Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things.

Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large subalpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley.

 Directions 

Plane - Several airlines serve Fresno Yosemite International (off of Hwy 41), the Merced Air Terminal (off of Hwy 140), and the Modesto Airport (off of Hwy 120).

Car - There are five entrances to the park:

-South entrance on Highway 41 north from Fresno

-Arch Rock entrance on Highway 140 west from Merced

-Big Oak Flat entrance on Highway 120 west from Modesto and Manteca

-Hetch Hetchy Entrance (to Hetch Hetchy Valley)

-Tioga Pass entrance on Highway 120 east from Lee Vining and Highway 395. The Tioga Pass entrance is closed from the first major snowstorm in November until late May to early June due to snow. All other park entrances are kept open all year, but may require tire chains because of snow any time between November and April.

**Visitors may drive into and around Yosemite Valley. Reservations are neither required nor available to enter the park.**