Yosemite National Park, California

Yosemite Valley is home to most of the park's largest attractions, including El Capitan, Upper Yosemite Waterfall, the sequoias, Glacier Point and Bridalveil Falls.

Related To:

462846891

Photo by: Tntemerson/iStock/Getty Images

Tntemerson/iStock/Getty Images

The enormity of Yosemite is overwhelming, and as you crane your neck to take in mile-high waterfalls, slabs of granite and towering sequoias the words of famed naturalist John Muir may come to mind: "No temple made with hands can compare with Yosemite/in stern, immovable majesty, how softly these mountain rocks are adorned and how fine and reassuring the company they keep." The park's magnitude, however, makes it all too easy to lose sight of the minutiae of nature that adorn the landscape. In a region where nearly every turn presents a new and mammoth natural wonder, step back and absorb the often-overlooked grandeur of the park's 37 types of trees, 1,400 species of flowers and 350-plus types of animals.

Yosemite Valley is home to most of the park's largest attractions, including El Capitan, Upper Yosemite Waterfall, the sequoias, Glacier Point and Bridalveil Falls - not to mention most of the park's annual 4.1 million visitors. Wander onto some of the area's side trails though, and tranquility awaits. Don't be surprised if you catch glimpses of bighorn sheep, coyotes or even an American black bear. Nature's miracles don't end with the day - stargazing and moonlit walks ensure that Yosemite at night is just as glorious.

Yosemite National Park
Loading Video...

Geological History

Some 500 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada region that was destined to become Yosemite lay under a sea. The movement of tectonic plates forced the sea floor upward, and granite formed as the earth's molten rock cooled beneath layers of sediment. As uplifts continued to occur to the ground, water, and then glaciers, moved through the area carving and shaping the region into the geological wonder it is today.

Park Activities

The major sites of Yosemite are easily seen by car, free shuttle or guided tour. To lose the crowds and commune a bit better with all the nature, be sure to step off the beaten trail once in a while. The most recognized features of Yosemite are the 2,425-foot-high Yosemite Falls, 620-foot-high Bridalveil Falls and, at 3,593 feet, the largest granite monolith in the world, El Capitan. More opportunities to feel dwarfed by nature exist in the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees, where 700-year-old sequoias tower overhead. Not to mention the top of Glacier Point, where visitors can take in some of the park's most unforgettable views - Half Dome in the distance; Nevada, Vernal and Yosemite falls; and sweeping vistas of the valley floor.

Where to Stay

Yosemite is enormous, and lodging outside the park will only leave you with a heck of a commute. Though its setting isn't the most intimate (18 standard motel rooms, 46 cabins with private baths, 14 cabins with a central bath and 403 canvas tent cabins), Half Dome Village lies in the thick of the park and offers families a number of amenities, including a swimming pool, gift shop, amphitheater, bike rentals and an ice rink.

Side Trips

Maybe it's the "clang, clang, clang" of those trolleys, or that landmark Golden Gate Bridge. Regardless, there's just something about San Francisco that beckons. It's hard not to be entranced by the liberalism, the spirit, the arts and, heck, the out-of-this-world Chinese food. Whether you're buying hemp necklaces on Haight-Ashbury, shopping in chic boutiques or strolling Union Square, you very well may leave your heart in San Francisco.

Next Up

3 Must-Do Outdoor Activities in the Great Smoky Mountains

There's nothing like a challenging hike with a rewarding view.

Top 10 Wonders of the West

Travel Channel counts down the Top 10 Wonders of the West.

Death Valley National Park, California

In Death Valley National Park, daily temperatures soar, and visitors are not greeted by some of Mother Nature's most intense physical features.

Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Visitors to Shenandoah National Park will see for themselves why John Denver crooned so passionately about the winding country roads of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

National Parks: The American West

Explore the National Parks of America's West.

Top 10 National Park Activities

Here's our selection for the most exciting and unusual national park activities on land and sea and even deep underground, including sandboarding, spelunking and more.

Zion National Park, Utah

With more than 2 1/2 million visitors a year, Zion National Park is easily Utah's most visited natural landmark.

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming

Formed by volcanoes, sustained by the earth's molten rock layers and teeming with flowers, fauna and vistas galore, Yellowstone is one of America's best-loved national parks.

National Parks for Families

Plan a fabulous family vacation at a kid-friendly national park.

5 Under-the-Radar National Parks

Take a break from the traffic and crowds, and appreciate the unspoiled beauty at 5 of the country's least-visited national parks.

More Creepy Content

Follow Us Everywhere

Join the party! Don't miss Travel Channel in your favorite social media feeds.

On TV