Visiting Yosemite National Park with Kids

Please check the NPS site for the most up-to-date information for visiting Yosemite, including closures as well as reservations that may be required to enter the park.

Whether you’re traveling across town or across the country, planning a trip to a national park site with kids can be tricky. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) and our partner Travelodge® by Wyndham want to help you plan your family’s best national park trip yet by sharing information about parks from someone who knows them well. NPCA consultant and leader of NPCA’s Veteran’s Council Chris Marvin has extensively explored national parks with his kids over the past two years, spending countless hours researching spectacular destinations and developing itineraries for educational and enjoyable trips. Through his travels, Chris has learned – by plenty of trial and error – some best practices to ensure his kids’ national park visits are memories they’ll cherish. And in doing so, he lays the foundation for a future love of and appreciation for parks, so they too understand the importance of preserving them.

Protecting public lands is at the heart of NPCA’s mission, as well as our partnership with Travelodge – and we hope that by helping you plan a national park visit with your kids, they’ll be inspired to protect our parks, too.

Meet Chris & His Daughters

Hi, I’m Chris. I am an Army veteran who is sharing my legacy with my 10- and 12-year-old daughters through national parks. In 2021, our family began an epic three-year plan to spend a month visiting national parks each summer -– and to visit some others during the rest of the year. We’ve visited national parks across the country, exploring new trails, observing wildlife and educating the girls about the importance of park protection. In this guide, I’ll share details about our visit to Yosemite National Park, including some great recommendations on things to do with kids. In July 2022, we spent nine days and eight nights in Yosemite, hiking, riding and floating all over the Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadow and the High Sierra. 

Meet the Park

Located in California, Yosemite National Park is perhaps best known for its towering granite cliffs, cascading waterfalls and towering giant sequoia groves – it’s also home to hundreds of wildlife and plant species. Nearly 95% of the park’s 1,169 square miles are designated wilderness where black bears, bighorn sheep and deer roam and visitors can explore via more than 750 miles of trail. Established in 1890, the park’s spectacular features such as Yosemite Valley, El Capitan and Half Dome are just a few reasons why the park is one of the most celebrated national parks in the world.

Must-Visit Locations

We probably did more planning and research for Yosemite than any park we’ve visited. Because of its popularity, it requires a good amount of pre-planning; be sure you check out the NPS website to be sure you’re prepared before your trip. But don’t let this scare you away – each year, tons of families are able to enjoy much of what Yosemite has to offer, and it really does have a lot! While everyone is going to check out the Mist Trail, Lower Yosemite Falls and views of Half Dome and El Capitan (and you should too!), let us share with you some of the additional locations and adventures we discovered during our planning and visit. All in all, we determined that Yosemite is a very special place, and while in the park it’s crucial to simply stop and appreciate what’s around you, no matter where you are.

Explore the Valley on Bike

Traffic in Yosemite is infamously heavy. The best way to avoid a traffic jam is to rent (or bring) a bike and pedal your way through Yosemite Valley. There are plenty of bike trails and the slower pace allows you to enjoy the views even more. We loved the bike rental option so much that we did it on two separate days and still didn’t hit all the bike accessible trails. 

Family tips

• There are a number of bike rental spots in the valley and bikes can typically be rented for full or half days. Invest in the full day, because you’ll want that much time to explore! They even rent kids’ bikes and trailers for little ones.
• Bikes let you go where cars can’t, so find a secret swimming hole in the river or a quiet spot near a meadow for lunch and avoid the crowds. 
• Don’t forget to stop for ice cream or a snack at one of the many food locations throughout the valley – a perfect family excursion! 

Take a Dip in the Merced

If you visit Yosemite in summer, it can be hot! But rest assured that the water in the Merced River will still be quite cold, and this is just the respite you’re looking for on a sunny day. Whether you just want to stick your feet in and enjoy the view or you’ve recently finished a long hike and need to soak your legs, the river is a necessary destination. We found time to swim in the river every day that we were in the park – sometimes for an extended stay and sometimes for less than an hour. It was particularly fun to explore a few different spots and see which we enjoyed most. 

Family Tips

• The popular beaches are popular for a reason – typically they are sandy and have nearby parking – but don’t be afraid to explore your own locales. If it looks like a good spot, give it a try!
• More private spots are easiest to find via bike (see the previous recommendation), so when you start pedaling, don’t forget to pack a suit and towel. 
• When the water is at the right level (not too high, not too low) you can rent a tube and float down the river. It’s a great option because Yosemite has a free shuttle to take you back to your original launch spot. 

Appreciate the Park through Art

Yosemite has been a haven for artists for generations, inspiring photographers like Ansel Adams and painters like Thomas Hill and Albert Bierstadt. When you first see El Capitan or Half Dome, you too may be inspired to let your artistic side shine. We set aside a half day to walk into a meadow with an artist-in-residence as our guide to help us create landscapes with chalk pastels. 

• The Yosemite Conservancy offers daily art programs that typically meet at the visitor center and stroll to a picturesque location – be sure to book in advance!
• Take the family to Happy Isles. Not only is it a nice short hike, but there is an art center that offers exhibits and programming that the family will love. 
• If you need inspiration, just step into the Ansel Adams gallery in Yosemite Village and see displays from one of the greatest American photographers, who happened to do some of his best work at Yosemite.  

Yosemite Valley is the first land to be protected by the government, set aside as a place that belongs to all of us, setting the stage for national parks in the United States and around the world. Its majesty and grandeur cannot be explained in words. To appreciate Yosemite, you must visit. Give your family plenty of time to try all that this park offers, in the valley, along Tioga Road and in the Mariposa Grove. Our family is already planning our return trip to accomplish all we couldn’t get to in just one week and to repeat some favorites as well. Maybe we’ll see your family the next time we’re there! 

NPCA and Travelodge® by Wyndham hope this guide helps you plan your family’s next park site visit. Review our 10 Ways to Adventure Responsibly so your family adventure is not only an opportunity to make memories together, but also a chance to show your children how to be a responsible visitor. By learning and acting together, you’ll help ensure that these places are protected for families to enjoy for generations to come.

Follow Chris and his daughters on their park-to-park tour at www.parktoparktour.com and @parktoparktour on Instagram.