Fall in Yosemite offers many of the same activities as summer, but you can enjoy the fall foliage, warm days and cool nights, perfect for those evening programs. Take a break to watch the Spirit of Yosemite film at the visitor center to give the kids all the background info on Yosemite and how it came to be a national park. The Top 5 Family Friendly Things to Do in Yosemite With its 800 miles of hiking trails and a total size of 747,956 acres, the grandeur of natural beauty at Yosemite National Park in California might be overwhelming. Camping is extremely popular in Yosemite. You could spend about an hour walking around and taking in the views. We saw adults huffing and puffing and having to take breaks. We highly recommend getting the Yosemite Moon Guide before you come. There is more to do in Yosemite than just ogle the magnificent landscape. You can hike up to Glacier Point, but you can also drive. Upper, Lower, and Middle Yosemite Falls combined make up the highest waterfall in North America, topping out at a prodigious 2,425 feet. We obviously needed to stick to the main parts of the Valley. Children will have fun, learn new things, get good food and will not get bored in long queues. … Every winter when the... 3. Which was built (against John Muir’s wishes) in order to provide drinking water for all of San Francisco. Four Mile Trail (Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point). The Yosemite Junior Ranger program is really well done with different books for different age groups. Or else you can just do a short half mile hike to get close to the lower part of the falls. Ticket prices include park admission and kids under 5 with a paying adult ride for free. There are so many things to do in Yosemite National Park and it is a beautiful place to explore in the Sierra Nevada mountains. Go on a Night Prowl. It was recommended to park your car in the Village Visitor Center lot early in the morning. Again parking will be a challenge, but you should be able to find something or drive up the road a little and pull over on the side of the road and park there. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use. But in the process, we’ve found that Yosemite has a lot of other things to do that are fun, too! For the last 6+ years they have explored all over North America and share their top tips on things to do in locations with kids, along with road trip ideas and tips on RVing. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Click for Privacy Policy / Disclosure Policy. You walk on paths where you are getting rained on from the cliffs and fun switch backs that take you to amazing views of the waterfall. Sad to imagine all the beauty is below all that water and to think it would have been much less busy if there were two Yosemite Valleys to visit . "We walked along the meadows, along the streams and rivers, through the evergreen forests, and in the shadows of … My parents did this hike and they really enjoyed it. You will find numerous activities for the whole family, especially in the warm summer months. 30+ Weekend Getaways from San Francisco with Kids; Top 10 Things to Do in the Fall in San Francisco Bay Area; 10 Amazing Pumpkin Patches and Celebration Across the World ; Morning in Yosemite with Toddlers. Discover the ultimate places for kids in Yosemite National Park, be it water parks, theme parks, or playgrounds. They serve cheeseburgers and grill items like that. Discover Yosemite under the night sky as you and your family explore the park on an evening hike. This is also where you can check out a swinging bridge and in the summer there is a swimming hole too. Winter Activities . See Tripadvisor's 37,014 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Yosemite National Park attractions Category Backpacking and Camping Cross Country Skiing Guided Programs Ice Skating Skiing Snowshoeing. The 14 best things to do in Yosemite From hilly hikes to boozy bars, here are our pick of the very best things to do in Yosemite By Daisy Barringer Posted: Wednesday July 11 2018 There are a few things that can be extra special in November, though. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Yosemite National Park, California on Tripadvisor: See 64,108 traveller reviews and photos of Yosemite National Park tourist attractions. Yosemite National Park with kids and teenagers makes for one epic outdoor adventure. It is a 2 mile round trip hike that takes you to Taft Point. In the heart of the Village it works great, but that’s about the only place. We list our highlights including hiking trails, waterfalls, giant Sequoia trees, and eye-popping views. 10 Things to Do in Yosemite National Park. Mar 1, 2019 - Visiting Yosemite National Park with kids over three days was a dream come true. Tweet on Twitter. 1. We have reviews of the best places to see in Yosemite National Park. Four routes connect to Yosemite from the gateway communities of Merced, Fresno, Mammoth Lakes, and Sonora (the latter three operate in summer only). All Regions. Take a hike. Things to do in Yosemite for kids are abundant, and kids as well as adults need active vacations! Or if you are staying at the campground you can walk to the front of the campground and jump on the shuttle there. