meadow, views of the east end of Yosemite Valley open up. High cliff walls rise up on the left and right sides of the meadow, and Half Dome is visible through the trees. A wooden post with the number six and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow beside the path.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Change: Yosemite Opens to the World

In 1855, only four years after the Ahwahneechee were forcefully removed from the Valley, the first tourist party came by horseback. Within three years, the first hotel was established, and within ten years, there were four more. Look toward Lower Yosemite Fall and notice the swath in the trees. Early hotel owners cleared this section of forest so guests could easily see Lower Yosemite Fall. Most of the meadows were fenced, plowed, grazed, and sown to grass for hay.

• Along a paved sidewalk that is lined with a split wood railing and tall pine trees, a noticeable paved path has been forged through the trees to allow views of Yosemite Falls. In the opposite direction of the waterfall, across a street, is a large, open meadow, with high cliff walls that rise up across the meadow, and Half Dome peaking through the trees to the east. A wooden post with the number four and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow beside the path.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Fire: Friend or Foe

If we are to improve our ability to better care for our national parks, we must learn from the past. For example, early visitors to Yosemite misunderstood the essential role of fire, viewing it as merely destructive and dangerous and responding to it with alarm and fear. We now understand that suppressing natural lightning-caused fires can ultimately harm the plants and animals that have adapted to it.

• Along a paved path on the outskirts of a large, open meadow, views of the east end of Yosemite Valley open up. High cliff walls rise up on the left and right sides of the meadow, and Half Dome is visible through the trees. A wooden post with the number five and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow beside the path.

Cook's Meadow Tour - First People

It is believed that people were present in this valley as early as 8,000 years ago. Archeological evidence suggests that about 4,000 years ago American Indian people established permanent settlements here. The oak grove you are in now may have been a principal winter village area. Acorns from the black oaks were a main food source for the area's first people, known as the Ahwahneechee.

• To the north of a paved path lined by a split rail fence is a wooden post that has the number three and an oak leaf and acorn symbol. Many oak trees line the path. Yosemite falls and the tall granite walk walls can be seen through the trees.

Cook's Meadow Tour - From Yosemite to Our Own Backyards

This is a good place to take a look at what John Muir called "the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter. It must be the sanctum sanctorum of the Sierra (holiest of the holy places)." Changes that created this magnificent scenery occur over long periods of time. The cliffs and waterfalls will remain well into the future no matter what humans do. Changes caused by 150 years of tourism were rapid and damaging to the natural environment.

• Along a paved path on the outskirts of a large, open meadow, views of the east end of Yosemite Valley open up. High cliff walls rise up on the left and right sides of the meadow, and Half Dome is visible through the trees. In the spring, the meadow is wet, most times flooded, allowing plush, vibrant green grasses and sedges, and colorful wildflowers to bloom. In late summer, the grasses have wilted and the meadow turns a yellow-ish brown. A wooden post with the number ten and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow beside the path.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Looking into the Future

If you are visiting during the busy summer months, you may notice noise and congestion. Since 1980, one of the management goals for Yosemite Valley has been to reduce traffic congestion and crowding. Plans for reducing the impact of automobiles, protecting the natural environment, and enhancing the visitor experience are being implemented.

• Along a paved path on the outskirts of a large, open meadow, views of Yosemite Falls and the tall cliff walls on the east end of Yosemite Valley open up. A wooden post with the number eight and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow next to the path.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Merced Wild and Scenic River

In the meadow to the left of the trail is an old river channel where yellow water lilies grow in the summer months. Every spring during high water, the Merced River reclaims this channel and water flows across this trail. Early hotel owners sought to drain areas like this to reduce mosquito ponds and dry the meadows enough to plow for hay production. The main Merced River channel is south of the trail. Its flow changes dramatically with the seasons.

• Along a paved path on the outskirts of a large, open meadow, views of Yosemite Falls and the tall cliff walls on the east end of Yosemite Valley open up. A wooden post with the number seven and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow next to the path.

