You Must See Yosemite In The Springtime!

May 21, 2024 - By Andee Marie

Did you know that Yosemite is one of the most visited National Parks in the WORLD! There is no wonder why so many flock here when you are in the center of this magical place. It is nearly 8 miles of California’s Sierra Nevada mountains, dense with the most majestic Sequoia Trees, surrounded by spectacular granite mountains, like the Iconic El Capitan and Half Dome, and filled with cascading waterfalls that seem like something from a beautiful dream.

Living in California, I have been lucky to see Yosemite during Fall, Winter, and now in Spring. They are all Magical in their way, and honestly, one could believe they were in an entirely different destination depending on the season, if not for the Yosemite Trademarks that make themself known no matter the time of year! It truly is like stepping into a fairytale of beauty.

A bit about this National Park

Yosemite was established as a National Park in 1890, but the groundwork for that had been laid thanks to the passion of President Abraham Lincoln. In 1864 Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act, which would later help create guidelines for the National Parks. It was the first time that the American Government took action and acknowledged the need to preserve our wilderness land.

Many years later, writers and wilderness enthusiasts, such as John Muir, would help to establish this extraordinary place as a National Park. John Muir reached people globally with his passionate writings on nature and wilderness. In one of his excerpts of Yosemite, he wrote, “Everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in, where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike.”

It was writings such as these, that breathed the importance of land conservation and preservation, as well as inspiration to capture its beauty. Some of the most notable photographs of Yosemite were taken by the great Ansel Adams, who often gave credit to Muir for his inspiration. Ansel was commissioned for a limited edition book of his photography along the John Muir Trail. It a a collector’s item to this day.

This stunning book has been re-published and is available!

For more information on John Muir and his California home and Historic Site; check out my previous post HERE!

Park Information

Hours of Operation: 24 hours a day/ 365 days a year. (Please note during the Winter Season some roads and areas are closed) During peak times, days, and seasons, getting into the park is by RESERVATION ONLY. Be sure to plan and check to see if your dates you will need the additional reservation. You can check HERE.

Entrance Fee & Passes: There is a nominal $2 fee to secure your entrance which does not include the $35 per vehicle fee to enter the Park. Unless you have the America The Beautiful – The National Parks and Federal Lands Pass, then entrance is covered by your pass! I am a firm believer that EVERY adventurer should have this pass! They even have FREE passes available for Military, Disabled, Park Volunteers, and Students. You can check out that info HERE.

Beyond the Valley: Yosemite is vast and there are 4 other areas to adventure in and see that are not Main Yosemite Valley. They still have entrance fees but these areas may not require reservations. Also please note, that although the beauty of these places will draw you to want to fit them all in a single trip. Depending on the lodging location, season, and activities you wish to do, you may not easily get to them all.

Hetch Hetchy
Tuolumne Meadows
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Wawona

There are also other gorgeous and fun State Parks in this area so research and planning are needed if you wish to see beyond the Valley.

Food and Lodging:

Food: There are restaurants you can dine in. From first come-first served, to nice sit-down dinning. If you prefer a reserved sit-down meal be sure to plan and book ahead! Or perhaps a quick grab-and-go grocery option. Yes, Yosemite has choices! Find the restaurant list and grocery info HERE.

You can’t beat the Options they have at Base Camp Eatery, for quick sit-down or grab & go selections it is my favorite place to eat while in the park. They have Kiosks that make ordering more convenient. And a Starbucks in the same building if you need that pick me up!

Lodging: There are numerous In-park options to choose from, like campsites, motels, and luxury-style hotels. But again, as millions of visitors from around the world come to Yosemite, I advise booking in advance! Lodging info HERE. I personally love to Lodge outside the park away from the crowds. It also gives the opportunity to see other areas of Yosemite besides the Main Valley. I’ll share more of our latest stay later in this post!

Favorite Sites & Hikes ♥

Everything you set your eyes on, is amazingly beautiful, and wonderfully surreal. The magnitude of the mountains and the vastness of this park are breathtaking. So it is easy to say that it is hard to pick some favorites. That being said; go for the WATERFALLS!

This is why I said YOU MUST visit at Springtime. It truly is beyond magical!

Mist Trail Hike

A great hike to do if you are willing to climb steep steps and get a bit soaked is the Mist Trail. This popular and beloved trail has it all! The breathtaking views of the granite mountains, engulfing tall pine trees, rushing rivers, and cascading falls that shoot off beautiful rainbows when the sun hits just right. It is no wonder large masses flock to achieve this hike, and easily hundreds can be on the trail at the same time, so I advise GO EARLY.

