Yosemite National Park is famous for its granite walls, roaring waterfalls, and giant sequoias — but its wildlife is just as iconic. From black bears shuffling through meadows to mule deer grazing at dawn, Yosemite is home to an incredible variety of animals that thrive in its forests, rivers, and high-country wilderness.
Whether you’re joining a guided backpacking trip with Lasting Adventures or exploring the park on your own, here’s your guide to the animals that call Yosemite home — plus tips for observing them respectfully and safely.
The Most Common Animals You’ll See in Yosemite
Black Bears
Yosemite’s most famous residents are black bears, though their fur can be blond, cinnamon, or dark brown.
You’re most likely to see them early in the morning or around dusk, foraging for berries, acorns, insects, and anything left unsecured by humans.
Fun Fact: Yosemite’s bear management program is one of the most successful in the world, reducing human-bear conflict by more than 90% over the last few decades.
How to Watch Safely:
- Keep at least 50 yards away
- Store ALL food and scented items in bear-proof lockers or approved canisters
- If you see a bear on the trail, stay calm, give it space, and let it pass
Mule Deer
Often called “Yosemite deer,” these gentle animals are incredibly common in valley meadows and along forested trails. Their large ears (think mule-size) help them detect predators and stay cool in summer heat.
You’ll usually spot them:
- Grazing at sunrise or sunset
- Bed down in shady areas during hot afternoons
- Traveling in small groups
Coyotes
Coyotes are charismatic, intelligent, and far more curious than most people expect. You might see one trotting confidently along a meadow edge, or hear their yips echoing through the valley on summer evenings.
They’re not dangerous to humans, but should never be fed or encouraged to approach.
Ground Squirrels & Chipmunks
Cute? Absolutely.
Safe to feed? Absolutely not.
These tiny animals are responsible for a surprising amount of “wildlife incidents” because visitors feed them or leave food out. Feeding small animals leads to:
- Overpopulation
- Aggressive behavior
- Spread of disease
- Damage to natural ecosystems
But watching them from a distance? Always fun.
Harder-to-Spot Animals (But Worth Looking For!)
American River Otters
A wildlife-watcher’s jackpot.
River otters occasionally appear around the Merced River’s quieter bends, especially near early-morning pools. Look for ripples, smooth glides, and the distinctive “periscope” head pop above the water.
Pikas
Tiny, squeaky, high-country residents that look like a cross between a mouse and a rabbit. You’ll find them in rocky talus fields above 9,500 feet — the kind of terrain you reach on many of our Yosemite High Country backpacking trips.
Their signature call: a sharp, high-pitched “eep!”
Bighorn Sheep
The Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep population is small and extremely protected.
You’re unlikely to see them — but if you do, it will be on remote high ridges or alpine passes. They are an important conservation success story in the park’s extended ecosystem.
Marmots
Marmots are one of the most charming — and occasionally mischievous — animals you’ll encounter in Yosemite’s high country. These large, chunky members of the squirrel family thrive in alpine meadows and rocky slopes above 7,000 feet, making them common sightings on many of our High Sierra routes.
You’ll spot them sunbathing on warm rocks, whistling loudly to warn each other of danger, or waddling between burrows in search of plants, roots, and flowers.
Fun Fact: Marmots have a famous habit of chewing on gear (especially anything salty), so if you stop for lunch on granite slabs, keep your backpack close and closed!
Where You’ll Likely See Them:
- Tuolumne Meadows
- Cathedral Lakes area
- Vogelsang and the surrounding high passes
- Sunrise and Merced Lake basins
How to Watch Respectfully:
- Keep a healthy distance — marmots need space just like any wildlife
- Never feed them (their digestive systems are not built for trail snacks)
- Store gear away from burrows so it doesn’t become an unintended chew toy
Marmots are one of the high Sierra’s most iconic residents, and seeing one pop up on a boulder with its little whiskered face is a highlight for many first-time backpackers.
Birds You Might Encounter
Stellar’s Jays
Bright blue, bold, and loud — you’ll hear them before you see them.
Ravens
One of Yosemite’s smartest residents, capable of problem-solving, mimicry, and unzipping backpacks (yes, really!).
Peregrine Falcons
Once endangered, now a symbol of conservation success. Watch for them diving along Yosemite’s vertical cliffs at incredible speeds.
Great Gray Owls
Extremely rare and elusive. Yosemite is home to one of the largest populations of this sensitive species in California.
How to Observe Wildlife Responsibly
Wildlife viewing is one of the most memorable parts of exploring Yosemite — but it comes with responsibility. At Lasting Adventures, our guides model these best practices on every trip:
1. Give Animals Space
- 25 yards for most wildlife
- 50 yards for bears
- 100 yards for predators like mountain lions
2. Store Food Properly
Bears have incredible noses.
Use bear boxes or canisters — never rely on hanging food.
3. Don’t Feed Wildlife
Even a single snack can alter an animal’s natural behavior and shorten its lifespan.
4. Hike Smart
Make noise in dense vegetation, keep pets on leash, and always be aware of your surroundings.
5. Pack Out Everything
Including food scraps, orange peels, and microtrash. Animals will find — and learn to expect — anything left behind.
What to Do If You Encounter a Bear or Mountain Lion
Black Bear
- Stay calm
- Make yourself big
- Speak firmly
- Back away slowly
- NEVER run
If a bear approaches your food, make noise and stand your ground. Protecting food helps protect the bear.
Mountain Lion (Very Rare)
- Do not run
- Maintain eye contact
- Raise your arms
- Make yourself look large
- Back away slowly
- Pick up small children
Mountain lion sightings are extremely uncommon on front-country trails, and most lions avoid people.
Why Wildlife Encounters Are So Special
Yosemite’s wildlife adds magic to every adventure. Seeing a bear forage naturally, watching deer pick their way across a meadow, hearing coyotes sing at dusk — these are the moments that stay with you long after you’ve left the trail.
Whether you’re out for a day hike or venturing deep into the wilderness with our guides, every trip into Yosemite offers a chance to witness the park’s wild heart.
Ready to Spot Yosemite’s Wildlife for Yourself?
Join one of our guided day hikes or backpacking trips and experience the park with expert naturalists who know where animals in Yosemite thrive.