Yosemite’s Fallen Monarch Giant Sequoia tree is one of the first named trees that visitors encounter during a visit to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. What is left of its immense root system fans high overhead, astonishing visitors to the grove with its complexity and majesty. This organic crown of ancient roots also illustrates important lessons about sequoia tree structures and underscores ways that we can ensure that the...
The California Tunnel Tree is one of the most popular and beloved trees in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, with good reason. This is the only place in the world where you can walk through a living giant sequoia tunnel tree. Learn where to find this legendary tree and some of its fascinating history below. Whatever else you do, be sure to add a visit to the California Tunnel...
Grab your camera, and hiking boots, wax your skis, and get ready for a magical visit to Yosemite National Park in December. If you’ve already managed a visit to Yosemite during the winter months, you know the special charm of a snow-covered landscape, beautiful enough when it was bare, now decorated in a soft blanket of white to heighten the grandeur. December welcomes the winter season with promises of evergreen...
November is a magical time to visit the park. In the early part of the month, most of the park is still likely to be open, so there’s still time to catch views of Yosemite’s high country and some spectacular fall color. Later in the month, Yosemite provides a stunning backdrop for a Thanksgiving—or Thanksgiving-adjacent—gathering with friends and family. November is also a quiet time of the year outside of...
Dogs are allowed in Yosemite National Park. Let’s explore a few places that you will want to explore with your pup. Which Trails Can You Take Your Dog On In Yosemite? There is a lot you can see and do with your dog in Yosemite, because so much of Yosemite’s iconic scenery is visible from the paved roads, sidewalks, and bicycle paths that your dog is allowed on. Keep your...
The Grizzly Giant is the most renowned giant sequoia in Yosemite National Park. Standing at a solid 209 feet (63.7 m) it is the second largest tree in the Yosemite, and one of the most photographed. You’ll need to take a panorama to capture that in one image! We can’t know for certain how old this tree is until we are able to count the annual rings in the...
Visiting Yosemite in October is like getting the backstage pass to a sold-out concert where you can hang out with the band after the big show. It’s more relaxed, quieter, and more intimate. The stadium show is over, the masses have gone home and it’s just you and Yosemite, hanging out and getting to know each other a little better. Let us give you the backstage tour to set you...
Are you thinking about visiting Yosemite National Park in September? You’re in luck! September is an ideal time to explore the park. In September, Yosemite combines the vast array of activities available during the summer months with comfortable cooler temperatures – perfect for hiking and other outdoor activities. Important Note for 2025: NPS will require entrance reservations for select dates between May 24 through September 1, 2025. Fortunately, guests at...
When you visit Yosemite in August, you find the park at its peak season. Everything is open so you’ll find the biggest selection for shopping, dining, and activities. Families are enjoying the last bit of summer travel time before school starts again with plenty of hiking options as well as refreshing trips to local swimming holes. Important Note for 2025: NPS will require entrance reservations for select dates between May...
July in Yosemite is when everything is on the table, including a wide variety of family-friendly fun. By July, all the high-country roads are open, the snow is off all but the highest trails, summer ranger programs are in full swing and everything is up and running. July is also when Yosemite’s summer temperatures reach their highest, so you’ll want to plan your days to keep cool, and the strategy...
