Yosemite with kids
THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE
Visit the Yosemite National Park with Kids
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Yosemite National Park
- Welcome to Yosemite, where nature puts on the most spectacular show on Earth!
- WOW! Yosemite’s waterfalls are so powerful that their spray can be felt from a quarter-mile away!
- HOLY COW! Half Dome, Yosemite’s famous rock formation, is missing its other half – it split apart during the Ice Age!
- SUPER COOL! The giant sequoia trees here can live to be over 3,000 years old – that’s older than 37,500 birthday cakes!
- AMAZING! Black bears in Yosemite can smell food from over a mile away and can run faster than you can ride your bike!
- INCREDIBLE! The park’s granite cliffs are so special that they’re like nature’s climbing gym – some are taller than 10 Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Yosemite National Park
LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL Get Ready for the LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This easy trail brings you close enough to feel the spray from North America’s tallest waterfall! The paved path is perfect for little legs, and the roaring sound of the falls creates an exciting adventure.
INTERESTING FACT! The water falling here travels so fast that it can reach speeds of 120 miles per hour – faster than most roller coasters!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Rainbow Hunter”! Visit in the morning when the sun hits the falls just right, and try to spot rainbows in the mist. Count how many you can find and make wishes on each one!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could fill up Yosemite Falls with something other than water, what would you choose?”
DISCUSS: The water that flows over Yosemite Falls in just one day could fill up 90 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Imagine if the falls were filled with chocolate milk or rainbow sprinkles! The water that flows here comes from melting snow high up in the mountains. It travels through streams and rivers before making its spectacular leap down the cliff. The water then continues its journey through the Merced River, helping plants grow and providing homes for fish, frogs, and other wildlife along the way.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think the waterfall sounds different when you’re close to it versus far away?”
DISCUSS: The mist from the waterfall can travel up to 100 feet away from the falls on windy days!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Sound waves travel through the air like ripples in a pond. When you’re closer to the falls, more sound waves reach your ears, making the roar seem louder. The water hitting the rocks creates different pitches – sometimes it sounds like thunder, other times like thousands of tiny drums playing at once. Native Americans who lived here called this waterfall “Cholock,” meaning “the fall.”
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Look for small pools of water near the base of the falls and count how many different colors you can see in them.
HINT: The sun makes rainbow colors in the water, especially in shallow puddles!
OBJECTIVE: Find three different sizes of rocks that have been smoothed by the waterfall’s water.
HINT: Look around the edges of the trail, but remember not to take any rocks home!
HAPPY ISLES NATURE CENTER Get Ready for the HAPPY ISLES NATURE CENTER : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This is your chance to become a mini nature detective! Touch real animal fur, see live creatures, and explore interactive exhibits that bring Yosemite’s wildlife to life.
INTERESTING FACT! The building sits on a small island formed by the Merced River splitting into two channels. The rushing water makes music as it flows around the island!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Animal Detective”! Get a nature scavenger hunt card from the ranger and try to match different animal tracks to the creatures that made them.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could be any Yosemite animal for a day, which would you choose and where would you build your home?”
DISCUSS: A black bear can smell food from over a mile away – that’s like smelling your favorite cookie from 20 football fields away!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Yosemite’s animals are master builders. Bears make winter dens in hollow trees or caves, woodpeckers drill apartment-style homes in tree trunks, and beavers build lodges with underwater entrances to stay safe. Some birds, like the tiny Mountain Chickadee, can remember thousands of different spots where they’ve hidden food for winter. That’s like remembering where you put every toy in your house!
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think animals stay warm in winter when it snows?”
DISCUSS: Some Yosemite squirrels can lower their body temperature to just above freezing and sleep for months without eating!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Animals have amazing winter survival tricks. Marmots grow extra-thick fur that’s like wearing three winter coats at once. Bears pack on pounds by eating thousands of berries and nuts – imagine eating 20,000 acorns! Some frogs actually freeze solid like ice cubes but stay alive, and their bodies make a special “antifreeze” to protect their organs.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of animal homes in the exhibits and draw them in your journal.
HINT: Look for bird nests, bear dens, and beaver lodges in the displays.
OBJECTIVE: Search for the smallest and largest animal tracks in the track display.
HINT: Compare the tiny mouse tracks to the huge bear prints!
SENTINEL BEACH PICNIC AREA Get Ready for the SENTINEL BEACH PICNIC AREA : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This sandy beach along the Merced River is perfect for splashing, building sand castles, and having a picnic while watching climbers on the giant cliffs above.
INTERESTING FACT! The sand on this beach comes from granite that has been slowly broken down over millions of years – you’re playing on mountains that have turned to sand!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a “Nature’s Art Gallery” by arranging leaves, sticks, and pebbles in the sand to make pictures. Remember to leave everything as you found it!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think the river knows which way to flow?”
