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Yosemite National Park Facts & Worksheets

Although Yosemite National Park’s waterfalls are its most famous feature, its almost 1,200 square miles also contain steep valleys, expansive meadows, historic substantial sequoia trees, a sizable wilderness area, and much more.

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Although Yosemite National Park’s waterfalls are its most famous feature, its almost 1,200 square miles also contain steep valleys, expansive meadows, historic substantial sequoia trees, a sizable wilderness area, and much more.

See the fact file below for more information on Yosemite National Park, or you can download our 27-page Yosemite National Park worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

HISTORY OF THE YOSEMITE AREA

  • The Ahwahneechee, or dwellers in Ahwahnee, were Yosemite’s original inhabitants. Other indigenous groups were in the surrounding areas, but only the Ahwahneechee People resided in the park’s boundaries. Together, they made up the Southern Sierra Miwok, a larger group of Native Americans in California.
  • They are kin to the Mono and Northern Paiute groups. Other groups, such as the Yokuts and the Central Sierra Miwoks located in central California’s San Joaquin Valley, came to Yosemite to trade and intermarry.
  • After early American settlements and urban development endangered their existence, this led to a mingling of cultures that assisted in maintaining their presence in Yosemite.
  • The California Gold Rush of 1848–1855 significantly affected the local people. 
  • In less than two years, it brought more than 90,000 European Americans to the region, creating rivalry for resources between gold miners and locals.
  • About 70 years before the Gold Rush, it was thought that 300,000 native people were living there.
  • This number swiftly fell to 150,000; ten years later, only about 50,000 people were left.
  • Disease, declining birthrates, famine, and battles from the American Indian Wars were some of the causes of this drop. The Mariposa War refers to the fight that occurred in Yosemite.
  • It all began in December 1850 when California sponsored a state militia to evict Native Americans from disputed land to crush their resistance to the migration of European Americans.
  • In retaliation for the demolition or domestication of their people and the loss of their lands and resources, Yosemite tribes frequently stole from settlers and miners, sometimes even killing them. 
  • As a result of a single incident involving James Savage, a Fresno trader whose trading post was attacked in December 1850, the War and creation of the Mariposa Battalion were partially sparked.
  • Native Americans continued to reside in the Yosemite region after the Mariposa War, albeit in fewer numbers. The last Yosemite Ahwahneechee tribe members were compelled to move to a village the state government built in 1851. 
  • They acquired the skills necessary to survive in this camp with their restricted privileges. They adjusted to the new surroundings by working in tourism and starting small businesses that produced and sold items and rendered services.
  • It was difficult to quantify the number of Native American people living in Yosemite towards the end of the 19th century; estimates ranged from thirty to several hundred. It was challenging to pinpoint the Ahwahneechee people and their descendants.
  • The Southern Sierra Miwuk Nation is vying for federal recognition and tribal sovereignty. 
  • The National Park Service developed policies to save holy places, permit Native Americans to return to their ancestral grounds and allow them to utilize park resources. 
  • The first visitors were businessman James Mason Hutchings, artist Thomas Ayres, and two others in 1855.
  • Most of Yosemite’s early publicity was generated by Hutchings and Ayres, who wrote articles and special issues about the Valley. Exaggerated angles characterized Ayres’ style.
  • Savage and the Mariposa Battalion kidnapped the Nuchu and Ahwahneechee inhabitants of Wawona, an early Indian settlement, and moved them to a reservation on the Fresno River in March 1851.
  • In Wawona, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia was found in 1857 by Galen Clark. Simple homes and roads were erected for him. 
  • The Wawona Hotel was constructed in 1879 to accommodate visitors to Mariposa Grove. The number of trails and hotels built on top of tourism also rose.
  • The Mariposa Grove was home to the enormous sequoia known as the Wawona Tree, also called the Tunnel Tree. It was 90 feet (27 meters) in circumference and 234 feet (71 meters) tall.
  • The tree’s popularity as a backdrop for tourist photos increased when a carriage-wide tunnel was constructed in 1881. Vehicles and carriages traveled the path that went through the tree. 
  • The tunnel irreparably compromised the tree, which eventually toppled in 1969 while heavily covered in snow. It was thought to be 2,100 years old.
  • The Desmond Park Service Company received a concession from the National Park Service in 1916 for 20 years. It acquired or constructed lodgings, shops, campgrounds, a dairy, a garage, and other park amenities. 
  • A division of the Yosemite Valley Railroad completed construction on the Hotel Del Portal in 1908. It was situated near Yosemite in El Portal, California.

