Where is the best place to take a dip in Yosemite?

A favorite for swimmers of all ages, the Merced River at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley offers soft, sandy beaches--perfect for spending an afternoon sunning and splashing. Tuolumne Meadows and the Park's High Sierra Camps also have some wonderful, secluded swimming areas.



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In Yosemite Valley, the area around Sentinel Meadow and the Yosemite Chapel is a favorite place to stop to look at Yosemite Falls. In Yosemite Valley, Sentinel Bridge is famous for its views of both Half Dome reflected in the Merced River. You can also see Yosemite Falls nearby.

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Be careful of sharp underwater objects or slippery rocks (aqua shoes are helpful), and of course, never swim above or directly below waterfalls. Mountain water is often very cold, so avoid prolonged exposure causing hypothermia and always use extreme caution when swimming in Yosemite with children.

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The winner: The opportunities for wilderness adventure in Yellowstone are many, but Yosemite has it all, from gentle trails along the floor of the valley to spine-tingling ascents of its rock faces. Plus, Yosemite remains open to many activities through the winter, while Yellowstone goes into bear-like hibernation.

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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.

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Plan trips during the mid-week - Yosemite Valley is most popular on weekends and holidays, which can mean significant traffic congestion, especially on Saturdays. To avoid crowds, consider planning a trip to Yosemite Monday through Thursday.

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Drive the Valley Floor Loop Driving the Valley Floor Loop is a fantastic way to see a range of Yosemite's most famous sights. Visitors can stop at Yosemite Falls (option to walk the 1-mile Lower Yosemite Falls trail), El Capitan Meadow, Sentinel Bridge, Valley View, and various other pull-offs along the way.

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One of the best ways to explore Yosemite (and also escape the crowds) is to go hiking. With over 800 miles of hiking trails for all difficulty levels, it's easy to find a hike that suits your interests and abilities.

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At 620 feet, Bridalveil Fall is often the first waterfall visitors see when entering Yosemite Valley. As one of the easier hikes in the Valley, Bridalveil Fall is the perfect attraction for visitors looking for minimal effort in return for maximum views.

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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.

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Where should you stay while visiting Yosemite? If you want to be close to the best hikes and viewpoints in the park, try to stay in Yosemite Valley. If you're looking for something outside of the park, the El Portal area is a fantastic option.

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You might already know this, but it's official; Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places on Earth. It ranked #2 on MSN's Ranked: the world's most stunning national parks!

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Yosemite National Park is famous for its spectacular glacially carved landscape. Although glaciers have come and gone many times in the past, there are still two active glaciers near Yosemite's highest peaks.

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The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the largest and most impressive grove of redwoods in Yosemite National Park, containing approximately 500 mature giant sequoia trees (sequoiadendron giganteum).

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The temperature in Yosemite can change quite quickly, especially in the mornings, evenings and at higher elevations. Bring clothing that you can layer up or down such as t-shirts, shorts, long-sleeved shirts, leggings and a sweater.

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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.

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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.

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