Top 5 Must-See Attractions in Yosemite
By placing Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove under federal protection in 1864, Abraham Lincoln paved the way for what would later become California's Yosemite National Park. See the tallest waterfall in North America, massive sequoia trees in Mariposa Grove, and endless wildlife throughout the park. From mountainous vistas to valleys of wildflowers, it is clear why this sprawling wilderness has awed and inspired the likes of John Muir and Ansel Adams.
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Sprawling across more than 1,000 square miles of California’s Sierra Nevadas lies a rocky landscape covered in streams and meadows. Travel 101 | Yosemite | 5 Must-See Attractions 1 | Drive the scenic route to Glacier Point. Glacier Point Road, open seasonally in spring, culminates at Glacier Point overlook. A stunning view reveals Half Dome’s granite cliffs, which rise almost a mile above Yosemite Valley. Tip: Take a short walk from Glacier Point along Panorama Trail for equally stunning—but less crowded—views. 2 | Visit Yosemite Valley to see North America’s tallest waterfall. Yosemite Falls is actually composed of three separate falls: Upper, Middle, and Lower. The falls tower a combined 2,425 feet and can be heard thundering across the valley in the spring. Tip: In the winter, look for a “snow cone” forming at the base of Upper Falls. 3 | Walk among giant sequoias in Wawona basin. Towering nearly 30 stories high, giant sequoias are among the largest living things on Earth—and they’re only found in the Sierra Nevadas. The Grizzly Giant is one of the largest sequoias out of roughly 500 specimens in Mariposa Grove, and it has lived an estimated 1,800 years. Tip: In the busy season, head to the Upper Grove to avoid the crowds. 4 | See—and smell—alpine wildflowers in bloom at Tuolumne Meadows. In July and August, flowers reach peak bloom in this subalpine meadow, the largest in the Sierra. Tioga Road, Yosemite’s most popular drive, will lead to the meadow, though the road is only open seasonally once the snow has been cleared in the spring. Tip: Hike two miles to Lembert Dome for a panoramic view of the meadows below. 5 | Keep an eye out for wildlife—throughout the park! As many as 500 black bears inhabit Yosemite, where they’re most active from late spring through early autumn. Tip: Always drive slowly, store food properly, and observe bears from a safe distance. Golden eagles, with a wingspan that can exceed seven feet, sometimes soar near the rim of Yosemite Valley.
