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Blog Planning a Family Trip to Yosemite National Park

To this day, I still remember my first trip as a child to Yosemite National Park. It was on a 2,000-mile road trip from the Midwest. Similar to John Muir’s journey from the Great Plains to Yosemite, my personal experience of seeing the legendary valley with my own eyes sparked my love of nature and to explore the great outdoors. If you’re looking for a family trip that will create a lifetime of memories for everyone including your children, Yosemite National Park is a must.

Planning The Perfect Family Trip To Yosemite

Toasting marshmallows at Tenaya at Yosemite's outdoor fire pit  

There is so much to see and do in the park that you’ll want to make a solid game plan ahead of time so you don’t get overwhelmed upon arrival. Whether you want to relax, see the main attractions, or dive into a bit of the area's history, you can find the ideal activities to suit your agenda.

Waterfall, Yosemite, Illilouette FallsIllilouette Falls on the Mist Trail - Visit Yosemite | Madera CountySometimes you just need time to unplug from the digital world and recharge in the great outdoors. While the famous waterfalls in Yosemite are a must see, for those looking for a more relaxed vibe, consider taking a peek at one of the lesser known waterfalls in or near Yosemite, such as Illilouette Falls.

Star trails and night-time rock climbers on El Capitan in November 2019El Capitan on a fall night with star trails above and big wall climbers in its face - photo by Steve Montalto/HighMountain ImagesWithin the 1,169 square miles of the park’s boundaries, there’s a lot of attractions to take in. From one of the world’s largest solid blocks of granite known as El Capitan to the Giant Sequoias within one of the three main groves, the list of things to see is almost endless. To help narrow down your search, start on our Yosemite National Park page which highlights some of our favorite things to do including seasonal favorites.

One-of-a Kind Creature: Yosemite is home to an arachnid called the Yosemite Cave Pseudoscorpion. This animal, which resembles a scorpion, is believed to exist only at Yosemite.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad takes you on a fun adventure into the Sierra National Forest.

Depending on when you visit, several activities really give you a taste of each season. For those kiddos or adults who enjoy steam-driven locomotives, the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad is a MUST. Another fun activity to check out is the Yosemite History Center. Here, you’ll get a small dose of education and history along with lots of adventure.

While my first adventure to Yosemite was three decades ago, I still thank my parents for igniting my love of the mountains. Yosemite isn’t just a national park but an opportunity to inspire your children to see the world differently. As John Muir eloquently said, “The Mountains are calling, and I must go.”

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Like what you see? Save any (or all) of the pins below to your travel planning/inspiration board(s) to give you an easy way to find your way back here!  Also check out our other itineraries as well as blog posts for more ideas and pins!

Alex Silgalis

Alex founded localfreshies.com® in 2014 to be the #1 website providing the “local scoop” on where to eat, drink & play in mountain towns throughout North America. When he’s not writing and executing marketing strategies for small businesses & agencies, he’s in search of the deepest snow in the winter and tackiest dirt in the summer.

Our annual Visit Yosemite | Madera County Visitors Guide can answer all your questions about visiting California's Gateway to Yosemite. From the park itself to the museums, wineries, art galleries and more throughout Madera County, our guide can help you plan the perfect vacation. Please note that we mail to the USA only, but anyone can download the guide.
Visit Yosemite - Madera County
Oakhurst Visitor Center, 40343 Highway 41, Oakhurst, CA 93644
(559) 683-4636
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