One of the things I love most is sharing my love for Yosemite with others especially kids. Here’s a really cool article on things to do in Yosemite with kids that’ll help them learn about the park and have a good time.
RGJ.com: “Here’s the predicament. You realize Yosemite, one of America’s great natural wonders, is only about 200 miles from Reno. And you realize that it’s one of those places you MUST see. Alas, you’ve got a couple of youngsters running around the house, and they aren’t exactly up for the full-day, round trip hike to half dome.
Should you give up on the trip? Absolutely not.
Hiking to and from Half Dome may be Yosemite’s signature activity, but it’s hardly the only thing on tap. Following are five suggestions for a vacation the whole family can enjoy.
1 Just take in the scenery
There are plenty of folks who visit Yosemite National Park every year without roughing it. They don’t rock climb. They don’t hike. Heck, some don’t even camp. They just soak up the really important stuff … the scenery.
The 750,000-acre park boasts some of the most spectacular granite cliffs anywhere, and many viewing areas are located right off park roads. Pull over, unload the kids and just stare in awe at the beauty only nature can provide.
The roaring waterfalls for which Yosemite is noted are mostly fed by snowmelt, which means many have dried up by this time of year. That makes May and June the best months to visit if you want falling water, but there’s still plenty to enjoy in the fall.
The park is less crowded now than in the summer months, so you won’t fight crowds. And it’s tough to overemphasize how beautiful the gigantic rock formations are, waterfalls or no. If you go now, you’ll also beat the snowy conditions that make winter travel difficult.
2 Take a short hike
Your kids might not be up for a 17-mile adventure, but they probably can handle something shorter. For instance, the hike to and from Bridalveil Falls is just a half mile, which should be doable even by toddlers. Since there’s a paved trail from the parking lot to the base of the waterfall (only a trickle this time of year) you can even carry an infant the entire way.
The joy of Yosemite is that there are countless hiking options. If your kids are older and up for something strenuous, consider the Vernal Falls hike, which has an elevation gain of 1,000 feet and could take three hours. If you’ve got really little ones, the laid-back, one-mile Cook’s Meadow Loop will be more suitable. Grab a map and make a plan that suits the activity level of your family.
3 Have a picnic
Yosemite is so beautiful and so large that it’s easy to find a place to lay out a picnic blanket and enjoy a feast. If you like water, you can nab a spot by a river or stream. If you prefer wildflowers, you can go that route. Best of all, many great spots are accessible from the park’s major roads, yet it’s easy to remove yourself from the blacktop and auto noise. Keep an eye out for deer, which are plentiful and often easy to spot.
4 Stop by the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
I know, I know, visitor centers are touristy. So what? If you want to learn a lot about Yosemite in a short span, the visitor center is the way to go. There are a number of great exhibits about the park, and you can catch a short movie loaded with information. Touristy or not, a quick walkthrough is a necessity, and kids will love checking out the reconstructed Indian village located next door, behind the Yosemite Museum.
5 Drive through the entire park
Getting out and about in Yosemite really puts you in touch with nature, but you can also enjoy the scenery from a car. While not the ideal plan, it works well with tired children who don’t mind dozing while you ogle the sights.
Reno, by the way, is perfectly situated for a drive-through trip. Consider entering the park from the east, taking US 395 to Lee Vining and then following Highway 120 (Tioga Road) all the way to the other side. Turn it into a loop by continuing west until you hit Highway 99, then come home via Sacramento. You lose a little bit of time, but the drive is gorgeous.
If you plan to do this, it’s best to make plans now, as Tioga Road typically closes in November because of snowfall. Whenever you go, checking road conditions is advised.”