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Welcome! Are you looking for an ultimate comparison between Yosemite National Park vs Yellowstone National Park? If so, you’re in the right place! Yosemite and Yellowstone are two of the most iconic national parks in America, and they each have their own unique attractions to offer travelers.
From the lush green valleys of Yosemite to the vast geothermal formations of Yellowstone, there is something for everyone to explore! In this article, we will compare Yosemite and Yellowstone side by side and uncover which one is the better overall destination for travelers.
We’ll examine their terrain, activities, and wildlife to determine the winner of the ultimate comparison. So, let’s get started!
Read the entire article or jump to any section.
Overview – Which one Should you Visit?
Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most famous and scenic national parks in the United States. Although both parks offer stunning landscapes and attractions, they have some notable differences and similarities.
Yosemite is located in California and is 1,169 square miles, while Yellowstone is in Wyoming and is 3,468 square miles. Yosemite is smaller but still one of the largest national parks in the United States. Both parks have a variety of topographical features, including rivers, waterfalls, glaciers and peaks. Yosemite is home to Half Dome, a granite dome that rises more than 4,700 feet and is a popular destination for hikers and rock climbers.
In contrast, Yellowstone has numerous geysers and hot springs, most notably Old Faithful, which erupts every 90 minutes. Yosemite and Yellowstone are both popular tourist destinations, with 3,287,595 visitors to Yosemite in 2021 and 4,860,242 visitors to Yellowstone in 2021. Admission to both parks is $35 (2021) per private vehicle per week. Yosemite is in the Pacific Time Zone and Yellowstone is in the Mountain Time Zone.
The two parks also have many similarities. Both parks have abundant wildlife, including bison, elk, mule deer, and wolves. Nearly 95% of Yosemite is designated as wilderness, while Yellowstone is home to the majority of the world’s geysers. Both parks are full of breathtaking scenery and offer a variety of recreational activities, from hiking and camping to skiing and snowshoeing.
Overview: Yosemite vs Yellowstone
In conclusion, Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park have many differences and similarities. Yosemite is smaller and is home to Half Dome, while Yellowstone is larger and has numerous geysers and hot springs.
Both parks have abundant wildlife and offer a variety of recreational activities and stunning scenery. Visitors to both parks will be sure to have an unforgettable experience.
| Comparison | Yosemite | Yellowstone |
| Location | California | Wyoming |
| Size (square miles) | 1,169 | 3,468 |
| Popular Attraction | Half Dome | Old Faithful |
| Visitors in 2021 | 3,287,595 | 4,860,242 |
| Admission Price | ~$35 (2021) per private vehicle per week | ~ $35 (2021) per private vehicle per week |
| Time Zone | Pacific | Mountain |
| Designated Wilderness | 95% | N/A |
| Geysers and Hot Springs | N/A | Numerous |
Trails Comparison
Though both parks are renowned for their breathtaking scenery, there are also significant differences between the trails in each park. Here is a comparison of the trails found in Yosemite and Yellowstone.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is known for its variety of trails, ranging from short, easy walks to more challenging hikes. Located along the Glacier Point Road, the Tioga Road, and within Yosemite Valley, the trails in this park are divided into four main categories: Lembert Dome, Mist Trail, Taft Point and Tenaya Lake.
Lembert Dome is a 4-mile out and back trail located 7.2 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance. It is classified as a moderate difficulty trail with medium to heavy traffic. The Mist Trail is a 5-mile out and back trail located at the Happy Isles shuttle stop in Yosemite Valley. Known for its spectacular waterfalls in May and June, it is classified as a difficult trail and is usually very busy. Taft Point is a 2.2 mile out and back trail located 2.4 miles from Glacier Point. This trail is moderate difficulty and has moderate traffic.
Finally, Tenaya Lake is a 3-mile loop trail located 14.6 miles from the Tioga Pass Entrance. It is classified as an easy trail and can be used in conjunction with the Tuolumne Meadows Shuttle to get back to the starting point.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park’s trails are divided into three main categories: peak-bagging, long distance hiking and day hiking.
Peak-bagging is the term used to describe climbing a mountain peak or summit. Yellowstone’s most popular peak-bagging trails are the Mt. Washburn Trail, North Rim Trail and Clear Lake – Ribbon Lake Loop.
The Mt. Washburn Trail is a moderate difficulty hike that begins with a gradual uphill ascent and ends with breathtaking panoramic views of the park. The North Rim Trail is a longer, more challenging hike that follows the rim of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and features otherworldly formations. The Clear Lake – Ribbon Lake Loop is a moderate difficulty hike that starts at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone before traversing through meadows and stopping at the hydrothermal Clear Lake.