DISCUSS: The Merced River drops 2,000 feet in elevation as it flows through Yosemite Valley – that’s like sliding down a water slide from the top of a skyscraper!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Rivers always flow downhill, pulled by gravity just like when you roll a ball down a slope. The Merced River starts as melting snow high in the mountains, then winds its way through the valley, carving paths through rock and creating sandy beaches. Along the way, it’s home to rainbow trout that can jump up small waterfalls, and otters that slide down river banks like they’re at a water park!
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think some rocks in the river are smooth and round while others are rough?”
DISCUSS: Some of the smooth rocks you see have been tumbled by the river for over 100 years – longer than any person has been alive!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Think of the river as nature’s rock tumbler. Just like how a piece of rough candy dissolves and gets smoother as you suck on it, rocks in the river get polished by water and sand. The faster the water moves, the quicker the rocks get smooth. Some of these rocks started their journey as sharp pieces that fell from the tall cliffs above.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Collect five different-sized smooth river rocks and arrange them from smallest to largest (then put them back).
HINT: Look in shallow water near the shore, but remember to keep your feet where you can see them!
OBJECTIVE: Find three different colors of sand on the beach and create a rainbow pattern.
HINT: Look closely – the sand isn’t all one color. You might find black, white, and sparkly pieces!
TUOLUMNE GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS Get Ready for the TUOLUMNE GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Walk among some of the biggest living things on Earth! These giant sequoia trees are like nature’s skyscrapers, and some are old enough to have been alive when dinosaurs roamed.
INTERESTING FACT! The bark of these giants can be up to 2 feet thick – that’s probably taller than your little brother or sister!
COOL ACTIVITY! “Tree Huggers Unite!” See how many people holding hands it takes to circle one of the big trees. Count your steps as you walk around it!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If these trees could talk, what stories do you think they would tell us?”
DISCUSS: Some of these trees were already 1,000 years old when the first Europeans came to America!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These amazing trees have lived through countless forest fires, storms, and changes in the world around them. They’ve seen Native Americans gather under their branches, watched as pioneers crossed the mountains, and provided homes for generations of wildlife. Some have special marks called fire scars that tell stories of surviving wildfires, just like how you might get a scar from falling off your bike.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think a tiny seed grows into such an enormous tree?”
DISCUSS: A sequoia seed is smaller than a piece of oatmeal, but can grow into a tree as tall as a 26-story building!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These giants start life smaller than your pinky fingernail. They need special conditions to grow – like a forest fire to open their cones and release seeds! They grow about 2 feet per year when young, which is like growing as tall as a ruler every year. The trees work together too, connecting their roots underground to share water and nutrients, like a big family helping each other out.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find a fallen sequoia cone and compare its size to a pine cone from a different tree.
HINT: Look on the ground near the base of sequoia trees, but remember not to take them home!
OBJECTIVE: Look for tree “cookies” (cross-sections) and try to count the rings to learn the tree’s age.
HINT: Each ring represents one year of growth – look for dark and light rings!
YOSEMITE VALLEY VISITOR CENTER & INDIAN CULTURAL MUSEUM Get Ready for the YOSEMITE VALLEY VISITOR CENTER & INDIAN CULTURAL MUSEUM : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This is your headquarters for becoming a Junior Ranger! Discover how Yosemite was formed through fun exhibits, watch movies about the park, and learn how Native Americans lived here long ago.
INTERESTING FACT! The museum has a real Indian village recreation where you can see traditional homes called “umachas” made from cedar bark.
COOL ACTIVITY! Complete the Junior Ranger program! Get your activity booklet, attend a ranger program, and earn your official badge.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do you think Native American children played and learned in Yosemite?”
DISCUSS: Native American children played games using acorns and pine nuts, and learned to identify over 100 different plants used for food and medicine!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Ahwahneechee children who lived here learned by watching and doing. They played games that taught them important skills, like using a stick to throw pine cones (helping them learn to fish and hunt). They learned which berries were safe to eat, how to weave baskets from plants, and the stories of their people through songs and dances that have been passed down for generations.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “What do you think made the huge U-shaped Yosemite Valley?”
DISCUSS: A glacier as tall as three Empire State Buildings stacked on top of each other once filled this valley!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Imagine an enormous river of ice slowly moving through the valley, like a giant frozen bulldozer. This glacier carved out the valley over thousands of years, making the steep cliffs and round valley floor we see today. The process was like using a giant ice cream scoop to carve through rock! The glacier left behind big boulders called “erratics” that seem out of place – like nature’s building blocks dropped by a giant.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different tools that Native Americans used and draw pictures of them.
HINT: Look for grinding stones, baskets, and hunting tools in the cultural exhibits.
