Yosemite Stories

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 […]

The backpacking dictionary is filled with lingo all its own: distance and elevation gain; trailheads and waypoints; water filters and shelters; bag fill and pack weight. But there’s one oft-overlooked […]

There have been some great debates throughout history: the Lincoln/Douglass debates, which launched the presidential career of “Honest Abe”; the debate over what qualifies as a planet (we feel you, […]

Every April, nature lovers and conservationists come together to celebrate Earth Day, a global movement dedicated to protecting our planet. In Yosemite Mariposa County, where towering granite cliffs, rushing waterfalls, […]

How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains!To behold this alone is worth the pains of any excursion a thousand times over.— John Muir, The Mountains of California (1894) […]

On the surface, the majestic wilderness of Yosemite Mariposa County can appear daunting for mobility-challenged visitors to navigate safely and efficiently.  But a deeper look reveals many ways for people with mobility issues to explore Yosemite fully. From paved trails to museums, attractions, and lodging, visitors will discover an abundance of accessible opportunities.

Yosemite Mariposa County is timeless in its nature but dynamic in its changes to scenery, seasons, and adventure. The following is a list of more tangible exciting things that are new or coming in 2025.