Yosemite National Park

A hike up to Sentinel Dome rewards people with great views of the landscape around them.
Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows, ancient giant sequoias, a vast wilderness area, and much more.
Map showing location of park.
Yosemite National Park reports strong summer visitation numbers
Yosemite National Park closed out one of its busiest summer seasons in recent years this Labor Day holiday weekend. Visitation through August totaled 2,919,722 visits, an increase of seven percent compared to the same period in 2024 (2,727,496 visitors). With the exception of February when winter storms limited access, Yosemite’s 2025 monthly visitation numbers have outpaced 2024 numbers every month and the park is on track for one of the busiest years on record.
Yosemite National Park breaks ground on modernized wastewater treatment plant
Yosemite National Park celebrated a major milestone today in meeting its long-term infrastructure sustainability goals with the official groundbreaking for the new El Portal Wastewater Treatment Plant, a transformative $239 million investment funded through the Great American Outdoors Act’s Legacy Restoration Fund, which was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2020.
Fire Restrictions in Effect (2025)
Due to high fire danger and to reduce the number of human-caused wildfires, fire restrictions are currently in effect below 6,000 feet. Additionally, wood and charcoal fires are prohibited in Tamarack Flat Campground.
Yosemite National Park Announces Reopening of Tuolumne Meadows Campground Following Major Rehabilitation Project
Yosemite National Park is proud to announce the reopening of the Tuolumne Meadows Campground Aug 1, following the completion of a transformative three-year, $26 million rehabilitation project funded through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA).
Yosemite National Park will open all park campgrounds beginning this month
Yosemite National Park will open all 13 park campgrounds this summer, marking the first time since 2019 that all campgrounds have been open. These additional openings will add approximately 500 campsites available to the public for enjoying the park.
Upper Yosemite Fall and Merced River in spring
Photo by NPS Photo
Two tall waterfalls flowing down snow covered granite walls.
Photo by NPS / Cindy Jacoby
A rainbow over a mountain in the distance.
Photo by NPS / Bob Roney
A mountain reflecting in a lake.
Photo by NPS / Cindy Jacoby
A waterfall flowing down a granite cliff.
Photo by NPS Photo / Cindy Jacoby
Glaciated valley with vertical cliffs.
Photo by NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Mountains reflecting in water
Photo by NPS
Cluster of tall trees with cloudy sky.
Photo by NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Mountains surrounding a lake.
Photo by NPS
Granite dome with trace amounts of snow.
Photo by NPS / Cindy Jacoby
El Capitan and reflection in Merced River with some low clouds
Photo by NPS Photo/ Christine Fey
El Capitan on left, Cathedral Rocks on the right, all covered in snow, low clouds and sun
Photo by NPS Photo