OBJECTIVE: Locate the big relief map of Yosemite Valley and try to find where you are right now.
HINT: Look for the visitor center symbol and trace the path you’ve walked today!
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Yosemite National Park
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Yosemite National Park:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Just a few hours south, meet General Sherman, the biggest tree in the whole world! These parks are like Yosemite’s cousin, with more giant trees and fun caves to explore.
California State Railroad Museum (Sacramento): Climb aboard real trains and learn about the iron horses that helped build the American West. Perfect for young train enthusiasts! View the Parent’s Guide!
Children’s Museum of the Sierra (Oakhurst): Just outside Yosemite’s south gate, this hands-on museum lets kids touch everything while learning about the Sierra Nevada mountains and their creatures.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “Yosemite’s Songster: One Coyote’s Story” by Ginger Wadsworth (ages 4-8)
- “First Facts About American Mountains and Rivers” by Christina Wilsdon (ages 5-7)
- “Who Pooped in the Park? Yosemite National Park” by Gary D. Robson (ages 6-8)
- “Yosemite: A Take-Along Guide” by Ruth Radlauer (ages 4-8)
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Yosemite National Park
- Yosemite National Park is a natural wonderland that spans nearly 1,200 square miles of California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, featuring some of the most dramatic landscapes on Earth.
- HOLY MOLY! The “Firefall” at Horsetail Fall looks like flowing lava when the setting sun hits it just right in February – but it’s actually just water reflecting the sun’s rays!
- SUPER COOL! Black bears in Yosemite can smell food from over 3 miles away and can break into a car like opening a tin can – that’s why proper food storage is so important!
- WOW! Half Dome’s granite face is so steep and smooth that the first climbers used drilling machines to insert metal pins for climbing – now thousands of hikers reach the top each year using cables!
- INCREDIBLE! Yosemite Valley was once home to a luxury hotel with an ice-skating rink, swimming pool, and tennis courts – the Ahwahnee Hotel (now called the Yosemite Valley Lodge) is still operating today!
- AMAZING! The park is home to over 400 species of vertebrates, including rare animals like the Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and the Pacific fisher!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Yosemite National Park
YOSEMITE VALLEY VISITOR CENTER AND MUSEUM Get Ready for the YOSEMITE VALLEY VISITOR CENTER AND MUSEUM : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This is your command center for adventure! The visitor center brings Yosemite’s story to life through interactive exhibits, 3D models, and fascinating displays about wildlife, geology, and Native American history.
INTERESTING FACT! The visitor center houses a piece of the largest glacier in Yosemite, the Lyell Glacier, which is slowly disappearing due to climate change. Scientists predict it might vanish completely by 2050!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create your own mini-glacier! At the geology station, use the interactive sand table to shape mountains and valleys, then use the digital projection to see how glaciers would move through your creation.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could travel back in time to when glaciers filled this valley, what do you think you would see and hear?
DISCUSS: The glaciers that carved Yosemite Valley were so powerful they could move boulders the size of houses! These ice giants were up to 4,000 feet thick – that’s like stacking four Empire State Buildings on top of each other.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The glaciers that shaped Yosemite moved incredibly slowly, about the speed of a snail, but their immense weight and the rocks they carried acted like nature’s sandpaper, scraping and polishing the granite walls. These glaciers took thousands of years to carve the valley, moving rocks and debris that helped create the flat valley floor we see today. The polished granite walls still show scratch marks from this ancient ice movement, and you can spot these marks on many of the valley’s rock faces.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think Native Americans called Yosemite Valley ‘Ahwahnee,’ which means ‘mouth wide open’?
DISCUSS: The Ahwahneechee people lived in this valley for over 4,000 years before it became a national park, and they used every plant and animal in the valley for food, medicine, or tools.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The valley’s U-shape, when viewed from above, looks like a giant mouth opening up between the cliffs. The Native Americans developed incredible knowledge of the valley’s seasons, plants, and animals. They knew exactly when different plants would bloom and which ones could be used as medicine. They even started controlled fires to help certain plants grow better and create meadows where deer would come to feed. Their deep understanding of the valley’s ecosystem helped them survive here for thousands of years.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the special “touch table” in the museum and identify three different animal furs without looking at the labels.
HINT: Use your sense of touch to feel the difference between thick winter coats and lighter summer fur.
OBJECTIVE: Locate the Native American basket collection and count how many different patterns you can find.
HINT: Look for geometric shapes and natural designs inspired by plants and animals.
LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL Get Ready for the LOWER YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience North America’s tallest waterfall up close! This easy 1-mile loop brings you face-to-face with the thundering lower section of Yosemite Falls, where you can feel the mist and hear the roar of the water.
