Becoming a Yosemite Junior Ranger means becoming intimately familiar with the forests, rivers, mountains, flora, and fauna of this part of the western Sierra Nevada. Because the mind of a young child is impressively nimble and inquiring, the material covered isn’t necessarily simplistic.

For example, consider the test questions for Junior Ranger-hood from 1933. Your average adult taking a Yosemite holiday might struggle with most of them—and a child had to answer 26 of 27 questions correctly to get their badge.

Here’s a brief sampling of the test: How would you do? Could you identify and highlight features of ten native Yosemite trees or five native shrubs? Could you tell at least five bird species solely from their songs?

How about picking out and naming no fewer than 25 native wildflowers? Or explaining four different means of discerning the sites of former Indian villages? Speaking of Yosemite’s first inhabitants, could you indicate 15 plants, 10 animals, and three insects natives utilized for food?

The ’33 test also contained this intriguing challenge: “Demonstrate the ability to ‘read the trail-side like a book.’”

These probing questions indicate the great value of the Junior Ranger experience. Children like challenges and adventure—and in the process of indulging in both through the program, they’re also gaining a deep knowledge of a precious piece of public land. Yosemite for kids means both a playground and a classroom.

Yosemite For Kids and Families

If you’re making reservations in Yosemite for kids and family, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from the all the fun-filled activities in Yosemite for kids, as well as hikes and other activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

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Certain falls, like Yosemite and Bridalveil, are celebrities. These are truly grand spectacles, but don’t neglect the scores of less well-known waterfalls in this sacred slice of American wilderness.

Lehamite Falls

This tall, slender waterfall is remarkably obscure for its position above Yosemite Valley–mostly due to the nearby presence of Yosemite Falls. Lehamite Falls is a 1,180-foot spill through Indian Canyon, which drains southward to the Merced River. The best time to appreciate the waterfalls, which diminish in the summer and fall, is late spring.

Sentinel Falls

Regarded as the park’s tallest waterfall after Yosemite Fall, Sentinel Fall cascades some 2,000 feet in multiple plunges off the southern slopes of Yosemite Valley in the shadow of its namesake, Sentinel Rock. Sentinel Falls can dry up by mid- to late-summer, so make an effort to see it in May–when it’s normally running voluminously.

Illilouette Fall

This prettily named waterfall (pictured) is one of the most powerful and consistent in the Yosemite Valley vicinity, but its tucked-away location means many never see it. Hikers on the Mist, John Muir, and Panorama trails can achieve glimpses of the 370-foot plunge of Illilouette Creek, particularly when it’s flowing at peak during spring snowmelt time.

Pywiack Cascade

Pywiack Cascade is another far-flung park cataract; you won’t gain but a distant view of its slanted careen into the beautiful but rough Tenaya Canyon, through which Tenaya Creek slices below Tenaya Lake in the Yosemite high country. The sharp-eyed can observe 600-foot-tall Pywiack from Glacier Point, or via a bushwhack from Olmstead Point along the Tioga Road.

You’ll likely never track down all of Yosemite’s waterfalls, but our Scenic Wonders rentals give you the perfect homebase from which to try!

Find a New Yosemite Waterfall This Spring

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this spring, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite waterfall as well as hikes and other activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: rmceoin

The Course

The nine-hole, par-35 Wawona Golf Course is a historic one, installed in 1918; it stands as one of only two golf courses in a U.S. national park. Notably, it’s officially certified through the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, reflecting its sustainable operations and low-impact integration with its ecosystem context.

Beyond the joys of the game itself, the setting is a magnificent one: You’ll be wandering an idyllic parkland of scattered conifers and open glades, and might end up sharing the fairways with the occasional deer.

Convenient Yosemite Cabins for Rent

Our Yosemite cabins for rent give you a fabulously convenient perch from which to enjoy the Wawona greens–not to mention many of the other defining attractions of this big, beautiful park. The A-frames, chalets, condos, and other styles that make up our Yosemite West neighborhood translate to lodging opportunities for any visitors, from solo travelers and couples to large and lively families.

While the golf fans are teeing up, their companions can be enjoying refreshments at the Wawona Dining Room or checking out nearby attractions such as the Pioneer Yosemite History Center.

Stay with Scenic Wonders and mix in a little golf with your Yosemite explorations!

View Our Yosemite Cabins For Rent Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins for rent within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: yosemitelionsclub

For decades, the National Park Service has made the national parks outdoor classrooms for their youngest visitors—an excellent means of increasing awareness about specific ecosystems and landscapes as well as an appreciation for the national-park idea in general.

Little Cubs

Children ages three to six are eligible for the Little Cub program. To participate, simply pick up the Yosemite Conservancy-published Little Cub Handbook (the present cost is $3 plus tax) at any of the following locations: the visitor centers at Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Tuolumne Meadows; the Nature Center at Happy Isles; and the Big Oak Flat Information Station.

Working through the booklet will earn your newly informed child the Little Cub button.

Junior Rangers

Seven- to 13-year-olds can become Junior Rangers. The booklets, which cost $3.50 apiece plus tax, can be purchased at the same locations as the Little Cub Handbook. An aspiring Junior Ranger achieves his or her badge by completing the full booklet as well as attending a guided program in Yosemite for kids and collecting one bag of litter.

Inspiring New Generations

For parents and guardians, one practical benefit of the Little Cub and Junior Ranger programs is directing some of that boundless kid energy to focused tasks. More importantly, however, children who earn their buttons or badges will have thought more deeply about the wondrous Yosemite landscape around them.

It’s not uncommon for the Little Cub/Junior Ranger process to solidify lifelong memories—of interacting with park rangers, studying wildflowers, hiking forest trails, and beginning to reflect on why national parks are such essential and precious places.

Yosemite For Kids and Families

If you’re making reservations in Yosemite for kids and family, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from the all the fun-filled activities in Yosemite for kids, as well as hikes and other activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: katerha

Quaking Aspen Falls

You won’t usually see the name “Quaking Aspen Falls” on a map of Yosemite, but this handsomely splayed waterfall beside the Tioga Pass Road is worth appreciating. Informally named for the presence of a quaking aspen near its head, the 25-foot cascade can be seen from a pullout a couple of miles from the North Dome trailhead.

Ribbon Falls

Set within the magisterial beauty of Yosemite Valley—and right across it from the celebrated Bridalveil Fall—Ribbon Falls is probably semi-obscure among the waterfalls of Yosemite only because of the sublimity of its surroundings. This waterfall, however, is among the tallest single-drop plunges in the world, with a straight freefalling descent of 1,612 feet. Despite that epic height, Ribbon Falls is another of Yosemite’s many ephemeral ones, usually best appreciated in May.

Royal Arch Cascade

On the north side of Yosemite Valley, Royal Arch Cascade is a seasonal streamer of water staining a massive granite wall—one spectacularly weathered right nearby into the yawning recesses called the Royal Arches. Coupled with the loom of North Dome, the setting is—characteristically for Yosemite—spectacular.

Silver Strand Falls

This striking, 560-foot waterfall is Yosemite Valley’s most westerly, representing the plunge of Meadow Brook off the highlands to the south. Easily visible from the Tunnel View Overlook, it’s overshadowed by the world-famous prospect of the valley to the east.

Take a day—take a week!—to explore the forgotten waterfalls of Yosemite, and hole up with Scenic Wonders between treks.

See The Waterfalls Of Yosemite This Spring

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this spring, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from the waterfalls of Yosemite, as well as hikes and other activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: niiicedave

The route up to this lofty vantage is usually snowed in until May. The start of Glacier Point Road, which accesses Badger Pass Ski Area on the way to its terminus, is just a hop, skip, and a jump from our beautiful accommodations in Yosemite West.

A Spectacular Vantage

The view from Glacier Point is—in a word—breathtaking. It gives you an eagle’s perspective on Yosemite Valley, better than 3,000 feet below. Half Dome is a monolithic presence on the near skyline, and the tiered careen of Yosemite Falls is visible across the valley flats. The High Sierra unfurls beyond, a quiet wilderness of granite crests and dappled snowfields.

It’s only about a forty-minute drive from our lodging in Yosemite West to Glacier Point. You can also take a bus from Yosemite Valley, or combine this shuttle with a one-way hike—on the Four Mile or Panorama trails—so you can really feel those thousands of feet worth of difference between Curry Village and that eagle’s-eye perch.

You can also take a trail from Glacier Point or other points along the road. That said, it’s also worth just sitting at the vantage for a little quiet meditation on the beautiful country rolling away on all sides. At night, you can turn your attention skyward: Glacier Point serves as an equally perfect setting for admiring galactic scenery.

Yosemite Lodging Access to Glacier Point

Choose one of our Scenic Wonders rentals for your Yosemite lodging—and then take an easy drive (or an invigorating hike) up to Glacier Point for one of America’s grandest vistas.

Make Your Yosemite Lodging Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: ArtBrom, ground.zero

The stars of the Mariposa Grove are the giant sequoias, which rank as the world’s largest trees. Related to the coast redwoods of northwestern California—tallest trees on the planet—the sequoias are entirely restricted to the Sierra Nevada; you won’t see them in the wild anywhere else. It’s hard to describe the experience of wandering among their enormous, reddish-brown trunks, which rise in tapering shafts toward a canopy hundreds of feet above you.

In addition to their record bulk, these superlative trees are also exceptionally long-lived—some exceed 3,000 years old—and aren’t slouches in the height department, either: The tallest grow past 300 feet.

The Mariposa Grove, separated into lower and upper zones, invites both motorists and hikers—and, in the winter, snowshoers and cross-country skiers—to explore its gargantuan ranks, which include some particularly famed trees. The Grizzly Giant is among the most titanic and has likely stood in its spot for nearly two millennia. In the Upper Grove, the Wawona Tunnel Tree is a toppled landmark drenched in history; between 1881 and 1969, cars could drive through its trunk courtesy of an excavated hole. A counterpart in the Lower Grove, the California Tunnel Tree, is still upright—you can saunter through for a truly unique experience.

Whether you’re auto-touring or roaming the miles of trails, be sure to stop at the Mariposa Grove Museum to learn more about the beautiful, ancient trees you’re sharing company with. It’s set in a vintage cabin built in 1861 by one of the Mariposa Grove’s first white visitors, Galen Clark, who ardently lobbied for its preservation.

The Mariposa Grove is not just a beautiful place to visit that happens to be near our Yosemite cabins; it’s also a precious piece of Yosemite’s heritage, one of the early-celebrated linchpins by which the national park was eventually fully established. Come visit it today from your home base in one of the Scenic Wonders Yosemite cabins and revel in both the big trees and the country’s conservation heritage.

Book Your Yosemite Cabins Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: col&tasha

Three Months or More in Advance

This is especially true if you’re thinking of coming to Yosemite during the peak season from April through October. Very often a last-minute summertime rental is simply not available, given the demand. We recommend locking down your accommodations with us at least three months in advance. That gives you a better chance of reserving one of your top choices.

That said, making Yosemite reservations even farther out on the calendar is never a bad idea. We accept bookings a full year in advance, the kind of timeframe that really boosts the likelihood of snagging an incomparable Scenic Wonders rental even during the heart of the main tourist season or over major holidays.

Scenic Wonders Yosemite Reservations

In addition to booking your accommodations three months or more in advance, we urge you to come up with more than one possible rental option that appeals to you. That improves your prospects even more.

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to visit Yosemite National Park in style and comfort. Our Scenic Wonders properties in Yosemite West are ideal serene getaways–nice and close to the park’s greatest attractions. So pull up that calendar and think ahead!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: puliarf

All the properties share the distinctions of charm, comfort, convenience, and a topnotch setting–yet each has its own unique atmosphere. Even a few minutes’ worth of scrolling through the list of our Yosemite rentals at our website suggests the diversity.

Yosemite Rentals at Scenic Wonders

There are elegant A-frames such as Yosemite Vista that seem to fuse with their sylvan backdrop. There are spacious duplexes such as Eagles Nest; accessible properties like Yosemite Pines that are perfect for older travelers; and studio condominiums offering the ideal alternative to a hotel room. The Ahwahnichi is a grand Arts-and-Craft residence, while Chateau Royal West takes wilderness luxury to its most magnificent level.

From river-rock fireplaces to wrap-around decks, from Jacuzzis to expansive, fully equipped kitchens, the Scenic Wonders homes provide outstanding accommodations for visitors to one of the world’s premier national parks.

Location, Location 

When you’re not relaxing and socializing in your cabin or chalet, you’ve got the multitudes of treasures in Yosemite just outside the door. Yosemite West is an easy–and beautiful–drive from outstanding attractions such as Yosemite Valley with its waterfalls and regal cliffs and the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias. You’re also only a little ways off the road up to the Badger Pass Ski Area and Glacier Point.

Time to explore the finest Yosemite rentals on the market. Time to turn a simple vacation into an unforgettable retreat. Time to experience Scenic Wonders!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite rentals within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Waterfalls

This is the premier season to enjoy Yosemite’s famous waterfalls, many of which reach their peak flow in May or June. Whether you’re marveling at the towering, three-part plunge of Yosemite Falls above Yosemite Valley, the frothing churn of Waterwheel Falls in the Tuolumne River backcountry, or any number of unnamed seasonal cataracts and streamers, the Yosemite spring is waterfall-watching on a world-class scale.

Wildflowers

Wildflowers commence their bloom by late spring in Yosemite, although the higher-elevation show naturally peaks later with the retreat of the snowpack. Particularly in the lower-elevation foothills on your approach to the area, and later in the park’s valleys, you’ve got a good chance of enjoying flushes of poppies, redbuds, shooting stars and mule-ears as the season progresses.

Other Attractions

Trails in Yosemite Valley, Wawona, and Hetch Hetchy Valley are mostly snow-free by April or May, and the pleasant daytime temperatures make spring a rewarding time to go hiking. Keep your eyes peeled for wildlife, too: Plenty of warblers, tanagers and other songbirds migrate through the Sierra this time of year, and by late spring you might spot black-tailed deer fawns or fox kits.

Our Yosemite accommodations give you the ideal perch from which to explore the park as it emerges from winter guise. Come enjoy the dappled flowers and roaring waterfalls with us!

Choose Your Yosemite Accommodations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: Trace Nietert

Waterwheel Falls

Among Yosemite’s premier waterfalls, Waterwheel Falls is named for the extraordinary churning effect of its grooved granite channel. Here, the Tuolumne River is thrown up and back along staggered ribs of rock; during peak flow in the spring and early summer, some water may even be tossed back to recommence the cascade. Anyone hiking out to Waterwheel on the 11-mile round-trip Glen Aulin Trail has the pleasure of visiting several other grand waterfalls along the Tuolumne River: Tuolumne Fall, the White Cascade, California Fall, and LeConte Fall.

Wapama Falls

The 1,400-foot Wapama Falls is a notable feature of the Hetch Hetchy Valley. You can hike out to it on a 5-mile round-trip trail, or simply admire it from the trailhead at O’Shaughnessy Dam.

Tueeulala Fall

Another Hetch Hetchy cataract, Tueeulala Fall—usually seasonal, declining in the summertime—drops more than 800 feet not far from Wapama Falls.

Chilnualna Falls

Viewable only by hiking some four miles out of Wawona, Chilnualna Falls is impressively convoluted, tumbling over 2,000 feet in a long series of meandering chutes.

No spring visit to Yosemite is complete without a little waterfall appreciation. There are no better spots to contemplate the staggering power of the Sierra Nevada and the ecological cycles linking the whole landscape.

See The Yosemite Waterfalls This Spring

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this spring, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite waterfalls, hikes and other activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credits: tigerhawkvok , jcue786

Places to Go

April is one of the premier times of the year to explore the park’s famous heart, Yosemite Valley. This is not least due to the fact that the great waterfalls off the ringing domes and cliffs–such as Yosemite, Bridalveil, and Horsetail–are usually flowing stronger with each passing day as snowmelt sets in across the watersheds.

Hetch Hetchy Valley, another great destination for waterfall-lovers, is also quite accessible in April. If you’re hoping to explore the giant sequoias of the Mariposa Grove, you may or may not find the road open, but even when closed it’s an easy, two-mile hike in to the big trees.

Weather

In Yosemite Valley and other lowland sites, April tends to be a mild, enjoyable month weather-wise. You’ll typically experience daytime highs in the 60s; it’s usually in the 30s at night. Remember to pack for the possibility of rain or even snow.

Hoofing It

The National Park Service notes that the snow level in Yosemite in April is typically around 6,000 feet. Lower-elevation hikes are typically snow-free, and routes to mid-elevations, such as to Vernal Fall, are becoming increasingly accessible. Backpacking opportunities aren’t plentiful yet, unless you’re an experienced snow-camper.

Bicycling

By April, the wonderful biking paths lacing Yosemite Valley are usually free of snow, and the weather’s often conducive to a pedaling sightseeing tour.

Yosemite vacations in April are glorious. Let Scenic Wonders be your ticket to an unforgettable springtime experience!

Book Your Yosemite Vacations Today

When you’re planning your Yosemite vacations this winter, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park.

With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: judyandrino

Here are a few of Yosemite Valley’s most notable waterfalls, but there are numerous other waterfalls to seek out.

Yosemite Falls

At 2,425 feet tall, Yosemite Falls is a three-tiered plunge of exceptional beauty that backdrops plenty of vistas from the Yosemite Valley floor. Despite its majesty, Yosemite Falls usually only flows seasonally; it tends to be nearly or completely dry by late summer. Springtime visitors marvel at its maximum incarnation. For a closer look, hike up to the bottom of the 320-foot Lower Yosemite Fall, or attempt the more challenging trek to the crest of the cataract.

Bridalveil Fall

Among the waterfalls, this is the one that welcomes you to Yosemite Valley, prominent from the Wawona and Big Oak Flat roads. Over 600 feet tall, Bridalveil runs perennially. If you pull off at the Bridalveil Fall parking lot on the way into Yosemite Valley, you can walk an easy half-mile paved path—often billowed with mist—to the base.

Horsetail Fall

Horsetail Fall is a 1,000-foot streamer gushing off the shoulders of one of Yosemite’s most famous landforms, the noble dome called El Capitan. Usually diminishing in flow by April, this waterfall is noteworthy for the infernal shimmer it assumes during mid- to late-winter sunsets.

Nevada Fall

Another year-round cascade, Nevada Fall—close to 600 feet tall—is a striking landmark from the amazing vista of Glacier Point, which usually becomes accessible by the end of May. You can get much closer to Nevada Fall by hiking the Mist Trail from Vernal Fall, another beautiful water drop, or taking the John Muir Trail.

See The Yosemite Waterfalls This Spring

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this spring, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite waterfalls, hikes and other activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: Alaskan Dude

Our Yosemite accommodations, tucked within conifer groves, are deliciously serene and comfortably furnished. You’re perfectly poised for your fresh-air retreat.

Yosemite’s Stunning Backcountry, Wildlife, and Night Skies

Yosemite’s big wilderness is calling. Everyone marvels at the divine sights of Yosemite Valley, but keep in mind there are many other corners to this sprawling mountain park. If you’re willing to lace up your hiking boots, the Yosemite high country, with its sun-splashed granite and timberline parklands, is ready to have you. From Mount Dana to Stubblefield Canyon, there are countless remote sanctuaries for refreshing your spirit.

Anywhere in the park, you may be lucky enough to be transported by the sight of native wildlife, from a great great owl to a sweet-voiced hermit thrush to a lumbering black bear. At night, it can be hard to drag yourself away from the spectacle of the Milky Way.

Yosemite Accommodations With A Stellar Location

From our cabins in Yosemite West, it’s not far to Glacier Point Road, which culminates in the magnificent panorama at Glacier Point itself. There may be no better spot for drinking in Yosemite geography, given your top-down view of the valley of the Merced River and its rugged surrounds.

Come check out our rustically classy Yosemite accommodations–and start getting away from it all in the Sierra Nevada.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re looking for Yosemite accommodations, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite accommodations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite home or cabin will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: sota-k

Yosemite Cabins Near Wildflowers

The first spring wildflowers are now emerging in Yosemite’s lower elevations. Lupines, redbuds, fiddleheads, and others are popping out in the bottom reaches of the canyons, and before long azaleas, monkeyflowers, paintbrushes, and other striking herbs will be putting on a rich color show. The great thing about a mountain landscape such as Yosemite is you can savor wildflowers from late winter all the way to mid-autumn–just by tracking the staggered bloom from low-elevation gorges to timberline meadows.

Whatever time of year you’re appreciating our Scenic Wonders Yosemite cabins, you’ll enjoy the evergreen majesty of the park’s magnificent native conifers. The west-slope Sierra Nevada supports some of the world’s most breathtaking forests, home to such titanic cone-bearing trees as sugar and Jeffrey pines, giant sequoias, incense-cedars, red firs, and mountain hemlocks. Some of these noble mountain veterans frame the views from our rentals’ patios and living-room windows.

It’s not uncommon for a Yosemite visitor to commence a visit ogling the epic sweeps of terrain and the misty careens of waterfalls–only to end up crouching over petite blooms of shooting stars or groundsels, or scrutinizing the numbers of needles per bundle in a wide-boughed pine. This is a kingdom of plants like few other corners of the globe–and one of our Scenic Wonders Yosemite cabins is the perfect spot from which to appreciate the wild gardens.

Book Your Yosemite Cabins Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credits: erikogan , robdmatt

Vacation Rentals Offer More Than Yosemite Hotels

Even a low-price room deal in one of the Yosemite hotels comes up short when you consider it alongside our Scenic Wonders properties. A vacation rental gives you so much more personal space and amenities, truly becoming a cherished home-on-the-road. After a day spent hiking to waterfalls, skiing the slopes or indulging in any of the other endless activities that make a Yosemite vacation so rich, you know you’re returning to a tranquil, rustic hideaway.

At a Scenic Wonders cabin, you’ll have access to a fully accessorized kitchen for whipping up family meals, not to mention plenty of places–from fireplace sofas to tree-canopied decks–for relaxation, socializing and personal time. It’s the combination of amenities, serenity, and location–all at an affordable price–that make our rentals such a deal compared with Yosemite hotels.

Join Our Family!

Remember to visit the Scenic Wonders Facebook Page and “Like” us to become part of the community–and stay informed on special deals and giveaway sweepstakes. You can also sign up for email alerts. All this means you’ve got the chance to benefit from reduced rates–even the occasional free stays!

If you’re frustrated with the cost and the limited space and amenities at the Yosemite hotels, consider the Scenic Wonders vacation rentals–you won’t regret it!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations, compare Yosemite hotels with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: gogoloopie

Mapping Our Yosemite Rentals

The Scenic Wonders Property Locator lays out our forested neighborhood in Yosemite West, close by Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point Road. You can scroll your cursor over the property list on the left, which will highlight the corresponding numbered circles representing the locations of our cabins and pull up pictures and short descriptions, as well as links to more fleshed-out profiles. Or simply float over the numbered circles themselves to access the details–it’s that easy!

