Yosemite Stories

Experience the beauty of Yosemite during off-season. Shoulder season travel in Yosemite refers to late summer and early fall when there is mild weather, more breathing room on the trails, and budget-friendly options – perfect for your next outdoor adventure. Plan your next Yosemite trip during low season using these recommendations.

Seasons come and go in Yosemite Mariposa County, each offering signature things to do and a variety of regions to discover.  Autumn is one of the most distinctive seasons, warm and inviting in hue and humor before stormy winter weather rolls over the horizon.

komorebi [koh-moh-ray-bee]Japanese 木漏丸日   Sunlight filtering through the forest canopy. With its Gold Rush history and boot leather vibe, Yosemite Mariposa County would seem an unlikely poster child for refined […]

With authentic California history, monumental topography, and four-season outdoor recreation, Yosemite Mariposa County is one of a kind.  This celebrated region of golden gateway towns flanking Yosemite National Park offers […]

The modernist painter Marc Chagall once said “great art picks up where nature ends,” and in the case of Sierra Art Trails that handoff is supercharged on the doorstep to […]

Hidden gem…diamond in the rough…best-kept secret…the list of superlatives is long when describing destinations off the beaten path. These spots provide a sense of discovery laced with adventure, not to […]

Measuring up at 1,200 square miles with an elevation range of 11,000 feet, Yosemite National Park would seem impossible to visit in a single day. Indeed, adopting a slow travel […]

Yosemite is a standout example of our national park system, which author and environmentalist Wallace Stegner deemed “…the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic.” But with rising travel costs, preserving an “affordability for all” ideal can be a challenge. Fortunately, there are ways to make your trip to Yosemite surprisingly affordable. Here are three budget-friendly travel levels to prove it.

Campgrounds full, Valley hotels booked?  No worries!  Yosemite Mariposa County is always open for a spontaneous bout of road trip fever.  Yosemite National Park is ringed by “gateway communities,” golden […]

Covering nearly 1,500 square miles, Yosemite Mariposa County is home to an eye-popping panorama of diverse landscapes. From rolling Sierra foothills to soaring Yosemite National Park peaks, its eight — […]

From snow-capped peaks to waterfall-lush valleys, the topography of the Sierra is a sight to behold. John Muir put a bow on it when he wrote: “Nature’s peace will flow […]

Many of us on the West Coast know the drill when it comes to snagging a campsite in Yosemite National Park. Set your coffee maker for 6:30 am, log in […]