Mountains

Yosemite National Park

Mariposa, CA · Sierra Nevada$$35 per vehicle, good for 7 days; non-U.S. residents 16 and up add $100 each unless they hold an annual pass; cards only

About

Tunnel View, at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel, looks into Yosemite Valley with El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall in front and Half Dome behind. Valley parking is usually full after 8 am. The roads into the Valley stay open all year, but Glacier Point Road and Tioga Road usually close for snow from November until late May or early June. Yosemite Falls peaks in May and is often a trickle or dry by August, and one to three weeks of unhealthy air from fire smoke is common in August and September. Private cars can't drive into Mariposa Grove, the largest of the park's three sequoia groves, so park at the Welcome Plaza near the South Entrance and take the free shuttle, or walk the 2 miles in when it isn't running.

Highlights

Half Dome granite formationEl Capitan climbing wallYosemite FallsTunnel View overlookGlacier Point panoramaMariposa Grove giant sequoias

Getting there

Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, 9035 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389

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