Here are some quick tips to help you be safe while hiking in Yosemite:
Carry a headlamp on every hike, even short day hikes.
Carry and drink plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every 2 hours)
Sturdy footwear with good traction might save an ankle.
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While this national park tends to be one of the hardest to visit due to its high demand, it includes scenic beginner hiking trails for budding explorers. Don't feel pressure to become a pro at all things outdoors before planning your trip to Yosemite National Park.
It's a big undertaking and requires a permit, but hiking to the top of Half Dome is one of the bucket list challenges in Yosemite. This hike is not for the faint hearted and we don't recommend anyone taking this on without some training.
Here are some quick tips to help you be safe while hiking in Yosemite: Carry a headlamp on every hike, even short day hikes. Carry and drink plenty of water (a minimum of 1 quart every 2 hours)
Always keep your food within arm's reach and don't turn your back to your food; never leave food unattended. Bears may investigate picnic areas or backpacks for food even in your presence, so be alert.
Many mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn, mainly during the summer. Be sure to use insect repellent and wear long sleeves and pants or consider staying indoors during these hours.
Planning Your Hike in Bear CountryMake sure you know before you go. In national parks where grizzlies live, such as Glacier or Grand Teton, rangers encourage you to carry bear spray. In others, such as Yosemite, where only black bears live, bear spray is not even permitted.
Showers are available at the Curry Village pool showerhouse for a fee. Showers are not available elsewhere in the park. Dump stations are available at Upper Pines Campground (all year), near Wawona Campground (summer only), and near Tuolumne Meadows Campground (summer only).
You are required by federal regulations to store all your food properly throughout Yosemite National Park. You must have your food stored unless it's within arm's reach (so, don't go for a swim or take a nap while leaving food out).
But make no mistake, there are plenty of shorter and easier climbs here in Yosemite as well that are more suitable for mere mortals and aspiring rock climbers.
A sturdy pair of hiking boots or runners will protect your feet and ensure maximum comfort while you're exploring on foot. Try to bring a pair of boots that support your ankle and have decent grip to prevent slips and trips. If you're buying new boots, make sure you break them in before you go.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Yosemite? For the best experience, plan on spending three days in Yosemite, especially if you like hiking. Three days gives you enough time to hike a few trails, explore Yosemite Valley, drive Tioga Road to Olmsted Point, and visit Glacier Point and Taft Point.
American black bears found in Yosemite National Park have long been of intense interest to park visitors and managers. Seeing one of the approximately 300 to 500 black bears in Yosemite can evoke excitement, awe, and fear. If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear.
The restroom at the Yosemite Valley Stables is accessible, the Wawona Stable has an accessible portable toilet, but the restroom at the Tuolumne Meadows Stable is not accessible.
For dinner, we require gentlemen to wear long pants and a shirt with a collar, and ask women to wear a dress, skirt, or long pants with a blouse. Please refrain from wearing shorts, T-shirts, tank tops, flip-flops, and baseball caps. Children over the age of four are asked to dress for the occasion as well.
Mountain lions—also called cougars, pumas or panthers—roam Yosemite's mountains and valleys. These important predators, native to the Americas, are a natural part of the Yosemite landscape.
Our water is perfectly safe to drink, bath and swim in, but we recommend that you bring bottled water for drinking, due to the fact that our water has a high mineral content.
Even if you don't plan on hiking across any streams or rivers, waterproof hiking shoes are a great comfort in Yosemite. As we have mentioned, springtime signals the melting of snow and this causes many trails in Yosemite to have patches of water and ice.
Cellular Phone ServiceYosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows have good signals. The best signal is in the Yosemite Village area near the Visitor Center. Signals also tend to be dependable in Crane Flat and right outside the park in El Portal.