Finally, the Storm Point Trail is a 2.3-mile roundtrip easy hike located in the Yellowstone Lake area that offers expansive views of the lake and surrounding areas.
Trails Summary – Yosemite vs Yellowstone
Though there are variations in the types of trails offered in Yosemite and Yellowstone, the main similarities between the two parks are that they both offer breathtaking scenery and a variety of hiking trails for adventurers of all skill levels. Whether you are looking for a leisurely stroll or a challenging climb, both of these parks have something to offer.
| Comparison | Yosemite | Yellowstone |
| Topographical Features | rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, peaks | rivers, waterfalls, glaciers, peaks, geysers, hot springs |
| Visitors (2021) | 3,287,595 | 4,860,242 |
| Admission Fee | ~$35 (2021) per private vehicle per week | ~$35 (2021) per private vehicle per week |
| Popular Trails | Lembert Dome, Mist Trail, Taft Point, Tenaya Lake | Mt. Washburn Trail, North Rim Trail, Clear Lake – Ribbon Lake Loop, Storm Point Trail |
| Trail Difficulty | Various, ranging from easy to difficult | Various, ranging from moderate to challenging |
| Trail Crowds | Various, ranging from light to heavy | Various, ranging from medium to heavy |
Location
Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks are two of the most popular destinations in the United States and are known for their awe-inspiring beauty. Both are located in the western part of the country, but they differ slightly in their exact location.
Yellowstone National Park is situated in the northwest corner of Wyoming and parts of Montana and Idaho, while Yosemite is situated in the Sierra Nevada mountains of east-central California. For visitors looking to travel to either of these stunning parks, both offer excellent visitor services and maps to help guide the way.
Despite the slight difference in location, both parks offer an abundance of incredible natural beauty and breathtaking scenery. In terms of landscape, both parks feature mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, rivers, and lakes.
Yellowstone is known for its wildlife, including bears, wolves, elk, and bison. Yosemite is known for its waterfalls, including the famous Yosemite Falls. The biggest difference between these two parks is accessibility. Yosemite is located much closer to major cities, such as Fresno, while Yellowstone is more remote and is located in a less populated area.
In conclusion, Yellowstone and Yosemite National Parks have many similarities in terms of their breathtaking scenery and natural beauty.
However, they also differ slightly in terms of their location, accessibility, and size. Both are great destinations for travelers looking to explore the beauty of the United States and make memories for a lifetime.
Conclusion – Yosemite vs Yellowstone
| Comparison | Yellowstone | Yosemite |
| Location | Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho | Sierra Nevada, California |
| Landscape | Mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, rivers, and lakes | Mountains, glaciers, forests, meadows, rivers, and lakes |
| Known for | Wildlife (bears, wolves, elk, and bison) | Waterfalls (Yosemite Falls) |
| Accessibility | Remote, less populated area | Closer to major cities (Fresno) |
| Size | Larger | Smaller |
Camping – Which Park is better?
When it comes to camping, both parks have a lot to offer, but there are also some key differences to consider. Yosemite is much smaller than Yellowstone, with just over 750,000 acres compared to Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres. This means that Yosemite’s campgrounds are little more limited in number, with just 11 total. Yellowstone, on the other hand, boasts 12 developed campgrounds throughout the park.
In terms of cost, Yosemite’s campsites generally cost around ~$36 (2021 – can be change in the future) per night, while Yellowstone’s campsites range from ~$20 to $34 (2021 – can be change in the future) per night, depending on the location.
However, it is important to note that Yosemite’s campsites must be reserved online up to several months in advance, while Yellowstone’s campsites can be reserved up to one month in advance. In terms of amenities, both Yosemite and Yellowstone offer running water, flush toilets, grills and picnic tables, though Yosemite also offers dump stations and showers.
Additionally, some of Yellowstone’s campgrounds offer camp stores and other amenities. In terms of demand, both parks are extremely popular and sites are in high demand during the summer season. Yosemite has a special reservations policy with sites going on sale in one-month blocks on the 15th of each month, while Yellowstone’s campgrounds can be reserved up to one month in advance.
Overall, Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer campers plenty of options, from cost to amenities to demand. While both parks are beautiful and offer plenty of outdoor activities, it is important for campers to consider their own camping preferences and needs before making a decision on where to stay.
