Fall Trip to Yosemite National Park

As the summer draws to a close and the fall season nears, it is time to start planning for your fall trip to national parks. Yosemite National Park is your ideal place for a fun-filled fall trip. It boasts famous cliffs, beautiful waterfalls, awesome rock formations and serene environment perfect for a fall hiking and camping getaways. Below are tips for fall visit to Yosemite National Park.

Hiking Trails in Yosemite National Park: Any way you walk, you are bound to see nothing but beauty in Yosemite Park. If you are a lover of wildflowers, you will love these hiking trails as you take an autumn walk around the park. Cook's Meadow Loop in the valley is an easy trail which turns icy or snowy in winter. But not to worry in the fall. This short walk allows you get stunning views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Royal Arches. Starting from the visitor center at shuttle stop 5 or 9, walk your way west through the bike trail heading to Lower Yosemite Fall. When you reach shuttle stop 6, cross the street and follow bike path to the left. You will approach Sentinel Bridge where you are yet to enjoy immaculate view of the Half Dome.

Other hiking trails include Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona and Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, and Hetch Hetchy. To kike the 3.5 miles of Wawona Meadow Loop, start at the Wawona Hotel and walk across the gold course on the pave road. Make a left on the first unpaved road. You will enjoy the scents of beautiful wildflowers in this meadow.

Campgrounds in Yosemite National Park: there are 13 campgrounds in Yosemite. Most sites cost $10 (some cost more) per night. Each campsite is equipped with fire ring, picnic table, vault toilet, and food locker. Stream water is available but is highly recommended that you boil and filter it or use iodine to treat before drinking it. Some campgrounds are open through fall including Porcupine campground which open through October 15^th. Lower Pines Campground, located near Curry Village, is open through October, but cost $20 per night. Upper Pine Campground is open all year, with reservation required from March to November. After that, it is available on first come first served basis.

Fall Activities in Yosemite National Park: there are plenty of activities this fall at Yosemite. You can bike, hike, go bird watching, see hundreds of massive sequoia in the grove, watch the sunset from Glacier Point rising above 3,000 feet above the valley, take a tour with a park ranger, travel on a horse-drawn stage ride as you get historic lessons about early Yosemite, visit the Yosemite Museum, take a photography class, and much more.

Fall Wildlife Experiences in Yosemite National Park: extensive wildlife experience can happen here at Yosemite. There are over 165 species of birds to watch, fishing, backpacking, horseback riding, swimming, rafting, and more. Be sure to follow the regulations of the department of park services when fishing or dealing with wildlife. Season for fishing is end of April through November 15^th.

Other helpful information for Yosemite National Park: The Park is open year round, 24 hours a day. No reservation is required to enter the park, but for camping and lodging you may need reservation depending on when you go and which part. There is vehicle pass fee of $20 good for a week. Individuals on foot, on motorcycle, bus, or horse pay $10 for a week. You can get an annual pass for $40. For campground reservations call 877-444-6777 or go to www.recreation.gov. For lodging call 801-559-5000 or go to www.yosemitepark.com From September 9 through October 13, 2009, there are scheduled events and activities in a brochure which can be found at http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/upload/yg09-7.pdf . There are outdoor adventures and free art classes, even religious and church services are available. Enjoy!

Sources:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/index.htm