Leave No Trace | Nature Rules for Traveling Yosemite (2024)
From a young age we’re taught to think before we speak, but of equal importance is thinking before we do. This is especially true when visiting our fragile parks & wilderness. Here are some tips on how to just act right in Nature.
Howdy, Neighbor. As we all share our public lands, it’s crucial to be considerate and extend a friendly hello to our fellow visitors. This includes any number of actions, from following proper trail etiquette (yield to uphill hikers/yield to horses/bicyclists yield to both hikers and horses), remaining quiet, keeping a clean camp and reminding ourselves that we all do things a little bit differently. As they say…variety is the spice of life.
Take Only Pictures, Leave Only Footprints. Another classic, this philosophy is simple — travel lightly, appreciate the beauty around you, and have a minimal impact on our natural world.
Trailsafe. To preserve sensitive habitats and prevent erosion to our meadows & forests, always stay on established trails and don’t be that guy who cuts switchbacks. Or girl, for that matter.
Leave It For Good. While National Parks are ours to enjoy, removing things from them such as indigenous artifacts, plants, rocks and even pinecones is damaging the spirit and ecosystem alike, not to mention illegal. Always leave items where you found them, and if they intrigue enough then snap a picture to show your friends back home. Also true for natural objects at your campsite — resist the urge to make “improvements” and adapt to the landscape instead.
Keep Right. Slow traffic is a given where tourism abounds, so always stay to the right and let faster traffic pass even if you’re going the speed limit. Just like back home, there are locals who need to get to work and pick up their kids from school!
Don’t Drone On. Drones and aircraft are not allowed in most Parks and wildernesses. Check regulations before you go and know that drones can frighten wildlife, damage habitat and even hurt other visitors.
Get A Handle On Vandalism. If you’re reading this, you probably aren’t the culprit, but never graffiti, carve initials or tag our parks & wilderness. Talk to your kids about the irreparable damage this causes, and if you see someone vandalizing then report them to a ranger or law enforcement.
Know Where To Hunt. Research all hunting seasons/regulations before entering a wilderness, and never hunt or shoot in a National Park. It’s illegal. In most cases, personal firearms are also not allowed.
Not A Cairn In The World. Cairns — or stacks of rocks — are often used to provide safety information marking hiking routes and/or prove to your Insta followers that you were out on the trail. Please don’t build them for two reasons: 1) if followed, there is no guarantee the person who left it there is providing safe accurate directions, and 2) they damage the surrounding ecosystem.
Enjoy the guard railings at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. They are there for your safety.
Durable Good. Always hike and camp on durable surfaces such established trails, packed snow or hard surfaces like rock or gravel. Doing so allows tender vegetation to grow (even lichen on rock) and prevents damage to fragile ecosystems.
Buy Local Wood. Bringing outside firewood into another forest can transport diseases such as Sudden Oak Death, pine bark beetles and other pests. Prevent this from happening and support the community by buying local firewood.
Collect Inspiration, Not Food. Animals need every bit of food that grows in our parks & forests, so don’t collect mushrooms, berries or other plants they so desperately need. Did we mention that it’s illegal in many cases?
Waste Case. One of the trickiest dilemmas for hikers in the backcountry is what to do with human waste. This includes using a Wag Bag to carry it out (required by law in certain areas) or burying it properly.Know your best approachand consider how you’d react if you discovered someone else’s business. The answer is probably angrily.
Signs Of The Times. Warning signs are put up for a reason. To keep us safe. Whether they indicate Fire Danger, Falling Rocks or even the Speeding Kills Bears signs that indicate areas where bears have been hit by cars in Yosemite, a sign emboldened with a red bear, means dead bear… these messages help us from harming wildlife and ourselves.
Let Guard Rails Guard. Safety barriers and guard rails are commonly found in the mountains of Yosemite Mariposa. Their placement indicates a cliff or other dangerous feature. Simple rule? Stay behind them, and stay alive.
