How To Do 4th Of July Week In Yosemite Right

Yosemite can be an amazing place to be on the 4th of July, no wonder it’s one of the busiest weeks of the season! If you want to make the best of your 4th of July week in Yosemite, make sure to plan ahead and take this advice into account!

• Find Parking as Early as Possible

  • Locals will tell you – avoid the Valley from 10am-4pm. If you’re not arriving early in the morning (at least by 8) or coming late into the evening your chances of finding parking can be slim to none. Parking in Yosemite Valley is very limited and is expected to fill early. Visitors coming to Yosemite during those peak hours should expect up to a 3-hour wait to enter and park their vehicles.

• Walk or Shuttle to Destinations Over Driving

  • There are so many options for getting into the park and getting around once you’re there!
    • Park your vehicle outside and use the Yosemite Area Regional Transit (YARTS) bus system to travel to Yosemite. YARTS picks up passengers at multiple locations in the surround areas! Visit www.yarts.com for more information.
    • Once inside the park –  use the FREE shuttle bus service, bike paths, and hiking trails to get around Yosemite Valley. One of our favorite ways to travel around Yosemite Valley is by bike! 

• Reserve a Centrally Located Campsite

  • Yosemite is huge – over 750,000 acres! There’s so much to do and see that if you’re lucky enough to get a campsite, make sure you’re going for something centrally located. The Valley has many options that will put you right in the center of the actions. However, if you’re looking for a more remote and peaceful weekend, we suggest campsites like Wawona, Crane Flat and Hodgen Meadows.

• Backpack Over Camp

  • If you’re like most visitors, you probably don’t have a campsite booked for the week. Even the first come, first serve options always fill early and while there are many other camping and lodging options in the gateway communities surrounding the park, we suggest getting away from all the noise by going backpacking! Wilderness permits are available the various Wilderness centers. Pack up your gear and go, or book a trip with Lasting Adventures to experience the Yosemite Backcountry!

• Don’t Try to Bring in Fireworks

  • Fireworks are strictly prohibited throughout the entire park. No celebration is worth the fine or potential destruction of our wild lands.

• Hike the popular hikes as early as possible

  • If there’s one thing we’re experts on, it’s the trail in Yosemite. A few hours can make the difference between having the trail to yourself and feeling like you’re walking in nature’s Disneyland. The early bird gets the worm after all right? Set those alarm clocks for 6 am (be on the trail by 8) and we promise you won’t regret it.

• Take Advantage of Yosemite’s 4th of July Traditions!

  • Let’s not forget to celebrate this wonderful Holiday! Check out local events such as the Yosemite Music Festival, BBQ Event at Tenaya Lodge, and “Independence Day Spectacular” in Mariposa County!

-Happy 4th Everyone! –