Yosemite National Park
National park ¡ Mariposa County ¡
Towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and hiking trails
Towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and hiking trails
"Known for its majestic giant sequoias, this national park can be reached from the Gold Runner via a bus connection from the Merced station. The one-way ride to the park takes approximately three hours." - Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta Michael Cappetta is a travel writer with over 10 years of experience in journalism and television news. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Open year-round, this outdoor adventure destination rewards winter visits with thinner crowds and a quieter, almost magical feel when snow dusts Half Dome and the waterfalls. Cold-weather options go beyond hiking to include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and ice skating, but preparation matters: carry layers for anything from snow or rain to balmy 50-degree days, bring gloves, water, a flashlight, and a portable phone charger, and know your limitsâbackpacking in winter requires skis or snowshoes plus serious route-finding skills. Federal regulations require tire chains when roads are snowy or icy (often November through March, sometimes earlier), and seasonal closures typically include Tioga Road and the road to Glacier Point for vehicles. Winter also brings standout moments like the late-February âFirefallâ at Horsetail Fall and better chances to spot elusive bobcats, while the park and the visitor center in Yosemite Valley remain open all year." - Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion Stephanie Vermillion is a travel journalist and photographer covering culture and adventure for Travel + Leisure Outside, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"Unforgiving and deeply symbolic, this Sierra Nevada realm of granite peaks, cathedral forests, and the sheer face of El Capitan anchors Untamedâs first season as a narrative force rather than a backdrop. Its wilder zones convey drama and isolation that loom over the story." - Jessica Chapel
"Whether Iâm planning a backcountry hike near Yosemite or staying inside the park, I consider permits and timing carefully; I appreciate options like the historic Ahwahnee and note that staying at nearby properties such as Evergreen Lodge can offer a forested setting, hearty meals, and quick access (about eight miles) to the quieter Hetch Hetchy entrance." - Jessica Chapel
"This summer brings a return to a reservation system, and reports have already started circulating that scientists are being diverted to restroom cleanup duty at some of the countryâs most popular parks, like Yosemite. Popular areas like Yosemite Valley are often understocked, especially on weekends, and, as one fired custodian warned, once all the bathrooms and campgrounds are open, itâs nonstop runningâwithout enough custodians, âitâs gonna be pretty disgusting.â" - Emily Pennington