INTERESTING FACT! The water falling from Upper Yosemite Falls travels so far that it actually turns into mist before reaching the bottom, and on windy days, the falls can appear to flow sideways or even upward!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a waterfall sound map! Find a quiet spot along the trail and draw a circle representing where you’re sitting. Then, mark different symbols on your paper showing where you hear various sounds – the waterfall, birds, wind in trees, or other hikers.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think the water at the top of Yosemite Falls knows which way to flow?
DISCUSS: The water in Yosemite Falls comes from melting snow and travels through an intricate network of underground springs before emerging at the top of the falls, dropping 2,425 feet!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Water always flows downhill due to gravity, but the journey is more complex than it seems. The water starts as snow in the High Sierra, then melts and seeps into the ground, flowing through tiny cracks in the granite. This underground network acts like nature’s plumbing system, eventually leading to the cliff edge where the falls begin. The amount of water flowing changes dramatically with the seasons – in spring, the falls roar with snowmelt, while by late summer, they might be just a trickle.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could measure the power of this waterfall, how many household appliances do you think it could power?
DISCUSS: During peak flow in spring, Yosemite Falls generates enough power to supply electricity to over 30,000 homes – that’s like powering a small city!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The power of falling water has been harnessed by humans for centuries. Native Americans used the consistent water flow for drinking and fishing, while early settlers built water wheels to grind grain and saw wood. Today, many modern dams use falling water to generate hydroelectric power. The force you feel in the mist hitting your face is just a tiny fraction of the waterfall’s total energy. The falls’ power changes throughout the year – maximum flow usually occurs in May, when about 2,400 gallons of water per second cascade over the falls!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Look for a rainbow in the waterfall’s mist. Time how long it takes to spot one and note what time of day you see it.
HINT: Rainbows appear when sunlight hits water droplets – try visiting between 10 AM and 2 PM for the best chance to spot one.
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of plants growing in the mist zone near the falls.
HINT: Look for moss, ferns, and other water-loving plants that thrive in the constant spray.
GLACIER POINT Get Ready for the GLACIER POINT : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? From this breathtaking viewpoint at 7,214 feet, you’ll feel like you’re on top of the world! Get a bird’s-eye view of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and the High Sierra mountains.
INTERESTING FACT! The granite that forms Half Dome (visible from Glacier Point) was originally formed deep underground and had to be pushed up and exposed over millions of years. It’s like Earth’s longest-running construction project!
COOL ACTIVITY! Become a “Rock Detective”! Use the provided viewing scopes to spot different rock formations, and sketch what you see. Try to identify different shapes in the rocks – can you find any that look like animals or faces?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If these mountains could talk, what stories would they tell about how they were formed?
DISCUSS: The granite rocks you see were once hot, liquid magma deep underground, and it took over 100 million years to cool and crystallize – that’s longer than dinosaurs roamed the Earth!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The story of these mountains is like a giant geological sandwich. First, ancient volcanoes spewed out magma that cooled underground. Then, powerful forces pushed these rocks upward, creating the Sierra Nevada mountains. Over millions of years, glaciers, wind, and rain carved away the softer rocks, exposing the harder granite we see today. The process continues even now – the Sierra Nevada mountains are still growing about 1 millimeter per year, about as fast as your fingernails grow!
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think early Native Americans and explorers found their way around these mountains without GPS or maps?
DISCUSS: Native Americans created detailed mental maps using natural landmarks, and they marked trails with specific arrangements of rocks called cairns that still exist today!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Early travelers in Yosemite used natural navigation techniques that would seem like superpowers to us today. They read the stars at night, used the sun’s position during the day, and observed moss growth on trees (which usually grows more on the north side). They also learned to recognize patterns in nature – certain birds’ migrations, the blooming of specific plants, and even cloud formations helped them predict weather and navigate. These skills were passed down through generations through stories and hands-on teaching.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Using the interpretive signs, try to identify and count how many major waterfalls you can see from this viewpoint.
HINT: Look for white ribbons of water against the dark granite walls – there are at least five major falls visible on a clear day!
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of glacial activity in the valley below – look for U-shaped valleys and hanging valleys.
HINT: U-shaped valleys look like giant half-pipes, while hanging valleys end abruptly at cliff edges (often with waterfalls).
HAPPY ISLES NATURE CENTER Get Ready for the HAPPY ISLES NATURE CENTER : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This is your gateway to understanding Yosemite’s ecosystems! Located where the Merced River splits into multiple channels, it’s a perfect spot to learn about river ecology, forest life, and the park’s diverse wildlife.
INTERESTING FACT! The islands here were formed by massive boulders that tumbled down from nearby cliffs during ancient rockslides. Over time, soil and plants accumulated around these boulders, creating the “happy” islands we see today!
COOL ACTIVITY! Become a “River Detective”! Use the center’s monitoring tools to measure the river’s temperature, speed, and clarity. Compare your findings with historical data to see how the river changes throughout the year.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think some animals choose to live near rivers while others prefer to live deep in the forest?
