Episode Details

Join us in this weeks Travel Flashback Episode for an unforgettable journey to Yosemite National Park, an iconic natural wonder nestled in the heart of the central Sierra Nevada region in California.

The gem of California boasts towering granite cliffs, gorgeous tall waterfalls, and bear wildlife spotting! We’ve been to this park several times and have a different experience each time. It’s a beautiful park with plenty to see equally without hiking and through Half Dome, one of the hardest and longest permitted hikes not for the faint of heart. In this episode we share the waterfall hikes we did, where to stay in Yosemite National Park, and the best time of year to visit for open trails and chances of spotting old Smoky.

Tips for Visiting Yosemite National Park: 

• Download offline maps
• Get to the park early 
• Wear layers
• Wear hiking boots - lots of granite rocks, near the falls can be slippery 
• Pack plenty of water 
• Visit in shoulder seasons 
• ⁠Bring crampons ⁠
• Waterfalls are best in spring/early summer
• May need entrance reservations 
• Some of the roads close in the winter (October- May/June) 
• Check out our ⁠must have hiking essentials⁠

Where to Stay:

• Inside the park: ⁠The Ahwahnee⁠, ⁠Yosemite Valley Lodge⁠, & ⁠Curry Village⁠
• Outside of the park: ⁠Yosemite View Lodge⁠ & ⁠Wawona Hotel⁠

There are hiking trails in Yosemite for all skill and accessibility levels. We call this one of the best national parks to visit for sightseeing because you can see a lot of the waterfalls and impressive cliffs from the road. It's equally as amazing for the hiking trails in Yosemite that ascend to high peaks and overlooks.

Hiking Trails in Yosemite with Waterfalls

The Mist Trail (7 mi) - Takes you to Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. This trail mi