Cook's Meadow Tour - Restoration Efforts

Throughout Yosemite National Park's history, countless efforts have been undertaken to preserve its ever-changing natural and cultural landscapes. Although it may not seem obvious today, Cook's Meadow was once one of the Valley's most developed areas. This spot also exemplifies how trees obscure many historic views. One hundred years ago, this cluster of trees was open meadow. Park plans call to restore historic scenic vistas and work is underway throughout the park to do so.

• Tall trees rise up along a paved path on the outskirts of a large, open meadow. Little holes cover the trees, put there by woodpeckers hiding their stash of acorns for the winter. High cliff walls rise up on the left and right sides of the meadow, and Yosemite Falls is partially visible through the trees. A parking lot is nearby. A wooden post with the number nine and an oak leaf and acorn symbol stands in the meadow beside the path.

Crane Flat Gas Station

The Crane Flat Gas Station conveniently serves the northern end of the park for your refueling needs and is located at the intersection of the Big Oak Flat and Tioga Roads. The Crane Flat Store is open seasonally from spring through fall.

• A long brown building with brown metal roofing and a covered porch that extends across three-quarters of the building serves as the Crane Flat Gas Station. In front of the store is a Jack Frost freezer that holds ice. It has a slanted front and stainless steel doors. To the right of the double glass entrance doors are two signs. The top one reads Crane Flat Service Station and General Store. The bottom sign reads restrooms with an arrow pointing to the right and has a wheelchair icon. To the left of the doors is a sign that shows the current gas prices. The gas station has two islands that each have two, two-sided gas pumps and two tall poles that split at the top and arc downward with two street lamps. A trash bin is in the center of each island. Tall trees surround the gas station parking lot.

Curry Village

Beneath the grandeur of Glacier Point, Curry Village is known for the same warm, hospitable feeling that was instilled by its founders, David and Jennie Curry in 1899.

• The Curry Village lodging property expands out in both directions from the front office building. The front office building is a small, wood, structure that you enter from the right side, check-in at the front desk which extends across the length of the building, then walk out the opposite side of the building. The front side of the building is made up of six panels, which each have 15 square window panes that go from near the floor to the ceiling. To the right of the front office is a wood building, with a covered porch and cobblestone porch barrier-wall that surrounds it. This building holds about 18 rooms, with entrances surrounding the single-floor building. Beyond the building to the north, are rows of hard-sided cabins. Behind and to the south of the front office building are about 400 white, canvas, tent-cabins.

Curry Village Bike Stand

Biking is one of the best ways to see Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley is flat, which makes for easy riding along our 12 miles of designated paths. Bicycles, tag-along bikes for children, trailers, and helmets are available for all ages and abilities. We also offer a select number of tandem bikes and hand-crank bikes for guests with physical limitations. Wheelchairs, electric scooters, and strollers may also be available for rent.

• The Curry Village Bike Stand operates out of a small, brown, wood-paneled kiosk. It is located next to the Curry Village parking lot. Rows of bikes are parked side by side inside a railed fenced area. The bikes are a variety of colors and range in size from larger adult-sized bikes, to smaller child-sized bikes, to tandem bikes, and bikes with trailers for children. Granite walls rise high to the right of the building and tall trees line the outskirts of the bike stand area.

Curry Village Coffee Corner

Grab a fresh pastry, create your own oatmeal masterpiece, or indulge in coffee, cappuccino, and espresso. A ice cream bar is also there to tempt your taste buds in the warmer months. See website for hours. Located in Curry Village, in eastern Yosemite Valley.

• Curry Village services are located in one building complex, with a layout shaped like a big square, with only two sides of the square being utilized. As you approach the building from the Half Dome Village Parking area, there is a raised deck that extends along a majority of the front side of the building that requires going up a few steps. Circular, sometimes umbrella'd, picnic tables are randomly placed on the deck. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Mountain Shop and Yosemite Mountaineering School entrance, the Meadow Grill order and pick-up windows, and Curry Village Gift Shop. Near the gift shop are another set of steps and a ramp that leads down to a walking path that goes around the side of the building to more services. Another raised deck extends across almost half of that side of the building. After climbing a few steps onto the deck, more circular picnic tables are randomly placed about. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Pizza Patio order and pick-up windows, the Curry Village Bar, and the entrance to go inside the Curry Village Pavilion to access Mother Curry's Kitchen, the Coffee Corner, indoor seating, and restrooms.

