Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park encompasses nearly 1,200 square miles of granite cliffs, ancient giant sequoias, and cascading waterfalls in the Sierra Nevada mountains of central California. The park is world-renowned for iconic landmarks like El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, along with pristine wilderness areas that comprise 95% of the park. Established in 1890, it was one of the first wilderness parks in the United States and remains a symbol of the national park idea. The park supports incredible biodiversity across its varied elevations, from chaparral and oak woodlands at lower elevations to alpine areas above 10,000 feet. Home to over 400 vertebrate species including black bears, mountain lions, and over 260 bird species, Yosemite's ecosystems range from mediterranean-climate valleys to high-country meadows and pristine lakes. The park protects five of the world's tallest waterfalls and some of the largest living things on Earth - the giant sequoias. Yosemite employs comprehensive conservation strategies including wilderness restoration, wildlife corridor protection, and visitor impact mitigation programs. The park manages over 4 million annual visitors through reservation systems, shuttle services, and sustainable infrastructure development. Ongoing research programs monitor air quality, wildlife populations, and climate change impacts while restoration efforts focus on meadow rehabilitation and native species recovery.

Water Features

Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, Merced River, Tuolumne River

Ecosystem

This destination features a mountain & alpine ecosystem.