| By far the most highly visited area of the park, the central route through Yosemite Valley contains most of the park’s famous landmarks. This glacially-created valley is full of stunning formations, such as the striking granite faces of El Capitan and the Half Dome. Several waterfalls plummet hundreds or even thousands of feet over sharp rock faces, including the often-photographed Bridalveil Fall. In the center of the Valley is Yosemite Village. The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is located here, as well as a park museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery, with prints by the famous photographer and other artists. The Yosemite Lodge and several campsites are also nearby. South of the main Valley complex, the road continues to the park’s South Entrance, which can be approached along Highway 41 North from Fresno. Mariposa Grove near here is a grove of giant sequoia trees, the tallest more than 200 feet high and 30 feet in diameter. Also nearby is the historic Wawona Hotel and the Pioneer Yosemite History Center, where you can see horse-drawn wagons and historic buildings out of Yosemite's past. |
