5 Ways to Avoid the Crowds in Yosemite National Park
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 9 ก.ย. 2024
- Yosemite National Park is one of the wonders of the world, but increased visitation is leaving people frustrated with long waits, horrible traffic, and less peace. Here are 5 ways you can avoid the crowds to have a better, more personal visit to the park so you can come home with happier memories and more beautiful photos.
This video was produced in partnership with Mono County Tourism. Follow them online for information and inspiration for visiting Yosemite and the Eastern Sierra Nevada mountains of California, one of the most breathtaking regions of the planet. You can also come say hi to me, since I live here! :)
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I lived in the park for three years as an employee and I can tell you that everything he said is 100% accurate and true.
Nice
Awesome! Do you think I can’t get a job in the store at half dome village?
@@hikecamptrekk1540 Park authorities are currently looking for someone to scoop up bear droppings as a research team from Stanford wants to analyse them for human remains. Seems a large number of people DO vanish without a trace every year from Yosemite (The largest cluster in the USA....according to David Paulides) and they want to at least look at the possibility of bears being the cause. I mean, if I were a hungry bear, seeing all of those tasty morsels slowly hiking around for the taking, I too would be tempted.
Another big tip...Get up early!!! In the summer the sun is up by 6am, and there won't be hardly any people at all until 8am...and traffic doesn't get bad until about 10 am. That gives you 4 hours of having the place mostly to yourself!
Also there is a really amazing place just outside the park, and I cringed when he started naming off places, but the "secret" remains safe!!!
Would you mind telling me some cool secret places
@@robertkyle1185 Sierra Point is a really cool secret place inside the park. If you google it there is some decent info on it!
I haven't had the chance to check it out for myself, but I plan to!
@@nevadahiker6661 any hikes you would recommend? Anything from beginner to A bit more challenging/longer than half dome
@@Greg-tj8rg Mt Dana is not super challenging, but some people think it is, and the views are amazing! 2nd highest peak in the park. Easily accessible from highway 120.
A hike back to Mt Lyell in the high country is pretty challenging. It is the highest peak in the park, and has one of the last remaining glaciers!
@@nevadahiker6661 cool thank you. I'll be sure to check them out and hopefully I can get some vacation time to go over soon
If the bus company isn't selling "who Yarted?" T-shirts I thin they're missing a trick.
"what the crap is this crap"? lol. An answer to the question wrapped into one.
Watching this video certainly has reminded me of the beauty this area of California has. I lived in Sonora for several years and truly enjoyed being able to pack a lunch and take the short hop over to Yosemite and other various spectacular places. And like you mentioned, being in proximity does provide an opportunity to visit during the off peak season, when the surrounding areas offer some of the most beautiful scenery.
Very good tips! I've spent weeks there; hiked from south to north and everywhere else.
Sometimes not seeing people for days. My favorite place on earth!
Right you are, I lived in Sonora for several years and always enjoyed being able to visit the park during weekdays and off peak seasons. Packing a lunch and hitting the park for an afternoon always tickled my fancy. Sometimes I'd camp over and it never failed that I'd see a car or van with it's door completely torn off by marauding bears looking for yummies. Don't leave a candy-bar in your car! One can't comprehend the ability of a bear to peel a door off a car like it's a pop can.
Those tips does not only apply for Yosemite I guess, I experience that myself on nearly any crowded national park, if you just hike 30 minutes off the common trail you will most likely be alone.
Yep... My wife and I hiked Grand Canyon in August 2019 and didn't see another human being for over 4 hours.
I always think that California states is the most beautiful states of USA, mountain, deserts, rivers, snow, beaches, forests, beautiful , I loved , I wish too live there, but is too expensive.
Honestly, Im going to Yosemite and we all just need to stay away from crowds and now we know , thank you. 🙂
I was working there from may until the first week of September and the crowds were dying down in the first week to the end of august.not as many people on the trails.
It is a beutiful park and wanna make a trip back there with my son soon.
Hey J, have you stopped making videos?? NOOOO please, get some more done, yours are always a great treat to watch.
Josh. Excellent tips and photos!!
Jim
Thank you!
Brings back the memories, use to live in Calaveras county, and had visited there many times especially in the winter months had the place all to ourselves. loved it!! thanks again
Great tips all. Especially YARTS and get your hiking shoes on. The valley is what it is, but a lot of drama and a glacier or two to see along the Tioga Rd. down to Lee Vining. I live just outside the park in Oakhurst and don't even get close to the entrance gate in the summer. It is just nuts anymore and now (2018) days with lighted highway signs that say "all parking lots full". If you have the option - see the valley in the dead of winter after a snowfall and/or early spring after Feb and before late May. Depending on the weather in that year spring bursts out of her sleep in just a day or two, if you happen to be there at the right time.