You can also click on the “Google Map” icon in the top right of the property locator, which will open a new page showing you the setting of our Yosemite rentals in–you guessed it–Google Maps. That’s another fine way to set our Yosemite West community in context: You can enjoy a satellite photo of the area and also take a “Street View” tour of Hennes Ridge Road, Yosemite Park Way, Black Oak Lane, and the other beautiful woodsy roads accessing our cabins.

We’re proud to offer our interactive map; we think it’s a much more useful way to search out the perfect rental than the kind of bland lists you might see on other sites. Getting a sense for the layout of our many cabins–from Bears’ Den to Red Fox Retreat–can help you narrow down your top choices.

Stop on by the Scenic Wonders Property Locator today and take your vacation-planning to the next level! Our beautiful Yosemite rentals await!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite rentals within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

A contest couldn’t be easier to enter, especially one with such a fantastic prize. A simple click of the mouse–which adds you to our big, devoted Facebook family–and you’re in the running for free Yosemite lodging and a magical getaway.

Remember to enter by May 31. We’ll draw the winner shortly after. If you’re the lucky one, you’ll be able to use your free stay between November 1, 2013 and March 31, 2014–which means a free immersion in one of Yosemite’s most stirring and transformative seasons.

Scenic Wonders Yosemite Lodging

Our Scenic Wonders rentals enjoy the spectacularly convenient setting of Yosemite West, which lies within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park and not far from Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Road, and other top attractions.

Our cabins serve as premier Yosemite lodging: Stocked with amenities and dominated by serene, woodsy vibes, they’re ideal for everyone from solo travelers to families.

So what are you waiting for? Surf your way over to the Scenic Wonders Facebook page and “Like” us by May 31 via the contest app: It’s that simple to be entered into our fabulous Ultimate Yosemite Giveaway for a free Yosemite stay. While you’re there, peruse what else we’ve posted to our page and join our amazing community–united by a common love of this singularly stunning mountain kingdom.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Yosemite vacations with kids can be as action-packed as you want them to be. An excellent resource for planning your getaway is the regularly updated Yosemite Guide, chockfull of details on guided events, directions, and essential information for getting the most out of your visit.

Kid-Friendly Yosemite Vacations

The Guide will clue you into regular happenings such as evening fireside storytelling and interpretive walks, specially highlighting those appropriate for all ages. There are also a slew of activities associated with the park’s organized children programs–the Wee Wild Ones, Little Cubs and Junior Rangers. These are excellent ways to get kids excited about and invested in the wonders of Yosemite and of national parks in general.

A ranger-led outing into the woods is an unparalleled way to combine education and adventure for those endlessly energetic kids–and they’ll surely also enjoy self-guided hikes, especially those they get to plan out with a little guidance. The Yosemite Guide spotlights easy strolls in the park, and the staff at any visitor center can steer you toward more.

Yosemite Magic at a Young Age

However you fill your family Yosemite vacations, you can be sure the park and its magnificent panoramas are seeping deep into your kids’ fibers. Alpenglow on the high peaks, a glimpse of a meadow-hunting coyote, the mesmerizing power of one of the great waterfalls–this is a place where unforgettable memories are forged.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning any Yosemite vacations, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: sudoking

If you’re looking to make Yosemite reservations for an upcoming trip, take advantage of our efficient, easy-to-use booking system online.

How Making Yosemite Reservations Works Now

From the main search page, you’ll be able to enter in the pertinent details about your vacation–number of guests and duration–to narrow down those rentals available for the particular date range. You can also simply scroll down the full list of lodging options–from Ahwahnichi Lodge to Yosemite Vista–and introduce yourself to the Scenic Wonders neighborhood.

Remember, making Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders means you’re taking advantage of our supreme location. Our properties sit in rustic splendor in Yosemite West, within the boundaries of Yosemite National Park and a blissfully easy drive from outstanding attractions such as Yosemite Valley, Badger Pass Ski Area, and Glacier Point.

Tips

Using our new booking format makes securing Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders that much simpler, but the same strategies apply. Make your reservations as early as possible to ensure you have the widest range of options for your Yosemite getaway. Even though summer and early autumn are the most popular seasons for visiting the park, Yosemite is magical year-round–so consider other, quieter corners of the calendar as well.

Stop on by our Scenic Wonders and peruse our distinct properties! We’re proud to offer Yosemite accommodations that serve as cozy but elegant homes-away-from-home, right on the doorstep of the scenic heart of the Sierra Nevada.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Skiers get to experience the sublime Sierra mountains and forests at their most transcendent: nestled in snowdrifts and bearded with icicles. It’s not just the downhill options at Badger Pass, or the cross-country routes to Glacier Point, the Mariposa Grove, or Crane Flat.

Yosemite and the rest of the Sierra Nevada receive bountiful snow at higher elevations courtesy of the close proximity of the moisture factor we call the Pacific Ocean. That same maritime influence, however, also keeps our high country notably milder–and Yosemite skiing that much more comfortable–than comparable elevations of the Rockies and other interior ranges.

Sun and Snow

The ideal Yosemite skiing conditions for many are clear skies and plentiful snow–a combination not uncommon in the Sierra heights. That makes for plenty of eager eyes scanning the weather forecast, hoping for snow and a follow-up helping of blazing sunshine.

Yosemite Skiing Season

Late winter and early spring can be marvelous times to hit the slopes and the cross-country trails in Yosemite. The Badger Pass Ski Area operates through the end of March, and the latter part of the season is often rich in that magical collaboration of hefty snowpack and blue skies.

Yosemite National Park is awe-inspiring any time of the year, but now’s our last chance to celebrate its special wintertime character: fewer crowds, ravens croaking in chill dawn air, an ice-shaggy cliff, and all those marvelous opportunities for ski and snowshoe adventures. Here’s hoping for snow!

Make Your Yosemite Skiing Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making last minute Yosemite skiing reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: thomas pix

Yosemite Accommodations Outside the Park

If you stay outside the park, you’ll be spending a good chunk of your trip commuting there and back. That means less time soaking up the Yosemite experience and more time in a cramped vehicle; that extra driving also translates to more air pollution.

Yosemite Accommodations Inside the Park

By contrast, if you stay at one of our Scenic Wonders properties in Yosemite West, you’re a hop-skip-and-a-jump away from some of the park’s most lauded attractions: Yosemite Valley, with its waterfalls and granite domes; Badger Pass and Glacier Point for a taste of the high country; and Wawona and the Mariposa Grove.

That means less time behind the wheel and more time wandering Yosemite’s trails, having a picnic beside a ruffled river, skiing or snowshoeing, and otherwise having the time of your life.

And you’ll be helping keep Yosemite’s air cleaner and less polluted. In this grand natural sanctuary, that’s a very good thing indeed.

Bunking down within the park is more convenient, more environmentally friendly, and more exciting–you get to call this magical place your home for a few nights or a few weeks.

Getting Yosemite Accommodations in the Park

Come take a virtual tour of the Scenic Wonders properties at our website. If you see some cabins that intrigue you, call early to make your reservations! Having a few different options boosts your chances of finding an available rental for the dates you’re aiming for.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re looking for Yosemite accommodations, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite accommodations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite home or cabin will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: Randy Le’Moine Photography

Half Dome

One of the most iconic symbols of Yosemite is Half Dome, a sheer-faced mass of beautiful Sierra Nevada granite overlooking Yosemite Valley.

You can appreciate this venerable signal peak from numerous points in the valley–or from higher vantages, such as Glacier Point.

If you’re fit and careful, on one of your Yosemite vacations you can summit Half Dome–one of the park’s most adventurous and stunning hikes. It’s a full-day outing, so plan accordingly!

Glacier Point

Speaking of vantages: Glacier Point is one of the park’s very finest. This prospect, more than 3,000 feet above the bottom of Yosemite Valley, takes in many of Yosemite’s best-known landmarks, including Half Dome, from a bird’s-eye perch. 

From late spring into mid-autumn, Glacier Point is accessible by automobile via Glacier Point Road. You can also hike there from the valley floor on the Four Mile Trail.

Between December and March, hitch on your cross-country skis and strike out from Badger Pass along groomed Glacier Point Road for a 21-mile-round-trip trek to the vista.

Degnan’s Deli

If you need to refuel after your outdoor adventuring, consider Degnan’s Deli in Yosemite Village for a delicious, refreshing meal. The oldest still-active business in the park, the deli was originally established in the late 1800s by Bridget and John Degnan, and remained in the family for decades before being transferred to concessionaire management. Stop by for a snack and relish the history–and the scenery!

Book Your Yosemite Vacations Today

When you’re planning your Yosemite vacations this winter, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park.

With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Photo credit: Randy Le’Moine Photography

Sample this Scenic Wonders diversity by considering three neighboring cabins (interactive map): our Fiske, Christmas, and Yosemite Vista properties.

Fiske Cabin

You’ll enjoy plenty of elbow room in this split-level, two-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom cabin. An open, roomy format makes for plenty of good visiting time with family or friends–particularly with a spacious, fully equipped kitchen as a center of activity. The Fiske cabin living room opens to a woods-view deck–accessorized with chairs and a gas BBQ. Upstairs lie more bedrooms and, like the lower level, a DVD-player-equipped satellite TV.

Christmas Cabin

Sugar pines and highland views cup this charming Christmas-themed cabin–one of the Scenic Wonders Yosemite lodging offerings. Featuring three bedrooms and two bathrooms, the Christmas cabin also has a peaceful deck overlooking the forest, as well as DVD- and VHS-equipped dish TV and a CD console. The holiday decorations are tasteful, and the overall decor one of a festive, cozy, woodsy retreat.

Yosemite Vista Cabin

A magnificent, grandly rustic A-frame, the Yosemite Vista cabin is perfect for fully embracing the wilderness spirit of the west-slope Sierra. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin enjoys an enviable vista from living-room windows and deck (complete with a four-person hot tub) alike, and a wood stove for delightfully snug evenings.

This trio of neighboring cabins suggests the breadth of the Yosemite lodging setups in the Scenic Wonders community. There are no better accommodations for savoring the park!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider your Yosemite lodging choices with Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Strawberry Creek

Perched at the edge of rich forest, Strawberry Creek is a spectacular three-bedroom, two-bathroom cabin with a spacious, rustically elegant interior and a BBQ-equipped, sun-soaked deck. You’ll love relaxing on luxuriant leather couches in front of the dancing flames in the stunning river-rock fireplace–or enjoying a movie or show on one of the big LCD televisions in the loft or the living room.

South-facing windows accommodate plenty of glorious Yosemite sunshine. You’ll savor the classy, fully accessorized kitchen with its cherry-wood panels and quartz countertops.

Serenity Pines

Not far from the Strawberry Creek property is Serenity Pines, set along Black Oak Lane in Yosemite West. Among our newest Yosemite cabins, this dignified chalet–its setting accented by noble sugar pines, one of the area’s largest and most beautiful native trees–sports three bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms.

The living room and the game room–both of which have television sets and DVD/VCR hookups–can be the site of plenty of entertainment, while adults will love the master bath, king bed, TV, and personal deck in the Parents Privacy Suite.

Strawberry Creek, Serenity Pines, and all our other Yosemite cabins exemplify the Scenic Wonders aesthetic: rustic but elegant, impeccably located, close to Yosemite National Park’s greatest sights but also wonderfully tucked-away. Come take a virtual tour and see whether they aren’t the missing ingredient to an unforgettable vacation in one of the world’s most lovely, soul-renewing places.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Affordability

Rental cabins are often a bigger value than hotel rooms, which can be notably pricey in Yosemite. For the same cost or less, a rental gives you a whole range of amenities, not to mention more space and more self-sufficiency. Think of it as a comfortable, fully stocked, and highly affordable “home-away-from-home” while you explore the incomparable majesty of Yosemite country.

Space

Instead of limiting yourself to a room in one of the Yosemite hotels, you could be enjoying the comparatively bountiful space of an entire cabin for yourself. This makes for a particularly attractive option for families: Everyone can enjoy a little more personal space in a rental, instead of all being crammed together. Little moments of privacy are easily had in our properties.

Amenities

The presence of a fully equipped kitchen in one of our Scenic Wonders rentals alone can make all the difference. Being able to prepare and eat meals together, in that home-away-from-home of yours, hugely enhances the social bonding that’s often a premium goal on a vacation. It also can translate to further savings, as you aren’t beholden to hotel restaurants or other eateries for all your dining.

So next time you’re mulling the price and limitations of Yosemite hotels when vacation-planning, spare a few moments to consider our Scenic Wonders rentals. Just imagine: You could be relaxing in a woodsy cabin amid supreme peace and quiet, instead of sharing your vacation experience with hordes of others. Take a virtual tour or peruse our lodgings and see what all the fuss is about!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, compare the Yosemite hotels with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

A few basic tips will make your Yosemite skiing and snowshoeing experience as rewarding and safe as it can be.

The Yosemite Guide

The go-to resource for anyone planning a Yosemite skiing or snowshoeing outing in the park, the Yosemite Guide has all the information you need to get oriented. Before anything else, read through the packet so you know where to go in the park and where to find up-to-date information on weather and road conditions.

Weather and Road Information

Between December and March, the Badger Pass Ski Area offers excellent downhill skiing — as well as lessons and some equipment rentals — and trailheads for fantastic cross-country treks. Call 209/372-1000 for current weather and snow conditions at Badger Pass before you head up there.

In general, calling 209/372-0200 or visiting the California Department of Transportation website, www.dot.ca.gov, is your best bet for gauging road conditions in and around the park. Icy or snow-covered routes can be dangerous, so it’s essential to keep tabs on your access routes.

In addition to calling 209/372-0200 for weather developments in order to plan independent hikes, snowshoers hoping to explore the whitened woods can also participate in guided outings–a fine way to learn about park ecology while tasting the wilderness in a safe setting.

Make Your Yosemite Skiing Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite skiing reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: jurvetson

Our Scenic Wonders cabins are among the Yosemite rentals open year-round, so they offer the ideal perch–inside the boundaries of the park–for exploring and experiencing Yosemite.

Weather

California is blessed with some of the world’s most ideal weather. Yosemite, of course, is up on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada, so winters are snowy at higher elevations–ideal for skiers, snowshoers, and other winter-sports lovers. That said, sunshine and fairly mild low-elevation temperatures are common in winter.

Spring and autumn in Yosemite are wondrous–and typically less busy. Summertime is the most popular season to grab Yosemite rentals. Even when the afternoon temperatures climb, you’re never far from relief–a big shade tree, a refreshing blast of waterfall mist, the beckoning high country.

Activities

There’s loads to do in Yosemite at any point of the calendar. Hikers can roam the park’s outstanding trail network all year: Paths in the Hetch Hetchy and Yosemite valleys may be mostly free of snow even in winter, and by mid-summer the high-country routes are usually accessible. (Here are some of our favorite hikes.) The Badger Pass Ski Area is a winter-sports hotspot from December to March, and there are other excellent cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destinations, too. 

Ranger talks and guided outings are offered year-round, and, whatever the weather, there are fascinating experiences to be hand in Yosemite inside its visitor centers and museums. Our Yosemite rentals, furthermore, are perfect for getting cozy.

Don’t just think “summer” when you think of Yosemite rentals, in other words: This is a place to be enjoyed 365 days of the year.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: Ralphman

Book in Advance

Lock down your Yosemite reservations early, and you’ll likely pay less money for them. (Not incidentally, you’ll also obviously have a bigger pool of lodging options to choose from.) Think as far ahead into your calendar as you feasibly can, and come up with a handful of possible itineraries so you have a back-up plan.

Be Flexible With Your Dates

More often than we’d probably like, an unforgivingly crammed calendar is our reality; we may have only a couple of weekends at our disposal for a much-needed vacation getaway. However, if you can exercise a bit of flexibility when it comes to making Yosemite reservations, you may well benefit in the form of a lower bill.

In most cases, aiming your visit for mid-week will result in cheaper Yosemite lodging than weekend or holiday dates. An added bonus if you can take such a route is the lower crowds you’ll likely experience in the park.

No Reservation Fees

Keep a sharp eye out for Yosemite accommodations that come with no reservation fees. That’s one obvious way to make the trip a bit more affordable.

Snag Special Offers

Check for lodging regularly and thoroughly–you may chance upon a limited-time discount offer for making reservations. For example, here at Scenic Wonders, we periodically announce such special deals on our Facebook Page, Twitter Page and elsewhere so our fans, followers and consistent visitors may be rewarded.

Follow this advice and you just might discover that vacation to Yosemite National Park more affordable than ever–and who can argue with that?

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: fortherock

Yosemite Accommodations Close to World-Famous Scenery

The tucked-away cabins of Scenic Wonders, sprinkled around Yosemite West, are all within an easy drive of Yosemite’s most famous scenic vistas. Yosemite Valley is a short jaunt away, and no matter how many calendar images of this iconic landscape you’ve seen, the magical composition of waterfalls, sheer cliffs, soaring trees, and sweeping valley floor never fails to take the breath away.

We’re also close by Glacier Point Road, which leads to the namesake vantage up in the Yosemite highlands. From this 7,214-foot-high perch, you can take in the Yosemite Valley from a raven’s perspective.

Also close at hand are the sequoias of the Mariposa Grove and the stunning meadows and woods off the Tioga Road.

Serenity Right Outside the Door

Our Yosemite accommodations are wrapped in their own wonderful Sierra Nevada scenery. A glance out the window reveals swaying conifers–representatives of some of the most magnificent forests in the world, home to sequoia, sugar pine, incense-cedar, and other mighty trees.

At night, revel in Yosemite’s deep, dark night sky. What better place to study the constellations and planets than the grand Sierras?

Our Yosemite accommodations are the epitome of rustic luxury. They also get you right into the heart of one gloriously scenic patch of mountain wilderness.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: ianmalcm

Timing Your Yosemite Vacations

One of the basic factors to consider is timing. When can you get away long enough to do Yosemite proper justice? Most visitors come in summer and early autumn. In this peak season, it’s advisable to make reservations as early as possible.

Yosemite vacations, however, are equally rewarding in the wintertime. Outdoor enthusiasts will love the snowshoeing and skiing opportunities at sites such as Badger Pass, Crane Flat, and the Mariposa Grove.

Speaking of the calendar, how much time can you spend in Yosemite? You can sample the landscape in a couple of days–or spend weeks drinking it all in. The Scenic Wonders rental properties are situated in the bounds of the national park, which means you’re spending more time exploring it and less time commuting.

Budget considerations are always a reality. While you have a full range of accommodations to choose from, remember that a rental condo or cabin can be more affordable than a room in one of the big hotels–with more of the amenities you’d expect at home.

Think, too, of course, about what you’d most like to be doing in Yosemite. Hikers have endless opportunities to hit the trail no matter where they are. Along with the winter sports already mentioned, you’ve also got the Wawona Golf Course, the history center, and other diverse attractions to tempt you, all laid out against Yosemite’s world-renowned mountain and forest panoramas.

Yosemite Vacations To Remember

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: scgustinwdw

Prime Yosemite Lodging

The cabins, condominiums, and homes available for rent through Scenic Wonders lie in Yosemite West, which sits at the southwestern edge of the national park–through the gates and in the heart of Yosemite.

This unbeatable proximity means you’ll be within a quick commute of many of Yosemite’s grandest attractions, including the sights of Yosemite Valley–the world-famous parkland of waterfalls and granite domes–and the huge sequoias of the Mariposa Grove.

Yosemite lodging as conveniently situated as ours mean you can slice off hours of travel and maximize your enjoyment of the park itself.

Year-Round Excitement

Our Yosemite lodging make for year-round home bases for savoring all of this magnificent country’s seasonal incarnations. The Scenic Wonders properties are a stone’s throw from Glacier Point Road, which leads up to the Badger Pass Ski Area, the centerpiece of Yosemite’s winter-sports activities (view skiing conditions). You’re also not far from Crane Flat, another skiing and snowshoeing destination. Warm-season hiking opportunities in the vicinity are endless.

Yosemite Lodging at its Most Serene

Even though it’s nice and close to Yosemite Valley, Yosemite West gives you the opportunity to enjoy a quieter, slower pace than the hustle and bustle of that premier attraction. Stay at a Scenic Wonders property and enjoy the whisper of wind through pines and cedars, and the chatter of bird and squirrel calls.

What better place to replenish the soul–and rest eyes overloaded with epic scenery–than a tucked-away cabin or condo to call your own for a few nights?

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite lodging reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite lodging accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: fortherock

Yosemite Cabins in Mountain and Forest Splendor

Bedding down in one of our Yosemite cabins, you’ll sense the near presence of those grand Sierra Nevada peaks and the surging rivers that have burrowed off them into the broad, parkland valleys.

Yosemite’s looming granite mountains and towering waterfalls grab a lot of justified attention, but of equal splendor are its coniferous forests – some of the most diverse and impressive in the world.

Our Yosemite cabins are nestled amid beautiful trees characteristic of the Sierran woods: Yosemite Vista, for example, an A-frame cabin, is nestled amid sugar pines, which are the world’s largest pines and those sporting the longest cones.

Yosemite Cabins and Wildlife-watching

Whether you’re lounging on the deck of one of our Yosemite cabins or exploring elsewhere in the park, you’ve got a great chance to see native wildlife. From Steller’s jays to ravens, from black-tailed deer to black bears, you can spot a wide range of critters and marvel at the presence of more elusive beasts in the mountain forests, such as pumas, fishers, and great gray owls.

At night, who knows? You may hear a sudden chorus of yapping coyotes, or detect the deep hoots of a great horned owl from somewhere in the timber.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: mikebaird

Yosemite Skiing at Badger Pass

The first established downhill skiing site in California, Badger Pass is Yosemite skiing at its finest. Snow conditions are typically prime between December and March, when the ski area is accessible via the first five plowed miles of Glacier Point Road. You can keep tabs on current ski conditions by visiting Badger Pass’s website or Facebook Page, or by calling.

That luxurious, high-quality snow up at Badger Pass doesn’t just lend itself to the variety of downhill runs available. The area is also ideal for cross-country skiing (and snowshoeing). A classic and exhilarating trek is out to Glacier Point. For overnighters, backcountry skiers can hole up in the beautiful, cozy Ostrander Ski Hut, about 10 miles from the ski area and not far from the sweeping vistas at Glacier Point.

Yosemite Skiing Tips

Remember to only tackle downhill runs or cross-country treks your abilities and skill level allow. You can bolster your prowess by taking lessons at Badger Pass. You can also rent equipment there, but call ahead to find out whether you’ll need to bring anything yourself. Pack appropriately and take all the standard winter-wilderness precautions.

Yosemite skiing allows you to fully experience winter in one of the worlds most beautiful corners. Check out the world-class Badger Pass snow conditions today by hitting the slopes or the trails!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: snickclunk

Remember, a Yosemite vacation rental or cabin can be a fine alternative to the cost of a fancy park hotel and the experience can be an especially memorable one.

