Wondering what the Fall colors look like right now in Yosemite Valley? I spent the last week exploring my top spots in Yosemite National Park for enjoying the autumn foliage, and I'm excited to share the current conditions today for this first week of November 2024. I'm rating the park as a "Go Soon" with a mix of vibrant colors at spots like Bridalveil Fall, Cooks Meadow, and Yosemite Chapel.
Read MoreWondering where to see giant trees in California? One of the best spots to hike among some of the largest, oldest & tallest trees in the world is at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park near Wawona & Oakhurst. Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to learn about the rich history, top hiking trails, and info to plan your next Yosemite adventure vacation & road trip.
Read MoreLooking for the ultimate family fun road trip to Yosemite National Park? Play the Fossils to Falls scavenger hunt and collect all 10 trading cards, starting at the Fossil Discovery Center in California's Central Valley, taking you thru Coarsegold, Oakhurst, Bass Lake & more Madera County gems, ending in the Yosemite Valley...and then enter to win a great Yosemite Adventure Vacation Prize Package!
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide to hiking the easy trail to the historic McGurk Cabin & McGurk Meadow in Yosemite National Park. This hike is easily found off Glacier Point Road and it takes hikers through a pine forest to a historic structure and lush meadows with wildflowers in the Summer. Wildlife is abundant in the Yosemite Wilderness, such as deer, coyotes, and black bears.
Read MoreCan you kayak in Yosemite National Park? YES! Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide when planing your next kayaking adventure in Yosemite. Tenaya Lake and Merced River are my two best spots to kayak and raft in Yosemite, and today I'm sharing all the details for setting out on the still waters of Tenaya Lake, as well as discovering the ancient ghost trees still submerged under the surface.
Read MoreWhat are the best hotels near Yosemite? Read this full property review of Firefall Ranch, a brand new luxury hotel near Yosemite National Park. This week I'm staying in a Two Bedroom Cottage while enjoying fine dining, family friendly activities, hiking, and relaxation at this premier resort, which also provides access to the award winning spa at the nearby Rush Creek Lodge. 5 star rating!
Read MoreYosemite Village is the perfect stop on any trip to Yosemite National Park. Located in the heart of Yosemite Valley, this hub offers visitors several family friendly activities, museums, information, and dining options. Important Native American artifacts and history are on display. Guests can visit the Ansel Adams Gallery and stock up at a grocery store to get food, Yosemite gifts & memorabilia.
Read MoreLooking for the best campsites in Yosemite National Park? Yosemite Valley offers some of the best tent camping spots in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. North Pines Campground is situated along the Merced River just below Half Dome, Glacier Point & Royal Arches, and provides quick access to great hiking, including the Mist Trail, Mirror Lake & Valley Loop, as well as food options in Curry Village.
Read MoreWhat is the best 2-day itinerary for Yosemite National Park? Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the perfect weekend in Yosemite, optimizing your Summer road trip schedule, taking you to some of the best viewpoints and hiking trails in the park, offering you views of iconic landmarks like Half Dome, Yosemite Falls & El Capitan. Experience the best sunrise & sunset spots in Yosemite.
Read MoreWhat are the best hotels and vacation rentals near Yosemite National Park? Today I'm sharing a full property & hotel review of HORIZON by Yosemite, a luxury villa with 5 individual suites perfect for a mountain getaway or home base for Yosemite Valley. Located in Midpines near Mariposa & El Portal atop a hill, this boutique resort provides a tranquil kids free environment with panoramic views.
Read MoreThe Tioga Pass Entrance is open for the 2024 Summer season in Yosemite National Park. Connecting Mono Lake, Lee Vining, and US-395 with Big Oak Flat Road, Tioga Road features some of the best views and things to do in and around Yosemite, including multiple waterfalls, lakes, and trailheads to easy & strenuous hikes. Read this travel guide to explore the current conditions on opening week.
Read MoreToday I'm sharing a comprehensive visitors guide for Glacier Point, one of the most iconic clifftop viewpoints in Yosemite National Park. This famous overlook provides the perfect spot to photo Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Nevada Fall, Vernal Fall, and the Yosemite Valley below. Read this complete travel guide for preparing your hiking or photography adventure, and learn about its rich history.
Read MoreToday I'm sharing the best spots to escape the crowds when Yosemite National Park gets too crowded. This top vacation destination in California can get very busy, especially in Summer, but there are so many places to go and things to do to enjoy Yosemite in solitude. Check out this travel guide for my top 10 Yosemite spots to avoid crowds, which includes great hiking trails and waterfall views.
Read MoreRead this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for hiking the easy 3.5 mile trail along the Wawona Meadow Loop. This is the perfect hike to avoid the busy Yosemite Valley crowds and escape the hot Summer sun. This family and dog friendly trail circles the historic Wawona Golf Course and is found right off Highway 41 near the Wawona Hotel just a few miles north of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias.
Read MoreThe Bridalveil Fall Trail is now open after years of being closed for a massive restoration project, so this week we're hiking the easy family and kid friendly path to the base of this iconic Yosemite waterfall. This travel guide explores one of the top things to do in Yosemite Valley, especially during the Spring and early Summer seasons, when the Yosemite National Park waterfalls are raging.
Read MoreI spent the last week in Yosemite National Park checkout out what the waterfalls and flooding is looking like now. Check out the current conditions of Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, the Merced River, and the Spring wildflowers blooming in the park and where to find them. Read this Spring travel guide to plan your upcoming Yosemite road trip to see its raging waterfalls & abundant wildlife.
Read MoreJoin me at the world's first national park as I share my First Timers Guide to Yellowstone National Park. Mostly located in Wyoming, Yellowstone offers so many things to do, so I've put together a travel guide with all of the top spots to visit on your next Yellowstone road trip vacation, including where to find the best geysers (like Old Faithful & Grand Prismatic), wildlife, and waterfalls.
Read MoreWhat are the best spots for photography? Today I'm sharing my Top 10 Photo Spots in Chiricahua National Monument. Chiricahua has some of the most unique landscapes, rock formations, and wildlife found in southern Arizona. Whether you're looking for a great backdrop for a family picture or you're a pro photographer, this travel guide will help you find the beautiful views found in this epic park.
Read MoreToday we're exploring the Cap Rock Nature Trail in Joshua Tree National Park. This is the perfect family friendly spot to take an easy hike and enjoy a bbq lunch at the picnic area amidst towering rock formations, cactus & endless Joshua trees. Read this travel guide to discover one of the top things to do and places to go in Joshua Tree on your next SoCal weekend road trip from Los Angeles.
Read MoreRead this complete guide about the stops along the Bajada Loop Drive in Saguaro National Park West. Located in the Tucson Mountain District, this is the perfect family friendly activity on your Southern Arizona road trip. This AZ travel guide covers the picnic areas built by the CCC and multiple hiking trails, such as the Valley View Overlook Trail, and the short hike to Signal Hill petroglyphs.
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