P.S. If the park is full up (or even if it isn't) - a local secret is Beasore Rd up from Bass Lake and the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway. An incredible scenic drive with camping and fishing (if you know where to look) that relatively few take.
Solid tips dude. We had a good time despite the crowds
I took great videos last week when it was snowing. It was magical.
Great video. I shoot in Utah and I'm lucky to not have huge crowds. And like Yosemite the National parks are quiet non summer months.
Fantastic photography ! And this is coming from a photographer.
Agreed about off peak times, so while it has to be May for the best waterfalls, I'm there before the sunrises (easy when I just sleep in my car, just outside the park) and I'm done shooting by 10am just about the time the crowds start packing in. Then I can come back for the night time shooting at about 10pm. Won't be too tired, as I take a nice long nap between noon and 4pm... Crappy light, and huge crowds anyway 🙂
I've shot all over the country, and IMPO, Yosemite is the most beautiful place on Earth 🙂
Stayed in the June lake area and while the drive was still about a hour to get to the base of Yosemite, the views on tioga pass were incredible ! Can’t wait to go back next year.
Top tips. Get away from the main tourist areas - Yosemite is a stunning place. If you are on a motorcycle, watch your speed; I got a $300 ticket for speeding - it was just about worth it!
Yes, it is truly stunning. And the more you get away from the crowds the happier you will be. Watching your speed goes doubly for everyone. The number one cause of non-natural animals deaths in the park is being hit by cars. :(
Great explanation. Thank you.
Sick shots
Good vid. And good subtle promo of Mono Co. Gonna check it out.
I went to Yosemite for 3 days twice last year And I haven’t visited all attractions yet the park is huge. 🏔I love your video is awesome 👏
The Mountains are calling , So I must go!!! :-) great info Joshua
Please come back, your videos are great
Please come back
Instant like on 'What the crap is this crap!' And on top of that - a great video of great tips! Thanks Josh for this invaluable information.
I would love to revisit Yosemite now that I'm old enough to remember it! I can't wait till I'm able to make time to visit, I want to try and visit each season if I can someday. Also for those who don't like too much of a crowd, don't forget that Lake Tahoe is also another spectacular place to visit! Carson Pass has some hikes with views that are to die for!
By watching your video, I suddenly will go to Yosemite again, and again! Thank you Josh, for another outstanding video!
4th of July weekend. Took 2 hours just to get to the entrance. 2 hours to get to Tunnel View. 2 more hours to get to Lower Pines campground. Yea, never again during peak time.
I'm heading to Yosemite this Fourth of July. Hoping it won't be that crowded. Did you get there early in the morning or was it just crowded mid day?
Great tips! I vote for a winter trip!
Devils Postpile....thank you for including!! Definitely going to have to check it out. The basalt reminds me of Abiqua falls in Oregon
On my bucket list this place ❤️
It's beautiful 😍 I'd love to go there one day 😊🌈
Miss your videos! Always so good! Hope all is well.
This is a very good video full of suggestions that work.
I visited Yosemite in mid May and had a great time, even some snow. Having visited almost all the areas of the French Alps, I can say that the crowds are much more diluted in French national parks. We get less visitors per park because of more entrances to the park, more hiking trails, huts, less high altitude roads... Every part of France is open to tourism and known abroad. California sees about 5 times less foreign visitors than France, and yet Yosemite is more crowded in summer than any area of France appart maybe from the Riviera. The issue is that California promoted Yosemite too hard. Yosemite IS beautiful, but is not more beautiful than the Alps, the mountains of Norway, of Tasmania, New Zealand, Russia, Japan... The issue is 1) so many big cities nearby, like San Francisco and Los Angeles, and 2) too many foreign tourists who think that's all there is to see. Yosemite made its attractions too accessible : Glacier Road, the falls, with paved trails (an abomination), Tioga road, all while keeping so many areas wilderness. So like you said, the tourists concentrate on Yosemite Valley because that's what they know from the brochures, the photos, the vlogs...
