Yosemite Guide

Yosemite Essentials A peak-hours reservation is required to drive into Yosemite on some dates in 2024. A reservation is required between 5 am and 4 pm on the following dates: Visitors may enter the park with: April 13 to June 30 Saturdays, Sundays, & holidays only • a Wilderness or Half Dome permit July 1 to August 16 Daily • in-park camping, lodging, or vacation rental August 17 to October 27 Saturdays, Sundays, & holidays only • regional transit or a tour group • a peak-hours reservation To learn more, scan the QR code or visit go.nps.gov/reserve. In 2023, 17 bears were hit by vehicles in Yosemite. You are driving in wildlife habitat. Follow posted speed limits, drive carefully, and watch for animals crossing the road. “Red Bear, Dead Bear” signs on park roads mark places where bears have been hit this year. It is illegal to approach or feed any wild animal, including squirrels and birds. Book a reservation at Recreation.gov. A portion of reservations were released in January 2024; additional reservations are released seven days in advance at 8 am Pacific time. Reservations are valid for up to three consecutive days. Wildlife can cause injuries and transmit diseases. Human food is unhealthy for wild animals. Animals used to being fed can become dangerous and be killed as a result. Proper Food Storage is Required by Law Avoid accidentally sharing your food by properly storing it or keeping it within arm’s reach. During the Day While hiking or picnicking, always keep your food within arm’s reach. When away from your vehicle, lock it and keep all windows closed, with food, drinks, and coolers hidden from sight. Never leave food in a truck bed or strapped to the outside of a vehicle. Summer in Yosemite: What to Expect Arrive early or in late afternoon. On busy summer days, wait times at entrance stations can be long, and parking in Yosemite Valley may completely fill. Once you find a parking space, keep it. Walk, bike, or ride a free shuttle to Valley trailheads and other destinations. Park only in designated parking spaces, or in a paved turnout, pulled completely off the road. Vehicles blocking the road are subject to citation and may be towed. Waterfalls peak in May and early June. Some waterfalls may dry up completely by late summer. Visitor & Emergency Services In an Emergency: Call or Text 911 Non-emergency dispatch line 209/379-1992 Medical Clinic (Yosemite Valley) 209/372-4637 | Open Mon to Fri, 9 am – 6 pm. Urgent care walk-ins with out-of-pocket fees: 1 pm – 4:30 pm. Yosemite Village Garage Call 209/372-1060 for 24-hour roadside assistance. Lost & Found Check at the nearest open information center or hotel front desk, or visit go.nps.gov/lost to report a lost item. Keep in Touch Accessibility For a complete list of accessible services, exhibits, and recreational opportunities, download a Yosemite Accessibility Guide at go.nps.gov/AccessYosemite Sign Language interpreting is available upon request. Contact Deaf Services at 209/379-5250 (v/txt). Two weeks advance notice is requested but not required. Assistive Listening Devices are available upon advance request at information centers. Accessible parking spaces are available throughout the park. www.nps.gov/yose At Night Bears can easily break into vehicles. Food, trash, and other scented items may NOT be stored inside vehicles overnight. These items must be kept inside a food locker or in a hotel room or hard-sided cabin with doors and windows closed. Food may also be stored inside a completely hard-sided RV with all windows and doors closed. If you see a bear in the park, email yose_bear_mgmt@nps.gov or call the Save-a-Bear hotline at 209/372-0322. To learn more about food storage and bears, visit KeepBearsWild.org. Park Regulations The National Park Service is bound by its mission to protect Yosemite’s natural and cultural resources for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations. Regulations are in place to protect both visitors and park resources. Prohibited activities include: Using drones