Tag: national parks

Your Yosemite National Park questions, answered

Get the info you need.

California is a state that enjoys a bounty of natural wonders. In fact, it has the most national parks of any state in America. The state’s nine national parks include Channel Islands, Death Valley, Joshua Tree, Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Lassen Volcanic, Pinnacles, Redwood, and last but not least, Yosemite.

Yosemite National Park is the third oldest national park, after Yellowstone and Sequoia. Established as a national park in 1872, Yosemite also became a World Heritage Site in 1984. The site protects roughly 750,000 acres of meadows, valleys, mountains, and more. These stunning landscapes help make Yosemite one of the country’s most visited national parks. Before you visit, get to know the area with these answers to some of the most commonly asked Yosemite National Park questions. Plus, find resources to help you plan your trip.

A mountain range overlooking a lake.
Photo by DJM Photos

Where is Yosemite National Park?

Let’s start with the basics. Where is Yosemite National Park? As the park website explains, since Yosemite “covers nearly 1,200 square miles of mountainous terrain in the Sierra Nevada of California” there is no “single address” for the destination. When visiting the park, old-school maps and park-provided directions will be most helpful.

Visitors coming from San Francisco can expect the drive into Yosemite to take around four hours. If you’re coming from Reno, the drive will take between four and six hours. For help planning your trip, check out Yosemite’s driving directions hub for more detailed information. This resource even includes tips for driving between sites within the park.

Snow by a river with a rocky canyon in the background and the moon overhead.
Photo by Anita Ritenour

What to do in Yosemite?

Curious tourists will find endless things to do in Yosemite National Park. Sightseers can explore a variety of gorgeous overlooks and marvel at the majesty of El Capitan or the serenity of the Merced River. Hikers will feel on top of the world during a Half Dome Hike and can enjoy fall color on Valley Loop Trail. Rock climbers can also find fun adventures at Yosemite. Try a crack climb at Merced River Canyon, go alpine climbing at Cathedral Peak, or do a trad climb up El Capitan. This guide will point you toward even more climbing options at Yosemite.

That’s not all Yosemite has to offer, though. Scenic drives, wildlife viewing, biking, fishing, stargazing, and more make the park paradise for active travelers. Yosemite also ranks as one of the top 10 most accessible national parks, so everyone can join in on the fun.

A gray mountain.
Photo by docentjoyce

What to see in Yosemite National Park?

Now that you know some of the activities available at Yosemite, let’s dive into the incredible things you’ll see when you visit. With 1,200 square miles of wild beauty, Yosemite National Park has a lot of sights to see. Here are a few of the park’s most iconic landmarks to look out for:

  1. El Capitan
  2. Half Dome
  3. Bridalveil Fall
  4. Glacier Point
  5. Mariposa Grove
  6. Merced River
  7. Tunnel View
  8. Tuolumne Meadows
  9. Yosemite Falls
  10.  Cathedral Peak

If you’re near Yosemite during February, you’ll also want to try catching a glimpse of firefall at Horsetail Fall. Here’s a glimpse of the magic you’ll be able to see there.

Water flowing off Horsetail Fall glows orange while backlit from the setting sun.
Photo by FREDERIC J. BROWN/AFP via Getty Images

What it’s like to explore The Narrows at Zion National Park

Discover The Narrows.

Zion National Park is one of the most beautiful places in America. It’s also one of the most visited national parks in the United States. As of 2022, the park ranked fourth on a list of the country’s most visited national parks.

So, what makes Zion National Park stand out against other beloved destinations, like the Great Smoky Mountains or the Grand Canyon? Well, while the park’s breathtaking sandstone rock formations certainly earn it a lot of love, hikers will tell you that their favorite parts of Zion are the magnificent trails. At spots like Angels Landing, hikers can challenge themselves to tackle a complicated trail and earn mind-blowing views for their efforts. Then, you have trails like the ones that pass through The Narrows of Zion Canyon. These treks present their own challenges and sights that make them irresistible to hikers. Here’s what you should know before visiting The Narrows at Zion National Park.

Have a sensational and scenic run in these 9 national parks

Explore the wilderness.

National parks are special places set aside to protect natural and historical resources. They’re also some of the U.S.’s most beautiful areas. Since President Ulysses S. Grant designated Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872, the number of national parks has risen to 63. But the National Park Service oversees a total of 428 national park units. This number includes categories like national historic sites, national seashores, national monuments, and national scenic trails. Many of these are ideal places for runners to enjoy diverse landscapes in places with little or no auto traffic. Here are a few of the best national parks for runners.

Elephant seal’s parking effort called out by NPS

“When you pull into a spot, aim straight for the middle. Pulling too far forward into a spot could result in taking up two spots unnecessarily.”

A National Park Service employee recently captured an image showing a northern elephant seal resting in a parking lot at Point Reyes National Seashore.

Anyone who is fanatical about perfect placement between the lines will note that the seal could have been more considerate by inching a few feet to its left.