Yosemite Hotels

Whether it’s the Ahwahnee, the Wawona, the Yosemite Lodge, or any of the other hotel accommodations available within the park, you’ll be shelling out a fair amount for the experience. The Ahwahnee and Yosemite Lodges, both in Yosemite Valley, the epicenter of tourist activities in the park, are particularly expensive; at the former, you may spend $400 or more for the privilege.

Yosemite hotels come with a formidable price-tag. They’re certainly magical and often history-drenched places but you can always appreciate them with an afternoon cocktail or light meal rather than spending all that money for lodging. You might consider what else you could be parting with your hard-earned dollars for to achieve a fulfilling Yosemite vacation: skiing, renting snowshoes, taking a guided tour, seeing the grand Sierra Nevada country from horseback – all sorts of adventures.

Yosemite Hotels Vs. Vacation Rentals

If Yosemite hotels seem a little pricey for your budget, think about the alternative possibilities offered by a Yosemite vacation rental: For a comparable or cheaper cost, you’ll have a full cabin or house at your disposal, a true home away from home.

A vacation rental can take your family holiday to the next spectrum of memory-making. Having multiple rooms to spread out the whole gang, enjoying a lively and fully stocked kitchen as the center of action, spreading out for board games or book-reading by the fire: A vacation rental offers the homey, convivial counterpoint to the expensive elegance of Yosemite hotels.

In fact, if you do the comparison, you can actually rent a whole house for just about the same price per person!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: belboo

Yosemite Rentals With Easy Badger Pass Access

These Yosemite rentals are situated through the gates of the park – you can’t ask for a more convenient location and close to Glacier Point Road, which is plowed in winter for the first five miles to afford access to Badger Pass.

Whether you’re a downhill fanatic, a cross-country skier, a snowshoer, or simply a lover of winter scenery, Badger Pass is one of Yosemite’s recreational hubs. From one of our Yosemite rentals, it’s an easy and beautiful drive up to the ski area, where you can busy yourself with skiing lessons, whizzing down the slopes, or embarking into the snowbound woods for miles of exploration.

A true standout attraction in the region is the winter prospect from Glacier Point, reached by a 10.5-mile ski or snowshoe outing from Badger Pass. If you wish, you’ve also got the rustic charms of the Ostrander or Glacier Point ski huts to facilitate a night in the backcountry.

Yosemite Rentals As Wintry Home Base

To sum up, our Yosemite rentals aren’t just wonderfully well-situated for warm-season visits to this magnificent park. When winter coats the Sierras in a frosty swaddle, take advantage of our Yosemite West location as a jumping-off point for the excitement and serenity of Badger Pass. What better place to relax after downhill runs and deep-woods wanderings than your own home-away-from-home, just down the road?

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: jopotts

Getting Your Yosemite Reservations Early

The most straightforward method for snagging Yosemite reservations for the peak season is to start early. Procrastination is a part of human nature, after all, and many wait on vacation logistics until the last minute. Think a year or more ahead, if possible: Your chances at a place to stay typically improve in proportion to how much in advance you’re seeking them.

Another advantage of booking early is that your own calendar will normally be freer that far in advance, making it easier to block out a few different dates. Have a backup itinerary or two in case your first choice won’t work.

Yosemite Reservations and Cancellations

If everything’s booked, don’t give up – keep trying. Perhaps you weren’t able to claim Yosemite reservations for the summer a month or two back: Call again and see whether or not anyone’s cancelled. This tactic often works best if you inquire around the date that is the last for a full-refund cancellation because you may be able to promptly take advantage of would-be lodgers changing their minds.

So, think ahead, and be flexible and savvy. Consider your summer plans a year out and try to make your Yosemite reservations then. Have several dates in mind. If rooms and rentals are scarce, lock down what you can and keep checking for openings at more preferable spots as your trip approaches.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: The DreamSky

Yosemite in winter: skiing and snowshoeing

Set at 6,200 feet, Crane Flat is laced with a number of ungroomed ski and snowshoe trails of varying length and difficulty. The 3-mile roundtrip trek to the Crane Flat Lookout is well worth the effort, given the fine view available from the fire tower. More impressive prospects are available from the Clark Range View Trail, a 4-mile roundtrip route tracing a former logging track.

An easy 1.75-mile trail explores the Crane Flat Campground. Another short, popular route drops one mile into the Tuolumne Grove, one of several stands of giant sequoia in Yosemite. The Merced Grove, accessible via a 1.5-mile trail, is another beautiful sequoia wood; the ultimate drop into the grove is quite steep. The Tuolumne and Merced groves are smaller and—not least because they’re reachable only by foot—less crowded than the famous Mariposa Grove in the south of the park, another excellent site for winter recreation.

Giant sequoias aren’t the only mighty conifers in the Crane Flat area. The 2.25-mile Rockefeller Grove Trail leads to the namesake wood of enormous sugar pines, the most massive pine species in the world. These gargantuan trees were forever spared from the axe and chainsaw courtesy of a grant from the philanthropist John D. Rockefeller, Jr. in 1930, which transferred ownership of the plot from private timber companies to the National Park Service. The Rockefeller Grove winter trailhead is the Merced Grove parking lot.

For those visiting Yosemite in winter who seek a long, vigorous snowshoe or ski outing, the 6.25-mile Gin Flat Loop Trail is a good choice. It commences off the Tioga Road.

Remember to dress properly for your cross-country adventure: Wear warm layers so you can thermoregulate. Always bring along extra food and water in case of contingencies, and don’t set out without a good trail map and a compass—not to mention the knowledge of how to use them. Remember that you’re sharing these trails with other winter recreationists: If you’re snowshoeing, stay out of ski tracks.

Keep in mind, too, that skiing and snowshoeing may not be possible if snow levels are too scanty. That doesn’t mean you can’t still visit Yosemite in winter, of course: You can always hike!

If you’re looking to experience the wonders of Yosemite in winter, consider checking out the Crane Flat trail network. Whether you’re following coyote tracks, marveling at an enormous sugar-pine cone, or simply drinking in the sight of snowy woods, you’ll be experiencing a magical side of one of America’s sacred places—and having a hearty blast while you do so.

Yosemite In Winter: Reservations

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite in winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite winter activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on Yosemite in winter, including activities, accommodations, and more.

Image credit: Rennett Stowe

The History of Yosemite Reservations and Log Cabins

When you make your Yosemite reservations, you’ll compare the number of vintage log cabins native to the area which are on display at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center—across the Wawona Covered Bridge from the Wawona Hotel—along with other historic structures like stables, shops, and the covered bridge itself. Many were transported to Wawona in the mid-20th century for preservation and interpretive purposes; their original locations were scattered throughout the area. As you’ll learn at the history center, these cabins don’t simply recall the stories of their builders and residents: They signify larger stories of how the Yosemite country was first perceived and used by Euro-Americans in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, and how the region came to be protected in one of the country’s earliest national parks.

Among the oldest is the Homestead Cabin, the park’s only two-story log cabin, which was erected by Jeremiah Hodgdon and his family in 1879 in the Aspen Valley of Yosemite’s high country. This site along the Tioga Road, claimed by the Hodgdons courtesy of the 1862 Homestead Act, was meant as summer grazing grounds for the family’s cattle. Many such homesteaders were not supportive of Yosemite reservations, guests or even of establishing a national park in Yosemite. However, their activities, such as the overgrazing of mountain meadows by livestock, were a major prompt for calls to preserve the region from the Scottish-American naturalist John Muir and others. Consider this complicated history as you marvel at the Homestead Cabin today at Wawona.

Taste another side of Yosemite’s Euro-American heritage by visiting the Artist Cabin, once the lodging of Christian Jorgensen, one of many painters who set up shop in this patch of the Sierra Nevada in the late 1800s to celebrate its stunning beauty. The artwork and photographs of artists such as Jorgensen, who built this cabin originally along the Merced River in the vicinity of Sentinel Bridge, helped inspire early tourism to Yosemite—and directly contributed to the region’s preservation for posterity.

The Homestead and Artist cabins aren’t the only ones on display at the Pioneer Yosemite History Center. You’ll also see the winter home of George Anderson, credited with the first documented ascent of Half Dome, and a patrol cabin used by early park rangers.

Make your Yosemite reservations and you’ll know that everywhere you end up traveling in Yosemite, you’ll be walking in the footsteps of others before you: from American Indian foragers and storytellers to early Euro-American pioneers, soldiers, and tourists. The old log cabins on display in the park are testaments to some of that history, and a reminder that, when you settle in at a Yosemite vacation rental, you’re joining a long line of folks inspired to visit, even to live, in this mountain paradise.

Don’t forget: Make your Yosemite reservations early and while you’re exploring the park with your own cabin rental serving as home base, make sure to include the Pioneer Yosemite History Center on your list of destinations. Wawona is accessible throughout the year not far from the park’s South Entrance.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning on making Yosemite reservations this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Given its fairly close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, the Sierra Nevada—like the Cascade Range that commences just beyond the northern spurs of the Sierras and continues their north-south orientation into the Pacific Northwest—typically receives heavy snowfall in higher elevations during the winter. The maritime influence, however, keeps the mountains more mild than the Rockies and other interior ranges, and the western foothills are often snow-free. Depending on current weather conditions and the timing of your winter visit, you may find Yosemite Valley frosted with snow or basically clear.

There are plenty of outstanding activities awaiting the wintertime visitor to Yosemite, from skiing up at Badger Pass to skating at the Curry Village Ice Rink and indulging in a little ski and snowshoe touring in Mariposa Grove. You’ve got guided outings led by park staff for exploring the snowy woods and glades, while the park’s indoor gems—such as the venerable Ahwahnee Hotel or the fascinating Yosemite Museum—offer warm and cozy refuges.

You’ll undoubtedly discover, however, much of your winter visit to Yosemite National Park occupied with gaping at and meditating on the incomparable scenery. In that sense, a winter experience in Yosemite country is much the same as a summer one: For all the recreational and entertainment opportunities at hand, you’re consistently drawn back to the foundational quintessence of this magical corner of the country—the mosaic of granite ramparts, monumental groves of pine, sequoia, Douglas-fir, and other mighty trees, and plunging, burrowing, meandering streams. The joy of winter is the snow coat this fabulous country wears on the other side of the calendar from summer’s dry heat.

Yosemite’s free shuttle buses provide the perfect introduction to the park’s geological and ecological grandeur. Rolling through Yosemite Valley, you can pay your respects to the sublime rock faces of El Capitan and Half Dome. The famous waterfalls plunging toward the Merced River off the valley’s mountain walls vary significantly in volume across the year; in early winter they may be middling or dry, but later in the season the cataracts usually flow more strongly, fed by snow and rain. Most of the winter, you’ll be able to discern at least a misty ribbon of Yosemite Falls.

Yosemite Valley is the anchor for most park visitors, and its accessibility in winter makes it a fine home base. But while much of the park is difficult to access when snows close higher-elevation roads and muffle the subalpine terrain, you can still find plenty of scenic delights beyond the valley floor. Shuttles can transport you up to Badger Pass, allowing you to sample the snowy heart of the mountains.

You can also wander—on cross-country skis or snowshoes in a typical winter—the park’s stands of giant sequoias, the world’s most massive trees. Mariposa Grove is the most well-known sequoia wood, but others, such as Merced and Tuolumne groves, await your discovery on foot.

The Hetch Hetchy Valley is a northerly and less-visited counterpart of Yosemite Valley. Its Hetch Hetchy Reservoir—source of San Francisco’s drinking water—along the Tuoloumne River is often a premier destination in winter, given its relatively low elevation.

All in all, winter is one of the best times to appreciate Yosemite scenery. Mist, snow, ice-laced streams and ice-glazed cliffs—the sights are transfixing.

Image Credit: Chase Lindberg Photography

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

All of Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders properties are located through the gates and in the heart of Yosemite National Park, and all provide their own magic. You can choose from a rich variety of sizes and amenities depending on your needs and desires: There’s something for everyone. From the secluded Hiker’s Hideaway—snugly tucked amid Sugar Pines and Dogwoods—to the A-frame elegance and evocative vistas of Stoneoaks, our cabins and condos give you the opportunity to conveniently immerse yourself in the majestic Yosemite landscape in rustic style.

One of the newest standouts is the Ahwahnichi Lodge, which summons the architectural craftsman spirit of the 1920s and 1930s. This spacious, three-bedroom house echoes its setting in every luxuriant room and all its furnishings, showcasing the Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders ethos of embracing and celebrating our properties’ grandiose setting. From the wood cabinets and trims to the kitchen countertops that call to mind the bold granite domes and cliffs of the Sierra Nevada, the Ahwahnichi seems to distill a certain rugged essence from the conifer groves and mountain walls around it.

You’ll likely spend much time in the fully equipped kitchen or around the fireplace in the family room, but Ahwahnichi guests tend to be equally drawn to the house’s many windows, caught up in the timeless scenery. The elegant Master bedroom leads to a private deck, where you can listen to the wind sloughing through the great arms of the Sugar Pines just feet away from your pillow.

Whichever unique property you decide on, our cabins and condos are there to serve many purposes to make your Yosemite stay a fulfilling and unforgettable one. They are home bases, giving you the chance to return after a full day of sightseeing and adventuring to cozy warmth and good cheer: a chance to cook together, dine together, do a jigsaw puzzle, immerse yourself in a book, update that trip journal. They can be boisterous places of laughter and games or quiet refuges to reflect on the mesmerizing landscape—the old trees, the soaring pale mountains, the evening deer and croaking ravens—which overwhelms your senses on a Yosemite holiday.

What better way, after all, to soak in those magical Yosemite experiences—the big and small moments, the postcard-perfect vistas and the tucked-away secrets—than in your own home-away-from-home smack dab in the park itself? Whether it’s the transcendent Ahwahnichi or another of the Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders getaways, you’ll be perfectly situated for an open-hearted engagement with this gem of the Sierra Nevada, celebrated around the world. Check out what’s available today!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite this winter, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE ( 1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Introducing the Great Gray Owl

Yosemite’s Great gray owls, which range across northern North America and Eurasia, are physically impressive birds: They’re America’s tallest owl—from head to tail they may be two feet— although not the heaviest (an honor roughly shared by the great horned and snowy owls). With a little basic knowledge, you’ll discover they’re unmistakable if you’re lucky enough to catch a glimpse of one. The only other owl native to Yosemite that approaches the great gray in size is the fiercer, feistier great horned owl, which can easily be distinguished from its longer, lighter cousin: Great horned owls have feathery “ear” tufts—the “horns”—while great grays have smooth, tuft-less heads; furthermore, horned owls have larger eyes in proportion to their heads, and bigger talons.

Yosemite plays home to most of California’s Yosemite’s great gray owls, and recent genetic investigation suggests these Sierra Nevada birds are their own distinct subspecies: They’ve been isolated long enough from other owl populations—in the Cascade Range and Rocky Mountains, for example—to show unique genetic and behavioral traits. This makes Yosemite’s great grays all the more valuable.

We tend to think of owls as nighttime phantoms, out and about only when it’s pitch-black. Great gray owls, however, may be active during the day, as well, especially in more far-flung areas. They feed predominantly on rodents like voles and mice, swooping down upon their prey on nearly silent wings and dispatching it with talons and beak. They commonly forage in mountain meadows ringed by conifer forest. During the breeding season, great grey owls in Yosemite stick mostly to higher elevation fir and lodgepole-pine woods; in winter, they descend below the heavy snowpack to frequent the park’s mid-elevation mixed-conifer forests.

Tips for Viewing

Most visitors to Yosemite don’t spend much time in the high woods favored by the great gray owl, but if you know where to look and exhibit a little patience, you may come away with a glimpse of these big, soft-winged phantoms. Crane Flat is one spot where, particularly in the early morning or evening, you may be able to see great gray owls on the hunt. They’ve occasionally been spotted along the Wawona Golf Course, perched in some of the big pines fringing the green.

If you’re hiking in mid- to upper-elevation woods in Yosemite, stop frequently and scan the surrounding trees: You’ll need sharp eyes and a good dose of luck to spy a perched owl, but it’s always possible. Remember, the intersections of deep woods and open meadows are prime owl hunting sites, so key into these so-called “edge zones.” In addition to the Crane Flat area, you might consider hiking to McGurk Meadow off the Glacier Point Road, another owl activity hotspot.

It’s always a fruitful idea to ask park staff about where to go to see wildlife like great gray owls. For one thing, you may be able to learn about the most up-to-date sightings; sometimes a particular owl may frequent the same spot for a stretch of time, greatly boosting your chances of a sighting.

Never approach a great gray owl closely, or do anything else that might disturb its natural patterns of behavior. Stressing out these magnificent birds taxes their energy and may keep them from visiting their nest or procuring food. A set of binoculars or a spotting scope will help bring a glimpsed owl into better view without invading its personal space.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go skiing or snowshoeing in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Keep in mind that black bears aren’t inherently bloodthirsty: They feed mostly on plant material (such as acorns, berries, and sedges) and insects, and are usually timid around people. Most trouble with bears comes when they’re habituated to human food—and, in the majority of cases, the blame in such situations lies with people, not bears.

Bear Encounters

It’s possible you’ll randomly encounter a black bear in the Yosemite backcountry, but you’re somewhat more likely to run into one in a developed area—where bears tend to be more accustomed to human presence. If a bear appears in your campsite or at a parking lot or trailhead, act aggressively and confidently: Wave your arms, shout at the animal, make yourself appear big and thoroughly human.

The same goes if a bear directly approaches you anywhere in the park. Such a bear is acting opportunistically, whatever it’s up to: It may want to hustle you out of a scrap of food, for example. While rare, a bold and inquisitive black bear may also be testing you as a potential prey item. Turn aside the bear’s interest with forceful talking, shouting, and arm-waving.

Your average black bear is unlikely to approach you, however. If you’re hiking somewhere in Yosemite and see a bear nearby, leave it alone and give it a healthy berth; the Park Service recommends staying 50 or more yards away. If the bear is on or near the trail, consider backtracking the way you came, or making a broad detour. Never run: Keep your movements deliberate and confident.

Remember, a black bear habituated to human food—whether gained covertly in an improperly maintained, unoccupied campsite or through handouts—is potentially dangerous and unpredictable. In a worst-case scenario, such an animal might injure a person or be killed because of the threat it represents. Refraining from feeding bears directly or indirectly can keep the bears and your fellow humans safe.

Whatever the nature of your encounter with a bear, always report it to a park ranger.

Other Tips and Considerations

Hiking and travelling in groups greatly minimizes your chance of a dangerous bear encounter. For one thing, a party of people makes more noise than an individual, which lessens the opportunity for a surprise run-in.

Learn to recognize black-bear sign, such as tracks and scat. 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. You can leave hidden-away food in a well-secured car—with the windows rolled completely up—during the day, but not overnight. Yosemite black bears are notorious for their vehicle break-ins. After dark, such food must be kept in the specialized food lockers available in campgrounds, most trailheads, and a number of other sites. (You may also leave food in an RV or a hard-sided trailer overnight.) Backpackers are required to store food in approved bear canisters.

Enjoy Yourself!

Black bears are magnificent members of the Yosemite ecosystem. Your visit to the park should never be clouded with irrational fear of these generally peaceable, intelligent, and awe-inspiring creatures.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

The Mariposa Grove

The Mariposa Grove is a magnificent stand of giant sequoia, the world’s most massive single living organism and one found only in the Sierra Nevada. This long-lived conifer—veteran specimens may be 3,000 years old or more—is a true titan: The largest may be over 300 feet tall and 40 feet across in basal diameter, and account for 52,000 cubic feet of volume. (Despite their impressive height, they aren’t the world’s tallest trees—a distinction given to the sequoia’s relative, the coast redwood, found in the fog belt of northwestern California and southwestern Oregon.)

While the Mariposa Grove doesn’t include the very biggest known sequoias, many of its trees are nonetheless very respectable goliaths. Among the heftiest is the Grizzly Giant in the Lower Grove, boasting a volume of more than 34,000 cubic feet and a basal diameter of nearly 28 feet. As the Park Service notes, one of its muscular branches—easily visible from the tree’s base—is thicker than any non-sequoia tree in the grove. (Source: The Gymnosperm Database)

Skiing and Snowshoeing

When snow muffles the Mariposa Grove, strap on cross-country skis or snowshoes and head out there! The access road is often snowed in during the winter season, offering a beautiful and convenient two-mile skiing route in from the South Entrance of the park. Once in the grove, you can either ski or snowshoe the length of the main road, or take several well-marked trails off it.

The Lower Grove includes the Grizzly Giant as well as the Fallen Monarch—a long-toppled sequoia—and the California Tunnel Tree, which has a passageway through it big enough to accommodate stagecoaches. From the Grizzly Giant, you can most easily access the Upper Grove by the road; those looking for more challenge can tackle the MG-4 and MG-2 trails up to it.

The MG-3 Trail departs the road in the Upper Grove, which includes such notable sequoia as the Fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree and the Columbia Tree, and ascends to 6,810-foot Wawona Point for a spectacular view—well worth the trek!

Tips and Considerations

Take some time while scooting over the snowdrifts to appreciate the giant sequoia from all angles, up close and from a distance: These are magnificent trees, and the Sierra Nevada are lucky to be their only home in the wild. Look for the little roundish cones—remarkably small for such a huge plant—and the distinctive scaled needles.

Keep an eye out for wildlife while skiing and snowshoeing the roads and trails of the Mariposa Grove: You might spot a black-tailed deer, a common raven, even a bobcat! You’re likely to see plenty of animal tracks in the snow; a good field guide can help you try to identify them.

Remember to pick up a trail map and pack the usual winter-recreation provisions. And have a blast!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go skiing or snowshoeing in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Established in 1918—before the Wawona section was even incorporated into the boundaries of the national park—the Wawona Golf Course was the first in the Sierras. It remains one of only two golf courses inside a national park, the other being the Furnace Creek Golf Course in Death Valley. The architect Walter Favarque laid out the Wawona greens to integrate pleasantly with their landscape context of broad, stream-crossed meadows and rich forests of ponderosa pine, incense-cedar, and other conifers.

Set at about 4,000 feet and treated to a mountain backdrop, the Wawona Golf Course is open from spring through autumn (the exact schedule from year to year depends on weather conditions, of course). It’s a nine-hole, par-35 course, boasting four par-4, three par-3, and two par-5 holes along 3,050 yards. The total set of tee positions accommodates a par-70, 18-hole experience—all in a rolling forest and glade context. Whatever your skill level, you’ll have a blast playing out in Wawona’s one-of-a-kind atmosphere—and you’ll appreciate the course’s affordable rates. Keep an eye peeled for black-tailed deer, ravens, and other wildlife while you’re playing.

Appropriate given its special home in one of America’s most spectacular protected landscapes, the Wawona Golf Course is a particularly “green” one. It’s certified in the Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary Program for Golf, an innovative system designed to improve a participating golf course’s environmental footprint. Using reclaimed gray water to maintain its pesticide-free grounds, Wawona is a rare organic golf course, showcasing the sustainability efforts of the GreenPath protocol instituted by DNC Parks and Resorts, Inc., which manages the facility.