Feeding or approaching wildlife Collecting plants and animals Hunting animals Picking up archeological items, such as arrowheads Using metal detectors Driving vehicles into meadows Biking off of paved roads Camping outside of designated campgrounds Possession of weapons inside federal facilities Possessing or using marijuana, including medical marijuana Pets are not allowed on hiking trails. Pets are only permitted on paved walking and biking paths, in most campgrounds, and in parking areas. Pets must be leashed at all times. Service dogs are allowed anywhere that visitors can go. Emotional support, therapy, and companion animals are subject to pet regulations. Park Partners To report illegal activity, call park dispatch at 209/379-1992. @YosemiteNPS Yosemite Guide February 1, 2023Enjoy - March 28, 2023 @YosemiteNPS your visit! Park Map Lake Eleanor To HETCH HETCHY O’Shaughnessy & Lee Vining Dam Hetch Hetchy Entrance Hetch Hetchy Backpackers Campground Hetch Hetchy Road Tioga Pass Entrance Tuolumne River (Wilderness Permit Required) TUOLUMNE MEADOWS White Wolf Tioga Road Tuolumne Meadows Closed approx. Nov. to May Evergreen Road Hodgdon Meadow Closed approx. Nov. to May CRANE Tuolumne FLAT Grove Big Oak Flat Entrance Big Oak Flat Information Station Yosemite Creek Tioga Road To Groveland & Manteca Merced Grove Porcupine Flat Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center Tenaya Lake Upper Pines Lower Pines North Pines Yosemite Valley Welcome Center YOSEMITE VALLEY Big Oak Flat Road Merced River GLACIER POINT Tunnel View Arch Rock Entrance To Mariposa & Merced campground closed in 2024 Camp 4 Tamarack Flat Crane Flat Closed approx. Nov. to May Glacier Point Road El Portal El Portal Road Bridalveil Creek Yosemite West Closed approx. Nov. to May Campgrounds in Yosemite are reservation-only from April to October. Not all campgrounds are open year-round. Turn to page 5 for more information. Wawona Road WAWONA Yosemite History Center Wawona Visitor Center Wawona Campground North MARIPOSA GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS South Entrance 0 Gas Station Where to Find More Information Information Centers Start your visit here! Pick up trail maps, become a junior ranger, get help planning your trip, and ask about closures and trail conditions. Yosemite Valley Welcome Center 9 am to 5 pm daily The welcome center is the Valley’s NEW hub for visitor information. The former visitor center is now the Yosemite Exploration Center, offering rotating exhibits, a theater, and the Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore. Both are located in Yosemite Village, near shuttle stops 1, 2, 4, & 5. Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio 9 am to 5 pm daily Big Oak Flat Information Station 8 am to 5 pm daily Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center 9 am to 5 pm daily opening early or mid-June 2 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park 5 miles Roads on map are simplifed and do not refect degree of windiness. To Oakhurst & Fresno NOTE: There are only 2 gas stations inside the park and NO GAS in Yosemite Valley. 5km Entrance Station Campground Information Center Look up Current Conditions To check the current status of park roads, call 209/372-0200 (press 1, then 1.) For planned or long-term closures to park roads, trails, and facilities, scan the QR code or visit go. nps.gov/conditions. Sign Up for Yosemite Traffc Alerts Get up-to-the-minute text alerts for delays and unplanned road closures: text ynptraffic to 333111 Get the Offcial NPS App The free app features over 400 parks across the US! Search for trails and other things to do, navigate with the park map, view the program calendar, and find your next park. Download Yosemite ahead of time to access park information when you’re offline. Download from your device’s app store: search “National Park Service”. Places to Explore Things to Do YOSEMITE VALLEY Explore by Car The first stop for many park visitors, Yosemite Valley is known for its towering granite walls and