YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK – Travel Guide for first-time visitors (watch before you go!)

Yosemite National Park is one of the most breathtaking and magnificent destinations on earth. This video is the perfect guide for any first-time visitors planning a trip to Yosemite – I talk about the key things to plan in advance, lodging options, how to get around the park, and what to do on your trip!

I can't wait for you to experience this incredible place and I hope you found this video helpful! (if you did, please subscribe ❤️)

➡ Relevant links:

➡ Time Stamps:
0:00-2:09 – Intro
2:10-5:57 – Pre-Trip planning
5:58-7:59 – Lodging options
8:00-9:41 – Getting around
9:42-16:19 – What to do
16:20-17:29 – Safety
17:30-18:29 – Like & subscribe!

➡ ABOUT ME
My name is Crosby and I am a freelancer and blogger currently working remotely and traveling the USA in a travel trailer with my boyfriend, Dylan! After a few corporate jobs throughout college, I quickly realized that the 9-5 lifestyle wasn’t for me. So I built up my freelance business, saved a bunch of money, and went on a 2-month Colorado road trip where I lived in my car while traveling and working remotely. Now, I’m traveling full-time in a travel trailer and sharing everything I learn on YouTube!

Be sure to subscribe here on YouTube and follow me on Instagram for daily updates! Thanks so much for watching!

➡ MY CAMERA GEAR

#Yosemite
#YosemiteNationalPark
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#WhatToDoInYosemite
#YosemiteGuide

[CrosbyGraceTravels]

*2022 UPDATE: Starting May 20, 2022 through September 2022, day-use reservations will again be required to get into the park before 4 pm. If you have a Half Dome or wilderness permit, overnight lodging reservation, or camping reservation, you do NOT need a day pass. Day pass reservations go on sale for all arrivals May 20th through September 30th beginning on March 23, 2022 at 8 am PT.

[aliciarodriguez]

My favorite thing to do at Yosemite is the night star tour. They take you to a perfect spot, and they have a tarp layed out, and your guide ask you to lay on it and the stars look amazing!!! He even explains the stars and when I was there their was a meter shower, so amazing

[juanescobar]

I live in California and been there about 25 times. Yet every time, it feels like the first time as there is so much to see. Glad you got to see it.

[phila]

Well done guide for a first-time visitor, I'm impressed! When it reopens, the Sentinel Dome and Taft point trails will be accessible again. Sentinel Dome is hands down THE best view (of the easily accessible trails) in the park. You have to put in a little work (90% of visitors will never see it). It is way better than Glacier Point and you should plan to be there for sunset. Edit: Do NOT swim in the Emerald Pool! It can and has been DEADLY. Look it up.

[scottpound]

We went this weekend and I was blown away by how beautiful it was.

[brookemelendi]

Mom here! You captured our awe at this amazing place so well! A couple tips to add- we all picnicked at the Swinging Bridge park during our bike outing. Lots of ppl swimming there. We also hiked up to Mirror Lake and swam and relaxed there that day. It was hot so that cold water felt good! Can’t wait to go back with you and hike Half Dome💪

[licoseasmoraquesada]

I'm from of Costa Rica, I been in the USA 4 years ago, but I don't know Yosemite, it's a dream for me, thanks for the video .

[DylanGorman]

The quality of this video is unbelievable. Spectacular job babe!

[duainesullenberger]

Another home run for real. Feel like we're there with you. I believe these videos help show others who are battling lockdowns, depression and overall loathing, that there is a world of wild beauty still out there!!! Dont stop!!! Keep it rolling!!!

[yajura]

A lot of great information in this video. Thank you very much! After learning about Taft Point and Sentinel Dome through this video I did some research and found the following information :(



Glacier Point Road is closed
The entire Glacier Point Road is closed in 2022 to rehabilitate and improve the road. The only access to Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, and other Glacier Point Road destinations is via a long, strenuous hike. No water or toilets are available at Glacier Point.

