Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited attractions in the United States with over 3 million yearly visitors. The park is most famous for its magnificent waterfalls and lots of hiking trails. While hiking is a popular thing to do here, there are other amazing things one can do to enjoy an amazing adventure at the park and these are some of the most popular ones not to miss out on.
12 Check Out The Yosemite Museum
The Yosemite Museum is located within Yosemite National Park and it presents an extensive collection of artifacts and materials about Yosemite’s Miwok and Paiute people who once inhabited the area. The museum is located close to the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and visitors will find art displays and demonstrations depicting the rich culture of these people who lived here for thousands of years.
11 Climb Some Rocks
Rock climbing is one exciting thing to do at Yosemite as the park is endowed with lots of rocks suitable for climbing. While there are other rocks such as - Stalwarts and Half Dome, El Capitan remains the most popular and probably the most difficult climb one will experience here.
10 Take A Scenic Drive On Tioga Road
Hiking can be challenging sometimes which is why one has to sometimes put away the hiking boots and hop on a vehicle to explore this park on wheels. Tioga Road in Yosemite is one of the best road trips travelers can experience in Yosemite as it offers just as much scenery as one gets to enjoy while hiking on the trails. The road which stretches for over 60 miles rises to an elevation of approximately 10,000 feet and takes travelers through views of impressive rock, lush forests, and beautiful lakes towered by snow-capped mountains.
9 Explore The Birds At The Park
Over 165 species of birds inhabit Yosemite National Park while the park also occasionally welcomes up to a hundred more migratory ones. Some popular ones to watch out for include - The northern pygmy owl, steller’s jay, acorn woodpecker, and ravens. These birds are usually seen in the forestry and quiet parts of the park and the best time to see them is the early hours of the day.
8 See The Park's Waterfalls
Yosemite is particularly famous for its numerous waterfalls, many of which present impressive scenery with their splashing water, surrounding trees, and stunning rocks. While many of these waterfalls can be easily seen from a distance, a little hike is usually required to get the best views of the natural attraction.
7 Happy Isles Nature Center
Visit Happy Isles Nature Center to learn about the fauna and flora of Yosemite National Park. The nature center presents interesting exhibits, interactive displays, and art workshops that are aimed at revealing much about the ecosystem of this massive natural area.
6 Go Fishing
Fishing in Yosemite National Park is a wonderful experience. The serenity and scenery surrounding the rivers and streams make it relaxing and exciting. The abundance of fish also means that one will never leave the water without a catch. To enjoy this experience in Yosemite, a fishing license is necessary and the park also has regulations that must be followed.
5 Explore The Wildlife
Yosemite with an area of 759,620 acres, is filled with an abundance of Wildlife from land mammals to birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fishes. Sights of animals such as Mule deer, Mountain Coyote, black bear are common to see on land while amphibians such as Sierra newt, Pacific treefrog, and fishes can be seen on the park's various water bodies.
4 Camp In Nature
Yosemite features lots of campgrounds that offer some great opportunities for camping. The campgrounds offer scenic views of the mountainous landscape as well as views of the impressive skies which are perfect for stargazing at night. Tents and RVs are allowed at Yosemite National Park although RVs are only allowed at designated campsites.
3 Cool Off With A Swim
The rivers and lakes in Yosemite are super clean and refreshing making them great for swimming. Some of the best places to swim are Tenaya Lake, Merced River, and Carbon falls. While the experience is exciting, there are no lifeguards nearby hence swimmers might need to have life jackets on and be cautious of the river's waves.
2 Ride A Bike Through The Trails
With over 12 miles of paved bike paths at Yosemite National Park, biking is an exciting thing to do here. Just like road tripping through the park in a car, biking also offers an easier and faster way to see much of Yosemite without the need to engage in any challenging trek. Bikes are available for rent within the park and travelers are also allowed to bring in their bikes.
1 Float On A River
The rivers and lakes in Yosemite National Park are excellent stages for boating, kayaking, canoeing, and whitewater rafting. The floating experience here offers amazing scenery and peace although some come with an amazing thrill so it really depends on one's preference. Merced River offers a more scenic and thrilling experience while Tenaya Lake presents a more serene atmosphere for a peaceful float.