iconic features like El Capitan and Half Dome. The Valley’s many waterfalls roar in spring but slow or dry up completely by late summer. Start your visit at the new welcome center in Yosemite Village for trail maps and park information. Then stop by the Yosemite Museum and the Yosemite Exploration Center for exhibits and cultural demonstrations. Turn to page 4 for hours. Check page 8 for a variety of talks, tours, and classes in the Valley. Turn to page 11 for Valley hiking. WAWONA & THE MARIPOSA GROVE The Mariposa Grove is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias and miles of trails. Shuttle service from the parking area to the Grove operates from 8 am to 7 pm. When there is no shuttle, the Grove is accessible only via a 2-mile hike (each way.) Stop in Wawona for more trails, visitor services, and the Yosemite History Center (open daily.) Distance from Yosemite Valley 30 mi/48 km (1 hour) Stop at scenic viewpoints like Tunnel View or El Capitan Meadow as you travel through the Valley. Hit the Trail Explore hundreds of miles of trails, from short, paved walkways to epic treks through vast wilderness. Stop by an information center to pick up free trail maps and get ranger recommendations tailored to you and your interests! Turn to pages 10 & 11 for basic trail information. Join a Ranger for a Talk or Guided Walk Turn to page 8 for a weekly schedule of free programs. Book a Guided Tour Directions From Yosemite Valley, drive south on Wawona Road. Watch for signs for the Mariposa Grove just before the park’s South Entrance. Turn to pages 8 & 9 for details. GLACIER POINT Stargaze on your own, or book a guided nighttime program. Turn to page 8 for the program schedule. Take in stunning views of Yosemite Valley from 3,000 feet above the Valley floor. Other scenic overlooks and numerous trailheads are also accessible from Glacier Point Road. Distance from Yosemite Valley 30 mi/48 km (1 hour) Directions From Yosemite Valley, drive south on Wawona Road. After 9 miles, turn left onto Glacier Point Road. Experience the Park After Dark Sign Up for an Art or Photography Class Engage with Yosemite in a whole new way, and explore your creative side! Turn to page 8 for details. Ride a Bicycle Explore miles of paved, scenic bike trails through Yosemite Valley. Turn to page 4 for bike rentals. CRANE FLAT Visit two giant sequoia groves north of Yosemite Valley that are smaller and quieter than the Mariposa Grove. Hike one mile down to the Tuolumne Grove (pictured at left), or 1.5 miles down to the Merced Grove. Parking at each trailhead is extremely limited. Distance from Yosemite Valley 16 mi/26 km (30 minutes) Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Big Oak Flat Road to Tioga Road Junction at Crane Flat. Turn right for Tuolumne Grove parking, or continue on Big Oak Flat Road for 3.5 miles to Merced Grove parking. HETCH HETCHY A source of water and hydroelectric power for San Francisco, Hetch Hetchy is also home to spectacular scenery. From here, visitors can walk across the dam, hike along the reservoir, or access Yosemite’s wilderness. Distance from Yosemite Valley 40 mi/64 km (1½ hours) Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120 W.) Just outside the Big Oak Flat Entrance, turn right on Evergreen Road. Hetch Hetchy Road is open daily from sunrise to sunset. Vehicles and trailers over 25 ft long and 8 ft wide are not permitted on the narrow, winding Hetch Hetchy Road. Watch for Wildlife Visit meadows around dawn and dusk for the best chance of spotting birds and other wildlife. Remember it’s illegal to feed or approach any wildlife in the park. Explore Beyond Yosemite Valley Wander through one of the park’s giant sequoia groves, hike along a reservoir to a waterfall at Hetch Hetchy, or explore the peaks and meadows of the High Sierra. Become a Junior Ranger Earn your junior ranger badge! Pick up a free booklet at any open information center, or stop by the Junior Ranger Discovery Table between 2 pm and 4 pm daily (located outside the Exploration Center in