Yosemite, Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks (Fodor's) - Fodor's [8]
Yosemite Museum.
This small museum consists of a permanent exhibit room and an adjacent gallery that promotes contemporary Yosemite art. An American Indian is sometimes on hand to demonstrate the ancient techniques of beadwork and basket weaving, as well as answer your questions. | Yosemite Village 95389 | 209/372–0299 | Free | Daily 9–noon and 1–4:30.
RANGER PROGRAMS
Junior Ranger Program.
Children ages 3 to 13 can participate in the informal, self-guided Little Cub and Junior Ranger programs. A park activity handbook ($8) is available at the Valley Visitor Center or the Nature Center at Happy Isles; once your child has completed the book, a ranger will present him or her with a certificate and a badge. | Valley Visitor Center or the Nature Center at Happy Isles 95389 | 209/372–0299.
Ranger-Led Programs.
Rangers lead walks and hikes and give informative and entertaining talks on a range of topics at different locations several times a day from spring through fall. The schedule is reduced in winter, but most days you can usually find a ranger program somewhere in the park. In the evenings at Yosemite Lodge and Curry Village, lectures by rangers, slide shows, and documentary films present unique perspectives on Yosemite. On summer weekends, Camp Curry and Tuolumne Meadows Campground host sing-along campfire programs. There’s usually at least one ranger-led activity each night in the Valley; schedules and locations are posted on bulletin boards throughout the park and published in the Yosemite Guide you receive when you enter the park.
TOURS
Ansel Adams Photo Walks.
Photography enthusiasts shouldn’t miss these two-hour guided camera walks that are offered three mornings each week—Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday—by professional photographers. Some walks are hosted by the Ansel Adams Gallery, others by Delaware North; meeting points vary. All are free, but participation is limited to 15 people. Reservations are essential. To reserve a spot, call up to 10 days in advance or visit the gallery. | 209/372–4413 or 800/568–7398 | www.anseladams.com | Free.
Big Trees Tram Tour.
This open-air tram tour of the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees departs from the parking lot every half-hour, covers 7 mi, and takes 75 minutes. As an alternative to driving here, consider parking at the Wawona Hotel and taking the free shuttle; the ride takes about 15 minutes. | 209/372–1240 | $25.50 | Usually June–Oct., depending on snowfall.
Glacier Point Tour.
This four-hour trip takes you from Yosemite Valley (you’re picked up from your lodging site) to the Glacier Point vista, 3,214 feet above the Valley floor. | 209/372–1240 | $41 | Reservations essential | June–Oct.
Grand Tour.
For a full-day tour of the Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point, try the Grand Tour. The tour stops for lunch at the historic Wawona Hotel, but the meal is not included in the tour price. | 209/372–1240 | $82 ($10 additional for lunch) | Reservations essential | June–Thanksgiving.
Tuolumne Meadows Tour.
For a full day’s outing to the high country, opt for this ride up Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows. You’ll stop at several overlooks, and you can connect with another shuttle at Tuolumne Lodge. This service is mostly for hikers and backpackers who want to reach high-country trailheads, but anyone can ride. | 209/372–1240 | $23 | Reservations essential | July–Labor Day.
Valley Floor Tour.
Take a 26-mi, two-hour tour of the Valley’s highlights, with narration on area history, geology, and plant and animal life. Tour vehicles are either trams or enclosed motor coaches, depending on weather conditions. Tours run year-round. Moonlight Tour, a late-evening version of the Valley Floor Tour, takes place on moonlit nights, depending on weather conditions. | 209/372–1240 | $25,