The Wawona Golf Course includes a putting green, a pro shop, food and beverages, and other amenities, and rents out golf carts. At mealtime, you’ll be well-situated to take advantage of all the Wawona Dining Room has to offer, as well. This venerable, Victorian-style dining room, features elegance and serene verandas, bringing the glamour of the Old World to the rugged, peerless mountains of the American West, and providing the perfect place to feast for Wawona golfers.

In between rounds on the Wawona Golf Course and luxuriant feasts at the Wawona Hotel, be sure to check out the area’s other standout attractions. The celebrated Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias—those mighty conifers that are the most massive living organisms on Earth—is not far away near Yosemite’s South Entrance, providing a mesmerizing complement to the challenge and fun of the green. You’ve also got the Pioneer Yosemite History Center close at hand, a wonderful place to explore the region’s cultural heritage and view vintage buildings up close.

It may surprise a first-time traveler to Yosemite National Park that a long-running, world-class golf course exists in the same geography with Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, the Mariposa Grove, and all the other jaw-dropping natural landmarks that have made this corner of the Sierra Nevada a sacred space in America. But that’s part of the magic of Yosemite: Human history and scenic grandeur integrate here on a mighty scale. The Wawona Golf Course is another expression of that integration, and yet one more of the myriad activities that can fill countless Yosemite vacations.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite destinations.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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The Badger Pass Ski Area, which ranges between 7,200 and 8,000 feet in elevation, is open between December and March, and during that period the first five miles of Glacier Point Road are plowed to provide access to it. This is in the Yosemite high country south of, and thousands of feet up from, the Merced River in Yosemite Valley. The ski area is managed by a concessionaire, DNC Parks and Resorts.

For downhill skiers and snowboarders, Badger Pass is a fully equipped, family-friendly facility, offering a range of runs in addition to instruction for all ages. The majority of slopes cater to beginner and intermediate-level abilities, although there are certainly advanced runs. You can rent any equipment you need there, and also warm up after your adventures in the cafeteria or lounge.

But Badger Pass Ski Area isn’t just about wild rushes down the slopes: That’s only the beginning of what it has to offer for the outdoor-lover. Miles of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails loop around the highlands from Badger Pass, providing unforgettable entry into the silent mountain wilderness. Glacier Point Road east of Badger Pass isn’t plowed in winter but it is well-groomed for skiers. Along this scenic byway enjoyed by many summer motorists, you can work your muscles on out-and-back treks of varying distances. If you ski the 10.5 miles all the way to Glacier Point itself – one of Yosemite’s great vantages, with unparalleled views of Half Dome and other Yosemite Valley landmarks – you can hole up in the Glacier Point Ski Hut for a cozy overnighter. The Ostrander Ski Hut can also be accessed off Glacier Point Road by fit skiers. (Others choose to winter camp in the backcountry, abiding by the park’s backpacking rules.) Additional winter trails out of Badger Pass include the 11.5-mile Ghost Forest Loop and the challenging routes out to Dewey Point, which has its own stellar prospects.

Remember to take standard winter-travel precautions if you’re taking to the backcountry snow trails. Bundle up and bring a topographic map and compass, and keep others informed of your plans. Be prepared for sudden shifts in weather.

Staying in a cabin within the park gives you all the more freedom to pursue winter sports. There’s no better way to relax after hours spent happily huffing and puffing in the wintry mountains than within a warm, rustic cabin. Given all of the downhill, cross-country, and snowshoeing opportunities, why not make it a multi-day vacation—reaping the fruits of a blissfully quiet and snow-muffled Yosemite?

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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Absolutely pay your respects to Yosemite National Park’s most famous sites: the scenic wonders of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the other great cataracts. Silence the kids with awe in the Mariposa Grove—biggest collection of giant sequoias, the world’s heftiest tree, in the park. As crowded as some of these sites can be—particularly in the peak summer tourist season—their popularity is well-deserved: People of all ages sense their transcendent beauty, and appreciating them can trigger some educational pondering about the natural processes that have created and continue shaping the park’s landscape.

But—don’t stop there! Yosemite is a multifaceted place, and you’d do well to expose the kids (and yourself) to its wonderful complexity. Explore, for example, some of the quieter stories of Yosemite—the human ones—that can be drowned out in the sheer geological and ecological grandeur. In the southern part of the park, not far from the Mariposa Grove, is Wawona, where the Sierra Nevada’s Euro-American history is strikingly displayed. Guide yourselves through the Pioneer Yosemite History Center here, where you and your children can wander the site of a 19th-century stage shop and a wonderful collection of historic cabins, a covered bridge, a blacksmith shop, and other structures. You can reach even deeper into the past and marvel at the region’s rich American Indian heritage at the Yosemite Museum, itself a historic building. It can be a humbling and rewarding lesson for your kids to realize that the giant trees, tumbling rivers, and granite heights of Yosemite played home to indigenous peoples like the Ahwahneechee for millennia—long before Europeans laid eyes on these now-iconic landmarks.

The short and stirring hikes available in Yosemite Valley are an excellent introduction to the park’s trail system, but consider heading into wilder corners on longer and less-trafficked routes. Kids will relish the sense of adventure as you explore the enormous Yosemite backcountry—95 percent of the park, after all, is federally designated wilderness, and far from the hustle and bustle of Yosemite Village in flavor and atmosphere. Consider walking a few miles of the Pacific Crest Trail, for example: It’s always fun to be able to say you trekked a portion of one of America’s greatest long-distance footpaths.

There are plenty of park activities specifically catered to children of different ages, such as the Wee Wild Ones and the Little Cubs and Junior Ranger programs. You can also find out about fun winter activities at any park visitor center or online.

A uniquely memorable way to experience Yosemite with kids is to do a little volunteering. The Habitat Protectors of Yosemite program gives anyone the chance to participate in hands-on resource management and restoration—and you can simply show up at the designated time and place, without the need for registration. Spending a few hours, say, pulling exotic, invasive plants or fostering native seedlings alongside park staff introduces children to the concept of Yosemite National Park as a collection of living resources—and to the underlying vision and philosophy of the National Park Service. It’s also a great way to direct some of their boundless energy toward a productive end!

Big, varied, drenched in enormous spans of both geological and human history, Yosemite National Park is an incomparable getaway for families. You’ll be having so much fun together you won’t realize how much you’re learning.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

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Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park.  By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

First off, where do you want your home base to be while in the Yosemite country? Maybe you’d like to settle in the park itself, or as close as possible, so you can spend less time commuting and more time exploring Yosemite’s scenic jewels and recreation opportunities. Remember, too, that Yosemite’s a big park; which area do you want the most convenient access to? The Hetch Hetch Valley or Tuolumne Meadows? The famous spread of Yosemite Valley? The chance to get into the wilderness high country as directly as possible? Perhaps, however, you’d like to be closer to town amenities like groceries and restaurants. In that case, a cabin near one of the park’s fringing communities may well be best for you.

There are also plenty of cabin-specific details to parse. The size of your party is naturally one of the biggest factors in choosing cabins. Also, think about the number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the overall square footage of the place. A couple seeking a romantic getaway likely has different requirements for cabin dimensions and layout than an extended family getting together for a reunion. Some cabins are only rentable for a minimum number of nights. If you’re bringing along a four-legged friend for the fun, confirm which cabins allow pets in the first place—and whether there’s any extra fee to accommodate them. Speaking of fees, study what kind of overall charges are involved. What is the deposit for reservations, and is there a cleaning fee?

Not all cabins offer the same suite of amenities. Maybe you mainly hope to commune with the natural world—with the deep conifer forests and rugged mountains that make Yosemite one of the world’s most beautiful locales. In that case, an elegantly minimal cabin without television, Internet access, and other distractions will likely appeal to your get-away-from-it-all ambitions. On the other hand, you may have young children who want a pool to splash around in; or maybe you’ve got just a little bit of business to take care of on your vacation, and you thus require wi-fi connectivity. Collectively, Yosemite-area cabins cover the full gamut of features and accoutrements. Particularly with a large group, it’s always sort of a balancing act to satisfy everyone traveling together on a vacation—but you’ll surely be able to find a Yosemite-area cabin that happily accommodates the whole crew.

Whatever the style and location of the cabin you eventually choose—and whatever activities end up filling your vacation to the brim—you’ll love the rustic perch. Indeed, given the joyful intensity of the experiences that compose a typical Yosemite holiday, and the rich stock of memories taken away from it, folks often become quite attached to the cabin that serves as their temporary home. You may find yourself similarly bewitched—and coming back year after year to the same special, cozy retreat!

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park.  By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Yosemite lies on the wetter western slope of the central Sierra Nevada, a 400-mile-long, granite-founded mountain range in eastern California. Most of the park is high country, but the anchors of its geography are two staggering river valleys draining from the Sierras westward to the Central Valley. The Tuolumne River main stem commences in the famously beautiful and serene Tuolumne Meadows’ site of a campground, visitor center, and other amenities and falls westward through the rough Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne and then to Hetch Hetchy Valley, inundated in the Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (which provides a good portion of San Francisco’s drinking water). Its ultimate headwaters rise on Mount Dana, partly fed by two of the Sierra Nevada’s small modern glaciers.

South of the Tuolumne drainage is the Merced River’s course, which includes one of the most famous locations in North America: Yosemite Valley. Here, the Merced languidly meanders through rich bottomlands, surrounded by towering granite shoulders. Like the Hetch Hetchy, the Yosemite Valley owes most of its jaw-dropping form to glaciers that have since vanished: These massive ice sheets turned sharp, V-shaped river canyons into the broad, U-shaped valleys we appreciate today.

From Yosemite Valley, visitors can lean back and appreciate the park’s most celebrated landmarks. Half Dome is a massive, shear-sided dome rising close to 5,000 feet above the bottom of the valley. El Capitan is another imposing mass of granite, the soaring cliffs of which are among the most renowned for rock-climbing anywhere on the planet.

As well-known as those titanic, pale-gray crowns of rock are, park visitors also marvel at some of North America’s most stunning waterfalls. Tributaries of the Merced drop spectacularly down the shouldering walls of Yosemite Valley, forming long, wispy plunges like Yosemite, Horsetail, and Bridalveil falls; falling more than 2,000 feet in three separate drops, Yosemite Falls is among the world’s tallest. The Merced itself roars over Nevada and Vernal falls, breathtaking sights intimately appreciated by hikers on the Mist Trail. Keep in mind that Yosemite’s streamflows vary significantly across the seasons; the waterfalls tend to be most voluminous and impressive in late spring and early summer, when high-country snowmelt gives them a lot of ammunition.

Yosemite Valley is where the bulk of the park’s visitors concentrate, but keep in mind that much of Yosemite is in the granite high country and mostly roadless wilderness. Backcountry travelers can take in the incredible panoramic vistas of glimmering mountain lakes and endless horns and ridges along stunning hiking routes like the John Muir Trail.

Indeed, the variety of outdoor activities available throughout Yosemite National Park is astonishing, and permits transformative meditations on the landscape. El Capitan is only the most famous rock-climbing destination. Anglers can cast along miles of streams and rivers and in some Yosemite lakes and even if the fish aren’t biting, the splendid topography is a feast for the eyes. Bicyclists have some of the best seats in the house from which to bask in the Sierra Nevada fortresses abutting Yosemite Valley, as they cruise leisurely paved loops on the floor.

Keep that glorious Yosemite geography in mind as you explore, relax, and play in one of the world’s oldest and most famous national parks. We can assure you that visions of geological and ecological grandeur will remain long after you return home.

Additional Resources:

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/waterfalls.htm

http://www.nps.gov/yose/naturescience/geology.htm

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park.  By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

Money is certainly a consideration, but remember all the amenities you’re getting for your buck. A vacation rental brings the comforts of home to your holiday destination. Waking up to a hotel room—however elegant—can be a little sterile and disorienting. Instead of starting your day calling down for room service or hastening into a presentable getup to go get breakfast, wouldn’t it be nice to stay in the pajamas and let the morning unfold in a warm, relaxed manner? There’s nothing like getting a pot of coffee going and lazily discussing the plans for the day while breakfast simmers on the stove. While a hotel guest is fending off the maid service and waiting in line for the shower, a vacation-home renter might be padding in slippers to the patio for a scenery-rich cup of joe.

Having some extra rooms at hand can be a lifesaver on vacation. Say your party splits up for a day of varied activities. You’ve just returned from an invigorating hike out of Yosemite Valley into the surrounding high country—and now you’d like nothing more than a blissful nap, full of images of gleaming rock, plunging cascades, and browsing deer. Yet others in your posse—maybe those who’ve been a little more casual in their sightseeing—want to start a board-game or kick back with a few snacks and talk. In a hotel room, space would be too limited to accommodate everyone’s desires, but in a vacation rental, you can happily shut yourself off for a little rejuvenating slumber while the others indulge themselves elsewhere in the house.

So keep a vacation rental in mind when you’re planning your next trip to the stunning Sierra Nevada country that is Yosemite National Park. There’s so much to see and do in Yosemite—from backcountry hiking to leisurely bicycle rides on the valley floor, from waterfall gazing to wildlife-watching, from cross-country skiing to rock-climbing—that it only makes sense to have a comfortable, well-stocked, and convivial home-away-from-home at your disposal. Given that a rental’s as cheap or cheaper than a hotel room and with many more amenities, your choice may be an easy one.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

To Vernal Fall via the Mist Trail

The Mist Trail, one of the most celebrated hiking routes in Yosemite, is aptly named. Particularly in the late spring and early summer, when Yosemite’s rivers are typically running at their strongest due to snowmelt, you’ll literally taste the vaporous spray off Vernal Fall—and Nevada Fall, if you hike the entire trail. If you’re more strapped for time, or don’t feel up for the extra miles necessary to get there and back from Nevada Fall, make Vernal Fall your destination. This will be a 3-mile round-trip from the trailhead, and involve 1,000 feet of elevation gain.

You’ll begin at the Happy Isles trailhead, reachable by shuttle bus or an easy walk from Curry Village parking. After wandering by the Merced River for about an eighth of a mile, you’ll reach the handsome footbridge across the river that affords your first glimpse of Vernal Fall upstream. After crossing the bridge, you’ll begin a fairly steep ascent to the top of the waterfall, the last half-mile or so of which consists of often-slippery granite steps. The view from the top, staring down the Vernal Fall plunge, is unforgettable. From here, you can retrace your steps to return to the trailhead, or hike on to Nevada Fall.

When the falls are at their peak, remember to dress appropriately for the trail: You’re going to get wet!

The Panorama Trail

If you’d like a longer and more challenging hike that takes in the scenery of the Mist Trail and then some, consider the Panorama Trail—another well-named route, given the staggering vistas that surround it. This 8.5-mile trail commences at the Panorama Trailhead at Glacier Point and ends at Happy Isles, using the Mist Trail for its final portion; you can park at Happy Isles and take the bus to Glacier Point to facilitate a shuttle. Most of the route is downhill—you’re ultimately dropping some 3,200 feet from the heights to the valley floor—but it’s nonetheless rigorous, and some hikers opt, near Nevada Fall, to take the lengthier but gentler John Muir Trail to bypass the Mist Trail’s steep rock stairs at Vernal Fall.

By the time you’re through with this hike, you’ll be next to intoxicated by scenery. There are few better ways to experience Yosemite than beginning at the jaw-dropping view at Glacier Point, which sets the valley and Half Dome in a broad context, and then taking in the exhilarating Illilouette, Nevada, and Vernal falls on the way down.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes.

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park.  By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

The report also states that about 52% of the money spent in and near the park was spent on food and lodging. The next biggest chunk of spending  was on retail — clothes, gifts, etc. — at 29%. 10% of the money was spent on entertainment and amusements, 7% on local transportation, and 2% on groceries.

Across the country, $12 billion was spent in the country’s 394 national parks in 2010. That money was spent by a total of over 281 million visitors. All in all, visitor spending at national parks contributed $31 billion to the national economy and supported over 258,000 jobs. Those figures reflect a $689 million increase over 2009 as well as an additional 11,500 jobs. Clearly people are not getting tired of visiting the national parks, a great option for a family vacation when money is tight as well when it isn’t. Download the full report here to learn more about what the National Parks are doing to help the economy.

Yosemite National Park is thriving because as the years roll by, the park remains a tremendous natural monument of our nation. The park is only becoming more popular, with more visitors heading to Yosemite every year to enjoy hiking, rock climbing, wildlife watching, cycling, photography tours, fishing, and much more.

Don’t Miss Out – Make Yosemite Reservations Early

The park is most popular during the summer months when kids are out of school, the weather is great, and a number of activities only available during the summer open up. If you’re planning on visiting Yosemite this summer, be sure to make your Yosemite reservations as soon as possible. Yosemite accommodations are already filling up, and if you wait much longer, you might not be able to find anywhere at all to stay, let alone some place comfortable and affordable. So don’t wait — reserve your Yosemite lodging with Scenic Wonders now!

Scenic Wonders offers cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Our Yosemite accommodations include large houses and intimate condos. We have all the space you need, fully equipped kitchens in every home, and ample space to relax in. Our vacation homes offer great savings per square foot over Yosemite hotels. When you reserve your Yosemite lodging with Scenic Wonders, you’ll get more for your money, and you’ll have a better vacation because of it. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to reserve your summer vacation rental today!

Yosemite National Park Blog

Our Yosemite National Park blog offers readers up-to-date news, information on park activities and also lodging suggestions.

Photo credit: Randy Le’Moine Photography

The vast majority of the time, Horsetail Fall looks a lot like the other Yosemite waterfalls that the park is known for. But for a few minutes at dusk in the middle of February, Horsetail Fall catches the sunlight in such a way that the whole waterfall glows red, gold, or deep orange, taking on the appearance of lava. Hardly any other waterfall in the world shares this unique phenomenon which is the result of physics, astronomy, and luck. The sight is made even more regal by Horsetail’s immense length. The waterfall has a drop of 1,500 feet before it hits granite, then falls another 500 feet. It’s the longest free-falling waterfall in the park.

Photographers rush to Yosemite every year for the chance to see Horsetail Fall turn to fire. The sky has to be clear, the waterfall must still be flowing, and the sun has to be positioned perfectly in the sky for the phenomenon to occur. When it does happen, the Yosemite firefall only lasts for a few minutes, but that’s long enough to capture some amazing pictures of a waterfall lit unlike any other.

Photography tours led by the Ansel Adams Gallery are the perfect way for novice photographers to find the best spot to capture this beautiful event. Many photographers gather at the El Capitan picnic area to try and get the best view. If you’re not quite sure where to go, just look for the sea of tripods.

In addition to Horsetail, which falls along the eastern summit of El Capitan, Yosemite’s other waterfalls are nothing to scoff at. Yosemite waterfalls flow most fully in the spring and tend to dry out by early summer. Check with the National Park Service to find out when the best time to see Yosemite waterfalls will be — rainfall and snowmelt are different from year to year.

Enjoy the Firefall and Yosemite Lodging in Close Proximity

When you come to Yosemite National Park to get a glimpse of Horsetail flowing like lava, reserve your Yosemite lodging through Scenic Wonders. We offer cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park at affordable prices. Whether you’re traveling with your family, your loved one, or a large group of friends, we can help you choose a vacation home that will be perfect for your vacation and your budget.

Enjoy the comfort of home-cooked meals prepared in your very own kitchen and the joy of family time in an inviting living room. With our rentals, you’ll always have enough beds to go around, and you’ll get the joy of being surrounded by the beauty of the park. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to learn about Scenic Wonders or make your Yosemite lodging reservations online now.

Yosemite Blog

Our Yosemite  blog is constantly updated with the latest news, information, and resources.  Be sure to check back soon for the latest scoop!

1. Plan Ahead.

Yosemite is the most crowded during the summer, and particularly during summer weekends. The best way to ensure that you won’t get frustrated by the crowds during your Yosemite vacation is to plan ahead. Figure out what you’d like to do and where you’d like to go in the park before arriving and make all the necessary reservations. Photography tours and bus tours, for example, are limited to a certain number of people, so they’re a great way to experience the park without getting too crowded.

Hiking Half Dome is another great way to enjoy your Yosemite vacation, and the trail is limited to only 400 hikers per day. This makes the hike safer and more enjoyable, but it also makes permits very hard to come by. Plan your trip at least a few months in advance in order to ensure that you’ll get the permits you need.

2. Get creative.

There are a plethora of activities in Yosemite National Park, but in truth, you don’t have to do much to enjoy your Yosemite vacation. Find a quiet spot with your loved one and enjoy the sunset. Head to Tuolumne Meadows with your friends to watch the wildlife and enjoy the atmosphere. Reserve a Yosemite cabin rental with a full kitchen and eat in instead of waiting for an hour to be seated at a local restaurant.

3. Make Memories.

There are a few sights that you simply can’t miss on your Yosemite trip. You’ll have to face the crowds, but it will be worth it. Perhaps most importantly, when you head up to Yosemite for the weekend, be sure to get up to Glacier Point to see the view of Yosemite Valley from this world famous lookout point. This view is one of the most photographed vistas in existence. You won’t want to miss it.

4. Rent a Yosemite Cabin

Camping and hotels both have their perks, but arguably the best accommodations in Yosemite are vacation homes. Yosemite vacation homes are less expensive per square foot than hotels and offer numerous additional amenities, not the least of which is the proximity of Yosemite cabins to park activities. Yosemite vacation homes also have full kitchens, comfortable beds, indoor plumbing, and all the space you need to relax. When all you have is a weekend to enjoy Yosemite, a cabin is the perfect way to ensure that you enjoy both your days and your nights in the park.

Book Your Weekend Getaway with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders

Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offers cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of the park. Call us today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals and rates. Our Yosemite cabins are filling up fast this summer, so call soon!

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite Blog

Our Yosemite blog is updated every month to give our readers the latest information related to Yosemite National Park.  Be sure to check back as we update our blog weekly!

Here are a few tips to keep in mind while looking for the right Yosemite lodging for your group this summer:

Choose lodging that’s suited to your group.

If you’re traveling with a small group of outdoors-y friends, camping might make the most sense — just be sure to take into account the cost of tents, sleeping bags, cooking gear, and the long list of other supplies you will need. If you’re traveling with a larger group or with a family, you’ll definitely want to consider staying in Yosemite vacation homes. Vacation homes can cost significantly less than hotel rooms and offer more space and amenities. Plus, if you’re not really the camping type, you’ll really enjoy having hot water, a fully-equipped kitchen, and enough beds to go around. More and more travelers to Yosemite are discovering that vacation homes are the economic and the comfortable choice for Yosemite lodging.

Consider the proximity of your Yosemite lodging to your favorite activities.

During the summer months, you could be sitting in traffic for two hours a day just getting into and out of the park if you choose to make your Yosemite reservations somewhere outside of the park. At Scenic Wonders, our Yosemite vacation homes are within the gates of the park, only about a twenty minute drive from most of Yosemite’s best activities. Plus, our location within the park means your cabin or condo will be surrounded by the park’s natural beauty, not noisy neighbors.