YOSEMITE GRANT

  • Galen Clark and Senator John Conness, among other well-known residents, pushed for the area’s protection out of concern about the consequences of economic interests. 
  • With the help of the Interior Department’s General Land Office, a park bill was created.
  • The Yosemite Grant was established when the 38th United States Congress approved the bill and was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on June 30, 1864. 
  • This was the first time federal government action in the United States resulted in park land being set aside, especially for preservation and public usage. It served as a model for the 1872 establishment of Yellowstone as the first national park.
  • As Grant’s initial guardian, Galen Clark was chosen by the commission. However, neither he nor the commissioners had the power to eject homesteaders. The problem wasn’t resolved until the United States nullified the homesteader land holdings in 1872. 
  • In 1880, Clark and the incumbent commissioners were removed, and the case also made it to the Supreme Court that year. The two Supreme Court rulings impacting how the Yosemite Grant is managed are considered significant precedents in land management law. Hutchings was appointed as the new park ranger.
  • Visitor access to the area increased in the park’s early years, and the Valley’s circumstances were made more welcoming. 
  • After the First Transcontinental Railroad was finished in 1869, tourism dramatically grew, but the distance to get there on horseback was a hindrance. 
  • Midway through the 1870s, three stagecoach roads were constructed to accommodate better Yosemite Valley’s expanding tourist population.

GEOGRAPHY OF YOSEMITE

  • Yosemite National Park is situated in California’s central Sierra Nevada. The Ansel Adams Wilderness, the Hoover Wilderness, and the Emigrant Wilderness are three wilderness regions close to Yosemite National Park.
  • The 1,189 sq mi (3,080 km2) park, which is about the size of the state of Rhode Island in the United States, is home to tens of thousands of lakes and ponds as well as 1,600 miles (2,600 km) of streams, 800 miles (1,300 km), and 350 miles (560 km) of roads.
  • The Merced and Tuolumne Rivers, recognized as Wild and Scenic by the federal government, start within Yosemite’s boundaries and travel through the Sierra foothills before entering the Central Valley of California.
  • Approximately 4 million people annually visit the park, with Yosemite Valley, a seven-square-mile (18 km2) area, receiving most of those visitors.

POPULAR FEATURES

  • Most visitors arrive and remain in Yosemite Valley, despite it only making up 1% of the park’s total acreage. For many visitors, the Tunnel View—frequently captured on camera—is their first glimpse of the Valley.
  • El Capitan, a towering granite cliff that towers over Yosemite Valley, is one of the world’s most well-known rock climbing locations due to its extensive selection of climbing routes and year-round accessibility. 
  • Granite domes with heights of 3,800 feet (910 meters) and 4,800 feet (1,460 meters), respectively, are Sentinel Dome and Half Dome. Numerous other granite domes can be found in the park.
  • Three ancient giant sequoias (Sequoiadendron giganteum) tree groves may be found in the park: the Mariposa (200 trees), Tuolumne (25 trees), and Merced (20 trees) groves. This species is one of the tallest and longest-living, growing in volume more than any other.
  • The Tuolumne and Merced River systems, which have built river canyons between 3,000 and 4,000 feet (910 and 1,220 meters) deep, begin along the summit of the Sierra Nevada in the park.
  • Yosemite Falls, situated in Yosemite Valley, is the tallest in North America at 2,425 feet (739 m). 
  • The much smaller Ribbon Falls, which has the most significant single vertical drop at 1,612 feet (491 m), is also in Yosemite Valley.

