Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is close to my home, so I’ve visited this American treasure many times. The entry into the park is magical, and on every visit I look forward to my first glimpse of the majestic El Capitan and the fearless rock-climbers scaling her creviced granite walls. If you’re taking children to Yosemite, be sure to check out my book, Berto, Yosemite’s Rock-Lovin’ Bear. Kids will enjoy following Berto’s adventure through the park while having a wonderful experience of their own.
To help tackle the parks’ major sights, you’ll also want to check out my Yosemite Five Day Itinerary. If you visit the park in early June, you’ll find waterfalls flowing and wildflowers blooming. Weekdays are better than weekends and holidays. Try to stay inside the park. Nature purists recommend camping in the High Sierra campgrounds, but I prefer the Valley Floor.
You’ll find a broad range of accommodations and pricing throughout the park, so check out the amenities of all the park’s lodging and campsites to see what appeals to you.
Most people don’t fuss over their accommodations though; they come to Yosemite to experience one of nature’s most spectacular sculptured wonders. Make the Visitor Center your first stop. Their excellent exhibits provide a great orientation to the park and they explain the geology of Yosemite’s glaciated valley. You’ll want to get to know the rock stars that have made this park famous, too. Before leaving home, familiarize yourself with the timeless faces of Yosemite: El Capitan, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Spires, North Dome, Royal Arches, Half Dome, and a whole host of other iconic cliffs, spires, and domes. By the end of your trip, your kids will feel like these rocks are old family friends that they’ll want to visit again, and again.
Download our Yosemite Activity Pages for writing and coloring fun.