Look for the amenities that are important to you.

How important is a television and a nice collection of DVDs? Would you rather have a fireplace? How many beds do you need? Would you like your own Jacuzzi? All of these options and more are available with the right Yosemite vacation home rental. Many of our customers feel like our vacation homes are their vacation homes — they come back to the same cabins year after year to build on the memories they have made in our cozy Yosemite cabins. Talk to one of our friendly staff members to find the cabin or condo that’s best suited to your needs.

Book early!

Yosemite lodging in the summer can book up even before the summer begins. Plan ahead to ensure that you get the cabin or condo you want. At Scenic Wonders, we never charge a booking fee, so if you need to change your plans down the line, it’s not a problem. Learn what other services we can offer you by giving us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648). You can also make your Yosemite reservations online. Don’t wait!

Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders Blog

Our Yosemite Scenic Wonders blog is constantly updated with information on Yosemite accommodations, attractions, and more.  Be sure to read our blog regularly for the latest park information.

During the spring the weather starts to warm up, but the crowds don’t start arriving until June. That means you can enjoy the park with your loved one with minimal crowds and maximum opportunities for romance. Whether you and your loved one enjoy adventure or simply like relaxing together surround by the beauty of nature, Yosemite in spring is perfect for a romantic escape.

Ideas for Yosemite Romantic Vacations

Spring is the time when the waterfalls are flowing most abundantly and when the numerous wildflowers of the park are starting to bloom. What could be more romantic? Take your loved one on a few special hikes to see Vernal Fall, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite Valley. Relish in the unbridled beauty of Mariposa Grove home to California’s giant Redwood trees, or take a photography walk to best experience the raw elegance of Yosemite with your partner.

If you and your loved one enjoy more athletic adventures, Yosemite has endless opportunities to have fun together. Plan early to reserve a permit to hike Half Dome, or enjoy some bouldering in the park’s multiple other climbing locations. Biking and hiking are always great options, or you can try fishing together at Lake Tenaya.

Nestle with Your Loved One within the Gates of the Park

However you choose to fill your days, you’ll love coming home to cozy Yosemite lodging within the gates of the park. By making your Yosemite reservations through Scenic Wonders, you and your loved one can share a cabin, condominium, or home within the gates of Yosemite National Park. This means that your lodging will be just minutes away from your Yosemite’s best attractions and you won’t have to deal with the often terrible traffic in and out of the park every day.

Our Yosemite romantic cabins feature comfortable beds, ample bathrooms, and the benefit of a fully equipped kitchen. Cook a home-made meal for your loved one and enjoy it on your back porch or in front of a roaring fire. By reserving one of our cabins you’ll get to curl up with each other without hearing any noisy neighbors like you would in a hotel room. Instead you’ll only here the comforting sounds of the nature surrounding you.

With our Yosemite lodging, you can be sure you’ll have a romantic vacation that you’ll never forget. Call today to learn more about our available rentals and rates. Our friendly staff is available to answer any questions you might have about our various properties or about activities within the park. At Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, we never charge booking fees, Cleaning fees, or security deposits!

Find out why so many couples choose us for their Yosemite romantic vacations year after year. Call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today!

Yosemite Lodging Blog

Our Yosemite Lodging blog has the latest park news, updates, and information.  Be sure to check back weekly to get the latest details about Yosemite National Park.

A major reason for limiting the number of hikers on Half Dome is overcrowding. The permit system has helped make the climb up Half Dome much less crowded in years past, but bottlenecks still occur and can cause hazardous conditions. The new proposal was prompted in part by the death of one hiker on Half Dome last summer. Reducing crowding also helps make the climb safer, particularly when bad weather makes the trek more treacherous.

Limiting the number of hikers will also help protect Half Dome from the wear and tear that so many footsteps can cause. By limiting the number of visitors to the Half Dome summit now, the National Park Service hopes to preserve the trail for more hikers in the future.

Permits for Half Dome are Getting Harder to Come By

Unfortunately, the current limitations on Half Dome permits have already made valid permits hard to come by. Half Dome is one of Yosemite National Park’s most famous and popular features, and many visitors who don’t plan ahead are now forced to miss out on the famous hike. The scarcity of Half Dome permits has also made scalping of permits a significant problem. Permits are available for free from the National Park Service, but people who wait too long to reserve theirs sometimes try to obtain permits illegally through Craigslist and other online vendors. The NPS has come down hard on people who buy scalped permits in an effort to stop the trend.

Plan Ahead – Get Your Permit and Make Your Yosemite Reservations Now

If you wish to climb Half Dome this summer, be sure to plan ahead. You’ll want to pick a weekend and reserve your permits as soon as they become available in order to ensure a successful trip. Once you have your permit, you’ll also want to reserve your Yosemite lodging as soon as possible. The best Yosemite accommodations fill up very quickly during the summer months. By planning ahead you can help ensure that you’ll get the cabin, condominium, or home that you want.

Scenic Wonders offers Yosemite accommodations within the gates of the park. By reserving with us, you’ll get to enjoy the comforts of home while exploring Yosemite’s wilderness. At the end of your Half Dome trek, nothing feels better than coming home to a warm bed and a home cooked meal. Both are possible with our Yosemite reservations. Call now at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals and rates.

Yosemite Park Blog

Our Yosemite Park blog is always updated with the latest news.  Be sure to check back as we make posts regularly.

During the summer months and throughout most of the fall and spring, Glacier Point can be reached via a bus tour that takes about four hours to reach the summit, allow time for viewing, and return back down to Curry Village. Glacier Point can also be reached during the same months via Four Mile Trail. This rather strenuous trail ascends 3,200 feet from Curry Village to Glacier Point in a distance of 4.6 miles. The trail can be rather difficult and is considered hazardous during colder months when snow and ice make the trek more dangerous. Park Rangers tend to close down the trail from December to May. However, when the trail is considered unsafe, visitors to the park can still reach Glacier Point by snowshoe or cross-country skiing from the Badger Pass Ski Area.

The view from Glacier Point changes drastically throughout the year. People who come to Yosemite National Park only during the summer months tend to miss out on the serene, snowy view that can be afforded from Glacier Point during the winter. Even when snowfall is minimal, the crisp view of the park during winter months can be quite exceptional. Glacier Point is a favorite spot of hikers, adventurers, and photographers. The Point at night also affords spectacular views of the starry skies above. Star gazing tours are offered whenever Glacier Point Road is open, usually from June to November.

Glacier Point is so named because it was formed by the wearing away of Yosemite’s glaciers slowly over time. The distinctive glacier formation of the slope is characterized by rounded boulders, cobblers, and angular fragments, all of which are deeply weathered. The slope has a smooth gray color that comes from the granite found in the slope’s surface.

Yosemite Lodging Close to Glacier Point

Experience the beauty of Glacier Point this winter by making your Yosemite reservations through Scenic Wonders. Scenic Wonders offers cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park just a short drive away from your favorite Yosemite activities. With our Yosemite accommodations you can enjoy the comforts of home while relaxing in a cozy, forest-surrounded environment. Our Yosemite cabins feature fully equipped kitchens, plenty of beds and bathrooms, and enough space to relax and enjoy your evenings in Yosemite. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to reserve your Yosemite lodging through Scenic Wonders or make your Yosemite reservations online now.

Yosemite National Park News Blog

Our Yosemite National Park News blog offers readers the latest news, suggestions on park activities and update on lodging.

A number of great Yosemite winter activities can only be enjoyed in the colder months, giving you and your family a number of great reasons to plan a trip to Yosemite this winter. Hiking, for example, is open year-round. Certain roads get closed when snowfall is heavy or when conditions are too icy, but Yosemite Valley is open year-round and offers a number of trails to stunning locations within the park. Snowfall is usually light enough that you can hike through the valley floor without snowshoes or cross-country skis. But there is usually enough snow in certain areas to make great snowman with your friends or family.

Ice-skating is another favorite activity during winter in Yosemite. Curry Village has an ice-skating rink that visitors to the park can rent skates at and enjoy hours of fun on the ice. When you finish skating, buy hot chocolate and revel in the company of your friends and the cozy atmosphere of the Village. This area also has several fun dining establishments and shops that are perfect for families.

This year, thanks to low snowfall, people were enjoy ice-skating on Tenaya Lake in Yosemite Valley. The lake was open for ice-skating for the first time in many years, offering a rare opportunity to skate in Yosemite Valley.  However, the lake is now closed – but the good news is that the Badger Pass Ski Area is now open!

Visitors to the park during winter also enjoy photography during the winter months. The low light of winter and the lack of distracting crowds create ideal settings for photographers to capture stunning photos of Yosemite Valley and the rest of the park. Other Yosemite winter activities include skiing, sledding, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. Many of these activities are available in the Badger Pass Ski Area when snowfall permits.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations with Scenic Wonders this Winter

Whatever Yosemite winter activities you and your friends choose to partake in, be sure to make your Yosemite reservations through Scenic Wonders. Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offers cabin, condominium, and home rentals just minutes away from your favorite Yosemite activities. Reserve your Yosemite lodging today to ensure that you get your favorite cabin for your winter trip to Yosemite. Our cabins have fully equipped kitchens, plenty of bedrooms, and all the comforts of home. Call now at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals and rates and to start planning your winter vacation today!

Yosemite News Blog

Our Yosemite News blog provides the latest news, information, and updates.  Be sure to check back frequently as we update our blog weekly.

Some of the most famous pictures of Yosemite were taken by Ansel Adams who passed away in 1984. The Ansel Adams Gallery features a number of his best shots and also offers multiple camera walks, workshops, and classes. Gardner tried out the adult photo walk which lasts for an hour and a half as well as a four-hour basics class taught by a professional photographer working at the studio. In the class Gardner was able to learn how to get the most out of her camera and capture stunning pictures in Yosemite.

On the guided camera walk, the instructor showed the students how different filters and uses of light can create entirely different pictures of the same subject matter. The instructor also showed students the importance of perspective and angels when taking pictures. Gardner also took the kids photo walk and learned of thing or two about trick photos, such as taking a picture of what looks like someone drinking out of a waterfall that is actually far in the distance.

Gardner reported that after taking these classes, she finally felt like she was the artist and the camera was her tool. Art walks and classes are available through the Ansel Adams Gallery year-round. Some Yosemite photography classes are available for free while multi-day workshops are also available for a fee. You can join a group class or set up a private photography tour based on your own preferences and skill levels. The gallery is also open year-round to view some of Ansel Adams’ most famous work. It’s a must-see stop on any trip to Yosemite National Park.

When planning your next Yosemite photography vacation consider making your Yosemite reservations through Scenic Wonders. At Scenic Wonders you can keep taking pictures at one of our Yosemite vacation homes because you’ll still be within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Our condos and cabins also have the benefit of retaining the comforts of home while you’re away on your vacation. Enjoy cooking meals in your own kitchen, sleeping in a comfortable bed, and having enough space to relax with your friends or family at the end of a long day in the park. It’s all possible with a vacation home rental through Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders.

Our Yosemite lodging is available at reasonable rates year-round and we never charge reservations fees. You can learn more about Scenic Wonders’ available rentals and rates by giving us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648). Our friendly staff is standing by to answer your questions and help you plan the perfect Yosemite photography vacation.

Yosemite Lodging Blog

Our Yosemite Lodging blog provides information for people who are planning vacations to the Park.  If you want the latest information on Yosemite accommodations, activities, and events, be sure to check out our blog frequently!

Photo credit: Randy Le’Moine Photography

Yosemite sledding and tubing are available to kids of all ages in a few different locations throughout the park. If you have your own sledding and tubing equipment, you can feel free to find a safe, clear hill to sled or tube down throughout the open areas of the park. For a little extra safety and proximity to amenities, try heading to Fish Camp. This snow play area is located about a mile south of Yosemite’s southern entrance. Here kids can enjoy free sledding and tubing down a fairly large hill. The Fish Camp snow area offers free sledding and tubing that is perfect for people who have brought their own snow sleds and inner tubes to the park.

Badger Pass Ski Area for Sledding

Another great place to enjoy Yosemite sledding and tubing is in the Badger Pass Ski Area. At Badger Pass there is a designated sledding and tubing area that kids of all ages are free to enjoy. The Yosemite tubing area in Badger Pass is designed for younger kids, but adults are also welcome to partake in the fun. Inner tubes can be rented from the lodge for about $15 per tube.

Once you’ve had your fill of Yosemite tubing and sledding, kids can enjoy a number of other activities during winter in Yosemite. Curry Village offers ice skating, a perfect activity for the entire family to enjoy. Rent a pair of skates and spend an hour in the rink, then lounge by a cozy fire with a nice big cup of hot chocolate. From Tenaya Lodge families can also embark on horse-drawn sleigh rides through the surrounding forest area. Sleigh rides cost about $20 for adults and $15 for children. It’s recommended that you make a reservation in advance to ensure the time slot of your choice.

Perfect Winter Yosemite Accommodations

However you and your family choose to enjoy your time in Yosemite during the winter, be sure to reserve Yosemite accommodations with Scenic Wonders. We offer cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park. With our great Yosemite cabins, you’ll be just minutes from your favorite winter activities and have all the space you need to enjoy your nights in Yosemite National Park. Reserving Yosemite cabins can be much more affordable than renting a hotel room, and you’ll get more for your money.  So make your winter vacation in Yosemite as memorable as possible by reserving your Yosemite accommodations with Scenic Wonders. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals and rates or reserve online today.

Yosemite Vacation Blog

Our Yosemite vacation blog provides our readers with the latest Yosemite news as well as information on activities, sights to see and more.

Photo credit: Mel B.

Now that snow has fallen, Badger Pass Ski Area is now open, and Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders is the closest accommodations to the lifts, just a scenic 15 minute drive!  Whether you’re a seasoned skier or a novice, you won’t want to miss out on the freshly fallen snow that is covering the slopes.  Even if you are not a skier, the Badger Pass Ski Area has something for you.  Enjoy sledding, ice skating, or even take some photos.  Truly, nothing is as breath-taking as Yosemite in the winter after the first snowfall.  The snowflakes sparkle on the trees like diamonds and the views are simply majestic.

Your Best Choice for Yosemite Lodging

With the snow here at last, we hope to see you very soon.  Remember, if you’re looking for Yosemite lodging, our location cannot be beat.  We are right inside the gates of Yosemite which will put you within minutes of popular Winter hot spots, like the Badger Pass Ski Area.  Aside from our perfect location, we offer affordable rates on our cabin, home, and condominium rentals.  Whether you’re planning a romantic vacation for two or want to bring the whole family, our Yosemite accommodations are always spacious and comfortable.

Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals and rates or make your Yosemite reservations online now.

Yosemite Blog

Our Yosemite  blog is constantly updated with the latest news, information, and resources.  Be sure to check back soon!

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A Yosemite visitor center on the Mariposa side of the park is a much-needed addition to Yosemite National Park. By establishing a new visitor center through this proposed land acquisition, Yosemite could significantly decrease traffic at its current entrance station while also enhancing visitor education by providing easier access to park resources. The new Yosemite visitor center would also be a great advancement in the eyes of park workers, most of whom live in Mariposa County. Many Yosemite National Park employees currently have to commute over an hour from Mariposa County across Yosemite to the opposite side of the park in order to get to their desk jobs. These employees could save hours each week on their commutes and get more done at work with a more conveniently located visitor center.

Denham’s proposed plan has support from both Democrats and Republicans who see the proposed land purchase as a win-win situation for the National Park Service, visitors to the park, and employees of Yosemite National Park. All parties hope that Denham’s legislation will go through quickly, that the land purchase process will be simple, and that a new Yosemite visitor center with enhanced orientation services in Mariposa will be built as soon as possible.

Residents of Mariposa County are particularly pleased by the proposed partnership between their county and Yosemite National Park as so many Mariposa residents either work in the park, have family who work in the park, or simply love Yosemite. The general sentiment of Mariposa residents towards the park is extremely positive and residents are very receptive to the idea of bringing Yosemite visitor services into their community.

Denham’s legislation was introduced in tandem with legislation from Sam Farr to upgrade Pinnacles National Monument in San Benito County, CA, to National Park status.

Lodging within the Gates of Yosemite

It may take a while for a new Mariposa visitor center to become a reality, but you don’t have to wait to enjoy a wonderful Yosemite vacation. Scenic Wonders offers Yosemite lodging within the gates of Yosemite National Park. You can reserve a cabin, condominium, or home located just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities.

By making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders, you’ll get to enjoy all the comforts of home while exploring the untamed wilderness of Yosemite. Enjoy the difference that having a full house to relax in makes versus staying in a cramped hotel room. Not only will you have a better Yosemite vacation experience, you’ll receive much more bang for your buck.

Don’t believe us? Call now at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about Scenic Wonders’ available rentals and rates. You’ll be surprised how much space and comfort you can have.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Our Yosemite National Park blog offers readers up-to-date news, information on park activities and also lodging suggestions.

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Visitors to Yosemite National Park this winter are in for a real treat. Due to unseasonably low snow levels, the park has frozen over creating a winter landscape that is unlike any previous winter in Yosemite. Skiers and snowboarders may be disappointed by the lack of snow on the slopes at the Badger Pass Ski Area, but don’t let low snow levels keep you from enjoying the multitude of other Yosemite winter activities still available. In fact, the lack of snow has created a rare opportunity to do something that has never been possible during winter in Yosemite before – ice skating on Tenaya Lake.

Ice Skating is the Perfect Winter Activity

Tenaya Lake is usually covered in several feet of snow at this time of year. But this year, thanks to our strange California weather, the lake is frozen over and able to be skated on. Visitors to the lake this winter say the ice is clear and beautiful, and it’s wonderful for skating on. Yosemite ice skating is always available in Curry Village during the winter, but this is the first time in memory that ice skating has been allowed or even possible on Tenaya Lake. The Park Rangers are doing a good job of keeping the road up to the lake safe and clear so visitors can enjoy this once-in-a-lifetime Yosemite experience. Ice skating at Tenaya Lake will last only as long as the snow stays away, so be sure to head up to Yosemite soon to have your chance to skate the lake.

Aside from Yosemite ice skating, there are a number of other winter activities that are still available throughout the park this winter without snow. Winter is a great time to hike in Yosemite in order to experience the park at its most quiet and serene. Tours of the park are also available in heated buses throughout the winter, and photography tours are available as well. The winter months also bring a number of annual food and drink festivals to Yosemite National Park that are essential events for foodies. Come taste fine California wines at the Vintner’s Holidays or sample California cuisine at the annual Chef’s Holidays.

Yosemite Lodging for Your Winter Vacation

However you choose to spend this one-of-a-kind winter in Yosemite, be sure to reserve your Yosemite lodging through Scenic Wonders. At Scenic Wonders we have cabins, condominiums, and homes that are nestled within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Our Yosemite lodging options are ideal for romantic getaways as well as large group vacations. When you make your reservations through Scenic Wonders, you’ll never be charged a booking fee and you will get much more for your money than you would if you stayed in a Yosemite hotel.

More and more smart travelers are opting for vacation home rentals rather than hotel stays. Join the trend and enjoy your most comfortable and relaxing Yosemite vacation ever by reserving your accommodations with Scenic Wonders today. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals and rates or make your Yosemite reservations online now.

Yosemite National Park News Blog

Our Yosemite National Park News blog offers readers the latest news, suggestions on park activities and update on lodging.

Pack Carefully

You’ll want to make sure that you have all of the equipment you need or that you know where to rent equipment. Bear in mind that rental rates can vary throughout the season and that the lodge at Badger Pass might not have the exact equipment that you’re looking for. It’s always a good idea to call ahead to learn what you can expect to pay for your skiing equipment rentals and what the lodge has on hand.

Make Your Reservations Early

If you’re planning on taking skiing lessons at Badger Pass, it’s a good idea to call ahead and learn about the details for that as well. Usually skiing lessons are available from the lodge on a daily basis. You might also want to purchase your lift tickets in advance to secure the best rate, but lift tickets can also be purchased at Badger Pass for a reasonable price.

Try Something New

Many people come to Badger Pass just to downhill ski or snowboard, but winter in Yosemite has much more to offer than just these two activities. Cross-country skiing is particularly well loved in Yosemite thanks to the gorgeous pass from the Badger Pass Ski Area to Glacier Point. During the winter months, cross-country skiing is one of the only ways to get to Glacier Point and take in its breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley. Snowshoeing is another fun activity that will get your heart pumping and give you a new way to enjoy the winter landscape of Yosemite. Yosemite also offers ice-skating, sledding, tubing, sleigh rides, hiking, and even winter fishing during the coldest months of the year.

Reserve Your Yosemite Lodging Early

Hotels and Yosemite vacation homes tend to fill up fast during prime skiing weekends. Make sure to reserve your Yosemite lodging early in order to have the best and most affordable Yosemite skiing vacation. When you make your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, you’ll love the comfort and convenience of your cabin or condo which will put you just a short car ride away from Badger Pass.  Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to speak with our staff about our lodging options or reserve your accommodations online now.

Yosemite News Blog

Our Yosemite news blog provides the latest Park news, suggestions for activities and more.  Be sure to check our blog page regularly as we provide frequent information.

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But speed climbers are a different story. Just last year Dean Potter and Sean Leary set the record for climbing the Nose in just 2:36:45. Florine and Honnold recently completed the route in just 45 seconds longer than that record. The current record took 20 seconds off of the time set by Florine and another climber in 2008. After coming so close to beating the current record, Florine and Honnold are determined to try again when weather permits and set a new milestone for ascending the Nose.

Florine is a former speed climbing world champion. At the age of 47 he has made a name for himself as the fastest man on El Capitan. To date, he has climbed the Nose more than 80 times and held seven speed records for the climb since 1990. Florine’s climbing partner Honnold is just 26 and the climbing world’s latest superstar. Honnold was recently featured on 60 Minutes for his free solo (no rope) climbs.

The pair has climbed the Nose three times together using an advanced simul-climbing technique. Typically when a pair of climbers summits the Nose one climbs while the other belays, ensuring the safety of both climbers. In a simul-climbing set up, both climbers head up the mountain at the same time while roped together. This makes climbing significantly faster but also much more dangerous. While simul-climbing a single fall can be fatal to either climber.

El Capitan and Half Dome have a number of excellent climbing routes for experienced and novice mountain climbers alike. Thousands of people flock to Yosemite National Park every year to take a crack at Yosemite rock climbing. While overcrowding has led the park to issue permits that can be hard to get a hold of, the effort it takes to legally climb Half Dome and/or El Capitan is well worth it.

Yosemite Lodging for Your Perfect Vacation

Whether you’re coming to Yosemite National Park for a climbing adventure, a river rafting getaway, or simply a relaxing romantic weekend, Scenic Wonders has great Yosemite lodging for your vacation. Our cabins, condominiums, and homes within the gates of Yosemite National Park will put you just minutes from your favorite activities.

