Although the Great Smoky Mountains NP is our favorite, Yosemite is where it all began. Yosemite was included in a 1975 conference trip to San Francisco. We arrived, took a trolly ride, got off and stepped into the woods. It suddenly felt like I could breathe, deep fresh air breaths. I looked at my husband who had felt the same way. Even though we could still see traffic in the distance, we felt like the only two people in this lovely wooded world. We returned home to Middle Tennessee and immediately purchased a pop-up camper trailer. Our children were 1 and 3 years old at the time. We continued to camp until they finished high school. They thought of Cades Cove as a second home. We all grew in our love of nature. My husband and I continued visiting National Parks; just not camping. Thank you Yosemite for opening our eyes to the wonders of nature and a lifetime of memories.
Sincerely,
Yosemite National Park
With its sculpted granite rock formations, towering ancient sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls, it's no wonder Yosemite is one of the most celebrated national parks in the world.
State(s): California
Established: 1890
“I love our parks. I have visited them in Alaska, Hawaii, Virgin Islands and many states from California to Colorado to Arizona to Florida to Maine. My sister and her family and both of our children and their families share that love. It all takes money to maintain trails, provide campgrounds and visitors centers. Passes such as we have help but donations are still needed.”
National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!
Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.
You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.
In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!
Here’s your unique story page link:
{{ storyUrl }}-
Greetings from Yosemite National Park
Snow-capped peaks, alpine lakes, and lush meadows. I was surrounded by these stunning views while hiking Gaylor Peak in Yosemite. The peak is accessible via a relatively short but steep hike, offering an exhilarating challenge for hikers like me who seek panoramic vistas of the Sierra Nevada. Higher up the…
-
Greetings from Yosemite National Park
Entering Yosemite National Park, I looked up through the sunroof to see The Nose, a wall climbing route on the world-famous summit El Capitan, and a path once thought impossible to scale, yet conquered since by a select few individuals. At that moment, I recalled Connor Herson, the youngest person…
Preserve Our Parks
Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.
Donate Now