Reconnecting You to the Great Outdoors

Ah, springtime-when the snow melts, the flowers bloom and the sunny days start getting longer and longer. In Yosemite National Park, one of the most scenic places on the planet, springtime means rushing waterfalls, blooming dogwoods and redbuds, and a wildflower season that people come from all over the world to see.

If you’re taking the Amtrak San Joaquins train, your Park admission is free. You can get to Yosemite by getting off the train at the Merced station and taking Route 15—a Thruway Bus serviced by the Yosemite Area Regional Transit System—directly into Yosemite Valley. Once you’re there, here are some experiences you won’t want to miss:

Because of the melting snow, the waterfalls are spectacular in the spring. Bridalveil Fall, Horsetail Fall and one of the world’s tallest falls, Ribbon Fall, are three Instagramable falls you should see.

From Mid-April to May, the Mountain Dogwoods blossom beautiful white flowers throughout the valley. In March, one of the best trails to see wildflowers is the Hite Cove trail (seven miles outside of the Park). You can see poppies, lupines, redbuds and owl’s clover. By mid-May, milkweed, shooting stars, pine violets and more flowers bloom in an abundance of shapes and colors.

- For more adventurous visitors, whitewater rafting is a must. With discount rates for groups and different boats and experiences to choose from, Zephyr is located on CA Highway 140.

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