ACTIVITIES IN YOSEMITE

  • Yosemite Valley hosts a variety of activities all year long, including nature hikes, photography and art classes, stargazing programs, tours, bike rentals, rafting, mules and horses for hire, and rock climbing lessons, all of which are provided by the National Park Service, Yosemite Conservancy, and Aramark at Yosemite.
  • Most park visitors remain for the day and only view the parts of Yosemite Valley close to their cars. A $35 per-vehicle user fee is required to visit the park for seven days. 
  • At several locations in the Valley, including the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, the nearby Yosemite Museum, and the Nature Center at Happy Isles, visitors can learn more about the natural and cultural history of Yosemite Valley in addition to exploring the park’s natural attractions. 
  • Additionally, Yosemite has two National Historic Landmarks: the Ahwahnee Hotel and the Sierra Club’s LeConte Memorial Lodge, the park’s first public visitor center. 2003 saw Camp 4 included on the National Register of Historic Places.
  • From Memorial Day weekend in late May through Columbus Day in early October, one of the busiest trails leads to Half Dome’s top and needs a permit in advance.
  • A maximum of 300 hikers, including 225-day and 75 backpackers, can go beyond the sub dome daily. These hikers are chosen by lottery.
  • Yosemite Valley, Wawona/Mariposa Grove/Glacier Point, Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy, and Crane Flat/White Wolf are the five park areas that can be visited throughout the day.
  • Yosemite has several spots that can only be reached by trekking, while other locations can only be reached by driving. 
  • Visitors can view the night sky at sites other than their campsite or hotel by driving to those locations. 
  • While every road in Yosemite is picturesque, the Tioga Road, usually open from late May or early June through November, is the most well-known.

Yosemite National Park Worksheets

This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about Yosemite National Park across 27 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about Yosemite National Park. Although Yosemite National Park’s waterfalls are its most famous feature, its almost 1,200 square miles also contain steep valleys, expansive meadows, historic substantial sequoia trees, a sizable wilderness area, and much more.

Complete List of Included Worksheets

Below is a list of all the worksheets included in this document.

  1. Yosemite National Park Facts
  2. Terms to Remember
  3. Yosemite
  4. Visiting Yosemite
  5. Park Ranger!
  6. Picture Perfect
  7. Is It?
  8. Be Careful
  9. Trend
  10. Significance
  11. Solve the Problem

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Yosemite National Park located?

Yosemite National Park is located in the western part of the United States, primarily in the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. It covers an area of about 1,189 square miles (3,081 square kilometers).

What is the significance of Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite is one of the most iconic and renowned national parks in the United States and the world. It is known for its stunning natural beauty, including towering granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, and diverse plant and animal life. Yosemite holds cultural and historical importance to indigenous tribes and has been designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What are some famous landmarks in Yosemite National Park?

Some of the famous landmarks in Yosemite National Park include:

  • El Capitan: A massive granite monolith popular among rock climbers.
  • Half Dome: An iconic granite dome with a distinctive shape, a challenging hiking destination.
  • Yosemite Falls: One of the tallest waterfalls in North America, with a total drop of over 2,400 feet (730 meters).
  • Bridalveil Fall: Another stunning waterfall that drops approximately 617 feet (188 meters).
  • Tunnel View: A famous viewpoint offering a breathtaking vista of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall.

What recreational activities can visitors enjoy in Yosemite National Park?

Yosemite offers a wide range of recreational activities for visitors, such as hiking, rock climbing, camping, backpacking, fishing, birdwatching, and stargazing. In winter, some areas of the park also provide opportunities for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?

The best time to visit Yosemite depends on personal preferences and the activities you wish to enjoy. Spring (April to June) is popular for its waterfalls at their peak flow, while fall (September to November) offers beautiful foliage colors. Summer (July to August) is the peak tourist season, with warm weather and crowded conditions. Winter (December to February) is less crowded and presents a unique opportunity to see snow-covered landscapes, but some areas of the park may be inaccessible due to snow.

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Link will appear as Yosemite National Park Facts & Worksheets: https://kidskonnect.com - KidsKonnect, August 23, 2023

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