Yosemite Village.) Yosemite National Park TIOGA ROAD & TUOLUMNE MEADOWS Tioga Road closes each winter and typically opens by May or June. Tioga Road is a 45-mile scenic drive through Yosemite’s high country, with access to trailheads, scenic vistas, and popular destinations like Tenaya Lake and Tuolumne Meadows. Services are extremely limited in this remote area, so fill up on gas, snacks, and water before you go. A Park Guide for Ages 4 to 12 Distance from Yosemite Valley 54 mi/87 km (1½ hours) Directions From Yosemite Valley, take Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120 W) to Crane Flat. Turn right onto Tioga Road (Hwy 120 E.) Yosemite Guide June 12 – July 16, 2024 3 Services YOSEMITE VALLEY ehicles only authorized v Yosemite Exploration Center, Yosemite Village Theater & Bookstore Services Yosemite Museum The Ansel Adams Gallery Wilderness Center Post Offce Medical Clinic Curry Village Services Front Offce Mountain Shop & Mountaineering School Gift & Meadow Grocery Grill to Shuttle Stops 14 & 19 Campground Reservation Offce northeast corner of parking area Degnan’s Kitchen 5 authori zed v ehic les on ly North 4 North Village Store to Lower Yosemite Fall Yosemite Valley Lodge Bike Rentals 2 North side Driv e( on ew Bike Rentals to The Ahwahnee Hotel Village Grill Pizza Deck Garage ) ay Welcome Center Bar 1899 & Seven Tents Pavilion Coffee Corner Amphitheater Pool & Showers to Shuttle Stop 1 INFORMATION & EXHIBITS TOURS & ACTIVITIES Yosemite Valley Welcome Center 9 am – 5 pm Book tours & activities anytime at TravelYosemite.com. Yosemite Village; shuttle stops 1/2/4/5 Yosemite Valley Lodge Tour & Activity Desk 7:30 am – 7 pm Yosemite Exploration Center & Theater 9 am – 5 pm Theater closed June 17. Yosemite Village; shuttle stops 1/2/4/5. Yosemite Museum 10 am – 5 pm Yosemite Village; shuttle stops 1/2/4/5. Wilderness Center 8 am – 5 pm Yosemite Village; shuttle stops 1/2/4/5. Happy Isles Art & Nature Center 9 am – 4 pm; may close for lunch. Yosemite Valley Lodge Pool 11 am − 6 pm Village Store Tour & Activity Kiosk 8 am – 7 pm Curry Village Tour & Activity Kiosk 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Curry Village Raft Rentals 10 am – 4 pm (conditions permitting) Shuttle stop 16. Curry Village Pool closed for renovation. Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center (Sierra Club) Open Wed – Sun, 10 am – 4 pm. Shuttle stop 12. Mountaineering School (Curry Village) 8:30 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 4:30 pm. Guided hiking & rock climbing experiences. Shuttle stops 14 & 19. OTHER SERVICES BIKE RENTALS Laundry (Housekeeping Camp) 8 am – 10 pm. Shuttle stop 12. Yosemite Valley Lodge Bike Stand 8 am – 7 pm Showers (Curry Village) 24 hrs. Shuttle stops 14 & 19. Curry Village Bike Stand 7:30 am – 3:30 pm Yosemite Village Post Offce Mon – Fri : 8:30 am – 5 pm, Sat: 10 am – 12 pm. Shuttle stops 1/2/4/5. Village Store Bike Stand 8 am – 7 pm Yosemite Village Garage 8 am – 12 pm, 1 pm – 5 pm Propane available during regular operating hours. 24-hour roadside assistance: call 209/372-1060. No gas available in Yosemite Valley. WAWONA & MARIPOSA GROVE INFORMATION & EXHIBITS Wawona Visitor Center at Hill’s Studio 9 am – 5 pm Yosemite History Center Open daily. FOOD & BEVERAGE Wawona Hotel Dining Room Breakfast: 7 am – 10 am, Lunch: 11 am – 3 pm, Dinner: 5 pm – 9 pm, Lounge Service: 5 pm – 9:30 pm Summer BBQ Saturdays from 5 pm – 7 pm (also offered June 16 & July 4) OTHER SERVICES Wawona Store & Pioneer Gift Shop 8 am – 8 pm Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore (Wawona) 9 am – 5 pm Yosemite Conservancy Depot (Mariposa Grove) 9 am – 5 pm Golf Course Golf: 8 am – 6 pm (Thurs – Mon.) Disc golf: 12 – 6 pm (Tu & W) Golf Shop & Snack Stand 7 am – 6 pm Tennis Courts 8 am – dusk Stable Daily rides: 8:30 am, 11 am, 2:30 pm. All-day rides: 8 am (Thurs only.) GLACIER POINT Gift Shop 9 am − 7 pm. Small selection of gifts & snacks. TUOLUMNE MEADOWS Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows services are expected to open by early or mid-June. Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center 9 am – 5 pm Parsons Memorial Lodge (opening mid-June) 10 am – 4 pm Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center 8 am – 5 pm Tuolumne Meadows Store Reopening to be determined Tuolumne Meadows Grill Reopening to be determined CRANE FLAT Big Oak Flat Information Station 8 am − 5 pm Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore (Big Oak Flat Information Station) Open Fri – Tues, 9 am – 5 pm Crane Flat Gas & Grocery 8 am − 5 pm. 24-hour pay-at-the-pump. EL PORTAL Wawona Post Offce Mon – Fri: 9 am – 1 pm, Sat: 9 am – 12 pm Wawona Service Station staffed 9 am – 6 pm. 24-hour pay-at-the-pump. Propane available during staffed hours only. 4 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park El Portal Market 9 am – 7 pm El Portal Service Station staffed 8 am – 5 pm. 24-hour pay-at-the-pump. Seasonal operating dates and hours are subject to change. YOSEMITE VALLEY FOOD & BEVERAGE Yosemite Valley Lodge Services YOSEMITE VILLAGE shuttle stops 1/2/4/5 Pool Degnan’s Kitchen Breakfast: 7 am – 11 am, Lunch: 11:30 am – 6 pm Coffee, deli sandwiches, & grab-and-go items. Indoor & outdoor seating. Village Grill 11 am – 6 pm. Burgers, hot dogs, & more. Outdoor seating. Gift & Grocery Mountain Room Restaurant to Lower Yosemite Fall Lounge & Cliff Room CURRY VILLAGE shuttle stops 14 & 19 Seven Tents Pavilion Breakfast: 7 am – 10 am, Dinner: 5:30 pm – 8:30 pm. Casual dining with rotating menu of hearty meals. Indoor seating. Peet’s Coffee Corner 6 am – 2 pm Nort hsid e Dr ive ( one way ) Bike Rentals Garden Terrace Front Offce & Tour Desk Basecamp Eatery & Starbucks Coffee Bar 1899 11:30 am – 10 pm. Beer on tap, cocktails, & light bites. Pizza Deck 11 am – 10 pm. Pizza whole or by the slice. Outdoor seating. Taqueria @ Meadow Grill 11 am – 8 pm. Tacos. Outdoor seating. North to Shuttle Stop 7 GIFTS, GEAR, & GROCERIES Jennie’s Ice Cream 11 am – 8:30 pm THE AHWAHNEE shuttle stop 3 Coffee Bar 6:30 am – 10:30 am The Ahwahnee Bar 11:30 am – 11 pm. Beer on tap, cocktails, & light bites. Ahwahnee Dining Room Breakfast: 7 am – 10 am, Dinner: 5:30 pm – 9 pm. Fine dining. Appropriate attire respectfully required for dinner. Dinner reservations strongly recommended: 209/372-1489 or OpenTable.com. YOSEMITE VILLAGE shuttle stops 1/2/4/5 YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE shuttle stop 7 The Ansel Adams Gallery 9 am – 5 pm. Art, books, & gifts. Yosemite Conservancy Store at Welcome Center 9 am – 5 pm Base Camp Eatery Breakfast: 6:30 am – 10:45 am, Lunch & Dinner: 11 am – 9 pm. Fast casual burgers, chicken, & more. Indoor & outdoor seating. Yosemite Conservancy Bookstore at Exploration Center 9 am – 5 pm Starbucks Coffee 6:30 am – 6:30 pm Yosemite Museum Store 10 am – 5 pm, may close for lunch Mountain Room Lounge Mon – Fri: 4:30 pm – 10 pm, Sat & Sun: 12 pm – 10 pm. Beer on tap, cocktails, & light bites. Village Store 8 am – 10 pm. Large selection of groceries & gifts. THE AHWAHNEE shuttle stop 3 Gift Shop 8 am – 9 pm Sweet Shop 7 am – 10 pm Mountain Room Restaurant 5 pm – 10 pm (last seating at 9:30 pm) Upscale casual steakhouse. Reservations recommended: OpenTable.com. RELIGIOUS SERVICES YOSEMITE VALLEY LODGE shuttle stop 7 Yosemite Community Church (The Chapel) Pastor Brent Moore Call 209/372-4831 or visit YosemiteValleyChapel.org for information. Sunday Services: 9:15 am & 11 am. Gift Shop 8 am – 10 pm CURRY VILLAGE shuttle stops 14 & 19 Yosemite Mountain Shop 8 am – 8 pm. Hiking/climbing gear & apparel. Curry Village Gift & Grocery 8 am – 10 pm HOUSEKEEPING CAMP shuttle stop 12 Grocery 8 am – 8 pm Rehabilitation of The Ahwahnee bringing the building to code with modern fire and seismic safety standards. Scaffolding and construction noise may be present during parts of the rehabilitation project. After more than 95 years in service, The Ahwahnee is continuing a multi-phase comprehensive rehabilitation plan to preserve the hotel’s historic integrity, while Due to these historic