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. There is a wide range of hiking trails with... 2. Needless to say we did that! We had a great time river rafting, hiking, going on a tour and just discovering this great National Park. Travelers favorites include #1 Yosemite Valley, #2 Tunnel View Outlook and more. It ended up being beautiful and perfect weather for hiking and exploring. A short drive from Bridalveil Falls lead us into the iconic Yosemite Valley and it’s even more amazing... Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. There are several easy hikes at Yosemite, and some are even paved and stroller-friendly, such as Glacier Point, Cook’s Meadow Loop and Yosemite Fall trails. But with so many options in one park, it's also a . The prices aren’t crazy and it is a nice way to get a meal and sit out in the village and eat while you people watch. Our long-term goal is to have a kid who loves to hike. Great ideas for fun things for kids to do and best places to go near Yosemite National Park | California - on FamilyDaysOut.com - plus activities and cheap entertainment for the family Accommodation: Start by picking a few weekends that work. Note, they are also magical without kids too! The same applies to T-Mobile. It was very calm with just a handful of little dips along the way, perfect for little ones and very relaxing for Moms and Dads. In fact, one of the major reasons my own family had not returned to Yosemite with our kids … Here are some of the best things to do in Yosemite in winter. 10 Top Things to do with Kids in Yosemite National Park 1. But again if you are looking for less crowds and a more relaxing part of the park Hetch Hetchy may be your place. Get Sprayed by a Waterfall. Hike Mist Trail: Vernal Falls to Nevada Falls. https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tours.htm, Visiting Yosemite National Park With Kids, Airbnb Yellowstone: 21 Unique Places You Will Want To Stay, 21 Fun Things To Do In Port St Joe Florida, FULL TIME RV LIVING: 99 Things We Have Learned After 6+ Years. When we were there the clouds rolled in and we couldn’t see anything. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. Glacier National Park is #1, then Yellowstone at #2 and Yosemite at #3 with Dry Tortugas taking spot #4. At Yosemite National Park and the surrounding areas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, there is a lot more to a vacation than just admiring the scenery. Snowshoeing in Yosemite Country. See Tripadvisor's 36,941 traveller reviews and photos of kid friendly Yosemite National Park attractions Luckily weather in Yosemite is unpredictable at best and after that first day we only saw rain one other time. They do have parking throughout the park, but it is very limited. But it’s well worth the cost, as the book is really well done and appeals to a variety of ages. They even had locally brewed Cider here! We have visited a LOT of national parks and Yosemite came in at #3 for us. The first place we visited inside the park was Bridalveil Falls. If possible, be flexible; but if flexibility is not an option, reserve very far in advance, because Yosemite is always popular. All Regions Coulterville & Buck Meadows El Portal Foresta Mariposa, Midpines, and Cathey's Valley Tuolumne Meadows/Tioga Pass Wawona & Fish Camp Yosemite Valley Yosemite West. Curry Village in Yosemite is another option and there are more Yosemite camping options in the park. From Children's Museum of the Sierra to Zip Yosemite, the Oakhurst area offers 57 different types of family activities, including: Movie Theaters, Hiking Trails, Ziplines and Theaters. One of the things it talks about is how the roads in the National Parks were designed by artists first and then civil engineers second—Yosemite is a beautiful example! It is a 5 mile hike, but a lot of it is flat (some elevation at the end). We list our highlights including hiking trails, waterfalls, giant Sequoia trees, and eye-popping views. There is also a small visitors center where you can learn more about the history of the area. Be prepared as you drive through what seems like a neighborhood to get to the trailhead. You can enjoy any number of unguided activities with your children and teens including hikes, photography, stargazing, skiing, and more. Photo by lopeztony75/ CC BY 2.0. more, Continue your visit to www.tripadvisor.com, Popular Yosemite National Park Categories, Commonly searched for in Yosemite National Park, Places to visit in Yosemite National Park, "This is a well reviewed attraction so, instead, here's some logistical items that might make the visit more enjoyable: 1. When you enter Yosemite, the ranger at the booth will offer you a … With much deliberation, I bring you the top ten awe-inspiring things to do with kids in and around the park, which is nestled into the Sierra Nevada mountain range in the eastern part of California. Fun Things to Do in Yosemite National Park with Kids: Family-friendly activities and fun things to do. Nearly 95 percent of Yosemite is Congressionally designated Wilderness. Not much else was open in this part of the park yet, but I believe in summer there is a visitor center and snack bar area. To get to the top of the falls is a strenuous uphill 8 mile