Yosemite National Park
Established October 1st, 1890
Size: 748,542 acres, or, 1,169 square miles;
94% of the park is designated wilderness.
Address: P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park, CA 95389
Campsites: 1,445 individual sites parkwide
Overnight Accommodations: 1,729 units
Paved Roads 360 miles
Developed Trails: 800 miles
Wildlife Species (approximate)
Amphibians & Reptiles – 40
Birds – 242
Fish – 11
Mammals – 77
Flora Species:
Flowering Plants – 1,400
Trees – 37
Highest Peak:Mt. Lyell 13,114 ft.
Geographic Center of the Park: Mt. Hoffmann
Highest Paved Pass in the Sierra:
Tioga Pass, 9,945 ft.
Major Park Lakes: 318
With Fish – 127
Without Fish – 191
Rivers & Streams: 880 miles
Park Speed Limit: 45mph (unless otherwise posted)
Yosemite’s Ten Highest Peaks
Mt. Lyell – 13,114 ft
Mt. Dana – 13,053 ft
Kuna Peak – 13,003 ft
Rodgers Peak – 12,978 ft
Mt. Maclure – 12,960 ft
Mt. Gibbs – 12,764 ft
Mt. Conness – 12,590 ft
Mt. Florence – 12,561 ft
Simmons Peak – 12,503 ft
Excelsior Mountain – 12,446 ft
Entrance Fees
Private Non-commercial Vehicles – $20
Bus Passengers, Bicyclists, and Persons on Foot or Horseback – $10
Annual Yosemite Pass – $40
National Parks Pass (good at all national parks for one year
from purchase date) – $50
Golden Eagle Hologram for National Parks Pass (covers entrance fees at other federal sites) – $15
Golden Age Pass (a lifetime pass for US citizens 62 years and older): one time issuance fee – $10
Golden Access Pass (for blind or permanently disabled U.S. citizens or permanent residents) – Free
TDD Phones
These allow the hearing impaired with their own TDDs to call the park directly
National Park Service Information (209) 372-4726
Room Reservations (559) 255-8345
Camping Reservations (888) 530-9796
Important Yosemite Phone Numbers
Unless otherwise noted, all phone numbers are for the (209) area code
Camping Reservations 1-800-436-7275
International Callers (301) 772-1257
Dental Clinic 372-4200
High Sierra Camp Reservations (559) 253-5674
Lost and Found 379-1002
Medical Clinic 372-4637
National Park Service 372-0265
Park Information (Recorded) 372-0200
Room Reservations (559) 252-4848
Visitor Center, Big Oak Flat 379-1899
Visitor Center, Tuolumne Meadows 372-0263
Visitor Center, Yosemite Valley 372-0299
Wawona Ranger Station 375-1416 or 375-9520
Weather and Road Information 372-0200
Wilderness Reservations 372-0740
Yosemite Bookstore 379-2648
Yosemite Valley Weather Data
Jan Max Temp: 49 Min Temp: 26 Rainfall in inches: 6.2
Feb Max Temp: 55 Min Temp: 28 Rainfall in inches: 6.1
Mar Max Temp: 59 Min Temp: 31 Rainfall in inches: 5.2
Apr Max Temp: 65 Min Temp: 35 Rainfall in inches: 3.0
May Max Temp: 73 Min Temp: 42 Rainfall in inches: 1.3
Jun Max Temp: 82 Min Temp: 48 Rainfall in inches: 0.7
Jul Max Temp: 90 Min Temp: 54 Rainfall in inches: 0.4
Aug Max Temp: 90 Min Temp: 53 Rainfall in inches: 0.3
Sep Max Temp: 87 Min Temp: 47 Rainfall in inches: 0.9
Oct Max Temp: 74 Min Temp: 39 Rainfall in inches: 2.1
Nov Max Temp: 58 Min Temp: 31 Rainfall in inches: 5.5
Dec Max Temp: 48 Min Temp: 26 Rainfall in inches: 5.6
Wilderness Regulations
Group Size:
Maximum group size in the Yosemite wilderness is 15 people on trails and 8 people maximum for any off-trail travel.
