Yosemite National Park Holidays

Yosemite National Park is full of activities, especially for the adventure hungry. Hiking is particularly popular with trails across the park leading to magnificent views of the valley and its waterfalls. Some trails are more strenuous than others, and you should be able to find one to suit most fitness levels.  

Cycling routes offer a quicker way to see parts of the park without needing to be in the car. You could also take to the Merced River in a raft, saddle up and explore on horseback or try rock-climbing to see the landscape in a totally different perspective.

But it’s not all adrenaline and gear – there are more peaceful activities on offer too. You could try a painting workshop, bird watching or totally unwind at a spa, tucked away among the trees. Those into fishing can choose from one of 58 streams, home to rainbow and brown trout.

Lurking among all the granite walls, trees and waterfalls are some charming creatures. You’re bound to see deer in Yosemite, as these roam around the valley floor and are often right by the road. Settler’s jays are frequently seen flitting past. And cute golden-mantled ground squirrels are always seen climbing in the trees.

But animal sightings in Yosemite get way more exciting. Visit in spring and you could see black bears when they’re just coming out of hibernation and are on the lookout for food. There are also bobcats and coyotes, which are often spotted hunting for small prey. Striking birds such as tanagers, goshawks, woodpeckers and owls are regularly seen darting about or having a rest, while pretty butterflies drift around the wildflowers in summer.

Sit quietly near the open meadows to see the animals in their usual hunting grounds. Or join a wildlife tour so you an expert can find them for you.

Yosemite is a dream for hikers and those you want to do at least one good walk on their holiday. If you’re up for a challenge, try the North Dome Trail to catch the best views of Half Dome. The trail is around 10.5 miles long, so give yourself lots of time and take plenty of food and water. Eagle Peak is the one to do if you want to feel like you’ve reached the very top of the park. The views are incredible but be prepared to climb pretty high.

For a more relaxing exploration, why not do part of the Valley Floor Loop? It’s 13 miles in total, but you can just take in a portion to walk. Cook’s Meadow Trail and the Mist Trail are much shorter, and you’ll still get to see the lovely waterfalls.

Yosemite holidays are most popular in summer, from June to early September, when the temperatures are balmy, the roads are all open and activities like rafting are going ahead. But this is also, understandably, a very busy time in Yosemite. If you’d prefer a more serene trip, early autumn and late spring can be a great compromise. A number of activities are likely to be running and you can expect to be hiking in pleasant temperatures around the mid-twenties.

Roads such as Tioga Pass and Glacier Point Road are generally closed from November to the end of May due to snow, so visiting during the colder months can see you missing out on some of Yosemite’s best sights.

But the park remains open in winter and the Badger Pass area becomes a hive for snow sports between December and March. You can go cross-country skiing, downhill skiing or snowboarding or tubing.