Curry Village Parking

In the mid-1800s, European-American settlers planted apple trees around Yosemite Valley to provide fresh produce and cider to the growing number of people drawn to the area. Now, this area serves as a parking lot for visitors who wish to use the Curry Village lodging, dining, and gift shop services, or to use the free shuttle bus. Open year-round for Curry Village overnight guests.

• A long, paved, parking area holds four rows of parking. There are designated accessible parking spots at both ends of the paved lot. Rows of white, canvas, tent-cabins line the west side of the lot. The area is surrounded by a full stand of trees. At the far end of the paved parking area, opposite the entrance, the road turns left and enters a larger dirt parking area, offering about 10 rows of parking. Once an old apple orchard, apple trees still stand throughout this dirt lot. Half Dome can be seen above the tree line.<br />

Curry Village Pizza Patio

Hand-tossed pizza, fresh salads, and cold drinks are served on an outdoor deck, surrounded by great views of Glacier Point and Royal Arches. Indoor seating is also available. Open January - November, and during holidays when Curry Village is open. You can reach Yosemite Valley via Highways 41, 140, and 120. Follow signs for Curry Village, located in eastern Yosemite Valley.

• Curry Village services are located in one building complex, with a layout shaped like a big square, with only two sides of the square being utilized. As you approach the building from the Curry Village Parking area, there is a raised deck that extends along a majority of the front side of the building that requires going up a few steps. Circular, sometimes umbrella'd, picnic tables are randomly placed on the deck. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Mountain Shop and Yosemite Mountaineering School entrance, the Meadow Grill order and pick-up windows, and Curry Village Gift Shop. Near the gift shop are another set of steps and a ramp that leads down to a walking path that goes around the side of the building to more services. Another raised deck extends across almost half of that side of the building. After climbing a few steps onto the deck, more circular picnic tables are randomly placed about. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Pizza Patio order and pick-up windows, the 1899 Bar, and the entrance to go inside the Seven Tents Pavilion to access Mother Curry's Kitchen, the Coffee Corner, indoor seating, and restrooms.

Curry Village Seven Tents Pavilion

Located in Curry Village, in eastern Yosemite Valley. Enjoy hearty meals and our famous pizza after your day of adventure in Yosemite.

• Curry Village services are located in one building complex, with a layout shaped like a big square, with only two sides of the square being utilized. As you approach the building from the Curry Village Parking area, there is a raised deck that extends along a majority of the front side of the building that requires going up a few steps. Circular, sometimes umbrella'd, picnic tables are randomly placed on the deck. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Mountain Shop and Yosemite Mountaineering School entrance, the Meadow Grill order and pick-up windows, and Curry Village Gift Shop. Near the gift shop are another set of steps and a ramp that leads down to a walking path that goes around the side of the building to more services. Another raised deck extends across almost half of that side of the building. After climbing a few steps onto the deck, more circular picnic tables are randomly placed about. Placement of services are as follows, from left to right, The Pizza Patio order and pick-up windows, the 1899 Bar, and the entrance to go inside the Seven Tents Pavilion to access Mother Curry's Kitchen, the Coffee Corner, indoor seating, and restrooms.

Curry Village: Lounge and Registration Architecture

• The front office building is a small, wood, structure that you enter from the right side, check-in at the front desk which extends across the length of the building, then walk out the opposite side of the building. The front side of the building is made up of six panels, which each have 15 square window panes that go from near the floor to the ceiling. The lounge building is a single-story structure with a large covered porch. The building is covered in wood shingles and paneling. There are unpeeled log accents around the doors and windows as well as unpeeled log pillars around the porch. The covered porch has a wood plank floor with two steps leading up to it. There are paned windows all around the building and a set of glass paned double doors at the entrance.