The NPS cleverly made light of the situation via Instagram:

“Ex-seal-lent parking job. Well, almost.

“A little on the line there, bud. When you pull into a spot, aim straight for the middle. Pulling too far forward into a spot could result in taking up two spots unnecessarily. Skirting the line can also impact your neighbor being able to open their door or how hard they will “accidentally” bump your car. Awkward.”

More seriously, the NPS continued: “Always a best parking lot practice: drive slow, stay alert, make eye contact with pedestrians (or seals) to acknowledge their presence, not in a creepy way, and expect the unexpected at all times (like seals).”

Northern elephant seals are a popular attraction at Point Reyes National Seashore, especially during the winter with so many animals hauled out for the birthing and mating season.

–Image courtesy of NPS/K. Hernandez

This year, celebrate Christmas at these 3 national parks

Spend Christmas at a national park.

For many people, Christmas conjures up images of home, family, and traditions like gathering in front of a cozy fireplace hung with stockings. However, lots of folks don’t have a big family they want to spend time with or a house with a fireplace. Instead of feeling like you’re missing out on a perfect holiday, you can start a new tradition this holiday season. Consider spending time in one of America’s beautiful national parks. Stunning parks across the United States invite visitors to go for a hike, enjoy fresh air, and appreciate scenic beauty. This winter, stay at one of these three properties offering festive activities near national parks.

A hotel lodge sitting room with a Christmas tree and presents by a fireplace.
Grand Hotel at the Grand Canyon. / Photo courtesy of Xanterra Travel Collection

Celebrate the National Park Service with these fabulous gifts

Find great park-themed presents.

In 1872, the United States became the first country to create a national park: Yellowstone. Over the next four decades, various government entities oversaw the country’s parks, monuments, and reserves, including the Departments of Agriculture, War, and the Interior. Then, in 1916, the National Park Service was born. It’s grown to be America’s favorite public agency. Now, the National Park System has 423 sites, 63 of which are full-fledged parks. The rest fall into categories like national monuments, seashores, trails, recreation areas, and historic sites.

Do you have a park lover on your holiday shopping list? These gift ideas will keep fond memories of hikes and views top of mind year-round.

8 wild animals and plants you can discover at Saguaro National Park

Meet snakes, cacti, and more.

Desert landscapes are more diverse and vibrant than you may think. These unique ecosystems are more than just hot weather and scorpions in the sand. Few places prove this point better than Tucson, Arizona’s Saguaro National Park.

At first glance, this park may seem like your average desert. Dust, rocks, and cacti cover the land. But the longer you look, the more you’ll see. Flowers bloom from the cactus plants. Tortoises snack on prickly pears. Saguaro National Park is alive with a world of fascinating plants and animals. Get to know a few of these species in this photo guide to the park’s wildlife.

Live the RV life at these 10 gorgeous camping destinations

Hop in for an RV adventure.

How do you balance road-tripping with the comforts of home? More and more Americans are doing so with RVs. Approximately 20 million will go RVing this holiday season, a 30% increase over 2022, according to the RV Industry Association Holiday Travel Intentions Survey. Not only will you feel more at home, but so will your pets. About 60% of RVers will bring their pets on holiday this season. Fido will thank you for not leaving him behind in a kennel.

Don’t have your own RV? No problem. With RV rental platform RVezy, you can book an array of experiences. Get some travel inspiration with this list of 10 rentals you can book at beautiful and outdoorsy RV camping destinations across the country.

The best things to see and do at Lassen Volcanic National Park

Explore this park’s volcanoes.

If the classic baking soda volcano science fair project sparked a lifelong interest in volcanoes for you, then Lassen Volcanic National Park is a must-visit destination. There are four main volcano types (composite, cinder cone, shield, and plug dome). Lassen features all four.

“The greater Lassen area has been volcanically active for about three millions years,” the park explains. “While the area sleeps now, steam vents, boiling springs, and bubbling mudpots remain active–direct evidence that the volcanic center still smolders. No one can say when or where the next eruption will occur. We can only say that it will.”

Learn more about the park’s explosive history by visiting. And when you go, let this list of the best things to see at Lassen Volcanic National Park help guide your trip.

You’ll be surprised by what you can find at Kobuk Valley National Park

Explore remote Alaska.

Where can you see sand dunes, streams, and mountains all in one place? Did you guess Alaska? If not, it’s high time you discover the beauty of Kobuk Valley National Park.

Located in the remote Alaskan wilderness, this park is only accessible via aircraft, watercraft, and snowmobile. With no roads, campgrounds, or trails, Kobuk Valley is most suited for backcountry adventurers who know how to handle rugged conditions. As the park explains, “For visitors with the right skills and gear, it’s a trip of a lifetime.”

Tourists who aren’t ready to battle the elements can still enjoy Kobuk Valley, though. Local charter companies offer flightseeing tours over the park that give guests an aerial view of the region. Get a sneak peek at the sights you can see there in this stunning photo guide.