Our first location of our roadtrip California with our van was Yosemite. A place which has always been very high up on the bucket list and it didn’t disappoint.
We stayed in a campsite called Crane Flat which is 17 miles away from Yosemite Valley. We booked this through Recreation.gov. The facilities are basic but there is running water and flushing toilet’s. This was enough for the next two days. Each campsite also had a picnic table, fire ring and food storage locker to keep all your consumables locked up from the bears. This came at a good price of $26 per night.
DAY 1
The first day we were up early in the morning to make our way to Glacier Point. It took us around 1.5 hours to drive through the mountainous roads with spectacular views the whole time. Once we had arrived, we were greeted with amazing views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite’s high country. The photos below will explain the rest.
DAY 2
The second day we spent exploring Yosemite Valley. From the valley you can see the huge cliff faces, waterfalls and crystal-clear waters of the river which run down through the centre of the valley. Fortunate for us, we had fantastic weather and had temperatures of 25 degrees plus for both days. We spent a good part of the day sitting on the riverbank, swimming, relaxing and enjoying the fantastic views around us.
Some top tips for your visit:
• A park pass costs $35 per vehicle at the park entrance stations and is valid for seven days.
• Make sure you have plenty of fuel before you start the journey into the valley. It can be a long time between stations.
• Keep in mind that all food & toiletry products must be stored in storage lockers so pack light or use coolers to keep items fresh.
• Check the website beforehand for latest updates on news, weather and road closures. Remember you probably won’t have any WIFI or phone signal for the majority of your time.
Our conclusion on Yosemite national park:
Yosemite is a must-see and the views will blow you away! Photos can only do this location so much, you have to get there and see it for yourself. The river makes a fantastic place to cool off and freshen up on those nights without a shower. Grab your camping gear, book into a site right in the valley and go exploring, you will not be disappointed.
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