Discover Yosemite Webcams

The first webcam was put into use for a matter of utmost importance — coffee.  Yes, it was the hard-working researchers at Cambridge University who, in 1991, installed a remote camera to monitor their coffee pot thus insuring no fruitless trips to the break room. Priorities, right? Well, our virtual gaze has come a long way. From weather forecasting to wildlife protection to simply chatting with friends and family on FaceTime, the webcam’s applications have become far-ranging. And when it comes to travel, these mini spectators provide an invaluable window into worlds we yearn to explore.

While there is no substitute for feeling the mist from Yosemite Falls kiss your face or watching the moon rise over Half Dome, while there’s no stand-in for scrambling up Lembert Dome or being engulfed by wildflowers while strolling the Hite Cove Trail – the more you can see of Mariposa Yosemite, the more you’ll want to come. So here they are. A compendium of killer views ranging from spartan to sublime with one purpose and one purpose only — to inspire your next unforgettable visit.

Because these webcams are operated by different organizations, the refresh rate may vary. Try clicking refresh to update the webcam view. If the view is black, please note that it may be nighttime.

Half Dome Webcam

With its powerful, sheer face backed by a near-perfect rounded form, standing before Half Dome is almost like consulting some ancient, hooded God.  This Yosemite icon rises more than 4,737 ft (1,444 m) above the valley floor and can be summited (with permit) using the Cable Route. This shot is taken from the Ahwahnee Meadow just east of Yosemite Village.  Bonus points for spotting wildlife scampering into view!
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High Sierra Webcam

Rising 8,127 feet (2,477 m), the aptly-named Sentinel Dome stands guard over the Yosemite high country with 360 degrees of pure clarity. This view is hard to beat: Half Dome posing boldly in the foreground, Cloud’s Rest whispering over her shoulder; the peaks — Tenaya, Tressider, Echo and Fletcher just to name a few — standing proudly in the back row like some all-geology team photo. If you want to come enjoy this view in-person the hike is 2.2 miles (3.5 km) round-trip with a modest elevation gain of approximately 400 feet (122 m).High Sierra (View from Sentinel Dome)
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Yosemite Falls Webcam

The tallest waterfall in North America, majestic Yosemite Falls (2,424 feet) is the focal point of the Park’s natural beauty.  Fed by snowmelt, the gentle flow becomes a torrent in spring before peaking early summer. Come meditate on the footbridge at the base of the falls, position your tripod to capture a moonbow or lace up your boots and hike to the top.  So much to do!
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El Capitan Webcam

Pictured on the left of the screen, El Capitan soars 3,000 vertical feet from the Yosemite Valley floor. A magnet for photographers and rock climbers alike, El Capitan’s imposing face seems to defy gravity as it frames the quintessential view of Half Dome in the near distance.
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Provided by the Yosemite Conservancy – a non-profit partner of the park that provides grants for important park projects.

Turtleback Dome Webcam

A stone’s throw from Yosemite Valley, Turtleback Dome sits at 5,280 feet (1,620 m) offers a lesser-known yet equally beautiful view westward to where the mountains give way to the Sierra foothills. Unbeatable after a storm when clouds roll through the Merced River Canyon or at sunset when the golden switch is flipped!  The webcam provides a current weather/air quality feature to help plan ahead. If you’d like to hike to the source of this view, the 1.2 mile r/t trail gains just under 400 feet and follows a graded service road.
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Provided by the National Park Service

Badger Pass Ski Area Webcam

Opened in 1935, family-friendly Badger Pass Ski and Snowboard Area runs five lifts from its Yosemite National Park location. The runs are spacious, the powder tasty, and in addition to the downhill skiing there are world-class cross-country skiing, tubing and snowshoeing opportunities. Check out the snowpack via the webcam then come on up for a day on the slopes or maybe just a hot drink in the Snowflake Room of the Badger Pass Day Lodge!
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Provided by Yosemite Hospitality

Merced River Webcam at Happy Isles

It’s all about the flow with this webcam. Operated by the U.S. Geological Survey since 1915, the Happy Isles gaging station monitors conditions on the Merced River providing valuable data on floods during peak snowmelt and continuous, real-time output. Located in Yosemite Valley near the trailhead for the Mist Trail, bring your waterproof shell and do some waterfall hopping while you’re at it!
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Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite Webcam

UC Merced Yosemite Field Station Webcam (in Wawona)

Within the borders of Yosemite National Park in the community of Wawona, the U.C. Merced Field Station is dedicated to broadening our knowledge base through rigorous academic research.  Their efforts help visitors to Mariposa Yosemite enjoy the natural world for generations to come. Taken from the Landsnaes Cabin on the north edge of town, this view looks out over the treetops of the Wawona Valley.
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Provided by U.C. Merced Yosemite Field Station.

Big Creek Meadow Webcam

Located at 5,000 feet (1,524 m) just two miles south of Yosemite National Park, the Big Creek Inn offers privacy and the peaceful sounds of year-round Big Creek. The deck is perfect for viewing the boundless night sky of Mariposa County or watching wildlife in Big Creek Meadow.
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Tuolumne Meadows Webcam

Yosemite West

A vital function of webcams today is wildfire prevention, and ALERTWildfire has been building a consortium of universities, counties and public utilities towards this goal.  By placing these cameras throughout the western States, the agency has created a team of virtual fire-spotters that have helped provide critical information for over 600 fires since their 2013 inception. The Yosemite West camera is located near the historic town of El Portal in beautiful Mariposa County and gazes eastward toward Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite West:

(operated by P,G & E)

Mount Bullion

Mariposa County’s mining history infuses the landscape around Mount Bullion where the Princeton Mine once flourished. Discovered in 1852, the Princeton was part of the original Las Mariposas land grant owned by John C. Fremont and at times was the largest gold producer in California. This sweeping view looks out across the rolling foothills to the southeast and beyond towards the town of Mariposa.

Mt. Bullion:

(operated by PG&E)

Buckhorn Peak

Perched above Highway 49, this camera sits at the summit of Buckhorn Peak (3,763 feet/1,147 meters) and scans the Sierra foothills southwest not far from where John Muir made his first “ramble” from San Francisco up to Yosemite. Come follow in Muir’s footsteps and explore the wonders of Mariposa Yosemite from its natural beauty to its deep history.

Buckhorn Peak:

http://www.alertwildfire.org/sierra/?camera=Axis-Buckhorn

(operated by P, G & E)