DISCUSS: The area around Happy Isles supports more wildlife species per square mile than almost anywhere else in Yosemite because it has both running water and diverse forest habitat!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Rivers create what scientists call “edge habitat” – areas where different ecosystems meet. These zones are like nature’s buffet restaurants, offering various food sources and shelter options. River otters can fish in the water and rest on the banks, while birds can nest in trees and catch insects over the water. The constant water supply attracts deer and bears, while the shade and moisture support countless smaller creatures like salamanders and butterflies. Even the temperature changes near rivers create micro-climates that different species prefer.
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could design the perfect river habitat for wildlife, what features would you include?
DISCUSS: The Merced River around Happy Isles naturally creates all the features wildlife needs: deep pools for fish, shallow riffles for insects, fallen logs for turtles, and sandy banks for drinking and crossing.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Rivers are like nature’s architects, constantly redesigning their channels. Fast-moving water creates deep pools where fish can hide from predators. Slower sections allow sediment to settle, forming beaches and sandbars where animals can drink safely. Fallen trees create crucial habitat structures – they slow the water, trap sediment, and provide hiding places for small fish. Even the bubbling riffles serve a purpose, adding oxygen to the water that aquatic creatures need to survive.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find and identify three different types of water patterns in the river (like ripples, eddies, or still pools).
HINT: Stand on the footbridge and look for places where the water moves differently.
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of at least two different animals that have visited the river (tracks, nibbled plants, etc.).
HINT: Look in muddy areas near the water’s edge, especially early in the morning.
TUOLUMNE GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS Get Ready for the TUOLUMNE GROVE OF GIANT SEQUOIAS : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Walk among living giants! This less-crowded sequoia grove lets you get up close to these ancient trees, including one you can walk through. The downhill hike to reach the grove builds excitement for the big reveal!
INTERESTING FACT! The giant sequoias here are so well-adapted to fire that they actually need it to reproduce. Their tiny seeds only release from their cones when heated by fire, and the ash provides perfect soil for new seedlings!
COOL ACTIVITY! Become a “Tree Ring Detective”! At the fallen sequoia display, count the tree rings to discover major historical events that happened during the tree’s lifetime. Each ring represents one year of growth.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you lived for 2,000 years like these sequoias, what changes would you see in the world around you?
DISCUSS: When some of these sequoias were just sprouting, the Roman Empire was still ruling Europe, and Native Americans were the only people who knew about Yosemite!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These trees are like living time capsules. They’ve survived hundreds of wildfires, countless storms, and even periods of climate change. Their bark can be up to 2 feet thick, acting like armor against fire and insects. Some of these trees were already 1,000 years old when Columbus sailed to America. They’ve witnessed the arrival of the first European explorers, the Gold Rush, and the creation of Yosemite National Park. Scientists can even study their rings to learn about ancient droughts and fires.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think these trees grow so tall, and what challenges might they face being so big?
DISCUSS: A giant sequoia can drink up to 800 gallons of water per day – that’s as much as 10 bathtubs full of water!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Being the world’s largest trees comes with unique challenges. These giants need special root systems that spread out like a giant web, sometimes covering an entire acre. They face the constant challenge of pulling water up hundreds of feet against gravity to reach their highest branches. Their massive size also makes them vulnerable to lightning strikes, but their thick bark usually protects them. Despite their size, their roots are surprisingly shallow – only 5-6 feet deep – but they make up for it by spreading out up to 100 feet from the trunk.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find a sequoia cone and compare its size to a pine cone from a different type of tree.
HINT: Look on the ground around the base of different trees – sequoia cones are surprisingly small for such giant trees!
OBJECTIVE: Locate evidence of fire on a living sequoia tree and try to count how many fire scars you can find.
HINT: Look for blackened areas on the trunk and curved healing patterns in the bark.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Yosemite National Park
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Yosemite National Park:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Just a few hours south, these sister parks feature even more giant sequoias and the deepest canyon in North America!
Mono Lake: This ancient salt lake east of Yosemite features bizarre limestone towers called tufa and millions of migratory birds.
Devils Postpile National Monument: Marvel at unique hexagonal basalt columns formed by ancient lava flows and hike to the stunning Rainbow Falls.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- Who Pooped in the Park? Yosemite National Park by Gary D. Robson (A fun way to learn about wildlife through animal tracking)
- Yosemite’s Songster: One Coyote’s Story by Ginger Wadsworth (Perfect for understanding wildlife behavior)
- Parks for All: The Story of John Muir by Annette Bay Pimentel (Learn about the conservationist who helped save Yosemite)
- Download the free NPS Yosemite App for interactive maps and real-time updates
- Visit the Young Naturalist section of the Yosemite Conservancy website for printable activities
- Watch the “Nature Notes” video series on Yosemite’s official YouTube channel
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About Yosemite National Park
- Yosemite National Park: Where granite meets glacier in one of nature’s greatest showcases of geological artistry.