[johnl]

Thank You Crosby for Sharing your visit and Family with us. You get so much in during the video, and all great tips. But for some of us that may never get a chance to go, you provide us with so much info and views it is amazing. Love the fact you tell us about your mistakes, only way to learn. Can't wait for the next one

[Mairrai]

Hi! I love your video, but I just wanted to point out that it's illegal to swim in Emerald Pools, as well as dangerous (per NPS).

[homerthompson]

I personally find August the best time since Tioga Pass Road will be open and stream crossings on hikes are way easier plus you're not dealing with snow on the high country trails. My favorite dayhike in the park, Clouds Rest, for instance will have easy stream crossings in mid to late August but if you go there in May or June when Tioga Pass Road just opens you could have a neck deep wade through the freezing cold outlet of Tenaya Lake on that trail per trip reports I have read from people who hike it early season. While coming in May or June when the waterfalls are raging is an unforgettable experience, August when you can do the hikes in the high country is pretty can't miss too whether it's for the best view of Half Dome you can get on a trail with the hike to North Dome, the impressive ridge with huge dropoffs on each side as you make the final push to the summit of Clouds Rest, the the views of both Clouds Rest and Half Dome from Mount Hoffmann, the views of Mono Lake one way and the Lyell Glacier the other from Mt Dana, etc. And those are all dayhikes, no need to backpack (though the backpacking is unreal too). I love camping at Tuolumne Meadows too, and spend a day or two at the backpackers camp to acclimate to altitude and do some dayhikes before doing backpacks there.

Also last time I was there it was 100 in the valley but a nice comfortable 75-80 or so in the high country off Tioga Pass Road, just a night and day difference.

Since you bring up safety, that Emerald Pool above Vernal Fall is very dangerous when the falls are roaring, and people get swept over Vernal Fall from time to time.

If you went to Sequoia already Mariposa Grove is really cool but not as impressive as the Giant Forest in Sequoia IMO. Fire is natural though and you'll see a ton of giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove with fire damage and a few even hollowed out from fire (the Telescope Tree is particularly impressive). When the NPS was trying to put out every fire for 100 years no new giant sequoias sprouted and it wasn't until they started letting fires go naturally again that new giant sequoias finally grew. If I remember right their cones have an adaptation that they won't release the seeds until there is fire so the saplings have a chance not being crowded out for light and rainfall. Forest fires are absolutely critical for keeping that forest healthy so don't think it's a bad thing when they have one.

And yeah Sentinel Dome is stunning. It's the hike I always recommend to people when I'm in the valley resupplying or grabbing a pizza and a beer as something with an enormous payoff that you definitely have to work for, but don't have to hike 10+ miles to see.

[erincafferty]

You’ve officially renewed my desire to go to Yosemite 🤩 also such a great video, Crosby! You can tell you really got a lot out of your trip there.

[lamineaim]

Being a true nature lover and a hiker I've never been to the US and Yosemite is on my top list of hiking spot I was truly happy when you said: I truly wish everyone get the chance to experience it once-in-a-lifetime thank you so much for such a lovely and touching words. I'm now a subscriber :) greeting from Algeria 🇩🇿

[lorena]

Get the pass at the entrance dont pay for shipping. That place is magical you are right at least once in your life you have to go there. We just came back from yosemite and i never get bored we always discover something new. Thank you for this video i will check some of this places next time we visit.

[ryanborron]

Places like Yosemite is truly what America was and is.

[jrrivera]

Thank you! You fueled our excitement with your video! Great info! We are first timers as well leaving tomorrow morning for Yosemite from Arizona. Peace n Love ✌️& ❤️

[tootsgrande]

Brilliant video. You've helped me plan my itinerary. Perfect. Bless you.

[joelheath]

I've been. It has been around 31 years, but I whole heartedly agree. Yosemite is HEAVEN! And I plan on taking my wife and kids next month.