Big Oak Flat Information Station

• Big Oak Flat Information Station
• The Big Oak Flat Information Station has an information desk, wilderness permit desk, and Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore. In the winter, self-registration wilderness permits for the Crane Flat area and Tioga Road trailheads only, are available on the front porch. You must bring your own bear canister when the information station is closed. Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in Yosemite's Wilderness. Designated accessible parking spaces are available in front of the facility.

Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center

• Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center
• The Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center has an information desk, Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore, and an exhibit area detailing the area's geology, plant and animal life, and history. A designated accessible parking space and entrance are available. From the main parking lot, drive up the service road to the visitor center. Park in the designated accessible parking space, and follow the paved path in front of the visitor center to the rear entrance. Accessible restrooms are adjacent to the main parking lot.

Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio

• Wawona Visitor Center at Hill's Studio
• The Wawona Visitor Center has an information desk, wilderness permit desk, and Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore. In the winter, self-registration wilderness permits for the Crane Flat area and Tioga Road trailheads only, are available on the front porch. You must bring your own bear canister when the information station is closed. Wilderness permits are required for overnight stays in Yosemite's Wilderness.

Yosemite Valley Welcome Center

• Yosemite Valley Welcome Center
• The Yosemite Valley Welcome Center is the NEW destination for visitor information in the Valley. Stop here before you begin your Yosemite adventure! The welcome center is located next to the Yosemite Village Parking and the Village Store in Yosemite Valley (Shuttle Stops 1 & 2.) Get help planning your visit and pick up free trail maps, junior ranger booklets, and more.

• Become a Yosemite Junior Ranger
• Kids can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger by taking a self-guided handbook with them as they travel around the park and complete the activities that are the best fit for them. The Yosemite Junior Ranger handbook is available for free at visitor centers. When you are done, share your booklet with a park ranger at any Yosemite visitor center during operating hours to receive your badge.

• Winter Driving and Tire Chains in Yosemite
• Snowy or icy road conditions are common in the mountains of California, including Yosemite, from fall through spring. When these conditions exist, federal regulations (in Yosemite) and state law (outside Yosemite) require that you use chains or cables in order to reduce the chances of accidents. Chain requirements are strictly enforced.

• Ride a bike in Yosemite Valley
• Cycling is a great way to experience the park and allows you to cover more ground during your time here. You can rent a bike, bring your own, or borrow one through the bike share program (2-hour limit). Hand-crank and tandem bicycles are also available for rent. Over 12 miles of paved bike paths are available in Yosemite Valley (speed limit is 15 mph). In addition, bicyclists can ride on regular roads (if they obey traffic laws).

• Go Skiing at Badger Pass
• The Badger Pass Ski Area is open from mid-December through March (weather and conditions permitting). You can downhill ski, cross-country ski, go tubing, or snowshoeing all from this historic winter resort.

• Rock Climbing in Yosemite
• Yosemite is one of the world's greatest climbing areas. Climbers here can enjoy an endless variety of challenges--from the sustained crack climbs of the Merced River Canyon to pinching crystals on sun-drenched Tuolumne Meadows domes to multi-day aid climbs on the big walls of the Valley. Yosemite is not just a climber's playground, however: its walls and crags are an integral part of a larger ecosystem, protected as Wilderness.

• Visit the Yosemite Museum
• Open year-round, the Yosemite Museum has displays that interpret the cultural history of Yosemite's native Miwok and Paiute people from 1850 to the present, demonstrations of stone tool making, basket-weaving, beadwork, and traditional games. In front of the museum is a cross-section of a giant sequoia tree that visitors can touch and a re-creation of an umacha, a Miwok and Paiute cedar bark house. The gallery inside the museum is open periodically with rotating exhibits.

• Take a Walk to the Base of Lower Yosemite Fall
• Part of North America's tallest waterfall, Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot (98-meter) drop. Deafening in spring and early summer when the waterfall peaks in volume, you can expect to get sprayed with water when standing on the footbridge near its base. This short, easy walk rewards with spectacular views of both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls.

