First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is one of the most visited parks in the National Park System with over 3 million visitors each year. Many visitors to the park spend their time touring the valley and heading to popular destinations, like Tunnel View and Glacier Point, but I'm here to tell you—it's a very big park.

There are plenty of activities outside of the valley that will make you forget you're in such a bustling park. In this chapter, we'll discuss what you need to know about the park, activities to try and more.

Where to Stay

I find that deciding where to rest your weary self after a long day of exploring a national park is one of the most important decisions in making the most of your trip. Whether you like to camp, are up for a rustic cabin stay or prefer more upscale accommodations, Yosemite has you covered on all fronts.

When visiting Yosemite, you'll want to consider proximity to activities and your tolerance for large crowds before booking your room or campsite. Accommodations in the Yosemite valley can book up quickly during peak seasons, and the valley tends to be a bit crowded—especially in the summer months.

• To find more information on camping in Yosemite, click here. If you'd like to learn more about backcountry camping and backpacking in the Yosemite Wilderness, you'll find that information here.
• For hotels, lodges and cabin information, click here.

You may also want to consider vacation rentals. Yosemite has allowed some vacation home rentals within park boundaries, which means there are more lodging options close to many of the fun activities in the park!

• To search vacation rentals in and around Yosemite, click here.

Finding Adventure

Looking to get out and explore what Yosemite has to offer? No matter what type of activities you enjoy, Yosemite has something for every adventurous soul. You may want to start by planning out your activities by location, since the park is so vast. You can check out the various sections of the park here.

Some of my favorite adventures include:

• Hiking from Glacier Point Road up to Taft Point.
• Stopping at Glacier Point to marvel at Half Dome and the valley below.
• Taking the Tioga Road to the Tuolumne Meadow area and hiking up to the Cathedral Lakes.
• Heading into Yosemite Valley to take in a few magnificent waterfalls.

To learn more about all of the incredible number of sights to see and things to do in Yosemite National Park, visit the official website here.

Scenic Drives

If you're interested in touring Yosemite by car or motorcycle, you won't be disappointed. Driving through the groves of lush trees and alongside the towering granite walls of Yosemite Valley can be just as rewarding as going for a hike.

A few favorite scenic drives include:

• The Tioga Road (Highway 120): Be sure to stop and take in the beauty of Tenaya Lake (pictured above), Olmstead Point and Tuolumne Meadows.
• Yosemite Valley: Though traffic can be a bit much throughout the valley, a slow drive through the lower elevations of the park gives you an interesting perspective of the just how massive (in both area and elevation) the park really is.
• Glacier Point Road: Even if you're not interested in tackling the hiking trails in the area, you don't want to miss out on the beauty you can see from the road.

If you do decide to go for a drive, make sure you've got plenty of gas in the car, carry your maps with you and bring lots of water and road trip snacks!

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Ready to take a look at another incredible park? Let's head to Glacier National Park in Montana...