Home     |   Yosemite Tours Photos   |   Yosemite   |   Yosemite II   |   Yosemite Falls   |   High Country   |   Half Dome   |   Eastern Sierra   |   White Mountain Recent Travels Home Page Photos of Yosemite National Park Yosemite National Park embraces a spectacular tract of mountain-and-valley scenery in the Sierra Nevada, which was set aside as a national park in 1890. The park harbors a grand collection of waterfalls, meadows, and forests that include groves of giant sequoias, the world's largest living things. Highlights of the park include Yosemite Valley, and its high cliffs and waterfalls; Wawona's history center and historic hotel; the Mariposa Grove, which contains hundreds of ancient giant sequoias; Glacier Point's (summer-fall) spectacular view of Yosemite Valley and the high country; Tuolumne Meadows (summer-fall), a large sub alpine meadow surrounded by mountain peaks; and Hetch Hetchy, a reservoir in a valley considered a twin of Yosemite Valley. Learn More about the History of Yosemite National Park DESIGNATIONS Federal Grant - June 30, 1864 National Park - October 1, 1890 Wilderness (93% of the park) - September 28, 1984 World Heritage Site - October 31, 1984 View of Yosemite Valley from Tunnel Overlook. El Capitan on the left, Half Dome rear center and Bridal Veil Falls on the right. By Emily Hopek Half Dome in the winter Jeff and Erica on top of Half Dome Bridal Veil Falls Vernal Falls Yosemite Falls and reflection from the Meadow The ruins of a miner's cabin with Gaylor Lakes in the background. Wild flowers in spring in the lower Merced Canyon. By Carolyn Evans Yosemite Links Home   |    Yosemite Tours Photos   |   Yosemite   |   Yosemite II   |   Yosemite Falls   |   High Country   |   Half Dome   |   Eastern Sierra   |   White Mountain