Adventure awaits at Yosemite National Park. Photo by Shayan Sanyal/CC BY 2.0

Planning your Yosemite National Park Family Vacation

Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park

The best time of year to visit Yosemite National Park is late spring and early fall, when there are fewer crowds, the weather is pleasant, and most areas and access roads are open. We visited in mid-April and the weather was great—around 60 degrees during the day, with plenty of sun and snow still on the tops of some mountains! Arrive as early as you can in the morning to avoid waiting in a long line of cars to enter the park (we learned that the hard way).

Yosemite National Park Hours

Yosemite National Park is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year! Note that the Hetch Hetchy Entrance Station is open only during daylight hours, and some roads are closed due to snow from around November through May or June.

How to Get Into Yosemite National Park

If you're entering the park in a vehicle, a $35 pass covers everyone inside. If you're entering on foot or bicycle, it costs $20 per person age 16 and older (kids under 16 are free). Annual passes are also valid. Or, click here to learn the dates of the Free National Park Entrance Days to get in free!

Note: A reservation for timed entry is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park between 6am and 2pm from May 24-26, June 15 - August 15, and August 30 - September 1. Book your reservation online for an extra $2.

Must-See Yosemite National Park Sights for Families

1. Yosemite Falls

At 2,245 feet, Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world and absolutely breathtaking. My entire family was mesmerized by it! To see it up close, hike the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, an easy one-mile loop to the base of the waterfall. My kids enjoyed standing on the footbridge and getting sprayed with water!

2. El Capitan

El Capitan is a massive, iconic granite rock formation that rises over 3,000 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. It was made even more famous in Free Solo, when Alex Honnold climbed it without a rope! Like mine, your kids will be satisfied watching harnessed climbers scale Half Dome from the safety of the ground.

3. Half Dome

Another Yosemite icon, this granite rock formation rising more than 4,700 feet above the valley floor is named for its appearance of being cut in half. Luckily, you can easily see it from many places in the park. For the best vantage points (and best Insta photos), head to Tunnel View or Glacier Point.

Stroll among the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove. Photo by Justin Vidamo/CC BY 2.0

4. Mariposa Grove

Located in the southernmost part of Yosemite, Mariposa Grove is the largest grove of Giant Sequoias in the park. It's home to over 500 of the majestic trees! You can take a free shuttle from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza near the South Entrance of the park, or you can take a two-mile hike each way on the Washburn Trail or the Mariposa Grove Road, which each have about 500 feet of elevation gain. The Mariposa Grove Road is only open from about mid-April through November to vehicles displaying a disability placard.

5. Mirror Lake

You can see reflections of the surrounding cliffs in this aptly named lake when the water is calm. It's prettiest in spring and early summer, when Tenaya Creek flows freely into it with fresh snowmelt. At other times of year, it may be completely dry. My kids really enjoyed hiking the Mirror Lake Trail, an easy to moderate trail that's two miles round-trip to the lake and back, plus a five-mile loop around the lake. We saw many families with younger kids on the trail, because you can do as much or as little as you'd like!

We made a pit stop in a meadow during our Valley Loop Trail hike to admire the beauty of El Capitan.

More Easy Yosemite National Park Hikes for Kids

6. Valley Loop Trail

This mostly level, 11.5-mile trail follows many of Yosemite Valley's early trails and wagon roads. Many parts of the trail take you through meadows, along the Merced River, and past some of Yosemite's most iconic sites. We did a portion of this trail absolutely loved it!

7. Bridalveil Fall Trail

It's only half a mile round-trip to on a paved trail to see Bridalveil Fall, a 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round (but heaviest in the spring).

8. Cook's Meadow Loop

This flat, one-mile loop offers fantastic views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and other sights. You can begin or end your hike at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, which has restrooms!

Other Kid-Friendly Activities at Yosemite National Park

9. Horseback and Mule Rides

Take a a two-hour round-trip ride on horseback or mule from Wawona Stables along the Valley Loop Trail. The flat terrain and easy pace make it doable for riders of all skill levels. Rides are offered at 8:30am and 12pm. Kids must be 7 years old and at least 55 pounds and 52 inches tall to ride.

10. Fishing

Most waters in Yosemite National Park are open all year for fishing (see here for restrictions). Note that everyone age 16 and older must have a valid California fishing license, which can be obtained online.

11. Biking

Yosemite Valley contains over 12 miles of paved bike paths. You can bring your own bikes or rent them at one of these locations. There's also a bike share program you can learn more about here.

12. Happy Isles Art and Nature Center

Visit this art and nature center at the eastern edge of Yosemite Valley for interactive displays, natural history exhibits, and drop-in art activities and workshops for kids. Happy Isles is open daily from 9am-4pm, April through October.

13. Water Activities

Swimming is allowed in most bodies of water in the park in the summer (see here for restrictions). Families can also enjoy boating and rafting on the Merced River (bring your own raft or rent one here in June and July) or kayaking on Tenaya Lake. Note: Kids must be at least 50 pounds to use a rental raft.