Tourists have this false sense that the national parks is where you'll see the best of the best. I had it too when I visited the US for the first time. That is not true in many areas. Colorado is one of the best examples, like the San Juan, the Sangre de Cristo... No National Parks there. Even Wyoming with Yellowstone and the Tetons has Wind River or Medicine Bow. A friend of mine from Grenoble, who knows the Alps, was disappointed by the Tetons because it's a small mountain range compared to many sub mountain ranges of the Alps. He thought it'd be legendary, and it wasn't. It's just too small, because it was a nightmare to protect, with Rockefeller Jr having to buy so much land to give to the government. Utah has national monuments and state parks that rival the national parks. It's just too much work for a foreigner to look all these places up. I do it because I love off the beaten path stuff and because I know some national parks aren't that worth it. I've seen Zion, it's beautiful, but wouldn't come back because of the crowds and the small size of the park. It's too much. I'd rather go back to Canyonlands or Capitol Reef. Same with Yosemite. I'll go back for Telescope Peak in Death Valley, for the parts of the Sierras I haven't seen in the wilderness areas, not for Yosemite. And I also know that national parks in July or August are a big no no. Plus the US has many great desertic areas you can't visit in summer any way, unless you wanna die. So I'll always visit the US in Spring, Autumn or Winter. Thinking about it, this might be the only country in the world that has this problem. Canada is still fine in Summer, so is France (outside Provence), Italy, Spain, Portugal, Scotland, Iceland, etc...
Nicolas Bertin or visit Switzerland and have less tourists because of prices 😉
Great video Joshua! We just visited Yosemite for the first time this Summer. What a beautiful place. Although, the valley was a nightmare and we found getting up early was a must.
Outstanding announcement, you should get paid by Yosemite!!! Their announcements sucks
Really nice tips. Will be in the estern Sierras in the mid of april. Will be fantastic to explore your backyard.
Best tip vid a I seen. Thanks
Bring a bicycle, you can park your vehicle in one spot and leave it there all day. If you move your vehicle to a different spot mid day than you'll never find another place to park. And traffic will be moving slower than walking. You can reach all trailheads and sights by bicycle across the entire valley in just a few minutes. And once you reach your trailhead or destination you can park and lock your bike and enjoy the trails and sights. Bicycle parking is also a lot closer to the trailheads than auto parking and you will never have to search for an open space for your bike. There's plenty of them. Early spring mid week is the best time to go. Fresh snow melt from winter storms generate high water levels and Yosemite is famous for it's falls so it only make sense that the best time to visit is when the Merced River is at its fullest.
Outstanding video... one of my favorite places on earth.
Well thank you!! Great pics!!
I just watched your 2014 video, and now i watch this video, and my first reaction was “WTF THIS GUY DONT CHANGE HIS CLOSE SINCE 2014?” 😂🤣😆👍🏻nice videos btw
Very professional video you are very helpful all great tips get to the point one of the best videos I’ve seen you’re very good at doing videos thank you 20 minutes away from Yosemite park right now
think we found your new job.
take to each place in yosemite park show them how to get to them what pictures you can get and how long it takes
there is so many videos you can make on this one location many of us cant afford to go to or for those who can a choice of locations for there next holidays
Interesting idea! But I'd prefer people find their own inspiration and let the park speak to them in a personal way. I'm happy to be a guide, but I like people to follow their own vision.
Professional Photography Tips I agree with david photography. You should make a workshop there!!! Heck you should make a Yosemite course here in your channel so people have the necessary knowledge when they visit! But yes, do the workshop!!!!
Thanks for the tips... We're staying in the valley for three nights in early June... Hopefully that mitigates the crowds, fingers crossed.
Thank you the great tip Josh! I love Yosemite but I haven't explored outside the valley. Your video inspired me.
Excellent! Exploring outside the Valley is a must for your next trip.
You are very welcome back 😍😍😍👋😀
I just loooooove your pictures
Thanks for sharing this very helpful information.
You're welcome
1) Go backpacking
2) Go backpacking
3) Go backpacking
4) Go backpacking
5) Hike off the road >1/4 mile
...
There’s a reason people don’t come in winter. We’re coming in Oct; staying in the valley for four days during the week. Hopefully, that’ll help avoid the crowds some. :)
Thank You
I absolutely love your videos! In the past year I’ve been getting an itch to play around with landscape photography. These videos are full of great tips. I’m getting all kinds of good ideas and things to try. Plus it doesn’t hurt that the host is pretty cute. Single? ☺️
Thanks for the tips Josh!😘
Great tips Josh! Tks
Thanks for the tips! :)
Great tips! Thanks a lot!
Great advice!
Go in 2021 and ride the YARTS 👍
Thanks for all that I am hoping to be going to the Grand Tetons at some stage. I live in New Zealand and have always wanted to take photos of the barns on Mormon row.
New Zealand! My favorite place. :)
I have pictures of Mormon row with the Tetons in the background and it is gorgeous!
Hi Joshua, it'd be great to see how you capture fall colours with trees turning into such gorgeous colours, please, Regards, Joe
I will be going at the end of September will it still be hot and crowded? Great videos! So informative thanks a bunch
Sympa la présentation
Hey Josh! man where are you?
We miss you!!!!
Why are you not doing anymore videos????
To me you are the best photographer in the world !!!!
