When exploring Yosemite, it’s important to understand that it is a wilderness area and you will see all sorts of wildlife, perhaps even some of the more exotic if you’re lucky (or leave out your picnic basket!). If you’re the type of person who loves camping and being outdoors, go on an overnight, or several day, backpacking trip; hike up to the falls; try out some rock climbing,; go biking and generally enjoy the amazing beauty that is Yosemite.
If you’re a person who doesn’t really like nature or enjoys it from a distance, Yosemite still offers many great opportunities. Stay in the luxurious Yosemite lodge and stroll to the neighboring village to snag a snack or ice skate. Check out the mall museum and go on several guided tours detailing Yosemite’s fascinating history. There are also pools and Jacuzzis and any other number of amenities as well, so you can enjoy yourself whether you like nature or not.
Some must-see places in Yosemite include: El Capitan, one of the most famous rock-climbing areas in the world; Yosemite Falls, easily the highest waterfall in North America at 2,425 ft; Ribbon Falls, the longest single-drop water fall in the US at 1,612 ft.; the Giant Sequoia groves Mariposa, Tuolumne and Merced; Half Dome, one of Yosemite’s most recognizable landmarks and climbable for both hikers and rock climbers; the high country like Cathedral Range, Dana Meadows, the Clark Range and several others; Mount Lyell, the highest point in the park; and numerous other amazing sights.
Thus Yosemite truly has something for everyone and a plethora of awe-inspiring sights. If you have a chance, it’s worth a visit any season, but events like swimming and rafting are only available late spring through summer. In the winter, there’s cross country skiing, downhill skiing and snowshoeing, so fun activities are always available to all.