The Ultimate 3 Day Guide to Yosemite

I recently got to visit Yosemite National Park and I had so much fun exploring, just like I was a kid in a candy store. Yosemite has been on my bucket list for ages, yet I’ve never managed to fit it into my California travels. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to road trip the region and so many people recommended Yosemite. Let me tell you— it was so worth it. When it comes to nature, I’m a waterfall kind of gal and Yosemite was a waterfall wonderland. My inner child felt at peace. Of course, I had to share the experience with you so that you, too, can make this destination a reality for yourself!

Getting There

There are many airports in the areas surrounding Yosemite. Do some research to find the cheapest flight! Take note that Yosemite National Park is extremely large, so when mapping from the airport to the park, do not map to the entrance, map to Yosemite Valley, as this is where the majority of the sites are.

The closest airport is Merced, two hours away. Fresno is a close second at two hours and 15 minutes. The Sacramento and Oakland airports are just under four hours, and the San Fransisco Airport sits right at four. Although San Francisco is a bit further than other options, it is often the cheapest, because of its size

Alternatively, It was significantly cheaper for me to fly into Los Angeles from Houston than both Merced and San Francisco. I flew directly into Los Angeles and drove approximately 4.5 hours into Yosemite Park just after landing. It sounds brutal but the drive wasn’t bad at all. And trust me when I say it was absolutely worth it.

Flight costs will vary depending on your departure airport. Search flights HERE and find my guide to finding cheap flights HERE.

Campsites

Take it from me – Campsites MUST be booked months in advance. This last-minute or as I like to call myself *spontaneous* traveler had no idea. This was a last-minute trip so I got lucky with what must have been a cancellation the night before we arrived.

If you want to stay in the park, you should start booking campsites as soon as you know you’re going! You can book ahead of time on www.recreation.gov. You can find nearby campgrounds using apps like Kampgrounds of America, Reserve America, or Allstays. There are nearby hotels & Airbnb’s just outside the park if you prefer to stay in traditional accommodation.

Also, as of June 2021, visitors will now need a reservation to enter the park so make sure you book your spot ahead of time.

When to Go

If you want to see endless waterfalls, you’d need to visit in the Springtime. Summertime is obviously a prime time to visit, but you’ll have an increase in crowds and temperature. Waterfalls dry up by the end of summer, but fall will bring cooler weather and fewer crowds. Wintertime would obviously bring harsher weather, with many trail/road closures. I’m so happy that we visited during the springtime. I heard that Yosemite can feel a bit like Disneyland with the summertime crowds, so I’m glad we were able to avoid that.

REMINDER: YOU NOW NEED A RESERVATION TO ENTER THE PARK.