Located in east central California, it's a national park covering an area of more than 3,000 square kilometres, which crosses the Sierra Nevada mountain chain. 

It was designated a world heritage site in 1984, and almost 95% of the park is designated wilderness area. The park is renowned internationally for its waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoia groves, granite cliffs and biological diversity. There are more than 1,500 plant species within the park. 

Elevation ranges from 600 to 4000 metres, containing five major vegetation zones.

Most visitors arrive in the Yosemite Valley area, but there are many other popular areas to explore, including the Sentinel Rock, the Half Dome, the Cathedral Range, the Kuna Crest, Mount Dana, Toulomne Meadows, and Mount Lyell, the park's highest point. 

There is also a high concentration of dramatic waterfalls, including the Yosemite Falls, the highest in North America, along with the Ribbon Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Wapama Falls. The park is very popular with daily and overnight hikers, with more than 1300 kilometres of trails available. Many rock climbers also flock to try their luck on El Capi.jpgtan (left mountain in photo), and there is also a ski area in the winter. 

No trip to California is complete without a visit to Yosemite National Park, truly one of the U.S.' natural treasures.