Traveling to Yosemite is ALWAYS a good idea. 

Even during covid, the park officials are doing everything they can to reduce exposure and keep everything as germ-free as possible.

Not to mention, you’ll be outside in the fresh air getting your mind blown by the beauty of the valley, giant granite monoliths, waterfalls, rivers, and mountains. 

Unfortunately, to keep the covid numbers down and visitors healthy, that also means limiting traffic inside the gate sometimes. 

So, if you’re planning your vacation to see the February fire falls, spring break, or summer vacation, here are 5 things to know when visiting Yosemite in 2022. 

Day passes

***Currently not required but can change! Always check the park website or https://www.recreation.gov for updates before your visit***

I honestly have a love-hate relationship with this. 

Day passes are great if you can snag one because when you get there, you basically have the place to yourself, which is unheard of in this national park. 

But getting one is kind of tricky.

You have to go on https://www.recreation.gov, create an account, search for “Yosemite National Park Ticketed Entry,” and then you can select dates. 

During times where ticketed entry is required, only a few months of dates will be released a time.

These tickets are only good for 3 days including the day of your arrival. 

The dates when the passes are released are usually the first of the month starting at 7 am.

You need to be on your game and ready because they go fast since there is a limited number! 

Day passes are only good from 5 am until 11 pm and you have to be out by 11.

National Park Pass

AKA America the Beautiful Pass

If you are visiting Yosemite for more than a week, it’s worth your money to buy the national park pass for $80 because normal entrance fees are $35 and are only good for 7 days.

Don’t get this confused with the Yosemite pass, which limits you to only visiting Yosemite.

There is NO NEED to purchase ahead of time online unless you are a planner and simply want to.

When you are at the gate you can ask a park ranger for America the Beautiful pass and they DO  take credit/debit cards.

This card is good for unlimited use for all national parks in the U.S. for a year! 

*If the park requires ticketed entry, you still have to show this pass or pay the day fee to get in the park.

**If you are active military, spouse of an ACTIVE duty military member, or veteran, you can get the America the Beautiful pass for FREE!!

Glacier Point road closure

It’s so sad to say that the road to (in my opinion) the best views in the park, is closed for construction for all of 2022. Ugh. 

The only way to get to the top is to hike up from the valley by doing the Four Mile Trail (9.2 miles round trip according to all trails) or Panorama Trail (21 miles round trip, yikes).

A necessary evil though, this road was a little sketch when I visited in 2020. 

Best Time to Visit

Y’all, this park has snow and ice everywhere until April-May ish. 

Unless you’re into snowshoeing or have some microspikes, I have found that late June to mid-July is the best time to see prime waterfall-age, the temperature isn’t too hot, and the park isn’t on fire, and that is always a good thing! 

Also, your chance to see wildlife is the highest during the summer months as well. 

Always remember to keep a safe distance from wildlife because you don’t want to end up being a meme, an embarrassing gif, on youtube, or flat-out dead. 

Hiking Half Dome

The last of the 5 things to know when visiting Yosemite in 2022 is hiking up the half dome cables.

If you want to hike up this big famous chunk of rock, you have to enter a lottery and be randomly selected to win a day permit on https://www.recreation.gov/permits/234652

While the pre-season lottery starts early in the year, you can enter the daily lottery during the summer season which will take place a few days before your hike. 

The lottery for half dome may seem silly but it’s there to keep people safe while hiking up and down because, well, it’s pretty dang steep. 

If you’ve never been, Yosemite is freaking awesome and is for literally everyone of all ages! 

The most famous viewing places are paved for those who need assistance or strollers, as well as most of the valley, has sidewalks. 

There are so many incredible day hikes and multi-day hikes, you will never get bored.

Even though the summer months are spectacular, the spring, fall, and winter seasons are nothing short of amazing. Yosemite has excellent fall foliage, and the colors are breathtaking. 

I hope my list of 5 things to know when visiting Yosemite in 2022 has found you well and given you the info you need about planning your next trip!

Just remember to check the park website, bring some sunscreen, and don’t pet the bears.