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While we were visiting Yosemite National Park in September, we came across a lot of things we wished we would have done.

For the most part, we did a great job preparing for this trip but there were also a lot of things we learned from this trip. Here’s a list of Do’s and Don’ts to help you out on your trip to Yosemite.

Do’s

1. Do wear comfortable footwear that has a good grip.

We both purchased a new pair of sneakers specifically for our trip to Yosemite and we’re so glad that we did. We read that some areas of Yosemite could get slippery due to the mist from the waterfalls so we wanted to get sneakers with a good grip.

We did several hikes and the extra grip really came in handy. We were traveling with a few friends who wore regular sneakers and they had to be extra careful in some areas that were slippery since their sneakers didn’t have very good traction.

2. Do dress in layers as the temperatures fluctuate throughout the day.

We visited Yosemite during the first week of September and layering was definitely key. Our morning hikes were on the chilly side around 60 degrees Fahrenheit and as soon as the sun started to rise, the temperatures were in the high 80s.

A good example of this was our Mist Trail hike. It started out cold in the morning so we wore our jackets, but by the end of the hike, we were taking off our layers piece by piece and eventually ended up in our tank tops because we were so hot.

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3. Do wake up early if you want to snag a parking spot.

Parking is quite limited at Yosemite National Park, so if you’re driving a car and need a parking spot, it’s key to arrive at the lots early in the mornings.

We started all of our hikes early in the mornings before 8AM and had no issues finding parking. By the time we were done with our hikes, the parking lots were usually full.

4. Do bring mosquito repellent.

There were definitely mosquitos buzzing around so if you don’t want to get bit, toss some repellent in your bag. The bugs were especially bothersome in the mornings.

5. Do invest in a headlamp if you plan on hiking the trails during sunset.

Seeing the sunset at Taft Point was definitely on our list at Yosemite National Park. The hike was a little over a mile and the sunset was incredibly stunning.

On our way back, it was completely dark and we struggled a bit walking back through the woods. A headlamp would have definitely helped in this situation.

Thankfully, we had the flashlight on our smartphones but it’s not the greatest source of light and holding the phone in an upright position the entire time is a bit difficult.

6. Do pack plenty of socks and leggings/pants.

Most of the areas we hiked were dusty so at the end of every day, our white pair of socks were brown and our leggings and pants were super dusty.

We typically wear the same leggings/pants more than once before tossing it into the washer, but putting on a dusty pair of socks and leggings/pants the next day was not ideal.

We ended up washing our leggings in the shower but it would have been much better to just have a couple more extra pairs handy.

7. Do stop by a supermarket before heading inside the park.

We rented a car from the airport and made a stop at the grocery store before we headed inside the park. The nearest supermarket from our accommodation in Yosemite West was in Oakhurst, about an hour's drive.

Once you are inside the park, there are a couple of small grocery stores in Wawona and Fish Camp but the prices will be higher.

Other than that, you’re stuck with Yosemite’s restaurants (with limited hours) and Yosemite Valley’s cafeteria (where the food is VERY average).

We’re so glad we bought a big pack of bottled water and tons of easy to prepare foods and snacks in Oakhurst before entering the park.

Dont’s

1. Don’t wait until the last minute to book accommodations.

Accommodations within the park are extremely limited so booking at least six months in advance is recommended. There are only two hotels located in Yosemite Valley and the rest of the accommodations are located near Yosemite West.

We found a wonderful Airbnb within the park at Yosemite West which was about 20 miles from Yosemite Valley. It doesn’t seem far, but the drive usually took us 40-45 minutes to get to Yosemite Valley due to speed limits, traffic, and winding roads.

2. Don’t expect to see gushing waterfalls in September.

We visited Yosemite right after the Labor Day weekend (first week of September) and we were lucky to see waterfalls at both Mist Trail and Bridalveil Fall since California experienced more rainfall than usual.

Usually, we would not have seen this much waterfall. However, the waterfall wasn’t as powerful as it would be if we had visited during the spring or summer months.

If you really want to witness the sounds and mists of the gushing waterfalls, definitely go during their peak season in May or June.

3. Don’t leave food in the car or anywhere in the park.

Yosemite National Park is home to hundreds of American black bears and they have a voracious appetite. They also have an amazing sense of smell so make sure you secure all your food.

It is not recommended to leave food in the car either since bears can easily break into your vehicle. There are several signs posted throughout the park, but it can be easy to forget sometimes.

4. Don’t go over the speed limits.

The roads are very windy and the speed limits are extremely low so it can be a bit tempting to go over the limit.

However, there have been several incidences where bears have been struck by speeding cars so there is good reason to drive slow. It’s also good to be a law-abiding citizen :)

Our top takeaways from this trip were to book early for accommodations and wear sneakers with good traction. We were able to deal with everything else rather easily but it would have been nice to know these extra tips.

If you have any extra tips for Yosemite, let us know in the comments in below!