hike. You can get really close to the falls and they are amazing. Then at the foot of the trail head it says Mountain Lion area. We heard one squirrel jumped on a kids table and grabbed a piece of pizza and ran off. In other words don’t let your kids run ahead once you get to this area of the hike! .Even with that it is still a beautiful area. If guided tours are more your thing there are certainly a lot of those offered and I would recommend asking about what is currently available in the Visitor Center when you arrive. Category. At the North Pines Campground we also had a great Verizon Signal. In addition to several kid friendly hiking trails in Yosemite already mentioned, auto touring at Yosemite National Park is also easy and one of the best ways to see much of its beauty. "Also, the 1880’s Grey Barn, (square dances held in summer), "Temps were in the 90s during our visit, so we were hoping for, "Also, walk to the far north end of the parking lot to get a good view of, "Winding roads, awesome vistas... Just a note that driving back to, "As British, we found it interesting that a Scottish born American Naturalist, "The trail, or actually walkway, has been revamped in recent years thanks to donations from visitors and now offers an easy approach to the lower falls, and a, "There are numerous displays, though the floor angles change a bit with a slope, videos, park staff to, "I learned a lot and the shopping was special because all the proceeds benefit the, "You could spend hours enjoying the artwork and the atmosphere: Fireplaces big enough to hold a group inside them, murals and tapestries, wonderful cuisine in the restaurant, unique gifts in the, "The Village area is a must stop for first time, "The Loop Trail quietly and gently takes you away from the crowds and allows you to take in the sights and smells of, "The shorter version of the trail took us over four hours to hike nine, "This varies depending on the daily current so it’s best to check in with, "This is where we took our most memorable photographs in the direction of Yosemite Falls which was within perfect, "Besides 'Half Dom', you can see the upper part of the Merced River, which forms the valley of the Yosemite, "I actually prefer this viewpoint to that of Glacier Point, as it offers offers great views of both, "There is an excellent bunny slope for kids and learning and the other slopes are just, "the entry pond has the most beautiful reflection, it is a mid length, "We stayed at Half Dome Village, and spent our first day walking the meadows in the, Romantic Hotels in Yosemite National Park, Business Hotels in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park Hotels with a Pool, Charming Hotels in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park Hotels with Shuttle, Yosemite National Park Pet Friendly Campsites, Yosemite National Park Hotels with Balconies, Hotels near Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, All things to do in Yosemite National Park, Geologic Formations in Yosemite National Park, Nature & Wildlife Areas in Yosemite National Park, Ski & Snowboard Areas in Yosemite National Park, Bodies of Water in Yosemite National Park, Outdoor Activities in Yosemite National Park, Horseback Riding Tours in Yosemite National Park, River Rafting & Tubing in Yosemite National Park, 4WD, ATV & Off-Road Tours in Yosemite National Park, Fishing Charters & Tours in Yosemite National Park, Hiking & Camping Tours in Yosemite National Park, Nature & Wildlife Tours in Yosemite National Park, Ski & Snow Tours in Yosemite National Park, Sights & Landmarks in Yosemite National Park, Architectural Buildings in Yosemite National Park, Historic Walking Areas in Yosemite National Park, Monuments & Statues in Yosemite National Park, Scenic Walking Areas in Yosemite National Park, Points of Interest & Landmarks in Yosemite National Park, Churches & Cathedrals in Yosemite National Park, Sightseeing Tours in Yosemite National Park, Helicopter Tours in Yosemite National Park, Self-Guided Tours & Rentals in Yosemite National Park, Multi-day Tours in Yosemite National Park, Boat Tours & Water Sports in Yosemite National Park, Mass Transportation Systems in Yosemite National Park, Taxis & Shuttles in Yosemite National Park, Traveller Resources in Yosemite National Park, Visitor Centres in Yosemite National Park, History Museums in Yosemite National Park, Speciality Museums in Yosemite National Park, Gift & Speciality Shops in Yosemite National Park, Classes & Workshops in Yosemite National Park, Lessons & Workshops in Yosemite National Park, Concerts & Shows in Yosemite National Park, Cultural Events in Yosemite National Park, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: Tickets & Tours, Things to do near (FAT) Fresno Air Terminal, Things to do near Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Things to Do in Yosemite National Park with Kids. Then you can make your way back to the Big Trees Lodge Store, grab a few beers and snacks and sit down by the river for a break before heading back to the Valley or to your hotel. However, since we had already seen all the amazing giant Sequoia trees at Sequoia National Park we were OK with it. We had a great time river rafting, hiking, going on a tour