14. Ice Skating

Visiting Yosemite National Park in winter? The Curry Village Ice Rink is typically open late November through early March. Enjoy breathtaking views of Half Dome while you skate, then cozy up by the fire pit.

15. Junior Ranger Program

Kids can become a Yosemite Junior Ranger by grabbing a free handbook at one of the visitor centers and completing activities as they travel around the park. When they're finished, they can share their booklet with a park ranger at any visitor center to receive their badge!

Yosemite View Lodge is a serene place to stay just minutes from the park.

Where to Stay at Yosemite National Park with Kids

16. Yosemite View Lodge — El Portal

This hotel is located along the Merced River just minutes away from Yosemite National Park. Many rooms have mountain or river views, and there are family suites and apartments with kitchens and up to three bedrooms. Hotel amenities include indoor and outdoor pools, a fitness center, a laundry room, and a game room with billiards, corn hole, foosball, air hockey, and more.

17. Yosemite Southgate Hotel & Suites — Oakhurst

The Yosemite Southgate is a convenient place to stay with kids because it's only minutes away from Yosemite's South Gate entrance and is near many restaurants, including a Denny's next door. Swim in the on-site swimming pool in the warmer months or cozy up by the lobby fireplace in winter. The hotel offers a free continental breakfast daily, and Family Mini Suites can sleep five.

18. Rush Creek Lodge & Spa — Groveland

Located at the Highway 120 West entrance to Yosemite, this award-winning resort is like a little village. It boasts a pool, a general store, a restaurant and tavern, a Yosemite-inspired spa, daily on-site activities, a game room, an outdoor play area, local nature trails, and more. A variety of room, suites, and villas are available that can accommodate up to six guests.

19. Campsites

There are a variety of campgrounds throughout Yosemite National Park, but take note: reservations are required at all of them from roughly April through November, and they are extremely difficult to get! In late fall, winter, and early spring, there are three first-come, first-served campgrounds that fill up quickly, especially on weekends and holidays. From around July through mid-October, some campgrounds have reservations available two weeks in advance. Get all the info on how to reserve a Yosemite campsite here.

20. Curry Village

Want to stay in the park but don't want the full camping experience? Curry Village, located in the heart of Yosemite Valley, offers 60 cabins (46 of them with private baths), over 400 canvas tent cabins, and 18 standard motel rooms. Shops, restaurants, bike rentals, a pool, and more are all located within the village. Reservations open 366 days in advance and fill up quickly, so you'll need to plan way ahead if you want to stay here!

Tips for Traveling to Yosemite National Park with Kids

Dining Options

There are various food options inside Yosemite National Park. Centrally located in Yosemite Valley is Yosemite Village, which has a large grocery store called the Village Store. We bought sandwich supplies and snacks there and had lunch at one of the tables out front. Next to the store is the Village Grill, which is open seasonally and has lots of outdoor seating. It serves kid-friendly items like burgers and sandwiches. Also in Yosemite Village is Degnan's Kitchen, a deli offering breakfast and lunch that's open year-round. There are other kid-friendly dining spots in Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village.

Wildlife Viewing

Whether it's squirrels, deer, mountain lions, black bears, or any other animal, be sure to keep a safe distance from wildlife. If you bring food, be sure to store it inside your vehicle, out of sight, with the windows closed during daylight hours. After dark, use a food locker, which you'll find at Curry Village parking lots and nearly all trailhead parking areas. You'll even need to clear your car of crumbs, food wrappers, toiletries, and baby wipes. Otherwise, you'll risk attracting bears!

Staying Safe at Yosemite National Park

When hiking, always stay on marked trails, making sure to watch your step. Be sure everyone has plenty of water before starting a hike. It's also a good idea to bring a park map in case you lose cell phone service and need to find your way back.

Hike to the gorgeous Mirror Lake.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the weather like at Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite National Park covers almost 1,200 square miles in the Sierra Nevada, and elevations range from about 2,000 to 13,000 feet, so plan for temperature fluctuations. Temperatures also vary according to the time of day and the season. Yosemite Valley, for example, has an average high of 90 degrees Fahrenheit and a low of 57 degrees in July, while it has an average high of 49 and a low of 28 in January.

Yosemite receives 95% of its precipitation between October and May, with over 75% of it falling between November and March. Most of Yosemite is blanketed in snow from about November through May.

Q: Is there cell service and WiFi in Yosemite National Park?

Internet service is available to registered overnight guests of Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, and a couple of other hotels within the park. Computers with Internet access and WiFi are available to the public at two small library branches in the park. While Voice and 4G LTE data are available throughout the park, there are several areas with no cell service.

Q: What should I wear and pack when visiting Yosemite National Park?

Wear layers to allow for temperature fluctuations, and consider packing a hooded raincoat and an umbrella. Don't forget sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat, especially in summer. Sturdy hiking shoes are a must. It's also a good idea to pack a reusable water bottle for each person, snacks, and a first-aid kit are also essential.

Read More: 10 Best National Parks in the US for Kids

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