During the summer months you can cut hours off of your time in the car by staying with us rather than staying in a hotel outside of the gates of the park. Our Yosemite vacation rentals also have the added benefits of a cozy ambience, a full kitchen, plenty of beds, and enough bathrooms. Save time and money on your next Yosemite vacation by choosing a cabin rental from Scenic Wonders. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn more about our available rental options or make your Yosemite reservations online.

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite Blog is updated regularly to provide our readers with the latest news, insights, activity suggestions, and lodging information.

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When you rent a cabin from Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, you’ll not only have extra space and easy access to your favorite activities within the park — you’ll also have a fully equipped kitchen in which to prepare meals, make snacks, and store food for the duration of your vacation. Many visitors to the park underestimate just how much extra money they’ll spend on food if they stay in a hotel room without a kitchen. When you stay in a hotel room, you’ll have to either order extremely expensive room service or go out to restaurants for each of your meals. If you’re traveling with your family or group of friends, your food bills will rack up very quickly this way.

Many Yosemite hotels don’t include don’t even include breakfast with your room, so you’ll need to spend extra cash at least three times a day to keep yourself fed. The costs get even higher if your room doesn’t come equipped with a mini fridge to store leftovers or groceries. And don’t even think about eating any of the food available for purchase inside your room.

When you choose to stay in a Yosemite cabin rental, you’ll have everything you need to prepare all your favorite meals during your vacation. You can still go out for dinner or lunch as often as you like, but even with a few meals out you’ll save a bundle over a kitchen-less hotel room because you’ll be able to save your leftovers, prepare your own breakfasts, and easily pack lunches and snacks for day trips within the park. Over the course of just a two day trip to Yosemite, a family of four can save hundreds of dollars on food by choosing Yosemite accommodations with a kitchen. That’s money that you can spend on adventures within the park or put away for your next vacation.

By choosing Scenic Wonders for your Yosemite accommodations, you won’t just save money on food – you’ll ensure a better vacation experience for yourself and your family. Vacation homes have a much higher value per square foot than hotel rooms do. This means that you’ll get more for your money when you choose to stay in a Scenic Wonders cabin, home, or condominium rather than a typical Yosemite hotel. Beyond the kitchen you’ll have more room to relax, more bathrooms, and a shorter trip to your favorite Yosemite activities. You also have the benefit of being surrounded by the natural beauty of the park throughout your stay and no noisy neighbors bothering you through the walls or ceiling.

Treat yourself to a one-of-a-kind vacation experience by booking your Yosemite accommodations with Scenic Wonders today. We have a number of cozy Yosemite cabin rentals within the gates of the park for you to choose from. Just remember to reserve early to make sure you get your family’s favorite cabin for your next trip to the park. Call now at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn more.

Yosemite Vacation Blog

Our Yosemite vacation blog provides our readers with the latest Yosemite news as well as information on activities, sights to see and more.

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Over the last 15 years Yosemite has lost 400 campsites, 500 lodging rooms, and 300 employee cabins as a result of rock fall risks and flooding in the Merced River. The ebb and flow of the Merced River requires that these Yosemite lodging sites not be rebuilt so that the river can flow as nature intended. Unfortunately, this means that there are less places to stay in the park.

Yosemite Lodging Limitations

Even people who find Yosemite lodging outside of the park are discovering that they have less access to their favorite Yosemite sites than they did in years past. Limitations are being placed on access to certain areas of the park including the legendary Half Dome hike, treks through the park’s lush forests, and rides down the Merced River in order to protect the park and its wildlife from excessive wear. While such measures help Yosemite National Park remain beautiful and undisturbed for generations to come, they also limit the number of people that can enjoy the park’s untouched beauty.

Attempts in the past to help preserve the park while serving the interests of visitors have failed miserably. Four park superintendents and $65 million have gone into trying to make the Yosemite both accessible and well protected, but little has been accomplished to this end. In hopes of finding a more useful solution, park officials have turned to the public to help them determine what might be best. A series of meetings have been set up to allow the public to comment on what their favorite Yosemite activities are and what measures they think might be effective in protecting the park.

The idea is to find out what people love most about Yosemite so that access to those activities and sights can be given primary focus when planning new parking spaces, bathroom facilities, campsites, etc. In the past, activities within the park have been protected equally, and as a result pizza parlors have been given the same weight as picnic areas within Yosemite’s forests. The new public plan hopes to do away with this improper balance. Once the series of meetings is completed, the comments will be collected and used to shape an environmental report that should be released by June 2013. Whatever the results of the meetings, it is likely that access to Yosemite Valley, Merced River, and the park in general will be reduced.

Plan Your Yosemite Vacation with Scenic Wonders to Avoid Hassles

The best way to ensure that you get to see all the best parts of the park is by planning your visit well in advance and making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders. Scenic Wonders has cabin and home rentals available within the gates of the park, so even when you’re done enjoying hikes and adventures throughout Yosemite Valley, you’ll be able to remain immersed in the beauty of the park throughout the night. Our Yosemite lodging puts you just minutes away from your favorite activities. Call today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to reserve your favorite Scenic Wonders cabin.

Yosemite News Blog

Our Yosemite news blog gives you updates on the latest important happenings in Yosemite National Park and is updated regularly.

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Fun for Athletes

If you’re a lover of winter sports, Yosemite National Park is an ideal setting for skiers, snowboarders, sledders, and more. The slopes at Badger Pass are particularly well-suited to novice and intermediate skiers and snowboarders, but the park also offers challenges for more advanced skiers. Take a lesson with a professional instructor to get started on the right foot then hit the slopes and enjoy some of the most breathtaking scenery in the country.

You can also enjoy a hill set aside just for sledders as well as an outdoor ice skating rink at Curry Village. Other popular winter sports in Yosemite include cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. Guided tours and self guided adventures are can be found in Badger Pass, Mariposa Grove, and the Crane Flat area. Whether you’re interested in a few hours of fun or an overnight extravaganza, the Park Rangers at Yosemite are ready to facilitate your adventures.

Fun for Foodies

People who love fine cuisine and wine flock to Yosemite during the winter to partake in a number of seasonal events devoted to great food and drink. Come to Vintners’ Holidays to taste wines from local vineyards as well as excellent California cuisine, or attend one of the Bracebridge Dinners to experience a 17th century English manner feast. Yosemite also has annual celebrations on New Year’s Eve that simply can’t be next. If you’re looking for a magical setting to treat your palate this winter, Yosemite National Park is the place to be.

Fun for Everyone

Great activities are available in the park year-round, and many of these activities take on a new magic during the winter months. Take a bus tour through Yosemite Valley across snow-covered grounds or see what sights you can capture with your camera on a guided photography tour. Get your fill of sports and fun throughout the park this winter, then come home to your very own Yosemite winter lodging with a cabin, home, or condominium rental from Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders.

With Scenic Wonders, you and your family can enjoy the comfort and relaxation of rustic Yosemite lodging within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Prepare home-cooked meals and enjoy unforgettable evenings gathered in front of the fire with Yosemite reservations through Scenic Wonders.

Many of our customers make Yosemite reservations with us year after year to enjoy the holidays in their favorite Yosemite cabin. Make a tradition with us this year by calling 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to learn about our available rentals and rates. With a cabin from Scenic Wonders, you’ll enjoy excellent value for your dollar, you’ll never have to pay a reservation fee, and you’ll help ensure that you and your family have one of the best holiday seasons you can remember.

Yosemite Blog

Our Yosemite blog is a great online resource for those who are looking for information about Yosemite National Park and area lodging.

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1. How far is my Yosemite lodging from the Park? Most Yosemite hotels are outside of the gates of the park, and those that are within the gates tend to be rather pricey. If you stay in a hotel away from the park itself, you might be looking at a commute of up to an hour or even two into and out of the Yosemite every day. This can seriously detract from the amount of fun you get to have while here. For the closest proximity to your favorite activities, you’ll most likely want to consider camping or staying in a Yosemite cabin.

2. How much am I getting for my money? This is another category where vacation rentals tend to have Yosemite hotels beat. If you make your Yosemite Park reservations with a hotel, you’ll get significantly less space per dollar you spend than you would in a Yosemite cabin. You also won’t have access to a kitchen and might even have to pay extra for the rental of a small refrigerator. Amenities like Internet access will almost certainly cost extra. If you choose to stay in a Yosemite vacation rental instead, you’ll have all the space you need and can make your trip much more affordable, especially if you’re traveling coming to the park with a large group of friends or family. Why stay in four hotel rooms when you could stay in one large Yosemite cabin?

3. How comfortable will I be? Camping is undeniably a great experience, but it’s simply not for everyone. If you don’t mind taking cold three-minute showers and using public restrooms for the duration of your Yosemite vacation, then camping might be just fine for you. But if you choose to stay in a Yosemite cabin, you’ll have enough beds to go around, hot water, a fully equipped kitchen, and enough space to relax and have a good time while still being surrounded by the natural beauty of Yosemite. Because our rentals are within the gates of Yosemite National Park, you’ll get to have that beautiful, natural experience of Yosemite like you would have camping, but with the added bonus of indoor plumbing.

4. How do I make a reservation with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders? If you’ve weighed the options carefully, chances are you’ve found that Scenic Wonders offers some of the best value for Yosemite vacations. Make your next trip to Yosemite an unforgettable experience by booking a cabin, condominium, or home with Scenic Wonders. Call us at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn more about what we have to offer or reserve online now.

Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders’ Blog

The Yosemite’s Scenic Wonder’s blog is constantly updated to give readers current information on park news, activities to try, sights to see and accommodation tips.

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Yosemite winter is unlike any other season at Yosemite. Special seasonal activities such as the Vintners’ Holidays are celebrated, the ice-skating rink is opened, and novice to advanced skiers can enjoy the slopes at Badger Pass. Other great activities during the winter include snowboarding, sledding, bus tours, photography walks, hiking, and more. A particularly well-loved activity in the park during the winter is cross-country skiing. From Badger Pass cross-country skiers can take a guided tour over to Glacier Point and see an unforgettable view of Yosemite Valley covered in snow.

Yosemite Winter Cabins

The best way to enjoy Yosemite winter is with a lodge in Yosemite. Staying in a cabin within the gates of Yosemite National Park is a simply unforgettable way to enjoy your winter in Yosemite. You’ll get to experience the rustic ambience of a warm fire, the comfort of home-cooked meals, and wonderful evenings spent gathered together playing games or watching old movies in a cozy living room.

Sitting in front of the TV in a hotel room certainly doesn’t stack up, nor does freezing out in the open air of one of Yosemite’s campgrounds – temperatures can drop well below freezing during the winter at Yosemite. Yosemite cabins offer the space, comfort, and amenities of home within the gates of Yosemite National Park. What you get for your money simply can’t compare to the cost of staying in a hotel, nor could the comfort possibly be beat by a campground.

Many families come to Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders cabins year after year to ring in the holidays in their favorite spot. People request the same cabins each time to remember old times and make new memories with their families, friends, and loved ones. Wrap up with your loved one and a cup of hot chocolate or have a great evening with a bottle of champagne and your closest friends in private Yosemite lodging from Scenic Wonders.

Remember, cabins at Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders fill up quickly during the winter holidays, so make your Yosemite lodging reservations early to ensure that you and your family or friends get to stay in your favorite cabin. We offer home, condo, and cabin rentals within the gates of the park and we never charge reservation fees. You’ll save money and make unforgettable memories by making Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders part of your Yosemite winter.

Call today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn more about our available rentals and rates or to get your questions answered by one of our friendly staff members. We look forward to the chance to share the holidays with you.  You can also make your reservations online!

Yosemite Vacation Blog

Our Yosemite vacation blog provides our readers with the latest Yosemite news as well as information on activities, sights to see and more.

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Fall in Yosemite is a great time to take in the park as well as the vibrant colors of the season. While most of the park’s trees are evergreens, Yosemite also has a wide variety of deciduous trees that each take on their own unique shade during the fall months. Be sure to pack your camera on your Yosemite trip to capture the yellows, golds, purples, reds, and pinks that will light up the area during this special season.

You’ll also be able to see a great deal of wildlife scampering about the park, especially near creeks and rivers. This is because as the summer crowds subside, Yosemite’s wildlife becomes more courageous and tends to step out into the open. One great way to enjoy the wildlife and changing foliage is to take a photography tour. These tours are available through the park, as are bus tours, open air tram tours, and moonlight tours.

There are also some special annual activities that only happen during fall in Yosemite. For example, you can enjoy Vintner’s Holidays in the Ahwahnee Dining Room from early November to early December. This celebration of food and drink includes seminars and discussions as well as wine tastings from local vineyards and a five course dinner at the end of each day. Advance reservations are required for this event, so be sure to reserve your tickets right away.

Another sight that can only be seen during Yosemite Fall is the Leonid Meteor shower. These showers usually occur in mid-November and typically feature 10 to 20 meteors falling per hour. In order to enjoy this natural show at its best, try to plan your trip around the lunar calendar when the sky will be darkest and clearest.

Whatever you choose to do on your trip to Yosemite this fall, make your reservations with Scenic Wonders.  We offer a great variety of rental properties including cozy cabins, vacation homes and condominiums that are all within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to learn about our available rentals this fall. Our cabins are filling up quickly, so be sure to reserve your Yosemite accommodations as soon as possible.

Yosemite Blog

If you’re looking for current news on Yosemite National Park, activity suggestions or tips related to Yosemite vacations, you’ll want to visit the Scenic Wonders’ blog regularly.  Updated weekly, our blog is a great resource for park enthusiasts as well as those who are visiting Yosemite for the very first time.

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However, you should know that our rental properties are starting to book up for the fall months so give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to learn about what we have available. You can also make your reservations online – either way, Scenic Wonders never charges a reservation fee.

Here are just a few reasons why you should consider making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders:

Yosemite Fall is one of the most beautiful seasons in the park. The leaves change colors, the wildlife abounds, and the temperatures are perfect for enjoying the park without getting overheated or too cold. Fall is one of the least-crowded seasons in Yosemite, making it a more peaceful and therapeutic experience. Nature photographers in particular love Yosemite in the fall, and there’s no better way to enjoy it then with a Yosemite cabin that keeps you in the midst of the park’s beauty for your entire trip.

Another great reason to book with Scenic Wonders is that our Yosemite cabins will deliver much higher value than Yosemite hotels. If you and your group book hotel rooms, you’ll have less space and less amenities than you would if you reserve one of our Yosemite home rental properties. You’ll also be farther away from the action, won’t able to cook meals within the comfort of your room, and you’ll end up spending more money for much less. If you’re coming to Yosemite with your family or a large up with friends, you simply can’t beat the value and comfort offered by Scenic Wonders.

Scenic Wonders also makes your Yosemite reservations easier with our full-service website. Browse the galleries of all of our most popular rentals and see the prices listed upfront. You can choose the cabin that best suits your needs or the one that you have come back to year after year. For many families, our cabins are like a home away from home and are places where memories are made every year.

We also have a friendly staff available around-the-clock to answer your questions over the phone if you need further assistance. Our knowledgeable staff can provide you with information about our accommodations, activities within the park, things to pack, and other helpful advice.

Whatever you’re looking to get out of your Yosemite fall vacation, Scenic Wonders can help you find it. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to make your Yosemite reservations and enjoy everything that the park has to offer in the fall. Whether you’re coming with your spouse or with a group of ten friends, we can help you make your vacation a memorable and enjoyable experience.

Scenic Wonders’ Blog

Our blog is dedicated to the offerings of Yosemite National Park.  Here, readers will find the latest updates, suggestions on things to do and tips for booking lodging.

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Fishing – While the famous waterfalls of Yosemite are usually dry or running much slower in the fall months, the streams below them are extremely active. With less people around to scare the fish, more aquatic life can be seen swimming down the creeks and rivers during the fall. Fishing is open during the fall months along the lower portion of the Merced River and on Tenaya Lake. The lake offers great fishing for beginners while Merced is an exciting challenge.

Natural beauty – In addition to Yosemite’s many Evergreen trees, a wide variety of deciduous trees change color in Yosemite in the fall. The beautiful foliage can be seen throughout the park and ranges in colors from bright yellow to vibrant gold to deep purples and reds. Nature photographers love visiting Yosemite in autumn to get beautiful pictures of the park’s amazing colors. Wildflowers often stay in bloom well into the fall, making Yosemite a colorful and alluring place.

Cooler temperatures – While some people prefer the hot sun of summer, sports enthusiasts love coming to Yosemite in fall to enjoy their favorite activities without being exhausted by the heat. Temperatures in Yosemite remain brisk and inviting well into the fall, creating ideal weather for rock climbers, cyclists, hikers, runners, and other sporting enthusiasts.

Lots to do – Though some summer activities shut down during the fall, there is still a plethora of opportunities to have fun in Yosemite National Park during the fall months. Tours including the moonlight tour and the open-air tram tour are available throughout the season. You can also enjoy hikes, wildlife watching, bird watching, rock climbing, photography tours, and some water activities. Special activities are also available during the fall including Vintner’s Holidays beginning in early November at the Ahwahnee lodge in Yosemite. This special celebration of wines and artisan foods brings many travelers to the park year after year.

Whatever you’re planning to do in Yosemite this fall, be sure to book your Yosemite lodging with Scenic Wonders. Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offers cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park. You’ll never be far from your favorite activities with a Yosemite cabin rental from Scenic Wonders. Our Yosemite lodging is the perfect cozy retreat after a long day of exploring the park and enjoying the beautiful foliage of Yosemite Fall. Call 1-888-967-3648 (1-888-YOSEMITE) today to learn about our available Yosemite cabins and to make your reservations.

Hurry – our cabins are filling up fast! Call now to make sure you secure your favorite Yosemite retreat.

Yosemite Fall Vacation Blog

Our Yosemite vacation blog is constantly updated to provide you with the latest news and updates.  We also offer information on Yosemite accommodations, activities and must-see areas in the park.

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If you have your own kayaks ready to go, you can kayak all along the Merced River from Stoneman Bridge in Curry Village down to Sentinel Point Beach. There is a large picnicking area along this section of the river, so you can pack a lunch and make a day trip out of your kayaking experience. Kayaking is allowed in this section of the river from 10:00am to 6:00pm, unless otherwise stated.

Yosemite kayaking is also allowed on Lake Tenaya. For those kayakers who enjoy a more relaxing boating experience, Lake Tenaya offers calm waters and scenic views of the park. Any non-motorized boat is allowed on the lake during the day. Coming to the lake to kayak can be a great alternative to Merced River which can be quite busy during the summer months.

Rules and Restrictions for Kayaking in Yosemite

There are a few restrictions to keep in mind while kayaking in Yosemite. First and foremost, it is essential to obey the rules and warnings of the park rangers. At times conditions in the Merced River can become too dangerous for kayaking, and it is important to stay out of the water when so advised by park rangers. Also, whenever you kayak in Yosemite, you are required to wear a life vest regardless of your age or ability. This is to help ensure the safety of all visitors to the park.

The best months for kayaking in Yosemite are typically between May and September. Some years the river can be quite low by mid-August. But this year, with the substantial snowmelt, the river is likely to have a steady flow late into September.

Convenient Yosemite Lodging Near Kayaking Sites

A great way to make your Yosemite kayaking vacation even better is with a cabin, condominium, or home rental from Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. Scenic Wonders offers a wide variety of Yosemite lodging options within the gates of the park. In one of our Yosemite cabins you’ll have all the space you need to relax and unwind at the end of a long day. You’ll also have plenty of space for your kayaking equipment and all of the amenities you need to have a good time.

Save money and have a better vacation experience by reserving one of our Yosemite cabins today. To learn more about our rentals and rates give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648). Our friendly staff looks forward to answering your questions about our great Yosemite lodging options. Call today!

Yosemite National Park Blog

Our Yosemite National Park blog contains a variety of great information on the park, things to do inside the park as well as tips pertaining to Yosemite reservations.  We update our blog weekly, so be sure to visit frequently to get the latest news.

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Sometimes it can be more affordable to fly into a major airport when going on Yosemite vacations, especially if you’re coming to the park from a long distance. The major airports closest to Yosemite are San Francisco International (SFO), Oakland International (OAK), and San Jose International (SJC). Each of these airports is connected to major hubs around the country, so flights are usually quite affordable.

If you fly into one of these airports, you’ll have to drive anywhere from five to eight hours (depending on traffic) to get to the park. However, the drive can be quite scenic and enjoyable for those who like car trips. Flying into one of these airports is also great if you’d like to see the Bay Area as well as Yosemite on your vacation.

Other options for getting to Yosemite by air include Sacramento International (SMF) and Reno/Tahoe International (RNO). These airports are both four to five hours away from Yosemite by car and Reno/Tahoe is only open during the summer months. On the plus side, if you can fly into the Reno/Tahoe International airport, you’ll have an exceptionally beautiful drive to Yosemite National Park.

Make sure to map out your journey ahead of time and have the contact information for your Yosemite accommodations when you travel. If by chance you get lost along the way, your Yosemite lodging should be able to provide you with the directions you need to make it to Yosemite safe and sound. You’ll also want to check where the closest gas stations are before beginning your journey.

Affordable Yosemite Accommodations

There are a lot of options for getting to Yosemite, but once you get here the best option for your Yosemite lodging is Scenic Wonders. At Scenic Wonders we have cabin, home, and condominium rentals available within the gates of the park. You’ll find all the comforts of home in a spacious, relaxing environment when you make your reservations with us. Our friendly staff is standing by at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to answer all your questions about getting to Yosemite and the best places to stay once you get here. Call to learn about our available rentals and rates and to start planning your memorable Yosemite vacation today.

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite Blog

Our Yosemite blog is updated weekly and provides our readers with a wealth of information about Yosemite National Park, recreation and places to stay.

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If you’re planning a trip to the park, here is a simple acronym to help demonstrate why Yosemite hotels are a thing of the PAST.

P: Privacy - If you choose to stay in a hotel on your next trip to Yosemite, you’ll have minimal privacy. By staying in a hotel you’ll have the annoyance of noisy hotel guests above, below, and to each side. Families staying in one room also have to sacrifice a great deal of privacy to each other.

By choosing a Yosemite cabin rental instead, you can have all the privacy that you do in your own home. Not only will you not have to deal with loud neighbors, you’ll have enough bedrooms and bathrooms for everyone to have some space to themselves.

A: Amenities – Overpriced hotel rooms give you a place to sleep and cleanup. But if you choose to stay in a Yosemite cabin rental, you’ll have the benefits of a full kitchen, multiple bathrooms, multiple bedrooms, a living area, a yard to yourself, and all of the appliances and electronics you need to have a comfortable and relaxing vacation experience. Why spend more on a hotel only to get less?

S: Savings – You can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a weekend by staying in a Yosemite cabin rental versus a hotel. Whether you’re traveling with a large group or just one other person, the cost of staying in a hotel can add up quickly. Without a kitchen to prepare meals then, you’ll spend hundreds of extra dollars going out to every meal. And if you look at the cost per square foot, the value of Yosemite vacation homes is unbeatable. The simple fact is you’ll get much more bang for your buck by staying in a Yosemite vacation home, and your overall vacation price tag will likely be substantially lower.