- MIND-BLOWING! The granite formations in Yosemite began forming deep underground about 100 million years ago, created by the same forces that built the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- INCREDIBLE! Yosemite Valley’s distinctive U-shape was carved by glaciers during the last ice age, which were thick enough to bury all but the highest peaks.
- AMAZING! The park contains over 400 species of vertebrates, including the rare Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep and the elusive American marten.
- SUPER COOL! El Capitan rises 3,000 feet from base to summit – that’s three times the height of the Eiffel Tower, making it the largest exposed granite monolith in the world.
- WOW! Yosemite’s Giant Sequoias can live over 3,000 years, and some trees in the Mariposa Grove were seedlings when the pyramids were being built!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At Yosemite National Park
HALF DOME Get Ready for the HALF DOME : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This iconic 8,800-foot granite dome isn’t just a hike – it’s a rite of passage that combines physical challenge with unforgettable views. The final cable section ascent will test your limits and reward you with one of the most epic summit experiences in North America.
INTERESTING FACT! The granite that forms Half Dome is actually harder than the rock that once surrounded it. While the softer rock eroded away over millions of years, Half Dome remained, standing like a sentinel over Yosemite Valley. The face is so sheer that its angle averages 86 degrees!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a time-lapse video of your ascent using your smartphone. Start early in the morning and capture your journey from the valley floor to the summit. Mark specific elevations and time stamps to calculate your climbing rate and share your achievement on social media.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If Half Dome were to continue eroding at its current rate, what do you think it might look like in a million years?
DISCUSS: Half Dome loses about 1 inch of surface to erosion every 100 years, but that rate isn’t consistent across its surface.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The dome’s current shape is actually misleading – it was never a “full dome” that was cut in half. Instead, it was formed by exfoliation, where layers of rock peel off like an onion. The process continues today, with occasional rock falls. The dome’s shape is influenced by three types of joints in the rock, vertical, horizontal, and curved, creating its unique profile. This same process is happening to other granite formations in Yosemite, just at different rates.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think Native Americans called Half Dome ‘Tis-sa-ack,’ and how does that connect to their understanding of the landscape?
DISCUSS: The name Tis-sa-ack comes from a Miwok legend about a woman whose selfishness led to her transformation into stone.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Native American stories often explained natural phenomena through cultural narratives. The Miwok and Paiute peoples viewed Yosemite’s formations as living entities, each with its own spirit and story. These stories helped pass down important cultural values and environmental knowledge through generations. The face of Half Dome, when viewed from certain angles, appears to show the profile of a woman’s face – connecting the physical landscape to cultural memory.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate and photograph at least three different types of rock joints (cracks) on Half Dome’s surface.
HINT: Look for patterns in the rock face – vertical lines are one type, but can you spot the curved ones?
OBJECTIVE: Find and document evidence of glacial activity on the surrounding rock surfaces.
HINT: Look for smooth, polished surfaces and parallel scratches in the granite around the base.
GLACIER POINT Get Ready for the GLACIER POINT : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? At 7,214 feet elevation, Glacier Point offers the ultimate natural observatory. From here, you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of Half Dome, three major waterfalls, and the High Sierra peaks – perfect for understanding Yosemite’s glacial geography and capturing incredible photos.
INTERESTING FACT! During the historic Firefall event (1872-1968), workers would push burning embers off Glacier Point, creating a spectacular waterfall of fire. While this practice has been discontinued, you can now witness a natural “firefall” in February when Horsetail Fall appears to glow like lava at sunset.
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a panoramic time-lapse of the changing light on Half Dome during sunset. Set up your phone or camera on a stable surface and take photos every few minutes as the light changes. The resulting sequence will show how the valley’s colors and shadows transform.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How can we use the view from here to reconstruct how glaciers shaped this valley?
DISCUSS: The glaciers that carved Yosemite Valley were up to 4,000 feet thick – that’s like stacking three Empire State Buildings on top of each other!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The U-shaped valley below is a classic example of glacial carving. Unlike V-shaped valleys carved by rivers, glacial valleys have steep walls and flat floors. The glaciers acted like giant sandpaper, grinding away the rock. Look for hanging valleys, which created waterfalls when the main glacier cut deeper than its tributary glaciers. The polish on the granite surfaces and the scattered boulder deposits (called erratics) are other clues to this massive ice age sculpture project.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think the Native Americans chose specific locations in the valley for their settlements, and what can we learn about survival from their choices?
