Yosemite National Park in Northern California's Gold Country will waive the entrance fee on April 18 and 19, during the National Park Opening Weekend. The park will be a major travel destination focus in 2015 as it celebrates its 125th anniversary. This year is a great time to visit, especially during the Park's entrance-free days on special dates this month and in August, September and November.
Yosemite National Park's favorite visitor vistas, Valley floor and waterfalls, lodging and campsites are perennially popular, but there is a way to experience all that the Park has to offer in a different light, when opting for a less-traveled park entrance and the hospitality of lodging and services available in a gateway community such as Groveland, near the State Highway 120 entrance of Yosemite.
The small town is 24 miles from the Big Flat Oak entrance to Yosemite via Highway 120/Highway 49, and has been a charming base camp for gold rush visitors for more than 150 years.
Using Highway 120's entrance means visitors will drink in their first scenic eyeful of Yosemite National Park just minutes past the park gates at Half Dome View where Half Dome, El Capitan and the scenic Merced River are visible. From there, it is approximately 15 minutes to the Valley Floor. Tours are available from a variety of operators including YExplore, Lasting Adventures and Yosemite Family Adventures.
