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Yosemite National Park

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Yosemite National Park captivates families with its towering granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, and ancient giant sequoias that stretch toward the sky. This California treasure offers endless adventures for kids, from easy valley floor walks to spotting wildlife like black bears and mule deer. The park's dramatic landscapes create unforgettable memories that spark a lifelong love of nature in young explorers.

Best Season: Late spring through early fall offers the best weather for families, with spectacular waterfalls in May and June, though summer crowds require early morning starts for parking.

Junior Ranger Program at Yosemite National Park

Yosemite's Junior Ranger program engages kids through hands-on activities like identifying wildlife tracks, learning about granite formation, and understanding how waterfalls change throughout the seasons. Children complete age-appropriate workbook activities while exploring iconic spots like Tunnel View and Swinging Bridge, earning their official Junior Ranger badge and certificate. The program perfectly combines education with adventure as families discover why Yosemite Valley is called one of the world's natural wonders.

  • Spot giant sequoias that are over 2,000 years old
  • Learn how Yosemite Falls changes from thundering cascade to gentle trickle
  • Discover how glaciers carved the famous granite domes and cliffs
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Planning Your Visit

Van Life Tip: Book Upper Pines Campground reservations exactly 5 months in advance for the best RV sites, and arrive early in the day since Yosemite Valley parking fills up quickly during peak season.

Plan Your Stay

Save on park entry with the America the Beautiful Pass — $80 for unlimited access to all 400+ National Park sites for a full year.

Where to Stay

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Our Adventures at Yosemite National Park

Magic in the National Parks: Zion and Yosemite's Rivaling Grand Rocks

March 12, 2023

If you love stunning, towering monumental rock features, then both Zion and Yosemite National Parks are two of your must-see National Parks. Located in Utah and California, both National Park are fill...

\"Bend, Oregon is Great, Be a Tourist Here\"

March 29, 2021

Bend, Oregon is great, be a tourist here. This post is all about how we lived the locals' life for a ski season, and our takeaways. Completely piggybacking the popular bumper sticker Bend Sucks, Don't...

Magic in the National Parks: The Prolific Green Pacific Northwest

August 24, 2020

The prolific Pacific Northwest is home to the largest temperate rainforest on planet earth. It's pretty magical. Not to mention the spectacular contrasting ecosystems, just take Olympic National Park....

Family Van Life: The End is the Beginning

June 29, 2020

There is no other place on earth we'd rather spend a decade-in-the-making big graduation ceremony than family van life at Yosemite. We completely ditched the virtual one. Family Van Life: The End is t...

Closed Public Lands and the Covid-19 Pandemic: Part 2

June 15, 2020

I am not getting into the Covid-19 debate, or lack thereof. What I will observe, is that it is apparent that \"our\" public lands are not ours. We are not free to roam in vast open space. Closed Public ...

What Led us to Van Life Homeschool

April 1, 2020

If something doesn’t feel good, there is a reason, this post is about what led us to step it up a notch, and van life homeschool.

Van Life and Beyond: Home is Where Love Is

April 24, 2019

In November 2017 we rented an RV from Cruise America, and it was this experience that culminated into Van Life and beyond. Magic land at Emigrant Lake How the Van Life Adventure Began At the time, we ...

Family Van Life: Rock Climbing in Yosemite With Young Kids

April 8, 2019

Yosemite National Park is an excellent place to begin outdoor rock climbing with young kids, we started at Tuolumne Meadows. Family Van Life: Rock Climbing in Yosemite With Young Kids Rock Climbing wi...

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