Yosemite National Park is world-renowned by hikers, rock climbers and globetrotters, so there has to be something special about it, right? Turns out there’s a whole slew of fascinating facts about Yosemite, from its dazzling geology to its diverse plants, people and how it got its name. These 15 amazing Yosemite National Park facts are bound to have you planning your itinerary for your first (or next) visit to this spellbinding natural wonder.
1. It was America’s third National Park
Many people believe that Yosemite was America’s first National Park, but that distinction is actually held by Yellowstone over in Wyoming which was established in 1872. Sequoia National Park, which is just south of Yosemite, was designated in September 1890, making it older than Yosemite by only a week.
2. It helped inspire the idea behind National Parks
Even though it wasn’t established as a National Park until 1890, it was declared a federally preserved land under the Yosemite Grant by President Lincoln all the way back in 1864 and its designation helped pave the way for the National Parks System, which now encompasses 63 parks across the US.
3. Its name means 'those who kill'
Have you ever wondered what the word 'Yosemite' actually means? You’re not alone. Yosemite is a Miwok word that loosely translates as 'those who kill' and was a term used by the Miwok people to describe the Ahwahnechee people, who lived in Yosemite Valley and were apparently, uh, a little fearsome. Interestingly, the Ahwahnechee people themselves called the valley 'Awooni', which means “large mouth', but the valley was re-named by LH Bunnell of the Mariposa Battalion in 1851 who allegedly thought the word meant 'grizzly bear', according to the Yosemite Library.
4. People have lived here for millennia
Much talk is given over to the many 19th century Gold Rush settlers who flooded the area as well as explorers such as the naturalist John Muir, who spent time in the area and pushed for its National Park status, but the valley was home to the Ahwahnechee people, for as many as 7,000 years.
5. It’s pretty big
Most visitors to Yosemite never see beyond Yosemite Valley, which has an area of about 1,200 acres, but the entire park comprises about 760,000 acres. That makes it nearly as big as the state of Rhode Island, or bigger than Canyonlands and Sequoia National Park combined.
6. It was carved by ice
Speaking of Yosemite Valley, when you arrive here your first question is likely to be, how was this place formed? After winding your way slowly uphill through California farmland towards the Sierra Nevada, you’ll enter the park to find Yosemite Valley spread out at your feet, with endless waterfalls tumbling over hulking granite rock formations such as El Capitan and Half Dome as they loom over gorgeous meadows. Could the Merced River really have created all this? The answer is no. Yosemite Valley was formed by glaciers about a million years ago as they made their way down hill and cut into the uplift of the Sierra Nevada mountains.
7. It has one of the tallest waterfalls in the world
At 2,425ft, Yosemite Falls is in the top 25 tallest waterfalls in the entire world, though it’s actually made up of three falls: lower and middle cascades, and upper Yosemite Falls. The lower falls can be reached by a wheelchair accessible path while the upper falls require a more strenuous day hike. The trail is often busy, owing to how spectacular the falls are, but the park is home to some 25 other waterfalls you can visit instead, which are at their most spectacular during spring runoff.
8. It's up there
Though it’s only a short drive from sea-level San Francisco, Yosemite gains some significant altitude, from the valley floor which sits at 4,000ft above sea level to its highest point at the peak of Mount Lyell, which is over 13,000ft.
9. It’s wild
It might welcome over two million visitors a year, but almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness, which means nature prevails here. Tread lightly.
10. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Yosemite is recognized as a World Heritage Site thanks to its outstanding natural beauty and diversity of flora and fauna, as well as geological features.
11. It’s home to a 3,000-year-old tree
One of the many types of flora that make Yosemite special is its 500 or so giant sequoia trees, the oldest of which is the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant who grows in the Mariposa Grove.
12. It’s home to 90 different mammal species
The diversity of Yosemite’s topography and climate means it houses a stunning array of animals, including 90 distinct mammal species compared to Yellowstone’s impressive 67. Visitors here have the chance to view black bears, mountain lions, bighorn sheep and a wide variety of bat species.
13. It’s a bird watcher’s dream
If you’re an avid bird watcher, head to Yosemite, where you can get spotted owls, western tanagers and eastern kingbirds among the 262 bird species here in the sights of your binoculars.
14. It’s amazing for hikers
If it’s hiking trails you’re looking for, you’ll find some 800 miles of trails here according to Yosemite Hikes. The best hikes in Yosemite lead you under stunning waterfalls, over massive granite cliffs and into the shade of giant sequoia trees. In fact, it's the closest thing to hiking heaven we can think of.
15. It's Hollywood famous
And no, we don’t just mean famous climbing films like Dawn Wall, Free Solo and Valley Uprising. Yosemite’s amazing landscape has made appearances in popular films like Last of the Mohicans, Star Trek V and Maverick.
- Best hiking boots: rugged footwear for tough terrain