• Walk the Cook's Meadow Loop
• Walk through the heart of it all! Enjoy views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, and Royal Arches from the center of Yosemite Valley as you saunter through this large open meadow.

• Visit the Yosemite Cemetery
• The Yosemite Cemetery is full of stories, told and untold. Some of those laid to rest here are well-known figures in the history of the park. Some spent their entire lives in Yosemite and are now almost forgotten. Others were visitors about whom very little was known, even at their time of their deaths.

Mariposa Grove - Big Trees Loop Self-Guided Tour (Accessible)

Winding through an impressive forest with many giant sequoias, this trail offers numerous interpretive panels on the life and ecology of this unique place. This loop is relatively flat and is wheelchair accessible.

Mariposa Grove - Grizzly Giant Self-Guided Tour (Accessible)

Winding through a forest with many giant sequoias, this trail features the Grizzly Giant (the largest sequoia tree in the park), the California Tunnel Tree, and offers interpretive panels on the life and ecology of this unique place. This trail is relatively flat and is wheelchair accessible

Tioga Road - Wayside Exhibits (Accessible)

Wayside exhibits highlighting Yosemite's geology, ecosystems, natural and cultural history, etc., found along Tioga Road, from near Crane Flat to Tioga Pass, are grouped together in this tour. Each wayside exhibit is audio described. A few wayside exhibits are not on accessible paths.

Tuolumne Meadows - Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge Self-Guided Tour

Explore the mystery that is Soda Springs and delve into the history of Parsons Lodge on this delightful walk through Tuolumne Meadows. Soda Springs--cold, carbonated water bubbling out of the ground--is protected within a log enclosure. Historic Parsons Memorial Lodge offers exhibits (limited hours--see Yosemite Guide for schedule). A path to the bridge below the lodge continues to the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. Please stay on established trails. Pets, bicycles, or strollers are not allowed on trail.

Wawona - Yosemite History Center Self-Guided Tour

The Yosemite History Center commemorates the efforts of people, the events they experienced, and the issues they faced during the establishment of Yosemite National Park. Walk along this self-guided trail to discover more about some Yosemite's past.

Yosemite Valley - Architectural Tour - Southside and East Valley

This tour highlights the architectural history and design characteristics of Yosemite's East Valley, including Curry Village and other nearby buildings by using the free shuttle bus and short walks. From the origins of National Park Service rustic style to modernist mid-century motifs, discover the rich "parkitecture" of Yosemite.

Yosemite Valley - Architectural Tour - Yosemite Village and Northside

This tour highlights the architectural history and design characteristics of Yosemite Village and other nearby buildings by using the free shuttle bus and short walks. From the origins of National Park Service rustic style to modernist mid-century motifs, discover the rich "parkitecture" of Yosemite.

Yosemite Valley - Cook's Meadow Loop Self-Guided Tour

This walk is about three kinds of change. First, there is the inevitable, natural, gradual change throughout nature; this is the essence of the life of rocks, plants, and animals. Second, there is the ever-increasing change caused by a growing public eager to enjoy the sublime features of Yosemite. Finally, there is change in society's understanding, sensitivity, and attitudes toward the special needs of Yosemite's environment.

Yosemite Valley - Geology Tour

Welcome to Yosemite National Park. We invite you to take a virtual walk with Yosemite’s Park Geologist to learn about the exciting and dynamic natural forces that shape the magnificent landscape around you. On this walk you will learn how Yosemite Falls and the iconic cliffs like Half-Dome formed. You will also learn about how natural forces like floods and rockfalls continue to shape Yosemite, while also posing challenges for managing the park. Please stay on established trails and watch for ice in winter.

Yosemite Valley - Lower Yosemite Fall Self-Guided Tour

Lower Yosemite Fall is the final 320-foot (98-meter) drop of one of the world's tallest waterfalls, Yosemite Falls. Deafening in spring and early summer when the waterfall peaks in volume, you can expect to get sprayed with water when standing on the footbridge near its base. This paved loop trail offers different vantage points of Yosemite Falls, and you can stop at several exhibits along the way to learn more about the natural and cultural history of the area. The eastern trail is accessible.