The 411

This hike is Moderate to Strenuous.
Extremely Crowded after 9AM and before 6PM. Early morning is my ideal time to journey this trail.
Parking: If you arrive early you can find parking in the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking Lot near the Happy Isles Nature Center, which is right next to the Trailhead.
Shuttle: Yosemite Valley offers FREE shuttle service and you can shuttle to Stop 16 which is right next to trailhead. They operate from 7AM – 10PM and run approx. every 10-20 mins.
Length: 3-6 Miles depending on how many falls you want to see. You can take Mist trail to top of Vernal Falls and then continue upwards to Nevada Falls for a 6+ mile inclined hike. Or, you can loop around and down after Vernon Falls by taking the Vernon Falls footbridge to Clark Point for the 4 Mile hike. To see a helpful map Click HERE.
What to Wear: A pair of good hiking boots for this one. Good grip and water proof is ideal. I LOVE my Columbia Boots and got a great price on them too! Make sure you break new boots in.
Waterproof Jacket or poncho is ideal, as you get pretty soaked. I have had my North Face for a few years now and it still does the job.
What To Pack: Water, trail snacks and energy bars, sunblock, hiking poles (if you are not an avid hiker or need some assistance with steps and incline), and anything else you think you might need but remember what you pack – you carry! And leave the Bear Spray at home. The Bears of Yosemite are protected and the rangers will not allow you to carry spray.

It was such a fun and rewarding hike! Had we not had plans to adventure around lower Yosemite Valley we would have continued on to Nevada Falls (next Yosemite adventure) ♥

Lower Yosemite Valley Falls

This short, easy, and all-accessible trail is a lovely site to see! The best part is there is not much effort needed to see such an amazing Fall ♥ It truly has the WOW factor!

The beautiful snow-fed fall is one of the tallest North American Falls and stuns all who visit in Spring and early summer when the waterfall is at its peak. This area is fun for all the family with benches to relax and areas that allow climbing and fun for all ages. It is a beautiful 1-mile loop accessed from the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead located by Valley shuttle stop #6.

Hetch Hetchy Valley

This Beautiful almost hidden gem of Yosemite is located in the northwest corner of this grand National Park. It is a place with amazing views, beautiful terrain, and massive waterfalls!

The 411

Located in Tuolumne, CA. Many sites to see and things to do here too.
Hours from sunrise to sunset only. Weekends the parking lots do fill up by mid day. Go Early!
Best to Visit in Fall, Spring and early Summer as the heat is almost unbearable here.
Wild Flowers begin blooming March and are in full bloom by early May. It is full of color throughout and the Falls are at their peak then too.
Various hikes to choose from along the reservoir to scenic waterfalls. My FAVORITE Wapama Falls. Miles of fun and beautiful terrain with misty trails to waterfalls.
Many places to picnic ♥

Enjoy this short reel of the highlights of our hike to Wapama Falls ♥

Where to Lodge?

There are many wonderful Towns with places to lodge all around Yosemite including staying within Yosemite Village. However, I personally love exploring all the areas I can when I am on an adventure, so I usually pick an Airbnb or hotel in a nearby town. Some of the local towns are:

Groveland
El Portal
Oakhurst
Bass Lake
Mariposa
Wawona
Jamestown

I have visited and stayed in a few and they all have something wonderful to offer! I advise to do a little research and pick what will work best with the experience you are hoping for on your Yosemite Travels.

Black Berry Inn ♥

On this trip I wanted something a little extra special because it was a birthday trip, (and Birthdays deserve the special treatment) so I chose a Bed and Breakfast called Blackberry Inn. It is in the quaint and lovely town of Groveland, Ca. Approximately 45 minutes from Tuolumne CA, where Hetch Hetchy is located. It is also 60 minutes from the Yosemite Valley Visitors Center.

The property is serene and beautifully maintained. It was quiet, peaceful, and had all the amenities one could want. Yummy homemade breakfast, fresh squeezed OJ, a great cup of coffee, comfy beds, a deep soaking tub, property to explore, and owners who are attentive and kind. It really was a treasure to find!

Groveland, Ca

What a lovely little town Groveland is ♥

Where to Dine:

The Charlotte Tavern in Hotel Charlotte was a nice place for a delicious meal and lovely dinner date. They also had one of my FAVORITE drinks on the menu. The Bee’s Knees, a prohibition era cocktail made with gin, fresh lemon juice, and honey ♥

Also, another great option is Pizza Factory, with good pizza, a small salad bar, beer on tap, and a game-room with pinball, it made for a fun meal!

A Great Cup of Coffee:

Mountain Sage Nursery and Cafe. This was such a cool joint with outdoor seating in a garden, an art gallery and shop within the cafe, as well as some unique drinks on their menu! I would definitely stop in if you are in this town ♥