projects, Ahwahnee parking lot space has been reduced. Parking is valet only with a $30 nightly charge, $15 day-use or $10 with validation. This change will only be during this historic project and will return to normal upon completion. Zero Landfll Initiative: Propane Canisters Exciting news, campers: you can now buy and exchange Little Kamper 1 lb. propane canisters in Yosemite stores, including the Village Store, Curry Village Gift Shop, Mountain Shop, Wawona Store, and El Portal Market. In alliance with the Zero Landfll Initiative, Yosemite Conservancy, the National Park Service and Yosemite Hospitality are working together to reduce improper disposal of singleuse propane canisters and send less waste to our local landfll. This project was made possible in part by a grant from the National Park Foundation through the generous support of Subaru of America. CAMPING & LODGING CAMPING A reservation is required for all campgrounds between April and October. Visit go.nps.gov/campground for reservation booking windows and other campground details. Check for availability and book a reservation at Recreation.gov, or by calling 877/444-6777. Sleeping inside a vehicle is only allowed at a registered campsite. Sleeping overnight in a parking lot or on the side of the road is NOT permitted. For information about backpacking and wilderness permits, turn to page 10. LODGING Lodging inside the park is operated by Yosemite Hospitality. Reservations may be made up to one year in advance and are strongly recommended. Book a stay online at www.TravelYosemite.com or by calling 888/413-8869. For general information about staying overnight in Yosemite or nearby communities, scan the QR code or visit go.nps.gov/sleeping Yosemite Guide June 12 – July 16, 2024 5 Shuttles Yosemite Valley Shuttle System Shuttles operate from 7 am to 10 pm daily. Exploration Degnan’s Center Kitchen Lower 4 5 Yosemite Fall Camp 4, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Yosemite Falls Parking El Capitan Picnic Area 6 2 Welcome Center 1 Yosemite Village Parking 19 12 Housekeeping Camp 11 El Capitan Meadow Cathedral Beach 3 7 8 9 The Ahwahnee 18 Lower Pines Campground 14 Curry Village – eastbound 17 Mirror Lake 15 Upper Pines Campground Four Mile Trailhead 10 Curry Village – westbound North 16 Happy Isles Valleywide Shuttle serves ALL stops in Yosemite Valley d River rce e M East Valley Shuttle serves east Valley destinations ONLY The FREE Yosemite Valley shuttles operate from 7 am to 10 pm daily and serve stops in numerical order. Valleywide Shuttle Serves ALL stops. Runs approx. every 22 to 32 min. Total round-trip time of 1 hour and 30 min. East Valley Shuttle Serves east Valley destinations ONLY. Runs approx. every 18 to 22 min. Total round-trip time of 50 min. Pets are NOT allowed on shuttles. Service dogs are legally permitted anywhere that visitors can go. A service dog is trained to perform a specifc task to assist a person with a disability. Emotional support, therapy, and companion animals are subject to all pet regulations. YARTS Tuolumne Meadows Sonora YARTS Yosemite Valley to Mammoth Lakes 120 departs 2x daily summer only $ YARTS.com Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus Yosemite Valley to Sonora departs 1x daily summer only $ TravelYosemite.com departs 2–3x daily summer only $ YARTS.com Mammoth Lakes Tioga Rd 120 Big Oak Flat Rd Mariposa Yosemite Valley 140 YARTS Yosemite Valley to Merced Glacier Point Tour Bus YARTS Wawona Rd Yosemite Valley to Fresno departs 2x daily summer only $ YARTS.com Public Transportation departs 2x daily summer only $ TravelYosemite.com Mariposa Grove Shuttle frequent daily service spring through fall only 41 Experience Your America Yosemite National Park 395 North Wawona in Yosemite National Park 6 frequent daily service year-round Glacier Point multiple departures daily year-round $ YARTS.com 49 Valley Shuttles Shuttle Stops in Yosemite Valley Turn to page 4 for information about visitor services, including shopping and dining. Turn to page 10 for information about hiking in Yosemite. 