Episode 166 is taking you to one of the country’s most iconic national parks - Yosemite National Park located in the central Sierra Nevada region of California. The gem of California boasts towering granite cliffs, gorgeous tall waterfalls, and bear wildlife spotting! We’ve been to this park several times and have a different experience each time. It’s a beautiful park with plenty to see equally without hiking and through Half Dome, one of the hardest and longest permitted hikes not for the faint of heart. In this episode we share the waterfall hikes we did, where to stay in Yosemite National Park, and the best time of year to visit for open trails and chances of spotting old Smoky.

Tips for Visiting Yosemite National Park: 

• Download offline maps
• Get to the park early 
• Wear layers
• Wear hiking boots - lots of granite rocks, near the falls can be slippery 
• Pack plenty of water 
• Visit in shoulder seasons 
• Bring crampons 
• Waterfalls are best in spring/early summer
• May need entrance reservations 
• Some of the roads close in the winter (October- May/June) 
• Check out our must have hiking essentials

Where to Stay:

• Inside the park: The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, & Curry Village
• Outside of the park: Yosemite View Lodge & Wawona Hotel

There are hiking trails in Yosemite for all skill and accessibility levels. We call this one of the best national parks to visit for sightseeing because you can see a lot of the waterfalls and impressive cliffs from the road. It's equally as amazing for the hiking trails in Yosemite that ascend to high peaks and overlooks.

Hiking Trails in Yosemite with Waterfalls

The Mist Trail (7 mi) - Takes you to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. This trail might be partially closed during winter and spring seasons due to snow and ice blocking the path.

Wapama Falls (2.5 mi) - Longest of the two waterfalls on the northern wall of Hetch Hetchy Valley. Bring a rain jacket to avoid the mist!

Yosemite Falls (7 mi) - It's a waterfall so high it has to take a break and rest twice in the course of its descent. It's a 2,425 foot tumbler, tallest in North America and fifth tallest in the solar system. Ten times taller than Niagara or Shoshone Falls, nearly twice as tall as the Empire State Building. The lower fall, which you'll be seeing up close on this hike, is the shortest section of the fall, but it's still 320 feet (98 meters) high. Tip: Stand at the base of the falls for a great photo.

We've taken this trip many times from Sacramento, CA which is just a three hour drive into the park. We have also drove up and taken this trip from San Diego to Yosemite which makes for a nice long road trip in. If you are flying in the best airports to look at are Fresno & Sacramento. Find a great flight deal to either airport by signing up for Thrifty Traveler Premium and watching the daily flight deals (points & cash) that are emailed directly to you! Use our promo code TS10 to get $10 off your first year subscription.

If you can extend your trip, also consider visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks or take a California National Park Road Trip. They are vastly different parks with Sequoia and Kings Canyon having gurthy, towering red trees that make you feel like tiny ants next to them.

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