The center of Yosemite is its valley. A canyon carved by glaciers during the last ice age. Majestic waterfalls, meadows, forests and domes that climb 3,000 feet above the valley floor grace this national park. The Merced River runs through the valley. The valley is well marked with sign and easy to get around.

In the valley are stores, restaurants, hotels, cabins, camping, a Visitor's Center, a post office and a chapel. There are free shuttle buses that will take you around the valley.

What can you do when you come to Yosemite? There is of course hiking. From easy walks to challenging hikes...there is something for everyone. You can hike to the bottom of a waterfall or go all the way to the top of one! You can take a casual walk up to Mirror Lake/Mirror Meadow. You can float the Merced river on a raft or an intertube. You can even lay on a sandy beach! There is horseback riding in the valley or let the mule take you to the top of a waterfall! The shuttle buses are a nice way to see the meadows and cliffs. You can walk through the meadows and look at the wild life. There are shops and restaurants and museums to meander through.

Park rangers give talks with slide shows almost every evening. There are a couple of swimming pools to swim in if you don't want to venture into the Merced River. An endless supply of rocks and fallen trees are ready and waiting to be climbed on! Fishing is a chosen choice of activities for a lot of people. Bring a chair and sit by your cabin or campsite and look up in wonder. Grab your camera and get into photography! Bring your binoculars and watch a mountain climber climb up the granite walls of Half Dome or El Capitan.

Those with adventure in their spirit can put on a backpack and head to the high country! At night the stars in the sky will thrill anyone with the least interest in astronomy. Because Yosemite California is in a deep valley, far from city lights, the stars shine ever so brightly.

Even though 4 million people visit a year, the rangers tell me that 90% of the visitors only spend time in the valley. The shuttle bus may be crowed with visitors but that does not mean the hiking trails are! Most visitors ride the shuttle bus, visit the shops, restaurants and sit around chairs in the outdoors and just take on the sceenery! Yosemite has over 800 miles of hiking trails, so put on your hiking boots and leave the crowds behind and start hiking!

Once you get to Yosemite there are so many things that you can do for free! Hiking, climbing on rocks, riding the shuttle and walking the meadows are all free to do. Rafting and bike riding are minimal costs. It is a wonderful place for families to visit. You don't have the distractions of televisions and telephones and everyone get fun excerise!

If you come into the National Park through the south entrance you can stop and ride the railroad! Fun for everyone!