1 Yosemite Village Parking ALL Shuttles. Parking, welcome center, Village Store. 2 Welcome Center ALL Shuttles. Welcome center, Village Store, Exploration Center & Theater, museum, wilderness center, post office, shopping, casual dining. 3 The Ahwahnee Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Lodging, casual & fine dining. 4 Degnan’s Kitchen Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Parking, lodging, camping, trailheads, casual dining. 8 14 Curry Village – eastbound ALL Shuttles. Parking, lodging, casual dining, gift & grocery, recreation rentals (seasonal.) 15 El Capitan Picnic Area Upper Pines Campground ALL Shuttles. Pines campgrounds. Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Picnic area. 9 16 El Capitan Meadow 10 11 17 Cathedral Beach Mirror Lake ALL Shuttles. Trailhead. 18 Four Mile Trailhead Lower Pines Campground ALL Shuttles. Pines campgrounds. Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Trailhead. 12 Happy Isles ALL Shuttles. Trailhead, Art & Nature Center. Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Scenic area. Exploration Center Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Exploration Center & Theater, museum, wilderness center, post office, shopping, casual dining. 6 Camp 4, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Yosemite Falls Parking Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Picnic area. Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Welcome center, Village Store, Exploration Center & Theater, museum, wilderness center, post office, shopping, casual dining. 5 7 Housekeeping Camp & Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center 19 Curry Village – westbound ALL Shuttles. Parking, lodging, casual dining, gift & grocery, recreation rentals (seasonal.) ALL Shuttles. Lodging (seasonal), laundry (seasonal), exhibits & programs (seasonal). Lower Yosemite Fall Valleywide Shuttle ONLY. Trailheads, picnic area. Mariposa Grove Shuttle Free shuttle service between Mariposa Grove parking (near Yosemite’s South Entrance) and the front of the grove. Shuttles operate daily from 8 am to 7 pm (last bus leaves Mariposa Grove at 8 pm.) Shuttles pick up every 10 to 15 minutes. When shuttles are not operating, the Mariposa Grove can be accessed via a 2-mile hike on the Washburn Trail. The Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System (YARTS) is a public transit system that provides service into Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows Hikers Bus Year-round service from Merced. Seasonal service from Sonora, Mammoth Lakes, and Fresno. Check TravelYosemite.com or a tour desk for schedule and tickets. Buses are air-conditioned, bike friendly, wheelchair accessible, and equipped for rider comfort. Save gas, save time, save money, by taking YARTS! For bus schedules and tickets, visit www.YARTS.com or call 877/989-2787. Scheduled drop-off and pickup for backpackers at Tioga Road trailheads. Glacier Point Tour Bus Book the full tour OR book a one-way ticket to Glacier Point and hike back down to Yosemite Valley. Please note: there is NO transportation for hikers from Glacier Point back to the Valley. Check TravelYosemite.com or a tour desk for schedule and tickets. Yosemite Guide June 12 – July 16, 2024 7 Events & Programs Time Program Host Fee? Reservations? Yosemite Valley: Walks, Talks, & Tours 8:30 am – 9:30 am M, Tu, W Ranger Walk Join a ranger for a naturalist walk and take a closer look at Yosemite. Meet in front of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. NPS free No; drop-in only 8:30 am – 9:30 am 6/20, 6/27, 7/4, 7/11 Pollinator Hotshots Join a Ranger for a walk to look for some of our park pollinators and learn more about the important role they play in the ecosystem. Meet in front of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center. NPS free No; drop-in only 9 am – 11 am Su, until 6/23 Climber Coffee Join climbing rangers to discuss climbing management issues, preventative search and rescue, and other current events