DISCUSS: From this vantage point, you can see several ancient Native American trading routes that connected the valley to the high country.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The valley’s first inhabitants were master geographers who understood seasonal patterns and resource distribution. They moved between elevations with the seasons, following food sources and avoiding harsh weather. Their trails often followed natural features like ridgelines and water courses, many of which became modern hiking trails. The view from Glacier Point helps us understand how they navigated this landscape and chose their seasonal camps based on access to water, shelter, and food sources.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify and photograph three different types of rock formations created by glacial activity.
HINT: Look for rounded domes, sharp peaks, and U-shaped valleys. Each tells a different story about how ice shaped the landscape.
OBJECTIVE: Create a sketch map of the valley below, marking the major landmarks and their relationships to each other.
HINT: Use Half Dome as your reference point and notice how the waterfalls align with the valley’s geography.
YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL Get Ready for the YOSEMITE FALLS TRAIL : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? As North America’s tallest waterfall (2,425 feet), Yosemite Falls offers an intense hiking experience combined with physics and hydrology in action. The trail provides increasingly spectacular views of the falls and valley, while teaching about water’s powerful force in shaping landscapes.
INTERESTING FACT! The water at the top of Upper Yosemite Falls falls so far that it actually breaks into mist before reforming into water again at the bottom. In winter, this mist creates a phenomenon called “frazil ice” – a slurry of ice crystals that can fill the creek up to 40 feet deep!
COOL ACTIVITY! Calculate the falls’ energy output using physics. Measure the time it takes for water to fall from the upper falls to the base (using video), then use the height and flow rate (available at the visitor center) to calculate the potential and kinetic energy of the falling water.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How does the sound of the waterfall change as we hike up, and what does this tell us about energy transfer?
DISCUSS: The falls generate enough acoustic energy to create their own microclimate, affecting local plant and animal life patterns.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The waterfall’s sound changes due to several fascinating physics principles. As water falls, it converts potential energy to kinetic energy, then to sound and thermal energy upon impact. The mist created also affects local humidity and temperature. This creates unique microclimates where specialized plants thrive. The falls’ sound waves can even be used to measure water volume – scientists use acoustic monitoring to track seasonal flow changes without physical measurements.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why does the waterfall’s appearance change so dramatically between seasons, and what does this tell us about Sierra Nevada climate patterns?
DISCUSS: During peak flow in May, the falls carry enough water to fill an Olympic swimming pool every 2.5 minutes!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The falls’ seasonal changes reflect the Sierra’s entire water cycle. Winter snowpack acts as a natural reservoir, slowly releasing water as temperatures rise. By late summer, the falls might reduce to a trickle, demonstrating the importance of snow storage for California’s water supply. Climate change is affecting this pattern, with earlier spring melts and longer dry periods. The falls serve as a visible indicator of these broader environmental changes, making them a natural climate monitoring station.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Document the temperature and humidity changes at three different elevations along the trail using your phone’s weather app or a small thermometer.
HINT: Take measurements in the morning and afternoon, and note how the mist zone affects the readings.
OBJECTIVE: Find and photograph evidence of the waterfall’s erosive power on the surrounding rock.
HINT: Look for smooth-worn channels in the granite and unusual patterns in the rock face near the falls’ base.
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS Get Ready for the TUOLUMNE MEADOWS : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? At 8,600 feet elevation, Tuolumne Meadows is an alpine wonderland that offers pristine streams, unique geology, and world-class rock climbing. This high-country ecosystem demonstrates perfect examples of glacial erosion and alpine adaptation, making it an outdoor laboratory for environmental science.
INTERESTING FACT! The meadow’s distinctive granite domes were formed underground and gradually revealed by erosion. These domes are actually “younger” than the valley below, as they were exposed more recently – like unwrapping a geological present!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a field guide of alpine wildflowers using your phone’s camera and a plant identification app. Document how flower characteristics change with elevation and exposure, noting adaptations to the harsh alpine environment.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think animals and plants survive in this harsh alpine environment where winter temperatures can drop to -20°F?
DISCUSS: The yellow-bellied marmot survives winter by dropping its heart rate to just 3-4 beats per minute during hibernation, compared to its normal 180-200 beats per minute!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Alpine adaptation is an incredible example of evolutionary problem-solving. Plants grow close to the ground in dense clusters to resist wind and cold, often with deep roots and fuzzy leaves to retain moisture. Animals employ strategies like hibernation, migration, or developing thick fur and specialized diets. The growing season here is just 6-8 weeks long, so organisms must time their life cycles perfectly. Climate change is now disrupting these finely-tuned adaptations, creating a natural experiment in real-time evolution.
ASK YOUR KIDS: What evidence can you find that this peaceful meadow was once buried under thousands of feet of ice?