Summary Camping Comparison
| Comparison | Yosemite | Yellowstone |
| Size | 750,000 acres | 2.2 million acres |
| Number of campgrounds | 11 | 12 |
| Cost per night | ~ $36 (2021) | ~ $20-$34 (2021) |
| Advance reservation | ~ 5 months, One-month blocks on the 15th of each month | ~ 1 month |
| Amenities | Running water, flush toilets, grills, picnic tables, dump stations and showers | Running water, flush toilets, grills, picnic tables, camp stores, and other amenities |
| Demand | High during summer season | High during summer season |
Accommodation – Yosemite vs Yellowstone
Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park offer a wide range of accommodation options for tourists. Yosemite National Park has several lodges inside park boundaries, a variety of tent cabins at Tuolumne Meadows and the Wawona Hotel. The city of Oakhurst is located south of the park, and is closest to Mariposa Grove and Wawona. The town of Mariposa is west of the park, and is closest to El Portal and the west side of the Tioga Road.
Yellowstone National Park also has a large selection of lodging choices, including hotels and/or cabins at Mammoth, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake, Canyon, and Roosevelt. There are over 2,000 rooms available in the height of the season.
The town of West Yellowstone, Montana, is outside of the West Entrance, and is the closest to the geyser basins. The town of Gardiner (Montana) is outside of the North Entrance, and is very close to the Mammoth Hot Springs area of the park. Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park have several similarities in terms of accommodation.
Both Parks offer a wide range of accommodation options, including hotels, cabins, and tent cabins. Additionally, both national parks require reservations far in advance for lodging.
However, there are some differences between the two parks. Yosemite National Park has a variety of lodging options inside park boundaries, while Yellowstone National Park has more lodging options outside of park boundaries. Lodging in Yosemite National Park is generally more expensive than lodging in Yellowstone National Park.
Conclusion
| Comparison | Yosemite | Yellowstone |
| Lodging options | Several lodges, tent cabins at Tuolumne Meadows, Wawona Hotel | Hotels and/or cabins at Mammoth, Old Faithful, Grant Village, Lake, Canyon, and Roosevelt, over 2,000 rooms available in the height of the season |
| Location of lodging inside park boundaries | Variety of options inside park boundaries | More options outside of park boundaries |
| Closest town to park | Oakhurst (Mariposa Grove, Wawona) | West Yellowstone (geyser basins), Gardiner (Mammoth Hot Springs) |
| Advance reservation required | Yes | Yes |
| Price of lodging | Generally more expensive | Generally little less expensive |
History
Yosemite National Park and Yellowstone National Park are two of the most iconic and visited national parks in the United States. While both parks provide stunning natural scenery, each has its own unique history. Yosemite National Park was established in 1864 as Yosemite State Park under the direction of President Abraham Lincoln.
In 1890 Congress passed a bill creating Yosemite National Park, although California retained control of the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove. It was not until 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt signed a bill to return the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove to the national park, that the park reached its present form.
Conservationist John Muir was largely responsible for convincing Roosevelt to do this, after a camping trip near Glacier Point in 1903. Yosemite was the third most visited national park in 2013.
Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, was the world’s first national park. President Ulysses S. Grant and Congress both passed and signed the legislation to make Yellowstone a national park. Yellowstone is home to many geothermal features such as mudpots, hot springs and geysers, of which Old Faithful is the most famous.
Both Yosemite and Yellowstone have a strong presence in the history of the United States’ national parks.
Both parks are visited by thousands of people each year, making them two of the most popular national parks in the country. While Yosemite was the third most visited park in 2013, Yellowstone remained the most visited national park in the United States in 2020.
Summary – Yosemite vs Yellowstone
This article provides the ultimate comparison between Yosemite National Park vs Yellowstone National Park. Yosemite National Park is located in California and offers a range of stunning landscapes and diverse wildlife. Yellowstone National Park is in Wyoming and home to some of the world’s most famous geysers and hot springs.
Both parks offer visitors unique opportunities to explore the outdoors and experience the region’s natural beauty. Yosemite National Park is known for its breathtaking views and diverse wildlife, while Yellowstone National Park is known for its iconic geysers and hot springs.
This article compares the two parks, each offering its own unique attractions. Yosemite National Park is a popular destination for visitors looking for a variety of outdoor activities such as camping, hiking and river rafting. Yellowstone National Park is ideal for visitors seeking a more relaxed outdoor experience, with opportunities to view and photograph its iconic features such as geysers, hot springs and bison. Ultimately, both parks are worth exploring and offer a unique experience for visitors to enjoy and appreciate.
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Ethan loves to travel and explore new cultures. He is also the COO of TBL.