{"id":69728,"date":"2024-03-05T10:40:00","date_gmt":"2024-03-04T23:40:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/?p=69728"},"modified":"2025-02-25T03:10:49","modified_gmt":"2025-02-24T16:10:49","slug":"yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park\/","title":{"rendered":"Yellowstone vs Yosemite: Which national park to visit?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p><span data-contrast=\"none\" xml:lang=\"EN-US\" lang=\"EN-US\" class=\"TextRun SCXW259398506 BCX0\" style=\"-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text; color: rgb(14, 16, 26); font-size: 12pt; line-height: 20.925px; font-family: Aptos, Aptos_EmbeddedFont, Aptos_MSFontService, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; font-variant-ligatures: none !important;\"><span class=\"NormalTextRun SCXW259398506 BCX0\" style=\"-webkit-user-drag: none; -webkit-tap-highlight-color: transparent; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; user-select: text;\">Towering waterfalls or erupting geysers? Technicolour hot springs or massive granite monoliths? Oh, the decisions.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The UNESCO-listed <a href=\"\/united-states\/yellowstone-national-park-tours\">Yellowstone<\/a> and <a href=\"\/united-states\/yosemite-national-park\">Yosemite<\/a>&nbsp;are two of the USA\u2019s most beloved <a href=\"\/united-states\/national-parks\">national parks<\/a>. While both parks boast astounding natural beauty and a plethora of outdoor activities, you may be more drawn to one depending on what you\u2019re hoping to see and do.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019ve compiled the main differences between Yellowstone and Yosemite to help you decide which park to visit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"product_wrapper ipf-no-title\"><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"SSED\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/SSED.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/ssed\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">South Dakota to Yellowstone Parks Explorer\t\t<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">7 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/ssed\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"SSYSC\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/SSYSC.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/ssysc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Real San Francisco to LA<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">13 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/ssysc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><div class=\"product\" style=\"width:33.333333333333%;\" data-code=\"SSEPC\"><div class=\"product-inner\"><div class=\"product-img\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/ipf\/SSEPC.jpg\" width=\"100%\" height=\"auto\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/ssepc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-name\">Best of Western USA<\/a><\/div><div class=\"product-footer\"><div class=\"product-footer-left\"><span class=\"product-days\">13 days<\/span><\/div><div class=\"product-footer-right\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/trips\/ssepc\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"product-btn\">View trip<\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which park is better for landscapes?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yellowstone is home to 10,000 thermal features, including bubbling mud pots, steaming fumaroles and technicolour hot springs. Its otherworldly landscapes are the kind that must be seen to be believed. In fact, when early explorer John Colter returned from his Yellowstone expedition in 1807, people mocked his tales of the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>One of Yellowstone\u2019s most impressive features is Old Faithful, a huge cone geyser that shoots 14,000 litres of hot water in the air. This spectacle happens&nbsp;about 20 times daily and can last from&nbsp;two to five minutes. While these natural wonders are what most visitors come to see, the park\u2019s canyons and forests are just as captivating. It\u2019s also home to 290 waterfalls which flow all year thanks to the park\u2019s cool temperate climate.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"Grand Prismatic Spring in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming\" class=\"wp-image-69731\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-geothermal-pool-146961222-getty-pa.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yosemite&nbsp;doesn\u2019t have geysers and fumaroles, but it does have spellbinding subalpine scenery with wide-open meadows, giant sequoia redwoods (one of the oldest trees on earth) and&nbsp;lakes so clear they reflect the surrounding peaks. Its glacially carved granite monoliths are some of the largest in the world,&nbsp;including the famous&nbsp;El Capitan and Half Dome \u2013 both of which attract hikers and climbers from near and far.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The park also boasts North America\u2019s tallest waterfall \u2013 Yosemite Falls \u2013 which drops 739 metres over three tiers and will instill awe even in the most seasoned waterfall chasers, especially during the spring runoff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"The iconic Half Dome peak in Yosemite National Park\" class=\"wp-image-69735\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Half-Dome-mountains-tree-border-landscape-GettyImages-599456588.