About Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains and just minutes from Tenaya Lodge, and is open 24 hours a day.

It’s famed for its giant, ancient sequoia trees, and for Tunnel View, the iconic vista of towering Bridalveil Fall and the granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome. In Yosemite Village are shops, restaurants, lodging, the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, with prints of the photographer’s renowned black-and-white landscapes of the area. It has an area of 3,027 square kilometers, and was established on October 1, 1890, the 2nd national park to be so designated in the USA. Elevations range from about 2,000 feet (600 m) to 13,000 ft (4,000 m). Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May (and over 75% between November and March). Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May. (Yosemite Valley can be rainy or snowy in any given winter storm.)

You can drive your car into and around Yosemite, though you are encouraged to use shuttles in some areas.

Yosemite Valley Shuttle System

The free Yosemite Valley shuttle system provides convenient access around Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite Valley shuttle
This bus provides service around eastern Yosemite Valley, including stops at or near all overnight accommodations, stores, and major vistas. This shuttle operates all year from 7 am to 10 pm.
El Capitan shuttle – out of service in 2018 until further notice –
This bus stops at El Capitan, Four Mile trailhead, and the Valley Visitor Center. This shuttle operates from mid-June through early October from 9 am to 5 pm.

Entrance Fees:

Non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats – $35.00. This fee is valid for seven days.

Motorcycle – $30.00. The fee is valid for seven days. Cost is per motorcycle (not per person).

Foot, bicycle, horse, or non-commercial bus or van with more than 15 passenger seats – $20.00. This fee is valid for seven days. People 15 years and younger are free. Cost is per person.

Commercial Tour (sedan up to six seats) – $25.00. The fee is $25 plus $15 per person.

Commercial Tour (van, 7-15 seats, regardless of occupancy) – $125.00

Commercial Tour (mini bus, 16-25 seats, regardless of occupancy) – $200.00

Commercial Tour (motor coach, 26 or more seats, regardless of occupancy) – $300.00

Entrance Passes:

Yosemite Annual Pass – $70.00. Annual pass providing free entrance to Yosemite for 12 months from the date of purchase.

America the Beautiful—National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Annual Pass – $80.00. Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for national parks and other federal fee areas, valid for 12 months from date of purchase. This replaces the National Parks Pass and Golden Eagle Pass.

Senior Pass – $80.00. Lifetime or annual admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents who are age 62 or older. An annual version of this pass, valid for 12 months, costs $20.

Access Pass – $0.00. Lifetime admission and discount pass for US citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities.

Annual Pass for US Military – $0.00. Annual pass covering entrance and standard amenity fees for all active US military personnel and their dependents, valid for 12 months from date of issuance. (For active duty military personnel and dependents with proper identification (CAC Card or DD Form 1173).)

Annual 4th Grade Pass – $0.00. Annual pass covering entrance fees for 4th grade students for 2018–2019 school year.