Yosemite

The stunning waterfalls of Grand Canyon’s Havasupai Reservation are world-renowned, to be certain.  But as beautiful and well-recognized as they are, their fame still pales in comparison to the thousand-foot high cascades of another National Park: Yosemite. 

Located in central California, Yosemite National Park is an icon of the American West.   This landscape, gouged by glaciers over millions of years, is like no other on Earth.  From the high plains of Tuolumne Meadows to the towering Sequoias of Mariposa Grove, from the old-world charm of Wawona to the rushing waters of the Merced River, Yosemite National Park is a place where the forces of nature were unleashed with all their power, and the results and are now on display for all the world to see.  As diverse as the scenery are the opportunities for recreation: hikers, rock climbers, hikers, skiers, photographers, and painters all call Yosemite “paradise.”

Like the Grand Canyon, Yosemite National Park grapples with issues of overcrowding, pollution and destruction of natural resources.  So plan your visit well in advance, and take advantage of the free shuttles that are offered during peak travel times.  Better yet, time your visit for the fall or winter when crowds tend to subside.  A wintertime visit is a particularly special treat – if the scenery knocks your socks off to begin with, seeing it under a blanket of new-fallen snow will blow your mind.