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.
Three BASE Jumpers Convicted for Base Jumping in Yosemite National Park
The National Park Service today announced three recent convictions for illegal BASE jumping in Yosemite National Park, underscoring the park’s commitment to visitor safety, resource protection and the enforcement of federal law.
Map of current fires as of September 16, 2025
Fire Update for September 16, 2025
Two small fires are burning in Yosemite and may be visible from various areas.
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.
Two tall waterfalls flowing down snow covered granite walls.
Photo by NPS / Cindy Jacoby
Upper Yosemite Fall and Merced River in spring
Photo by NPS Photo
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
El Capitan on left, Cathedral Rocks on the right, all covered in snow, low clouds and sun
Photo by NPS Photo
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