High & Fast, Do Not Pass. High and fast-moving water is dangerous both across trails and roadways. Never try pass through these hazards whether on foot or in a vehicle, and follow the simple rule: never enter a river that is moving faster than you can walk.
Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug six inches deep at least 100 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
Pack out all trash, leftover food, and litter. Deposit solid human waste in catholes dug six inches deep at least 100 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished. Pack out toilet paper and hygiene products.
Do not follow, feed or approach wildlife in the park – keep your distance. If camping, be bear aware; use the bear locker or a canister to store your food away from your tent, especially in the backcountry. Use a bell on trails, so bears know you are approaching and aren't startled.
As of February 22, 2010, a federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in this park.
With the many things for a solo/female traveler to do and discover it's easy to see that Yosemite National Park is one of the best destinations for getting out and discovering nature safely and on your own terms.
If you enter Yosemite before 5 am or after 4 pm, you do not need a reservation. You can remain in the park during peak hours if you arrive during these non-peak hours (however, staying overnight requires a reservation).
Lodging options inside Yosemite National Park are managed by Yosemite Hospitality, and range from simple tent cabins at the High Sierra Camps to deluxe rooms at The Ahwahnee. Reservations are available 366 days in advance and are strongly recommended, especially from spring through fall and during holidays.
How Many Days Should I Spend In Yosemite? Plan on spending two to four days in Yosemite if you want enough time to see all the amazing sights. This will give you plenty of time to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and enjoy some hiking trails.
Go for a Nighttime Nature Walk in Yosemite National Park
One of the best things to do in Yosemite at night is to take an easy short nature hike. A couple of popular nature walks include a visit to Lower Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Fall (scheduled to reopen to the public in 2022).
If visitors spot a bear while in the park, it is a black bear-not a brown or grizzly bear. The last known grizzly bear was shot outside the Yosemite region in the early 1920s; the species no longer exists in California despite its presence on the California state flag.
Avoid areas with fresh evidence of bear activity. Remember: Bear spray, such as is recommended in some national parks like Yellowstone, is not allowed in Yosemite. According to the National Park Service, it's imperative to follow all food-storage regulations when visiting Yosemite.
31. Are there alcohol or marijuana restrictions? Alcoholic beverages are not provided, however some adults bring beer or wine to share with the group in the evenings. Alcoholic beverages are not permitted for those under 21 years of age.
The Yosemite National Park entrance fee costs $35 for non-commercial cars, pickup trucks, recreational vehicles (RVs), and vans with up to 15 passenger seats.
Private Car $20.00 per vehicle If you arrive in your private car, the entrance fee is $20 per car, is valid for seven days, and includes all occupants of the car. Cash, personal checks, travelers' checks, and credit cards are accepted.
Within Yosemite National Park, you may not sleep in your car or RV except in a campsite that you're registered to stay in (except at Camp 4, where sleeping in cars is not allowed because it's a walk-in campground). Sleeping in your car along the side of the road is not allowed.
A wilderness permit is required year-round for backpacking, overnight climbing, or any other overnight stay in the Yosemite Wilderness. A wilderness permit is not required for day hikes (unless hiking to Half Dome) or for staying in lodging facilities and frontcountry campgrounds.
A wilderness permit is required for all overnight wilderness use including climbing. This permit is valid only for the trip leader, formation/route, dates and maximum number of people specified on the permit. Except for the base of Half Dome, camping at the base of any Yosemite Valley wall is prohibited.
Leave No Trace is a set of principles that empower people visiting the outdoors to leave nature as unchanged by our presence as possible. It's a way of protecting the natural world that can be applied anywhere—when you visit national parks or your community's natural spaces.
After a two-year pilot period, the permits are now required for those attempting “big wall” climbs such as El Capitan or Half Dome, which are so difficult they typically take more than one day to complete — meaning climbers must camp along the rock face. Permits are not necessary for single or part-day climbs.
Introduction: My name is Jonah Leffler, I am a determined, faithful, outstanding, inexpensive, cheerful, determined, smiling person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.
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