7. Yosemite National Park, California
9035 Village Dr, Yosemite Valley, CA 95389, map
Why Visit?
Yosemite National Park will always hold a special place in our hearts because it was the first park we visited as adults. It’s one of the places we can’t tire of from the tallest waterfall in North America (where you can see a moonbow) to awe-inspiring granite monoliths to one of the hardest day hikes we’ve ever done. But we admit it has gotten more annoying to visit in recent years with the crowds and traffic in the Valley.
Between May 20 and Sept 30, you will need advance reservations to enter the park.
How to Get Yosemite National Park Reservations
Make your Vehicle 3-Day Entry reservation here (cost $2). It gives you day-use in the park from 6 am to 4 pm. Tickets go live on March 23, 2022, at 8 am PST for the entire season. They also release a portion of the reservations 7 days in advance (for May 20th, tickets will go live May 13th at 8 am). Our friend got one in July (peak season) and said it wasn’t hard to get a reservation. If you have a hotel, private lodging, or vacation rental in Wawona, Yosemite West, or Foresta, you do not need an advance reservation to enter.
They also require a permit to hike to the top of Half Dome. See more details here.
See Related – 15 Breathtaking Things to Do at Yosemite National Park