and just discovering this great National Park. The first thing we did once we were inside Yosemite was to go on the Valley Floor bus tour. Kid Friendly Activities. Keep reading to know about awesome places and activities to enjoy with your kids in Yosemite National Park. Plus, as noted below, almost all the walks are dog-friendly as well. You just park and walk to the Vista. In the spring, the rapids are still to crazy for swimming, but in the summer it settles down. You can find random “beach” spots where you can play in the water (watch for the current) or if you would like you can rent a raft or a kayak and float down the river! Taft Point looks out over El Capitan (one of the famous rock climbing locations) and down into the Valley. It was a fun village area where they have brought a variety of historical houses together along with stagecoaches to show you what life use to look like in Yosemite. With over 750 miles of trails to explore, your options are endless! If you want a different view and no fissures you can opt for the Sentinel Dome hike which starts at the same trailhead as Taft Point, but you go right instead of left. By Age . It provided a great overview of where to stay in Yosemite and what to do in Yosemite with kids. The beer here is expensive, but if you are OK taking your pizza to go and finding a bench or somewhere else to eat. We were there for 5 nights and 4 days. If you are visiting Yosemite from late May or early June through November, you should definitely plan to … They have live demonstrations and a few hands on activities for the kids. If you are looking for a way to teach your kids to respect nature's temple, just take them to Yosemite. Or if you are up for it you can walk to a lot of places from the campground too. The most popular things to do in Yosemite National Park with kids according to Tripadvisor travelers are: Glacier Point; Tunnel View; Sentinel Dome; El Capitan; Tioga Pass; See all kid friendly things to do in Yosemite National Park on Tripadvisor $ We had a great time river rafting, hiking, going on a tour and just discovering this great National Park. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in India. We even saw a bear just off the trail on the way down! "The Loop Trail quietly and gently takes you away from the crowds and allows you to take in the sights and smells of Yosemite Valley." Yosemite National Park not only attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year, but a considerable number of canines as well. It is magnificent and you look down into the Yosemite Valley and can see Half Dome and Nevada falls. Sentinel Dome. I am so glad we did! Without further ado, here are 11 magical things to do in Yosemite with kids. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail. Yosemite National Park is known worldwide as one of the most beautiful natural wonders in the United States, offering endless hiking and outdoor fun amidst towering rock formations, roaring waterfalls, winding rivers, and giant sequoia trees. There is a pizza bar where you can order pizza at the window and sit outside to enjoy it. We highly recommend planning 1 week for your Yosemite vacation. Explore these 10 incredible things to do in Yosemite with kids (and the associated Infographic).Not only are these activities fun, and kid-friendly, they're among the best things you can ever do in Yosemite National Park. Bryanna has been full time RVing with her husband and 4 kids since May 2014. So really any time after 9:30am you would be lucky to get a spot. And, so far, at five, he does! No winter destination is complete without the opportunity for some fun in the snow and Yosemite does not disappoint. This is also a perfect spot to take a rest and have a snack before continuing up to the top of Nevada Falls. At Yosemite National Park and the surrounding areas of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, there is a lot more to a vacation than just admiring the scenery. DIRECTORY. Parking is limited and I have heard on busy days they don’t even let you drive up there to try to park. Tuolumne Meadows. Expect it to be very busy and populated due to how easy it is to get to such a huge waterfall. This was a difficult hike with a 2000 foot elevation gain over 3 miles and the whole trail was 6 miles long. Surprisingly enough there is a strong Verizon internet signal when you are in Yosemite Village. There are tons of things to do in Yosemite, but it’s well worth taking a little time to just be still and soak in the beauty and majesty. Start driving as early as possible into Yosemite National Park if you’re not staying within the park. Top things to do and see in Yosemite National Park. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Yosemite National Park, California on Tripadvisor: See 37,069 traveler reviews and photos of Yosemite National Park tourist attractions. In the winter head out on the slopes, take a ski lesson, or enjoy ice skating with snow capped views of Half Dome. With over 750 miles of trails to explore, your options are endless! There are also other areas you can hang out at to get a slightly different view and there is a visitor center with a shop and a small cafe. 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