surrounding the climbing community. Meet at Camp 4 near the registration kiosk. NPS free No; drop-in only 10:30 am – 11:30 am Tu & W* Discovery Walk Join a ranger for an easy walk and learn more about what makes Yosemite special. Topics vary daily. Meet in front of the Yosemite Museum (Yosemite Village.) *except 6/26 & 7/3. NPS free No; drop-in only 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm daily until 7/1 Ask-a-Climber Drop in to view climbers on El Capitan through spotting scopes and discover the world of vertical adventure on Yosemite’s big walls. Located on the west side of El Capitan bridge (near shuttle stop 9.) NPS free No; drop-in only 2 pm – 3 pm M, F, Sa Ranger Walk: Wild About Bears Learn about bears in Yosemite with a ranger. No bear sightings are expected. Meet in front of the Yosemite Museum (Yosemite Village.) NPS free No; drop-in only 3 pm – 4 pm daily Curry Village Historic Tour Explore the exciting history of the Curry Village Historic District on this hour-long guided tour. Meet at the Curry Village Amphitheater. Shuttle stops 14 & 19. YH free No; drop-in only 4:30 pm – 5:30 pm Su, M, Tu, W, F, Sa Yosemite Nature Notes Short Films: Live with a Naturalist Enjoy short flms and a thought-provoking talk by a naturalist at the theater behind the Yosemite Exploration Center. YC free No; drop-in only Yosemite Valley: Art & Photography Classes 9 am – 10:30 am Tu & Th The Ansel Adams Gallery Photography Walk Join a staff photographer for a brief feld lecture in Yosemite Valley. TAAG free Required; visit AnselAdams.com 9 am – 12 pm W In the Field: Creative Smartphone Photography Join a staff photographer to learn how to make better photographs with the camera you always carry. TAAG $ Required; visit AnselAdams.com Forest Art Walk Explore the interconnected nature of art and observation within Yosemite Valley’s landscape! Unleash your creativity and capture the beauty of forests in this meditative sketching and watercolor nature journaling class. YC $ Required; visit Yosemite.org/art Art Class Meet at the Happy Isles Art and Nature Center for art classes, such as watercolors, printmaking, and acrylics. Check website for schedule and registration. YC $ Required; visit Yosemite.org/art 9 am – 10:30 am Tu & Sa starting 6/25 9 am – 1 pm weekdays 1 pm – 4 pm Sa In the Field: Creative Smartphone Photography Join a staff photographer to learn how to make better photographs with the camera you always carry. TAAG $ Required; visit AnselAdams.com 1 pm – 5 pm M & Th In the Footsteps of Ansel Adams Join a staff photographer for a feld class around Yosemite Valley. TAAG $ Required; visit AnselAdams.com 1 pm – 5 pm Tu Ansel Adams’s Legacy and Your Digital Camera Join a staff photographer for a feld class to learn how to make better photographs with your DSLR camera. TAAG $ Required; visit AnselAdams.com 2 pm – 4 pm F Paint & Sip Learn the basics of watercolor and create an iconic Yosemite landscape step-by-step. Includes food & beverage. Meets at the Mountain Room Lounge. YC $ Required; visit Yosemite.org/art Junior Ranger Walk Meet in front of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center for an easy walk with kid-focused activities. All children must be accompanied by an adult. NPS free No; drop-in only 11 am – 12 pm 1 pm – 2 pm 2:30 pm – 3:30 pm M, Tu, W, Th* Kids’ Art Class Meet at the Happy Isles Art and Nature Center for art classes geared toward ages 4 - 11. *No classes on 6/19 & 7/4. Starting 7/5, classes are held 7 days a week. YC free In-person registration only. Limited space. 11:30 am – 12:30 pm Th, starting 6/27 Junior Ranger Walk Meet in front of the Exploration Center for an easy walk inside the center and a short walk outside with kid-focused activities. All children must be accompanied by an adult. NPS free No; drop-in only 12 pm – 12:30 pm daily Nature in a Nutshell Meet in front of the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center to learn more about the natural world. NPS free No; drop-in only 2:30 pm – 2:45 pm daily Family Ranger Tal