Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is a valley in Mariposa County, California, framed by towering granite walls. These walls rise up to 914 meters (3000 feet) above the floor and form a natural corridor roughly eleven kilometers long.

The Ahwahnee people lived here for more than four millennia before European settlers arrived in the 19th century. Discovery by non-Indigenous people occurred during the Gold Rush era.

The American Indian name Ahwahnee means „place of the gaping mouth

A free shuttle bus system connects the main sites and makes it easy to get around without a personal vehicle. The routes reach visitor centers, parking areas, and lodging year-round.

The Merced River runs through the entire valley floor and creates habitat for many animal and plant species. Its water feeds wetlands and small lakes that become especially visible in spring.

Location: Mariposa County

GPS coordinates: 37.72169,-119.64600

Latest update: December 4, 2025 23:03