Every visit to Yosemite National Park has brought opportunities for new adventures. Whether it’s a new place we discover or a new family member joining us on the trek, we make new memories with different experiences.
This summer’s three-day Yosemite trip was no exception. For starters, the park was definitely more crowded than in the previous years following the Covid19 pandemic restrictions. The National Park Service did not implement the reservation system for the 2023 season as it had in 2021 and 2022. While it could be considered inconvenient, I kind of liked the reservation system as it did keep numbers in the park at a manageable level. Traffic was better and it was much easier to find parking with the system in place. This year was noticeably more crowded, and we once again had to ‘manifest’ a parking space in the Yosemite Village lot.
One of the reasons that visitors flocked to the park in seemingly greater numbers is that the amount of water in the park was significantly higher. Thanks to the record-breaking precipitation California received earlier this year, the rivers and streams were flowing faster than in our many years of drought. Thus the falls of Yosemite Valley were flowing even more majestically than I’ve ever seen in the summer months.
That said, there were some simple solutions to our transportation predicaments that did not rely on the Valley-wide shuttle system. We found that entering the Valley after 4 pm did make a difference. We arrived in Yosemite Valley at about 5 pm on a Tuesday and found that most of the traffic was headed in the opposite direction- out of the park. We were easily able to park near the Village Store and get a few supplies before heading to our campsite at Upper Pines. Even better, I was finally able to stop at Swinging Bridge, a popular picnic spot that never has any parking- at least when I drive by it.
The Swinging Bridge spans the Merced River and offers a stunning view of Yosemite Falls. Despite its name, the bridge no longer swings. According to the NPS website, the prior swinging bridge that actually did swing was replaced after taking hits from multiple floods. The flood in 1964 damaged it to the point that it was replaced with a permanent fixed structure. It is still a popular spot and very scenic.
However beside entering Yosemite Valley before about 8 am or after 4 pm, there are other ways to help mitigate traffic. Many spots in the Valley are walkable; we usually just hike from the Visitor Center to the Falls or other spots. However, this time on some encouragement from Emily and her fiancé, we decided to rent bikes to get around the Valley. There were none available at the Village Store, so we drove over to the bike rental stand at Curry Village.
While this was definitely not an inexpensive option, the kids loved it. Mees, being from the Netherlands, was accustomed to cycling, and Emily and Sami were up for a new adventure. Not worrying about driving and especially parking were a plus for me. We used our time with the rented bikes to ride from the campground to Happy Isles and eventually to a nice spot along the Merced where the water wasn’t running too swiftly to wade and swim. It was so much fun, and it was a great way to enjoy the stunning beauty of the Valley while on the go.
I think the next time we plan a Yosemite camping trip, I’d like to see about bringing our own bicycles, as many visitors do. This would be the more cost-effective way to bike around the Valley. But on this trip, renting bikes was a fun adventure and well worth it.
Some things to consider:
Bicycles are available to rent at the Village Store, Curry Village, and Yosemite Lodge for a half or full day. These are on a first come, first serve basis. We had stopped at the Village Store first, and we were a bit too slow to rent the last four bikes for the day. Fortunately there were more at Curry Village.
All bike safety laws apply. Helmets are required for cyclists under the age of 18. Also, be aware of where bicycles are allowed to go. There are over 12 miles of bike paths in Yosemite Valley, but bikes are not allowed on trails and mountain biking is prohibited. A detailed map is on the NPS website.
For those with young kids, there are also bikes with trailers for rent, also on a first come, first serve basis.
Be sure to bring water and snacks, as well as sun protection. Know your limits, and enjoy the ride.
We had a wonderful time riding bikes around Yosemite Valley. I look forward to returning to the park and exploring more- on foot and on wheels. Because life is an adventure meant to be shared.
References:
“Swinging Bridge Picnic Area (U.S. National Park Service).” National Parks Service, http://www.nps.gov/places/000/swinging-bridge-picnic-area.htm. Accessed 13 Aug. 2023.
The Cranky Camper 