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Half Dome, Yosemite National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>We\u2019re not trying to be diplomatic, but both parks are spectacular in their own right. Yellowstone wins if you\u2019re keen to see geothermal activity, while Yosemite takes the cake for postcard-perfect peaks and waterfalls.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which park is better for wildlife?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Yellowstone is teeming with wildlife thanks to its remote location. It\u2019s home&nbsp;to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states including elk, bison, moose, deer, grizzly bears, black bears and bighorn sheep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Lamar Valley, dubbed the \u2018Serengeti of North America\u2019, is a great place to spot Yellowstone\u2019s critters. You\u2019re almost guaranteed to see large herds of bison on the road, bald eagles soaring overhead and bears grazing in the meadows.\u00a0If you\u2019re lucky, you may spot a wolf. For a better chance of seeing this elusive animal, you could <a href=\"\/united-states\/yellowstone-and-grand-tetons-adventure-160251\">join a wolf tracker for the day<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"\/adventures\/wolf-tracking-in-yellowstone\/\"><strong>What to expect on a wolf tracking trip in Yellowstone<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A herd of bison in Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park\" class=\"wp-image-69734\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-usa-yellowstone-np-bison-migration-184417812-getty-pa.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Lamar Valley, Yellowstone National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yosemite\u2019s rich habitat is home to a wide range of wildlife including&nbsp;black bears, bighorn sheep, bobcats, mule deer and coyotes. However, it\u2019s nowhere near as diverse as Yellowstone. As a smaller and busier park, animals can also be trickier to spot as they&nbsp;retreat from crowds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, bird watchers will be in their element with over&nbsp;260 bird species thanks to the park\u2019s high elevation. Keep your eyes peeled for&nbsp;Steller\u2019s jay, sooty grouse, dark-eyed junco, ravens and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A deer on the shores of the Merced River in Yosemite National Park\" class=\"wp-image-69733\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-valley-creek-trees-mountain-509307146-GettyImages.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yosemite Valley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a keen wildlife enthusiast, you\u2019ll probably enjoy Yellowstone more. It\u2019s a larger park with less foot traffic, so you\u2019ll likely encounter&nbsp;a wide range of animals on your journey.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which park is better for hiking?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Hiking in Yellowstone is one of the best ways to experience its unique&nbsp;geothermal features. There are over 2600 kilometres of trails to explore, and while the peaks aren\u2019t as high as Yosemite\u2019s, they boast stunning&nbsp;vistas over the Rockies. The trails are&nbsp;also quieter, so you may be more likely to encounter a four-legged creature than a fellow trekker.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Read more:&nbsp;<\/strong><a href=\"\/adventures\/best-hikes-in-yellowstone-national-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>8 of the best hikes in Yellowstone National Park<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A traveller on a boardwalk trail to Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park\" class=\"wp-image-69736\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-Montana-Gardiner-Yellowstone-NP-Geothermal-Hot-Springs-Female-Walking-Boardwalk-GI-467338383.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Upper Geyser Basin Trail, Yellowstone National Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Yosemite is one of the USA\u2019s top hiking destinations with over 1280 kilometres of trails.&nbsp;Shaped by millions of years of glacial activity, hiking will take you around and up soaring monoliths, through open meadows, along the banks of pristine lakes and everything in between.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From leisurely strolls to high-country expeditions, Yosemite offers hiking adventures for all. Put your stamina to the test by summiting the iconic Half Dome or El Capitan, stroll around the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias or smell the wildflowers in Yosemite Valley.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"A group of Intrepid travellers hiking through grassy plains in Yosemite Valley\" class=\"wp-image-69737\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-425x239.jpg 425w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-1170x658.jpg 1170w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989-585x329.jpg 585w, https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA__Yosemite_hike-and-park0989.jpg 1920w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Yosemite Valley<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>While both parks are a playground for hikers,&nbsp;Yosemite has more world-renowned trails&nbsp;and spellbinding summits.&nbsp;The only downside is that it\u2019s usually more crowded, so if you prefer hiking in solitude, you might prefer Yellowstone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Which park is more accessible?