To help you be a smarter Yosemite tourist, enjoy your trip more and spend less of your hard-earned money doing it, I've compiled some tips:
- Sightseeing Savvy: The popular stops (Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Tunnel View, Tuolumne Meadows) are prettiest in early morning and late afternoon light, and they'll be less crowded then, too.
- Avoid Gridlock: If you're staying along Hwy 140, use the Yosemite Area Transit buses to get into the park. No matter how you get there, once you're inside the park, use the free shuttle buses and inexpensive buses and trams that take visitors to Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, and other sights.
- Gas up: There are no gas stations within Yosemite Valley, and you'll pay less for gasoline if you buy it before you get close to the park.
- Pedal Power: Yosemite Valley is quite flat, and you can tour it by bicycle on 12 miles of trails. Not only is it environmentally friendly, but you'll have time to get a good look at El Capitan instead of having a Chevy Chase Vacation moment pointing to it out the car window as you speed past. You can rent bicycles at Curry Village spring through fall.
- It Bears Attention: All the talk about bears in Yosemite is not just a lot of fuss over nothing. A hungry bear can tear your car door off in minutes if they think there's food inside.
- Watch the Weather: Thunderstorms are common in Yosemite, especially in afternoon at higher elevations. If you get caught in one, don't risk turning into a human lightning rod. Avoid exposed places, metal railings at vista points and don't shelter under lone trees. If all else fails, lay down flat on the ground. It may not be dignified, but it's safe.
- Have Reservations: Reserve ahead for Sunday brunch at the Ahwahnee. They're always busy and you won't get in if you don't.
- Catch and Release If you think you might want to stay in one of the hotels in the park, you can reserve up to up to one year and one day in advance and cancel up to 7 days in advance with no penalty.
- Last-Minute Success: Because of the 7-day cancellation policy, it's a little-known fact that someone looking for last-minute availability should try calling for reservations 7 days in advance to snag a newly-canceled spot.
- The Early Camper Catches the Site: Only half of the 500 open Yosemite camping sites require reservations. However, if you want to stay in a campground that operates on a "first come, first served" basis, get there early. On busy days, they fill up as early as 9:00 a.m.
- Sleep Smart: Don't spend too much on lodging. Use our Yosemite lodging guide to find a place to stay that matches your style and budget. On a strict budget but don't want to camp out? We've even got a list of places to stay for less.
