Yosemite Valley
Ravine · Mariposa County ·
Iconic valley with towering granite monoliths and waterfalls
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California Get directions
Iconic valley with towering granite monoliths and waterfalls
California Get directions
"I found that in Yosemite Valley outdoor elements such as roads, trails, viewpoints and open-air memorials are expected to remain accessible, while visitor centers, caves, indoor museums, and some restrooms will be closed; Aramark-operated concessions there (for example The Ahwahnee and Curry Village) will remain open and honor guest reservations despite reduced NPS staffing." - Emily Pennington
"The iconic heart of a national park where towering granite monoliths and cascading waterfalls define the landscape and inspire awe. Guided valley-floor tours highlight famed vistas such as Tunnel View and Bridalveil Fall, while on-foot exploration reveals meadows and classic routes under El Capitan and Half Dome. Staying inside the valley ranges from comfortable lodge rooms within walking distance of major falls to canvas-tent accommodations and seasonal riverside “housekeeping” units that offer quieter mornings — though securing lodging requires planning well in advance, as reservations open a year and a day out." - Chelsee Lowe Chelsee Lowe Chelsee Lowe is a Los Angeles-based writer with an obsession with good eats and interesting stories. She regularly contributes to Travel + Leisure, TravelAge West, Ventura Blvd, and L.A. Parent, writing about food, family travel, and more. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"I consider Yosemite Valley a must-see section of the park, where iconic views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls converge, and where you’ll find the welcome and exploration centers; strolling the meadows and along the Merced River or taking the paved 11.5-mile loop by foot or bike is my favorite way to soak it all in." - Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis Carrie Dennis is a New York City-based writer and editor with more than a decade of content strategy experience. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Gothamist, Time magazine, Men’s Journal, Redbook, and Thrillist. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines
"The Yosemite Falls Trail, one of the oldest tracks in Yosemite National Park, is a strenuous 7.2-mile round-trip that starts near Camp 4 along the Valley Loop Trail and climbs steep switchbacks to views of North America's tallest waterfall—reaching the top rewards hikers with vistas of Upper Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock, and depending on the season you may even feel the falls' mist; the trail is open year-round but check National Park Service alerts for closures due to snowstorms." - Evie Carrick Evie Carrick Evie Carrick is a writer and editor who’s lived in five countries and visited well over 50. She now splits her time between Colorado and Paris, ensuring she doesn't have to live without skiing or L'As du Fallafel. Travel + Leisure Editorial Guidelines