T: Time – You can also save a great deal of time by staying in a Yosemite vacation home. This is because vacation homes like those offered by Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders are within the gates of Yosemite National Park. When you stay in a Scenic Wonders cabin or house, you’ll be just minutes away from your favorite Yosemite attractions. On the other hand, if you stay in a Yosemite hotel outside of the park, you could be looking at a commute of up to two hours in and out of Yosemite every day.

So save yourself time, money, and comfort by choosing Scenic Wonders for your Yosemite accommodations. Our cabins, homes, and condominiums will be a wonderful addition to your memorable Yosemite vacation. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to learn more about our available vacation homes and to make your Yosemite reservations.

Yosemite Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog is meant to provide readers with the latest information on the park, vacation activities as well as lodging tips.

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Researchers at Texas State University have studied the factors that go into creating a moonbow. These factors include clear skies, sufficient mist in the air, a dark night, and bright moonlight not blocked by mountains or clouds. Yosemite Falls creates a uniquely ideal setting for moonbows to occur thanks to the mist created by the waterfall.

The Texas State researchers have examined the predicted water flow and sky conditions at Yosemite Falls and have determined that the most likely dates for moonbows to occur are in April, May, and June. Their predictions are precise enough to give a four to five day range in which moonbows are likely to be the brightest. To learn more about which specific days are most likely to have a Yosemite moonbow in the future, visit the Texas State University page.

Those who are lucky enough to see a Yosemite moonbow do not soon forget the experience. Great shots of moonbows have been taken from the bridge near the base of Yosemite Falls as well as the parking lot at Yosemite Lodge. Park rangers can give you further advice about where you’ll be most likely to see a moonbow on your trip to Yosemite.

Yosemite Vacation Home, Cabin and Condominium Rentals

After staying up late to witness a Yosemite moonbow, give yourself the treat of a comfy cabin to come home to by making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders. We offer cabin, home, and condominium rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park, so it will only take you a few minutes to get to your Yosemite lodging after witnessing your moonbow.

Staying at Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders has a number of other great benefits as well. In fact, you can save money by staying in a Scenic Wonders cabin versus staying in a hotel. This is because you’ll have enough space to fit your whole group in one home versus multiple hotel rooms, you’ll have a kitchen in which you can prepare meals, and you’ll have more opportunities for fun right at your fingertips.

Make the smart choice on your next Yosemite vacation by making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders. Call us at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and rates and to learn more about the best time to visit in order to see a Yosemite moonbow. We look forward to your stay.

Yosemite Vacation Blog

Our Yosemite vacation blog gives you the latest news about Yosemite National Park, activities and things to do inside the park as well as the best tips on making your reservations.  We update our blog weekly, so be sure to visit again!

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Yosemite National Park is one of the most popular destinations in the United States. With vast mountain peaks, ranges, rivers and meadows, the park is located in California’s Sierra Nevada. Yosemite is open 24 hours a day 365 days a year and gives visitors a chance to relax and enjoy its beauty. With the many choices of Yosemite lodging available, visitors might consider staying at a hotel. However, home rentals and cabin can offer additional benefits than cannot be found in hotel rooms.

Centrally located, Scenic Wonders provides Yosemite cabins, home and condominium accommodations in historic Yosemite. Visitors can avoid the hour commute in and out of the part because it is only minutes away from all the beautiful wonders and attractions of Yosemite.  Scenic Wonders’ website, scenicwonders.com provides visitors with listing of park activities, tour information, room rates, maps and reservation page.  Since 1988, Scenic Wonders has been providing Yosemite visitors and vacationers with memorable experiences to last a lifetime.

According to the website, home rentals offer numerous advantages from traditional Yosemite hotels. Unlike the single room and bathroom layout of hotel rooms, home rentals come in multiple room configurations, a full kitchen, multiple bathrooms, a living room and outdoor space.  Compared to hotels, vacation home rentals also offer better cost savings. It is half the cost when calculating the price per square foot.

In addition to the increase in space and cost savings, home rentals from Scenic Wonders also are perfectly located with the gates of the park. This not only saves time but is minutes away from Yosemite activities for the entire family. Park activities include Bicycling, Camping, Day Hikes, Fishing, Horseback Riding, Rafting, Rock-Climbing, Skiing cross-country, Skiing downhill, Star-gazing, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Wawona Golf Course.

Families and travelers can rest assured to have an enjoyable visit at Scenic Wonders. The facilities include dish-ware, cookware, silverware, blankets, pillows, linens and towels. Condiments provided are hot chocolate, Folgers coffee and filters, sugar packets, cream packets, Lipton tea, and salt and pepper. Grill masters will be delighted to know that all properties come equipped with propane BBQ’s, and propane is provided.

Vacationers planning to visit Yosemite National Park should visit http://www.scenicwonders.com for more information about home rentals for their next trip.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Yosemite Scenic Wonders, Inc.

Ken LeBlanc

7403 Yosemite Park Way

Yosemite National Park, CA 95389

1-888-967-3648

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Climbing Half Dome

The Half Dome hike is one of the most strenuous Yosemite hikes, but if you’re physically fit and up for an adventure, few experiences in life are as rewarding as the climb to the summit. The Half Dome hike is about 17 miles long and has an elevation gain of 4,800 feet. Most of the hike is a challenging walk, but the last 400 feet are a real climb. This final stretch to the summit has two cables that allow hikers to climb to the summit without rock climbing equipment. The view from this cabled section of the hike is unparalleled, and the climb itself, while exceptionally challenging, is also extremely fun.

Because so many people wish to climb Half Dome every day, Yosemite National Park has instituted a permitting system that only allows 400 climbers to hike Half Dome daily. These permits can be quite tough to get a hold of, so make sure you snap yours up as soon as possible. Half Dome permits are available on the Yosemite National Park website up to three months in advance of your chosen Yosemite hiking day.

While Half Dome is an unforgettable experience, it should not be attempted by small children or people who are not physically prepared for the demands of a challenging hike. It is recommended that people who wish to climb Half Dome do some training in advance and make sure they’re prepared for the daunting climb.

Yosemite Falls Hike

Another great Yosemite hiking opportunity is the Yosemite Falls hike. This is one of the most popular Yosemite hikes because it is challenging but less than half the length of Half Dome and offers spectacular views of Yosemite Valley. A 7.6 mile round-trip hike from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead, the Yosemite Falls hike has an elevation gain of about 2,600 feet and takes between 6 to 10 hours to complete.

The Yosemite Falls hike is known for being quite the workout and also for providing gorgeous views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and a number of other sites within the park. From the top of this hike you’ll be able to see the entirety of Yosemite Falls and have a chance to walk through the spray of Upper Yosemite Falls. The view you’re provided with at the top of this hike also allows you to get a photo of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome in the same frame. The best time to do this hike is during the late spring or summer when the waterfalls are gushing.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to go hiking in Yosemite this year, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite hikes. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park.  By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.

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Most incidents that occur with Yosemite National Park bears are not fatal to humans. However, a number of bears are killed each year by drivers in the park. Park officials warn drivers to obey speed limits and pay attention while driving through the park. So far this year six bears have been hit by vehicles. Last year 28 bears were hit altogether as well as a number of deer, squirrels, and other park animals.

Safety First

It’s important to drive slowly in Yosemite and be aware that wildlife could be on the road around and he turned. Pay attention and drive carefully to help protect the life of Yosemite bears and other wildlife in the park. Remember, Yosemite is home to the bears and other wildlife – you’re just a visitor in their territory.

Most incidents that occur with bears in the park happen in campgrounds. So far 19 incidents have happened on Yosemite campgrounds with bears. The park considers a “bear incident” to have occurred when a monetary loss to a person is involved. So far the total cost of property damage caused by bears this year has added up to over $9000. Most of this total stems from incidents occurring in parking lots. Be sure to keep your car locked and not to leave any food in your vehicle.

Most incidents with bears in Yosemite could be avoided by keeping food better protected in bear lockers. It’s reported that 12 of the 19 incidents from this year had to do with bears obtaining food from trash that was left out or from unsecured trash cans or dumpsters. Park rangers suggest treating your bear locker like you would your refrigerator at home. Open it to get food out and then close it again right away. The smell of food can attract bears from great distances, so it’s important to be careful with whatever food you leave out and when disposing of your trash.

Yosemite Vacation Home Rentals

Another simple way to enjoy your food without worrying about Yosemite bears is to forgo camping and instead enjoy the comforts of a cabin, condominium, or home within the gates of Yosemite national Park. Scenic Wonders offers Yosemite lodging at affordable prices that are ideal for families, groups of friends, and couples. We have a wide range of Yosemite reservations available to suit the needs of different types of groups. Make your Yosemite vacation memorable for all the right reasons by avoiding campground bear incidents by choosing Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite vacation home rentals.

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If you’re hoping to stay in Yosemite over any holiday, remember that lodging books quickly so you’ll want to reserve well in advance!

Experiencing Yosemite on the 4^th

Andy Falk, a writer for the San Rafael Patch, recently shared his experience visiting Yosemite during 4th of July with his family this year. Falk didn’t know what to expect when visiting Yosemite during holidays, but he was pleasantly surprised to find that, while crowded, the park was an amazing experience over the holiday weekend as it is year-round.

Falk and his family, a group of experienced campers, had quite the adventure when hiking to Mirror Lake. The family took a bus to the Mirror Lake drop-off and then had the choice of hiking the trail or taking a paved road to Mirror Lake. Falk and family decided to take the trail, ignoring the advice of a sign at the trailhead warning that the trail was actually closed ahead as a result of a rock slide back in 2009.

Falk’s family got a mile up the trail before having their path blocked. With the knowledge that the river beside them was flowing at a safe speed, the family decided to look for a place to cross. They found a safe crossing location where the river reached only to their waists and forged ahead. Only after safely reaching the other side and meeting up with some fellow hikers did Falk and his family realize that the river they had just crossed was in fact Mirror Lake.

Hiking misadventures aside, Falk’s family enjoyed some great run-ins with nature on their trip to Yosemite during 4th of July. While driving through the park, the group spotted a mother bear and two cubs a mere 20 meters from the road. Traffic was backed up due to the sight, but most of their fellow park-goers didn’t mind. With the exception of one road rage-filled driver, everyone on the road reveled in the joy of seeing such beautiful animals in their natural environment.

Falk and his family enjoyed a number of wonderful experiences at Yosemite this summer, and it’s not too late for you to enjoy the park as well. Soon the astounding flow of water pouring down Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls, and Yosemite’s numerous other waterfalls will start to dry up, but even after the falls are gone, the park will remain full of breathtaking sights and unforgettable activities.

Whether you’re an experienced camper like Falk and his family or a newbie to nature, you can enjoy a number of excellent activities at Yosemite National Park this summer or in the following seasons. Great activities currently available in the park include rock climbing, biking, hiking, photography tours, bus tours, bird watching, wildlife watching, and much more.

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite Blog

Our Yosemite blog is updated every month to give our readers the latest information related to Yosemite National Park.  Be sure to check back as we update our blog weekly!

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Before the park began issuing Half Dome permits, crowds of up to 1,200 people a day would attempt the difficult climb. Overcrowding on the cables may have contributed to four deaths since 1996 and dozens of rescues following climbers getting stuck or falling.

On the other hand, proponents of SaveHalfDome.com insist that the permit system is flawed. People who want to climb this national treasure are frequently unable to obtain permits. The Park Service makes Half Dome permits available online up to three months in advance for a small charge of $1.50. Unfortunately, scalpers frequently buy these permits in bulk and resell them at highly inflated prices. As a result, it has become increasingly difficult to climb Half Dome with an honestly gotten permit.

Many Yosemite enthusiasts are also calling for a third cable to be installed up the slope. This will help reduce the overcrowding problem and help justify the elimination of Half Dome permits. The two original cables were installed by the Sierra Club in 1919, forty-five years before Half Dome was designated a wilderness area. If the park were to install a third cable now, they would likely have to battle through hearings, legislation, and possible protests from environmental groups and even many climbers who would like to have the original cables removed.

Supporters of SaveHalfDome.com insist that the struggle would be worth it. A 2008 survey commissioned by the Park Service showed that 46% of climbers and backpackers are against the Half Dome permitting system and only 27% are for it. The same survey showed a substantial preference for having a third cable installed. All in all, it seems that climbers and lovers of Half Dome favor a system in which as many people as possible get to experience the joy of summiting the dome, regardless of overcrowding.

For now, the permit system stays in effect. If you’re planning a trip to Yosemite National Park to climb Half Dome in the upcoming months, be sure to reserve your permit as soon as possible. The park is working on implementing measures to reduce scalping and make Half Dome permits more accessible.

Plan Ahead – Book Yosemite Lodging Now!

Another thing you’ll want to reserve early is your Yosemite accommodations. At Scenic Wonders, we offer comfortable Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. Enjoy the homey feel of a cabin, condominium, or home when you reserve with Scenic Wonders. Our Yosemite lodging tends book quickly, especially during the summer months, so give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today at to begin planning your memorable Yosemite vacation.

Yosemite Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog is meant to provide our readers with insights on Park activities, accommodations, and tips and is updated each week.

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Only three waterfalls at Yosemite flow year-round. Most dry up by early August, including Yosemite Falls, America’s tallest waterfall. But this summer, thanks to the massive amounts of snowfall, Yosemite’s waterfalls are pouring down massive amounts of water and are expected to continue flowing with great force for several additional weeks. Visitors to the park say it’s like nothing they’ve ever seen before. Even experienced Yosemite park rangers have been blown away by the beautiful Yosemite waterfalls.

Yosemite Falls is Flowing Greater Than Ever

Yosemite Falls itself is said to be pouring down enough water to fill a gasoline tanker truck every 2 seconds. The equally beautiful Bridalveil Falls is pouring down so much water that the mist it creates is clouding the entire meadow below. In fact, there’s so much water pouring down Yosemite waterfalls that a number of new, unnamed waterfalls have popped up all over the park. In dry seasons, some of Yosemite’s named waterfalls only flow for a few weeks, and some years they don’t flow at all. The emergence of new waterfalls is like Yosemite is experiencing this year is simply unheard of.

Yosemite’s Merced River is flowing at about 1600 cubic feet per second. That’s fast enough to pull objects down the river at more than ten miles per hour. Visitors to Yosemite are warned to be careful around the waterfalls and the river. That much water, while astoundingly beautiful, can also be very dangerous if not properly respected. Even creeks and streams that usually just trickle have strong flows that can be dangerous. The increased flow has led to the closure of a few of Yosemite’s campsites.

Don’t Miss Out, Book Your Yosemite Lodging Now

Countless people have been drawn to Yosemite this summer to witness the spectacular beauty of Yosemite waterfalls. Don’t let your family or friends miss out on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Call Scenic Wonders today to make your Yosemite lodging reservations. At Scenic Wonders, we offer Yosemite cabins, home, and condominium rentals within the gates of the park. By booking with us you’ll be just minutes away from some of Yosemite’s most beautiful waterfalls and a plethora of other exciting park activities. Whatever you do, make your reservations soon. Summer is always popular at Yosemite, and the summer is destined to be a record. Particularly with the closing of some Yosemite campsites, Yosemite lodging options are bound to book up in no time.

With Scenic Wonders, you can be sure that your Yosemite lodging will be comfortable, convenient, and a perfect complements to your memorable Yosemite vacation. Unlike other Yosemite lodging options, we at Scenic offer a variety of accommodation options to meet our customer’s varied needs. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our properties or simply make your Yosemite reservation online.

About Our Yosemite Blog

Every month, Scenic Wonders posts the latest Yosemite news as well as articles on hot topics, like must-see sights in the park.  When you read our blog, you’ll receive the information you need to plan a trip of a lifetime!

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Great for Singles, Couples, and Young Families

The studio condos that we offer at Scenic Wonders have a large, open living area with a queen-size Murphy bed and a queen-size sofa bed. Each of our Yosemite condos also comes with a full bathroom and a fully equipped kitchenette complete with stove, oven, refrigerator, microwave, coffee maker, and toaster. You could save hundreds of dollars over the course of a weekend by preparing meals in the comfort of your Yosemite condo versus the cost of eating out. Each studio also comes with a twenty-five inch color television and a full videotape library for your entertainment.

Other great features include a river rock fireplace, a private outdoor patio, and a propane barbecue. If you’re coming to Yosemite on your own or with one other person, our Yosemite condominiums are a great choice for you. Our studios are also great for couples with young children.

Why Choose Yosemite Condos Over Hotel Rooms?

Some of the great benefits of staying in our Yosemite condominiums versus staying in a hotel include the homey atmosphere, the fully equipped kitchenette, and the additional space. At one of our Yosemite condos you won’t have to worry about overhearing noisy neighbors through paper-thin hotel room walls, nor will you have to worry about spending a fortune on meals at the hotel restaurant. Our condos provide couples and young families with a relaxing place to unwind at the end of a long day of adventure and excitement. Save money and enjoy greater comfort by choosing a Yosemite condo.

A Great Place to Stay Inside the Gates of the Park

Another wonderful benefit of making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders is that all of our condominiums, cabins, and homes are within the gates of Yosemite National Park. When you choose Scenic Wonders for your Yosemite accommodations, you put yourself just minutes away from some of your favorite park activities. As an added bonus, our Yosemite accommodations offer great privacy and beautiful views of the surrounding forests and mountains.

For larger groups we offer loft condominiums that can fit comfortably fit up to for adults and two small children. Whatever the size of your group or the duration of your stay, Scenic Wonders has great Yosemite accommodations to fit your budget and your needs. Make your trip as memorable and enjoyable as possible by choosing Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders for your next vacation. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn more about our prices and availability or to make your reservation today. Remember, at Scenic Wonders we never charge reservation fees. Call now!

Heading to Yosemite?

Our Yosemite blog is a great resource to get the latest news, activity suggestions, lodging tips, as well as ideas on sights to see while at the park.  Visit our blog now!

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Scalped reservations make it harder for campers to make camping reservations that are affordable and legitimate. In an effort to put an end to reservation scalping, park officials have started checking identification of Yosemite campers upon check-in. If your ID does not match the name on your reservation, your reservation will be found invalid and you’ll be left without a place to stay at Yosemite. Craigslist is also doing their part to help reduce scalping by posting a warning on Yosemite related posts that warns their site users that re-sales of Yosemite camping reservations are illegal.

Scalpers have also been known to sell permits for Half Dome on Craigslist and similar sites. Such permits are available for free at Yosemite National Park, though only a limited number of permits can be issued for any given day.

In order to ensure that your Yosemite camping reservations are valid, purchase your campsite reservations at recreation.gov. Reservations can also be made over the phone at (877) 444-6777. Once you make a reservation for a Yosemite campsite, you will not be allowed to change the name of the reservation – another measure to help prevent scalping. It’s also a good idea to contact the park regarding climbing permits if you’re worried about availability.

Don’t Take Any Chances – Book with Scenic Wonders!

Another foolproof way to ensure that your Yosemite accommodations will be secure is by booking a cabin, condominium, or home through Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. At Scenic Wonders, we offer comfortable Yosemite accommodations within the gates of the park at affordable rates. Because our Yosemite lodging is within the gates of the park, you’ll be almost as close to your favorite activities as you would be if you stayed at a Yosemite campsite.

As an added bonus, you’ll also have the benefits of a full kitchen, private bathrooms, and enough beds to go around. Scenic Wonders’ properties are a great place to relax and enjoy quality time with your friends or family during your Yosemite vacation.

During the summer months in particular, Yosemite’s campgrounds can be crowded and noisy. Why not treat yourself to a cozy, comfortable stay at a cabin instead? You’ll be able to prepare home-cooked meals, take hot showers, and enjoy evenings in front of the fireplace while still being immersed in the beauty of the park. What could be better?

Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to secure your Yosemite accommodations. We never charge reservation fees and we offer a wide range of Yosemite lodging options to suit different size groups and budgets.

Planning to Visit Yosemite National Park?

One of the best ways you can get up-to-date information on Yosemite as well as the park’s sights, activities, and lodging is by reading our Yosemite blog.  View latest news now!

Photo credit: xoque

Problems that can hinder the reopening of Tioga Road include snowstorms that can hit late in spring, the need for road repairs due to severe weather, ditching and brushing operations to get the road cleaned up, and the removal of trees that tend to fall across the road during the winter. The removal of such trees can be very difficult because snowfall often covers the trees, hiding them from worker’s vision, and resulting in damage to snow clearing equipment. Tioga Road also has twenty-six avalanche zones, all of which can be quite detrimental to road opening efforts.

Thankfully, Yosemite National Park workers have gotten past all of these issues to get Tioga Road re-opened. For the time being, a number of campsites remain closed along the road, as do the gas station, store, and village grill. Restrooms, on the other hand, are available in several locations along the road.

Tioga Road on Route to Scenic Wonders

Scenic Wonders’ cabins, homes, and condominiums are located a few miles south of Tioga Road in Yosemite West, the park’s only residential area. Each of our Yosemite lodging rentals is located within the gates of the park not far from your favorite Yosemite activities. Take a look at our property map to see exactly where each of our properties sit and how far they are from your favorite destinations.

You’ll be happy to see that our convenient location within the gates of the Park will put you just minutes away from a number of activities. Compare this to the location of most Yosemite hotels – if you choose to stay at a hotel outside of the park, you could be looking at a commute of up to two hours in and out of Yosemite each day, particularly during the busy summer months.

Another benefit of making your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders is our varied types of Yosemite accommodations. We’ve got great options for couples, families, and groups of friends. Each of our lodging options offers a full kitchen, comfortable beds, hot showers, and an ideal setting to relax and enjoy quality time with friends and family at the end of a long day exploring the park.

After spending hours hiking or white water rafting, you’ll be thrilled to come home to a sizable living space with all the comforts of home. You can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a weekend by making your Yosemite reservations with us instead of reserving multiple hotel rooms outside of the park. Call today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn more about our available properties or to get your questions answered by one of our friendly staff members.

Want to Learn More About Yosemite Before Your Vacation?

Planning your vacation to the park is easy when you follow our Yosemite blog.  Scenic Wonders is committed to providing our readers with Yosemite news, suggestions on park activities and sites, as well as great lodging tips that will ensure your trip is memorable.  Read our blog now!

Photo credit: Dawn Endico

Starting Your Visit in Yosemite Valley

If you don’t know where to start on your visit to Yosemite Valley, a great place to get your bearings is the Valley Visitor Center. This ranger staffed information desk, bookstore, and exhibit hall offers a great deal of information about the wildlife, plant life, history, and opportunities for adventure within Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley is also home to the Yosemite Museum, a gallery featuring American Indian cultural exhibits as well as exhibitions on Yosemite’s history and art that change periodically throughout the year.

Great Yosemite Valley Activities

Yosemite Valley is also a great central location for a number of spring and summer activities. Within the vast reaches of the valley you’ll find countless miles of hiking trails, bike paths, and horseback riding paths. You’ll be able to venture from the meadows to the forest, from waterfalls to rivers. You can take a photography tour, go on a guided walk, try your best at bird watching, enjoy some fishing in one of several designated fishing areas, take a relaxing swim during the summer, go ice-skating during the winter, or simply gaze at the stars all year long.

