Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's) - Fodor's [3]
Mother Lode Roundup Parade and Rodeo.
On Mother’s Day weekend the town of Sonora celebrates its gold-mining, agricultural, and lumbering heritage with a parade, rodeo, entertainment, and food. | 209/532–7428 or 800/446–1333.
July
Mammoth Lakes Jazz Jubilee.
This festival, founded in 1989, is hosted by the local Temple of Folly Jazz Band and takes place in 10 venues, most with dance floors. | 760/934–2478 or 800/367–6572 | www.mammothjazz.org.
Mother Lode Fair.
Sonora was settled by miners from Mexico, and the town has never forgotten its gold-mining roots. This fair at Mother Lode Fairgrounds celebrates this unique time in California history. | 209/532–7428 or 800/446–1333.
August
Bluesapalooza.
For one long weekend every summer, Mammoth Lakes hosts a blues and beer festival—with an emphasis on the beer tasting. | 760/934–0606 or 800/367–6572 | www.mammothmountain.com.
October
Sierra Art Trails.
The work of more than 100 artists is on display in studios and galleries throughout eastern Madera and Mariposa counties. Purchase the catalog of locations and hours at area shops. | 559/658–8844 | www.sierraarttrails.org.
Oakhurst Fall Chocolate and Wine Festival.
Dessert judging, vendor booths, a beauty pageant, and more celebrate the glories of the world’s most beloved sweet. | 559/683–1993 | www.wildwonderfulwomen.net.
PARK ESSENTIALS
ACCESSIBILITY
Yosemite’s facilities are continually being upgraded to make them more accessible. Many of the Valley floor trails—particularly at Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Mirror Lake—are wheelchair accessible, though some assistance may be required. The Valley Visitor Center is fully accessible, as are the park shuttle buses. A sign-language interpreter is available for ranger programs if you call ahead. For details, pick up the park’s accessibility brochure at any visitor center or entrance, read it at | www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm, or call the public information office at 209/372–0200. Visitors with respiratory difficulties should take note of the park’s high elevations—the Valley floor is approximately 4,000 feet above sea level, but Tuolumne Meadows and parts of the high country hover around 10,000 feet.
ADMISSION FEES AND PERMITS
The admission fee, valid for seven days, is $20 per vehicle or $10 per individual.
If you plan to camp in the backcountry, you must have a wilderness permit. Availability of permits, which are free, depends upon trailhead quotas. It’s best to make a reservation, especially if you will be visiting May through September. You can reserve two days to 24 weeks in advance by phone, mail, or fax ( P.O. Box 545, Yosemite, CA 95389 | 209/372–0740 | 209/372–0739); a $5 per person processing fee is charged if and when your reservations are confirmed. Requests must include your name, address, daytime phone, the number of people in your party, trip date, alternative dates, starting and ending trailheads, and a brief itinerary. Without a reservation, you may still get a free permit on a first-come, first-served basis at wilderness permit offices at Big Oak Flat, Hetch Hetchy, Tuolumne, Wawona, the Wilderness Center (in Yosemite Village), and Yosemite Valley in summer; fall through spring, visit the Valley Visitor Center.
ADMISSION HOURS
The park is open 24/7 year-round. All entrances are open at all hours, except for Hetch Hetchy Entrance, which is open roughly dawn to dusk. Yosemite is in the Pacific time zone.
ATMS/BANKS
There are ATMs inside the stores at Yosemite Village, Curry Village, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows, as well as in the lobby of Yosemite Lodge, and outside the Art Activity Center. Banks are in surrounding communities.
AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATIONS
There are gas stations at Crane Flat, Tuolumne Meadows, and Wawona. There’s one garage in Yosemite Village, but it performs only basic repairs, and no gas is available there.
CELL-PHONE RECEPTION
Cell