Yosemite National Park is well known for its high concentration of waterfalls, and for its status as the most popular rock-climbing destination in the United States. First established in 1890, the park comprises nearly 760,000 acres in central California, and is bordered to the north and south by two national forests. Designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, Yosemite's granite domes, giant sequoia groves, and cascading waterfalls offer a breathtaking glimpse into a natural environment untainted by modernity or development. WorldMark Bass Lake is a serene resort destination that is conveniently located just 16 miles from Yosemite National Park. Yosemite Valley is the park's most famous section — home to key sites like El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls (the highest in North America), Yosemite Valley is the most visited section of the park. Yosemite's dozens of granite domes are major points of interest, several of which reach nearly 10,000 feet in elevation. The park contains three groves of ancient giant sequoia trees, which contain some of the largest and oldest trees in the world — the oldest tree in Yosemite is believed to be at least 3,000 years old! The Tunnel View is a popular scenic viewpoint, and the Tioga Road is a prominent byway offering alpine views, pristine lakes, and an abundance of wildflowers. Yosemite's more than 800 miles of hiking trails offer visitors the chance to view its many wonders from amazing vantage points. The park offers many opportunities for guided or structured activities, including nature walks, photography and art classes, stargazing programs, scenic tours, bike rentals, rafting, mule and horseback rides, and rock climbing classes. In the 1920s Ansel Adams' photographs put Yosemite on the map, and you can still visit his original photography studio and gallery in Yosemite Village (and it's still owned and operated by the Adams family). The Yosemite Museum was the first museum to ever be built in a national park, and the Yosemite History Center is a collection of historic buildings that were relocated from other areas of the park, for preservation and education, including a collection of pioneer homes, businesses, and barns. See these sights and more on Yosemite's year-round park shuttle, free of charge. Yosemite National Park is open to visitors year-round, but heavy snowfall causes road closures in the park's higher elevation areas for much of the winter and into spring. Spring is peak waterfall season, when the snowmelt from the mountains rushes down and creates massive water flows to the park's many falls. Summer is Yosemite's busiest season, and it's a great time for exploring and hiking the park's many trails. Fall is still an excellent time for hiking, with lower crowds than in the summer months, but by late October snowfall starts to make certain areas inaccessible. Winter is cold and snowy much of the time, but most of the trails in Yosemite Valley will still be open. Ice skating, snowshoeing, tubing, and skiing are the park's most popular winter activities. An entrance pass is required for entry into Yosemite National Park. Entrance passes can be purchased at time of entry at any of the park's five entrances. During peak season (mid May through September) entrance passes are good for three days, and for seven days all other times of the year. Additional options include an annual pass or a lifetime pass. Visitors with a permanent disability, active-duty military, military veterans and gold star family members are entitled to a lifetime entry pass free of charge. Reservations are required to enter or pass through Yosemite National Park during peak season, and must be made online in advance. Make sure you visit the National Park Service website, nps.gov, before your trip to Yosemite National Park. It's full of great information and useful resources that will help you to plan a memorable trip.