DISCUSS: The granite here contains tiny crystals of magnetite that helped geologists determine that these rocks have moved over 60 miles from their original location!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The meadow is a textbook example of glacial geology. Look for striations (parallel scratches) on rock surfaces, showing the direction of ice flow. Erratic boulders (rocks different from the local bedrock) were carried here by glaciers. The flat meadow itself was created when glaciers ground up the underlying rock into fine sediment, creating a natural basin. This process continues today on a smaller scale, as freeze-thaw cycles slowly break down rocks in a process called frost wedging.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate three different types of evidence of glacial activity and mark their locations on a map.
HINT: Look for scratched rocks, transported boulders, and U-shaped valleys.
OBJECTIVE: Find and document an example of each of the three main plant survival strategies: mats, rosettes, and cushions.
HINT: Notice how different plants position themselves relative to the ground and rocks.
TAFT POINT Get Ready for the TAFT POINT : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Standing at Taft Point’s 3,000-foot sheer drop offers an unmatched perspective on geological time and forces. This less-crowded alternative to Glacier Point provides dramatic views of El Capitan and the Valley, plus unique geological features like the giant fissures – deep cracks in the granite that demonstrate the dynamic nature of these rocks.
INTERESTING FACT! The fissures near Taft Point are actually cooling cracks formed when the granite was still deep underground. As the molten rock cooled and contracted millions of years ago, it split into these dramatic chasms, some over 100 feet deep!
COOL ACTIVITY! Create a scale comparison of the cliff’s height. Use your phone’s camera to photograph friends or objects at a safe distance from the edge, then use these as scale markers to demonstrate the immense drop. Calculate how many of various objects (school buses, buildings, etc.) would stack to reach the top.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: What can the different colored streaks on the cliff faces tell us about the chemistry and history of these rocks?
DISCUSS: The dark streaks on the cliffs, called desert varnish, are actually living microorganisms that have been slowly accumulating minerals for thousands of years!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The cliff faces are like natural history books. The black streaks contain manganese oxide, while red streaks indicate iron oxide. These patterns form through a combination of mineral-consuming bacteria, water flow patterns, and chemical weathering. Native Americans often used these naturally darkened surfaces as canvases for petroglyphs. The rate of desert varnish formation can be used to date rock falls and expose climate patterns from thousands of years ago. Even the lichens growing on the rocks tell us about air quality and environmental change.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think these massive granite cliffs affect local weather patterns and ecosystems?
DISCUSS: The cliffs create their own microclimate by generating powerful updrafts that raptors use to soar effortlessly for hours!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These cliffs demonstrate how geology shapes local environments. The dark granite absorbs heat during the day and releases it at night, creating thermal air currents. These updrafts not only support soaring birds but also affect local precipitation patterns. The cliff faces create different zones of sun exposure, temperature, and moisture, supporting diverse plant communities. Look for how vegetation changes from sun to shade, and notice how different species adapt to growing on near-vertical surfaces. The cliffs also channel wind and weather systems, creating unique microclimates that support specialized ecosystems.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Identify and photograph three different types of weathering patterns on the cliff faces (chemical, physical, and biological).
HINT: Look for color variations, crack patterns, and areas where plants are breaking down the rock.
OBJECTIVE: Create a wind map by observing and recording wind patterns at different points around Taft Point.
HINT: Use small pieces of ribbon or watch the movement of grass and trees to track air currents.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near Yosemite National Park
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Yosemite National Park:
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Just a few hours south, these parks offer more giant sequoias, deep canyons, and the highest peak in the contiguous US (Mount Whitney).
Devils Postpile National Monument: About 45 minutes east, featuring unique hexagonal basalt columns and the stunning Rainbow Falls – perfect for geology enthusiasts.
Mono Lake: One hour east of Yosemite, this ancient saline lake features otherworldly tufa towers and unique ecosystems, offering excellent opportunities for photography and environmental science.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- Geology Underfoot in Yosemite National Park by Allen F. Glazner and Greg M. Stock
- The Laws Field Guide to the Sierra Nevada by John Muir Laws
- Yosemite: The Complete Guide by James Kaiser
- Free Solo – About climbing El Capitan (appropriate for teens)
- Ken Burns’ The National Parks: America’s Best Idea (Yosemite episode)
- Yosemite: A Gathering of Spirit by Ken Burns
- Yosemite Conservancy’s website for educational resources and virtual tours
- USGS Yosemite Geology page for in-depth geological information
- Yosemite Nature Notes video series on YouTube
LOCATION SUMMARY
Imagine stepping into a magical land where waterfalls taller than 100 houses crash down massive granite cliffs, and trees so big you could drive a car through them reach up to touch the clouds! Yosemite National Park is nature’s ultimate playground, where black bears roam through meadows and rainbows dance in waterfall mist. What secrets will you discover in this amazing wonderland?
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