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The majority of Yellowstone is in northwest Wyoming. There are five entrances, all of which are super spread out, so planning is important. There\u2019s no public transport to or within the park, so you must drive or join a tour. If you\u2019re travelling from further afield, the closest airports are West Yellowstone (west entrance \u2013 summer only), Jackson Hole (south entrance), Bozeman (north and west entrance), and Montana Logan (northeast and east entrance).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of Yellowstone\u2019s visitor centres and major attractions are wheelchair accessible, including sections of the Grand Canyon, Mammoth Springs and Old Faithful.&nbsp;Campgrounds also have at least one wheelchair-accessible campsite (excluding Slough Creek, Tower Fall, Fishing Bridge and Pebble Creek).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yosemite is in the heart of the Sierra Nevada Range in California. Most visitors drive to the park, but there are public buses from major cities in California. Amtrak&nbsp;also provides a combination of train and bus services to Yosemite Valley. Once in the park, you can take the free Yosemite Valley shuttle around Yosemite Valley. It\u2019s well-connected with major airports, with the closest being Merced (2 hours), Fresno and Mammoth-Yosemite (2.5 hours), Oakland (3 hours) and San Francisco (4 hours).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yosemite&nbsp;has wheelchair-accessible lodges, campsites and visitor centres. It has more than 19 kilometres of paved trails along the Lower Yosemite Falls area where you can see the main attractions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The verdict<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many areas of Yellowstone and Yosemite are accessible for travellers with disabilities with accessible trails, facilities and wheelchair-friendly&nbsp;accommodation. The National Park Service (NPS) also offers an&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/subjects\/accessibility\/access-pass.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Interagency Access Pass<\/a>&nbsp;which provides&nbsp;free lifetime access to US national parks to people who are blind or have permanent disabilities.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nps.gov\/yell\/planyourvisit\/app.htm\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">official NPS app<\/a>&nbsp;for up-to-date accessibility information for facilities and trails.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re on a budget or pushed for time, Yosemite may be a better option as there a few public transport options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">So, which national park is best for you?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If you have limited time and want huge peaks and jaw-dropping views, Yosemite may be up your alley. If you\u2019re looking for wildlife and wilderness adventures, Yellowstone won\u2019t disappoint. Regardless of which park you visit, the possibilities for adventure are endless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Discover <a href=\"\/united-states\/yosemite-national-park\">Yosemite<\/a>&nbsp;or&nbsp;<a href=\"\/united-states\/yellowstone-national-park-tours\">Yellowstone<\/a> on a small group adventure with Intrepid<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Towering waterfalls or erupting geysers? Technicolour hot springs or massive granite monoliths? Oh, the decisions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":16233,"featured_media":69738,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"","_lmt_disable":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[1313],"tags":[69,1264],"class_list":["post-69728","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-guides","tag-united-states","tag-us-national-parks"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.3.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Yellowstone vs Yosemite: Which National Park to Visit? | The Good Times by Intrepid<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Towering waterfalls or erupting geysers? 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Read this blog to help you decide which national park to visit.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"The Good Times by Intrepid\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/intrepidtravel\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-03-04T23:40:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2025-02-24T16:10:49+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Mariposa-Grove-traveller-trees-1079675542-getty-pa.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1920\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1080\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Cliona Elliott\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@Intrepid_Travel\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Cliona Elliott\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"7 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park\/\",\"name\":\"Yellowstone vs Yosemite: Which National Park to Visit? | The Good Times by Intrepid\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/yellowstone-vs-yosemite-national-park\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Intrepid-Travel-USA-California-Yosemite-NP-Mariposa-Grove-traveller-trees-1079675542-getty-pa.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2024-03-04T23:40:00+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2025-02-24T16:10:49+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.intrepidtravel.com\/adventures\/#\/schema\/person\/b347cd53f44542b41f77acd72a8af66b\"},\"description\":\"Towering waterfalls or erupting geysers? 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