This area also happens to be the starting point for some of the best rock climbing in the country. From Yosemite Valley you can make your way up Half Dome, El Capitan, or a number of other excellent climbs. Bouldering is another great option for climbers who only have a few hours to dedicate to climbing. Permits are required for a number of rock climbing routes in Yosemite, and these can easily be obtained from rangers at the park or online through the Yosemite National Park website.

Affordable Accommodations near Yosemite Valley

Whether you choose to visit Yosemite Valley for a rock climbing adventure or a relaxing artistic weekend, one of the best ways to enjoy your trip to Yosemite is with a cabin, home, or condominium rental from Scenic Wonders.

At Scenic Wonders, we offer comfortable Yosemite accommodations within the gates of the park. The relaxing cabins and homes that we have to offer are just minutes from your favorite Yosemite Valley sights and activities. With lodging from Scenic Wonders, you’ll be able to enjoy a full day of fun and excitement and then head home to a relaxing Yosemite cabin in a matter of minutes.

To make your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders, simply give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648). Our friendly team is standing by to answer your questions and to help you enjoy the best Yosemite vacation possible.

Photo credit: Rennett Stowe

1. Easy Access to the Park

When you rent a cabin in Yosemite that lies within the gates of the park, like the cabins offered by Scenic Wonders, you’ll put yourself just minutes from your favorite activities and sights. Instead of taking an hour or two to drive into and out of the park every morning and evening you can take just 20 minutes getting to your first hike of the day or home from your last bird watching tour in the evening. Whatever you’re doing in the park you’ll save yourself time and stress by staying in a summer cabin within the gates of Yosemite National Park.

2. Enough Beds to Go Around

When you choose to rent cabins in Yosemite, you give yourself enough beds to go around as well as enough showers and toilets. Renting a large cabin in Yosemite will save you tons of money over renting multiple hotel rooms outside of the park. You can bring your whole family or a large group of friends and still have plenty of space for everyone to sleep and enough hot running water to go around with the right summer cabin rental.

3. The Option of Cooking For Yourself

Another great way that you save money by choosing a Yosemite cabin rental is in the kitchen. Yosemite cabins offered by Scenic Wonders come equipped with full kitchens and all the cookware you’ll need to prepare meals in the home. By packing lunches and serving your own dinners, you can save hundreds of dollars over the course of a weekend and over $1,000 during the course of a week.

4. All the Comforts of Home

Plus, when you stay in cabins in Yosemite, you’ll get more than a bed and a kitchen – you’ll get all the comforts of home. Yosemite cabins allow you to spread out and unwind just like you would in your own house. Curl up with a book on the couch, relax with a cup of coffee on the porch, or even enjoy an evening in the Jacuzzi at some of our Yosemite cabin rental locations.

On top of all that, by staying in a Yosemite cabin you get to fully enjoy Yosemite National Park because you never have to leave it!

At Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, all of our cabin rentals are within the gates of Yosemite National Park. That means that you’ll be surrounded by the beauty and ambience of the park 24 hours a day. Enjoy the best that Yosemite has to offer, and enjoy it to the fullest by reserving a cabin with Scenic Wonders.

To learn about our available cabin rentals or to make your reservation today, call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648). Our friendly staff is standing by to answer all of your questions and to help you plan a memorable Yosemite vacation for yourself and your family.

Photo credit: Koshyk

If you’re willing to go a little bit off the beaten track, you’ll find yourself at Chilnualna Falls in the Wawona area. Chilnualna Falls may not be quite as tall as Yosemite Falls, but the lack of crowds at this waterfall make it a much more peaceful and relaxing sight.

Getting to Chilnualna Falls

To get to the less well-known Chilnualna Falls, go to the end of the Chilnualna Falls Road and start hiking down the trailhead that begins there. After only about 200 yards you will come across the Chilnualna Creek which has several beautiful cascades of its own all along the four mile hike. The beautiful hike up to Chilnualna Falls will also provide you with a great view of Wawona Dome as well as the unparalleled natural beauty of the forest.

There is a good deal of elevation along the hike to Chilnualna Falls, and a good portion of the hike will leave you exposed to the hot sun. Be sure when taking this hike to pack plenty of water or to bring supplies to treat creek water along the way.

After climbing about 2400 feet along the four mile trail you’ll finally come to Chilnualna Falls, a beautiful 60-foot cascade. Not far from the trail you also find an area of the creek that is perfect for relaxing and swimming, though it is only advice to swim in this area during the summer months when the creek’s current is gentle.

Other Yosemite Waterfalls

Other waterfalls to visit outside of the more famous falls in Yosemite Valley include Waterwheel Falls and Tueeulala Fall. Waterwheel Falls sits on a rigid incline that causes the falling water to loop back on itself, creating the so-called waterwheel effect. This waterfall is best seen during the spring months and is located downriver from Tuolumne Meadows. Tueeulala fall is located in Hetch Hetchy and is accessible via the Evergreen Road off of Highway 120. Wapama Falls is also located in this area and maintains a significant flow all year long, a feat few other Yosemite waterfalls can boast.

Whichever waterfalls you choose to visit during your spring or summer trip to Yosemite National Park, be sure to make your Yosemite reservations with Scenic Wonders. Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offers cabin, home, and condominium rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Our great location will put you just minutes from your favorite waterfalls and other Yosemite sights and activities.

After a long day of fun in the sun, come home to a relaxing cabin or home by reserving your Yosemite accommodations through Scenic Wonders. Call our office today 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to speak with our friendly staff about making your Yosemite reservation.

Photo credit: Jay 0110

There are many vacation rental and social websites, print media, blogs, etc. all over the world that have listed our properties.  We do our very best to keep the calendar on our website updated daily.  We strongly advise that you do not wait until the last minute to make your Yosemite reservations.  Please try to make your reservations at least six to eight months in advance to assure availability during our peak seasons or consider visiting us during our off season period (November, January and March).

If you’re ready to book your lodging, you can reserve online or give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648).

Photo credit: souravdas

Yosemite Hotels May Be Far From the Park

Many people simply choose to stay at a hotel while visiting Yosemite. This is a perfectly acceptable choice, and a popular one. However, smart travelers should take the time to think about where exactly their hotel is and what value they’ll be getting from it.

Most hotel accommodations near Yosemite lie outside of the park. If you choose to visit Yosemite during the summer and stay in one of these hotels, you could be looking at up to a two hour commute into and out of the park every day thanks to the hefty crowds. And more likely than not, your overbooked hotel will feel just as crowded as the roads into and out of Yosemite.

You can save yourself a great deal of time, stress, and money by choosing accommodations inside of Yosemite instead of accommodations near Yosemite!

Yosemite Accommodations within the Gates of the Park

Scenic Wonders offers cabin, home, and condominium rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park. With one of our Yosemite cabins, you can sleep your entire family or group of friends comfortably and enjoy a commute of just 10 to 20 minutes to and from some of your favorite Yosemite activities. And because our cabins and condos are within the gates of the park, you’ll never have to leave the natural beauty and ambience that Yosemite has to offer. Few hotels can boast the same!

Another great perk of staying in a Yosemite cabin within the gates of the park is the complete lack of crowds. Many of our cabins are completely secluded with no other cabins or homes insight – just the beauty of the forest. You’ll get to enjoy all the comforts of home in your own private cabin without having to deal with noisy neighbors upstairs or a room by the elevator. It will just be you, your family or friends, and the great outdoors.

It’s true – there are a number of great accommodations near Yosemite that could suit your family just fine. But why settle for near when you can be in?

Call Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to speak to our friendly staff about our available Yosemite home rentals and cabins. At Scenic Wonders, we never charge reservation fees and we are proud to offer affordable prices year-round. Call now to learn more about our cabins and to begin planning your most memorable Yosemite family vacation yet!

Photo credit: Rennett Stowe

Places to Picnic in Yosemite

There are multiple Yosemite picnicking areas throughout the park. You can find places to picnic in Mariposa Grove, Wawona, Yosemite Creek, Tenaya Lake, Lembert Dome, and in Yosemite Valley. Picnic areas throughout the Valley include Cathedral Beach, Sentinel Beach, Lower Yosemite Fall, and Church Bowl. These picnic areas have the advantage of being close to the Yosemite Village visitor center and the restaurants of Curry Village where you can pick up food to take to one of the Yosemite picnicking sites.

Staying Safe While Picnicking

Yosemite picnicking areas tend to be frequented by wildlife. The critters of Yosemite are drawn to the scent of our food. But it’s important to keep your distance from animals in the park and extremely important to never, ever feed them. Human food can be harmful to animals, no matter how much they may seem to want it!

The scent of our food can also attract larger animals like bears and mountain lions. In order to keep Yosemite’s picnic areas as safe as possible, it’s important to never feed these larger animals and to clean up your picnic area thoroughly once you’re finished. Properly disposing of your food will help ensure that bears and other larger animals keep their distance from Yosemite picnicking areas.

What to Pack for your Picnic

When you choose to stay in a cabin, condo, or home provided by Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, you’ll have access to your own full kitchen. Take advantage of your kitchen by preparing whatever you would like for your picnic. If you’re picnicking with your family, consider packing sandwiches, chips, and brownies. If you’re planning a picnic with a loved one, perhaps you’d enjoy a fresh salad and some chocolate-dipped strawberries. The possibilities are endless when you have your own kitchen in which to prepare your Yosemite picnic.

You’ll also want to pack games and activities to enjoy during and after your meal. Consider bringing a volleyball or a baseball and some gloves. Or you can bring along your hiking boots to enjoy a trek through the forest before or after your picnic.

Wherever you choose to go and whatever you choose to do for your picnic, make sure you have great Yosemite lodgings to come home to at the end of the day. With Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders you can stay in your very own cabin, condominium, or home within the gates of Yosemite National Park. Wherever you stay with Scenic Wonders you’ll have your own kitchen, plenty of space, and comfortable accommodations.

Call now at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to make your Yosemite reservations. Our friendly staff is standing by to answer your questions and help you choose the perfect Yosemite accommodations for your vacation.

Photo credit: pixelthing

Group Activities for Adventurers

Yosemite group activities for people who like to break a sweat and have fun doing it include rock climbing, cycling, and rafting. Yosemite is world-famous for its rock climbing, and guided adventures are available for groups. There are also rock climbing team-building adventures available for company retreats. If cycling is more your thing, Yosemite has countless trails for novice and experienced bikers alike. Your group might also enjoy white water rafting if you’re planning on taking your group to Yosemite in the summer.

Group Activities for Sight-Seers

For those groups that prefer a slightly more relaxed time, Yosemite group activities include hikes, walks, and tours. Take your group on a guided photography tour or a bird-watching excursion. You can also choose one of dozens of hikes throughout the park on which to see the beauty of Yosemite with your group. If hiking isn’t to your taste, you can also choose to take a guided tram or bus tour through the park. Bus and tram tours include nighttime stargazing tours, historic tours of the Yosemite, and nature tours.

Group Activities in Winter

Winter is a great time to take your group to Yosemite. Yosemite National Park gets the least number of visitors in the winter, meaning you’ll be able to enjoy the beauty of the park with minimal crowds. Winter is also the only time that Yosemite’s ski area is open. You can take your group up to the Badger Pass ski area to enjoy a day of skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding, or even ice-skating. Consider taking a guided cross-country skiing tour from Badger Pass to Glacier Point. Cross-country skiing is one of the only ways to get to Glacier Point during the winter. From Glacier Point you’ll have a breathtaking view of Yosemite Valley.

Whatever you choose to do with your group in Yosemite, consider making your Yosemite lodging reservations with Scenic Wonders. When you reserve a condominium, cabin, or home with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders you’ll have all the space you need for yourself and your group.

Enjoy the benefit of a full kitchen, a living room, and enough beds to go around. We have cabins that are big enough to comfortably fit groups of four, six, or even eight people. Plus with our cabins, your Yosemite lodging will be within the gates of the park. That can save you up to two hours of drive time every day, especially if you’re planning your trip for the summer. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to speak with our friendly staff about our available Yosemite lodging for your group. We look forward to your stay!

Photo credit: Weembles

I was visiting family in CT and my nephew and his wife were celebrating their one-year anniversary and had gathered the family and both sets of grandparents together to share the day.  While eating brunch in New York City after they renewed their vows in Central Park, they shared with us their first year together.  They talked about how much they had grown together, how they learned to support each other, what they learned about themselves and shared some of the high points and low points of that first year.

He said the highlight of the year was climbing Yosemite Falls together on their honeymoon.  While they have hiked in the past, they found the trail to be challenging and rigorous.  They were amazed at the beauty that they encountered along the way that included beautiful greenery, various species of animals and two beautiful rainbows.

At the top, they sat for hours and enjoyed the beautiful vistas and reflected on their new lives together.  While most everyone at the table had not “climbed the falls”, I think each of us left that day with the desire to climb Yosemite one day and experience what they had shared.

For those of us who had “done” the climb, it was wonderful to experience it again vicariously through their eyes years later.  It is something that everyone should try and do once in their life!!!!

- Stephanie (Guest Blogger)

Photo credit: Mimpei

1. Affordability

With Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders you can have a cabin, home, or condo rental that’s big enough to fit your entire family or group of friends. We have rentals that are ideally sized for groups of anywhere from two to eight people. Try fitting your group of eight friends into one or two hotel rooms! You’ll save tons of money by just renting one comfortable cabin from Scenic Wonders instead.

2. Location, Location, Location

All of our Yosemite cabins, condos, and homes are located within the gates of Yosemite National Park. That means that when you reserve your Yosemite lodging with us, you’ll be just minutes away from your favorite activities within the park including rock climbing, hiking, wildlife-watching, cycling, and more. If you choose to visit Yosemite in the summer, you could be looking at up to two hours of travel time in and out of the park every day if you decide to stay in a hotel outside of the park gates. Save yourself time and energy by picking Scenic Wonders.

3. Convenience

Unlike a hotel room or a campsite, all of the property rentals at Scenic Wonders have full kitchens and private bathrooms. Enjoy the comfort of a hot shower and a home-cooked meal during your stay at Yosemite by choosing us. With some of our rentals you can also have the added benefit of a big-screen TV with a full DVD collection or even a Jacuzzi on your porch.

4. Great Selection of Properties

Whether you prefer the comfort of a rustic cabin or a modern condo, we have a property rental to suit your needs. Our properties are all cozy and accommodating, and you can choose the particular property you would like to stay in when you reserve with us. Many people who use us choose to come back to the exact same property year after year to enjoy memorable family vacations. Create your own Yosemite tradition by picking the perfect rental property for your family with Scenic Wonders.

5. No Reservation Fees

We are also proud to never charge reservation fees. Why should you have to pay a fee just for making a reservation? With Scenic Wonders, we strive to make your Yosemite lodging as affordable as possible. With us, what you see is what you get. That’s why so many of our customers come back to us year after year.

Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) today to talk to one of our friendly staff members about your Yosemite vacation. We can help you choose the perfect property for your trip to Yosemite and answer any of your questions about the park and your lodgings. Call now to ensure that your Yosemite vacation is as memorable as possible.

Photo credit: woodleywonderworks

Climbing El Capitan

El Cap, as it is commonly known among climbers, is a rock climbing challenge loved the world over. El Capitan has dozens of marked climbing routes covering its face. Each of these routes is quite difficult and should only be attempted by experienced rock climbers.

The most popular route up El Capitan is known as “the Nose” and was first climbed by Warren Harding, Wayne Merry, and George Whitmore in 1958. Due to their use of siege tactics—an expedition style of climbing using fixed ropes that connect different camps along the way—the climbers took 47 days to reach the top of El Capitan. It wasn’t until 1975 that any climber was able to complete the Nose in just one day. Today, the fastest speed climbers are able to reach the top in under three hours.

Only about 60% of people who attempts to climb the Nose succeed. Depending upon the climber’s physical fitness and experience, most trips up the nose take 4 to 5 days of full-time climbing to complete.

During the 1960s and 70s climbers expanded the routes up El Capitan and found a number of different ways up its steep cliff face that are still used today. Over 70 different climbing routes are available on El Capitan and new routes and changes to existing routes are added all the time. For those adventurers who aren’t quite prepared for the difficult climb up El Capitan, there is also a hiking route to the top.

In the past, BASE jumping was attempted off of El Capitan. The first BASE jumpers to jump off of El Capitan did so in 1966 and both men sustained broken bones as a result of the jump. Since then several successful jumps have been made from El Capitan, but the National Park Service no longer issues permits for BASE jumping due to the high risks involved.

A much safer way to appreciate El Capitan is through photography. Every year photographers flock to Yosemite to take stunning photographs of this magnificent stone precipice. No matter what time of year you visit Yosemite, El Capitan will prove one of the most beautiful and impressive sites you’ll see in the park.

If you’re planning a rock climbing adventure in Yosemite or simply would like to see the majesty of El Capitan firsthand, be sure to reserve your Yosemite accommodations with Scenic Wonders. We offer cabin, condominium, and home rentals within the gates of Yosemite National Park that will put you just minutes from your favorite destinations. At Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders, we never charge a reservation fee and we do everything we can to ensure that our prices stay affordable. Call 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our available rentals or to reserve your Yosemite accommodations today.

Photo credit: daveynin

More Space

In Yosemite hotels, you’ll have a bed, a TV, a bathroom, and if you’re lucky, a mini fridge. That’s about it. If you choose to rent a home through Scenic Wonders, you can have multiple bedrooms, a full kitchen, multiple bathrooms, a living room, and outdoor space. You can have all of the amenities of your own home while on vacation by choosing to rent a cabin or condo from Scenic Wonders. More likely than not, if you choose to rent a hotel room for yourself and your family you’ll need more than one. When you compare the costs side-by-side of Yosemite hotels and vacation rentals, the vacation home is almost always more affordable.

More Fun

Staying in a vacation home is much more fun. Scenic Wonders’ vacation properties are all located within the gates of Yosemite National Park. That means that when you stay with us you’ll be just minutes from your favorite Yosemite activities. Few Yosemite hotels can boast the same. You’ll also have the space you need for family games, home-cooked meals, and other evening activities when you choose to rent a home. A hotel room is simply a place to sleep at night. A vacation home, on the other hand, helps you get the most fun out of your vacation by continuing the activities you enjoy into the evening.

More Convenience

Because our vacation rentals are located within the gates of the park, you’ll have a much easier time getting to your planned activities within Yosemite. People who stay in hotels outside the park often face between one hour and two hours of traffic into and out of Yosemite every day. You can cut all of that out (and the gas costs that go along with that much driving) by staying in a Yosemite vacation home rental from Scenic Wonders.

More Affordability

On average, a vacation home rental is half as expensive as a hotel room per square foot. Plus, Yosemite vacation homes from Scenic Wonders give you the option of preparing meals in your own home. This can save you hundreds of dollars over the course of a week compared to going out for every meal during your vacation. And you won’t just save money by choosing a Yosemite vacation home– you’ll save time and energy, too.

Give us a call today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to talk to our friendly staff about our available Yosemite cabins, condominiums, and homes. We have a number of great properties for you to choose from and we never charge reservation fees. Call now to learn more!

Photo credit: Brett Holt

Avoid the Crowds of Summer

The vast majority of tourists come to the park in the summer when temperatures are their highest and the most Yosemite activities are available. But in spring, you can enjoy almost as many activities as are available in summer and not have to deal with the crowds. Spring in Yosemite is accompanied by the occasional rain, but for the most part temperatures are pleasant and the atmosphere is serene. Yosemite activities you can enjoy during the spring include rock climbing, hiking, fishing, and cycling, and all without being elbow to elbow with other visitors. Spring is truly the ideal time to visit.

See Yosemite’s Waterfalls at their Best

As the snows of winter melt, spring in Yosemite brings waterfalls that flow at their peak levels. Yosemite has a number of beautiful waterfalls to enjoy including Lower Yosemite Fall. Here, if you time your visit just right, you may be able to spot a lunar rainbow – a phenomenon that occurs at this waterfall when there is a full moon out. During the day you can also enjoy rushing waterfalls throughout the Valley and the beautiful hikes to and from them.

Enjoy Spring Blossoms All Around

Spring in Yosemite is also accompanied by wildflowers blooming throughout Yosemite Valley and across the park. The colors you’ll experience cross the spectrum and make hikes, walks, and bike trips through the Valley a particularly splendid experience. Some of the blooms you’ll come across in Yosemite Valley include California poppies, meadowfoam, baby blue-eyes, Lupine, Pacific Dogwood, and snowplant.

Take Your Best Yosemite Photos

Flowing waterfalls and blooming flowers are accompanied by young life roaming about the park in spring. These idyllic circumstances create great opportunities for photographers to snap their best pictures in Yosemite. Many photographers flock to Yosemite every spring to capture the beauty that surrounds them. Even if photography isn’t your strong suit, you can get great pictures by taking a photography class or tour through the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Spring into Yosemite!

With so many great reasons to visit Yosemite in spring, you should start planning your trip today. Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders offers great Yosemite cabins within the gates of the park. Call today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to ask about our available Yosemite reservations.

Photo credit: Dawn Endico

Don’t Just Make Reservations, Make Memories

You may feel like your Yosemite lodging is an unimportant aspect of your trip – the real meat of your adventure will be your time spent in the park. While this is true, you can add to the memorable times and family fun that you’ll experience in Yosemite with a vacation home rental within the gates of the park. By renting a condominium or home from Scenic Wonders, you’ll get the benefit of a full house to enjoy with your loved one or your family, no noisy neighbors on the other side of the wall, and a great deal more space than you could ever expect from Yosemite hotels.

Families and groups of friends come back to Scenic Wonders year after year, often to the same vacation property, to build on the wonderful experiences that they’ve had in years past. Unlike a hotel room, in our Yosemite lodging you can enjoy all the comforts of home including a full kitchen, enough beds to go around, and in some properties a fireplace or even a Jacuzzi. For about the same amount of money you would spend on a hotel room, you can enjoy a much greater value with a rental cabin or home.

Added Perks of Staying in a Yosemite Cabin

The vacation homes offered by Scenic Wonders have the added value of being located within the gates of Yosemite National Park. If you stay at a hotel outside of the gates, you could be faced with up to a two hour commute into and out of Yosemite every day. That’s time that could be spent in front of the fire with your spouse or on a picturesque hike with your friends.

By staying in one of our cabins you also get the benefit of feeling like you’re in a home away from home – that sure beats staying in a stuffy, generic hotel room. Play board games, have family meals, enjoy a good movie on the TV – you can make your Yosemite nights as enjoyable as your Yosemite days by foregoing the old hotel room for a charming house within the gates of Yosemite.

Have a One-of-a-Kind Vacation with Scenic Wonders

Give us a call today at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to make your reservations. By doing so you’ll help ensure a memorable Yosemite vacation for yourself and your friends or family.

Photo credit: sanbeiji