And i love your jokes ;)
You suggest using the buses from Fresno, Mammoth, etc. and tell us that the entrance fee is included in the bus fare. Great for those who do not have an annual pass or a Golden Senior Pass. For those of us who do and who might want to visit Yosemite again, do we receive a discount on the bus fare?
My question exactly! Ever get an answer?
Great video!! Does anyone know if the shuttle bus is crowded in november?? I've heard that it takes too long to arrive;(
that was awesome
Great tips!!! Thanks for sharing. Can you share the name of the lake and the mountain in the background? If you can share the spot that you are using, that's even better. Thanks
Pro tip: go now.
What happened to your videos? This one is a year old.
My advice for a photographer, head in in the evening to catch the sunset, stay up all night for the Milky Way and then catch the sun rising over the end of the valley. Then bail out as the influx of people flood in during the morning. Speaking of, I'll be there on Friday...
Actually...arrived at noon on a summer Saturday......with a full bladder and everything blocked off from being full. Couldn't even stop at any view points had to drive back out. So yes, avoid peak times at all costs. Lol🤬🤢🤯😫🥶🥶
I have visited Yosemite many times. I visited earlier this year and it was the most unpleasant visit I have ever experienced because of the traffic and the crowds. My suggestion is to ban all cars from Yosemite Valley and rely on shuttle buses as is done in Zion National Park. The valley can no longer support the massive amount of car traffic. It spoils the experience for everyone. If you live on the western side of the Sierra it is easy to visit Yosemite in December, January, February and March. If you live on the eastern side it is very difficult to get there in winter and early spring.
I agree that the cars should go. But how to implement the shuttle system in a park that has four separate entrances and seasonal closures? It's a very complicated problem.
great video! wheres the location where you shot the video?
Apart from other "Human's" are there any dangerous animals in this area??
thanks
Technically speaking yes, but practically speaking no. There are black bears, mountain lions, deer, foxes, bobcats, and other animals in the park that could potentially hurt you. However, if you follow common sense precautions you are at very little risk. Bears, cougars, and other predators are generally scared of humans, especially if you are in groups, or make yourself appear large and loud. The main rules are don't approach wildlife, DO NOT feed wildlife, and store your food using approved methods. I've spent many many nights alone in the Sierra wilderness and have never had any issues.
Through out the history of Yosemite, no people is killed by bear.
Yosemite is a nightmare almost year now! There is people from all over the world that visit today, when I was a kid in the 70s.. it was wayyyyyyyy less people!
The response provided by pro photo tips is also accurate but I alwAys tell people never to hike alone. Something as simple as a sprained ankle can kill you if you are hiking alone in any area.
lol
I believe they shot Tom cruises movie oblivion at one of these locations.
We're staying in groveland at the end of August for a week, is there somewhere near there you can recommend going too, good hikes etr?
Thanks
It's too far away from the Czech Republic.... but I hope I will be able to visit it. Maybe I sell my kidney......... :)
My relatives from Slovakia visited several years ago. I am sure you can also. If you go at the right time it is worth it. Combine with other parts of the American west.
Visited Prague last Christmas. Nice time. You can try flying with Norwegian Air from London or Oslo or Stockholm to Oakland, California. Usually cheap, depending on the dates. See their destination calendar. Then drive to Yosemite.
more content?
New videos? Please!!!
Do u have any suggestions to get clouds rest without driving your own car? We want to park in the valley, somehow get to the back of tioga road, the hike clouds back to the valley
great vid, comming to Yosemite 2020 summer, campervan, any suggestions where to stay ? father 52 and son17 :)
Has anyone seen Josh?
idk. he ded
ianssight he uploads on instagram
@@photographingwithcarl8729 Thanks, appreciated
Hi Joshua, have you ceased uploading your super video series?
somehow I'm waiting for new videos content too. Joshua, please do upload soon.
where you disappeared to???
Instagram and he does photography courses for people
Where's the second ON from the on, and on, and on?
That's a place called Marie Lakes, in between Mammoth and Yosemite
I think Instagram has probably made Yosemite busy during "firefall" season in February now.
It certainly hasn't helped!
What's the best meadows to go to with no people there? I'm planning to go for my birthday in March by myself and I just wasn't some peace with not a big crowd! Any suggestions pleaseeeee??
When is a new video coming up?
Hi Joshua. Would you like a couple guests in February :) lol
where is the location that the video was being shot at
Are any of the places outside Yosemite Valley dog friendly (or dog-allowing)?
Looking for a guiding service in Yosemite to take my family of four through the park. Any suggestions?
Q: If you take the bus in, is there a bus lane that lets busses move faster than the rest of traffic?
Thanks!
Lol. I saw Malaysia traffic...