Campsite Location:
Please use existing campsites at least 100 feet from lakeshores and streams to minimize pollution and vegetation impact. Camp four trail-miles from Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, White Wolf, Hetch Hetchy, and Wawona, and at least one trail-mile from any other road.
Human Waste
Bury human waste six inches deep in a small hole at least 100 feet from any lake, stream, or camp area. Toilet paper should be burned or packed out.
Garbage
Pack out all garbage (no exceptions). Do not bury garbage, scatter organic waste, or leave foil in campfire sites.
Fires
Use gas stoves rather than wood fires. Wood fires are not permitted above 9,600 feet due to firewood scarcity. Use only existing fire rings and dead and down wood in areas below 9,600 feet.
Pets
Dogs and other pets are not allowed in the Yosemite wilderness.
Soap:
Putting soap, including bio-degradable soap, or any form of pollutant into lakes or streams is prohibited. Discard wash and rinse water at least 100 feet from water sources.
Firearms:
Firearms are not permitted in the wilderness.
Wilderness Tips
Visit the Wilderness Center
At the Wilderness Center, just east of the Visitor Center on the pedestrian mall in Yosemite Valley, detailed information is available about the park’s wilderness, there are educational displays, a trip planning section is provided, and guidebooks, maps, and backpacker supplies are offered for sale. For additional information, visit the NPS wilderness information website at nps.gov/yose/wilderness
Key Phone Numbers
Wilderness permit reservations (209) 372-0740
Current wilderness conditions (209) 372-0307
For more information about making reservations or obtaining a permit call (209) 372-0310
Treat the Water
Unfortunately, microscopic organisms known as Giardia lambilia are present in wilderness lakes, rivers, and streams. They can cause illness (sometimes quite severe), so you should not drink from these sources without first treating the water. Your options are to boil it for three minutes, to use a chemical disinfectant, like iodine or chlorine (less effective than boiling), or to use a Giardia-rated water filter available from outdoor equipment stores, at the Wilderness Center, or from the Yosemite Store online.
Get Acclimatized:
Many wilderness trips begin at elevations much higher than you may be accustomed to and then go even higher. It’s a good idea to arrive a day early to let your body adapt to the thinner air. Don’t over-exert, and drink plenty of fluids to avoid altitude sickness.
Bear-Proof Your Campsite
Yosemite’s black bears are clever and very persistent. If you fail to set up your camp and store your food properly, your whole trip can be ruined. Always follow these six steps:
1. Use the food storage boxes at your trailhead for keeping any food that you will not be taking on your backpack trip. Never leave food or food-related supplies in vehicles left overnight at trailheads.
2. Store your food in a bear-resistant food storage container. Weighing just 2.9 pounds and holding from 5 to 7 days worth of food for one person, the canisters are strongly encouraged by the National Park Service, and required above 9,600 feet. They are for sale and rent at the Wilderness Center, the Curry Village Mountain Shop, and the Village Sports Shop in Yosemite Valley, at the Crane Flat Store, at the Tuolumne Reservation Cabin and the Mountaineering School in Tuolumne Meadows, at the Wawona Information Station and the Wawona Store, at the Big Oak Flat Information Station, and at the Hetch Hetchy Information Station.
3. Hang your food and anything with an odor as instructed by the NPS if you don’t use a canister. Hang pots and pans from food bags as an alarm. Sleep 20 to 30 feet from where you hang items so you can hear the bear and scare it away as quickly as possible.
4. If a bear approaches your camp, act immediately to scare it away. Yell and make as much noise as possible. Throw small rocks no larger than golf balls at the bear. Make noise and chase the bear. Multiple people chasing a bear increases effectiveness.
5. Always maintain a distance. Do not advance on a bear that appears to feel threatened or cornered by you. Do not attempt to retrieve food or gear from a bear until the item is abandoned.
6. Food taken by bears is your responsibility. Please clean up and report all bear damage to a ranger. Improper food storage can result in the killing of conditioned bears, personal injury, and property loss. Please do your part to keep Yosemite’s bears wild.
