Trip to Yosemite
May 12, 2016 22:28:22 #
preacherman
Loc: Milton/Pensacola, FL
We are heading out this coming Sunday afternoon to drive to Yosemite National Park from northwest Florida. We are staying at military bases along the route as much as possible. Need some suggestions of hotels along the way if needed. We might need one night near Flagstaff, Az. There is a Naval Air Base Lemoore south of the park, might stay there one night when we get to California. Looking for suggestions for cities around/near Yosemite with reasonable rates to stay near the park for two or three days. Also want opinions concerning going to north rim of Grand Canyon. Is it worth going to? Kind of out of the way since we will be close to south rim which we will see again unless the drive to north rim is worth the time. Thanks for any suggestions you might have, Gary
May 12, 2016 22:51:42 #
The North rim is harder to see. it is close to Zion and Brice which are about 2Hrs. From Vegas. They are worth the side trip.
May 12, 2016 23:36:40 #
May 13, 2016 02:45:54 #
We were not impressed with the North Rim, however we loved Bryce Canyon NP. Stayed at a B&B in Tropic Utah.
On two visits to Yosemite NP we stayed at the Yosemite Bug and enjoyed our stays there. It is very close to the NP.
On two visits to Yosemite NP we stayed at the Yosemite Bug and enjoyed our stays there. It is very close to the NP.
May 13, 2016 06:52:33 #
preacherman wrote:
North Rim is an entirely different experience than South and has fewer tourists. However, the roads don't usually open until mid to late May. Check with the Park Service before going. I liked it much better (views, higher elevation and fewer people). Plenty of room to set up my shots without having to stand in line with 20 other camera bugs.We are heading out this coming Sunday afternoon to... (show quote)
May 13, 2016 07:05:10 #
NAS Lemore has a nice Navy Lodge. We have stayed there several times in the last 3 years. The closest town to Yosemite is Mariposa with a decent Motel/Hotel (Best Western) near the intersection of highway 49 and 140. We have stayed there several times on our trips to The national parks near by. Don't forget that Yosemite has several hotel and camping options. Enjoy your vacation
May 13, 2016 08:09:27 #
May 13, 2016 08:25:14 #
Page, AZ is near the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. You MUST photograph Lower Antelope Canyon on the $80 (?) tour with tripod and wide angle lens. I was only able to do the Upper Canyon tour because we arrived too late and couldn't get into the tour I wanted. I think that the Lower Canyon tour books online and leaves directly from Page, not from what appears to be the departure point for other tours. Search online for images of Lower Antelope Canyon and you just might have a new "bucket list" addition.
May 13, 2016 09:48:41 #
[quote=preacherman]I would recommend, Preascherman, to visit Sequoia National Park, near Yosemite. Yosemite is my favorite "photography" park in the country. Find your way up to "Glacier Point". Best view. David
May 13, 2016 09:53:08 #
preacherman wrote:
Find your way up to "Glacier Point". Best view. David
and an easy hike...
May 13, 2016 09:56:57 #
In Yosemite, try to stay in Mariposa or even in Merced, it's not far from the park entrance but you save a bundle. Glacier Point is open. Have fun, the waterfalls are high now, it's the best time of the year.
May 13, 2016 10:24:11 #
brucebc
Loc: Tooele, Utah
Fort Tuthill is an Air Force Recreation area 2 miles south of Flagstaff, Az. I lived in the area for 26 years. Fort Tuthill has a motel camp sites and yerts for rent. As someone posted, the North Rim is much less visited. The drive from Jacobs Lake to the rim is very pretty. Usually see deer, elk and turkeys. North rim is about 1000 feet higher so cooler and different vegetation. I have been to the south rim 50+ times, north rim only 6 or 7, North is my choice because less people and better photo opportunities.
May 13, 2016 10:49:50 #
Agree with fstoprookie - Have stayed at the Holiday Inn in Mariposa, CA for 3 nights a couple of years ago. Very nice accommodations. It's a 35 mile drive one way from Mariposa to the West Gate at Yosemite on a 2 lane road. Takes 45 to 60 minutes. Then there's another 15-30 minute drive down to the valley floor. But it's all worth it - Yosemite is an outdoor photographer's dream come true. Check hotels in the valley, Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly Awahahee Hotel - excellent) & Yosemite Valley Lodge - but remember these will be at a premium and as we're coming upon prime tourist season, reservations may be hard to acquire. True in Mariposa also. Best to have reservations before you leave on trip, otherwise there "might not be any room at the inn". Be sure to get out and hike up to the various waterfalls. Great time to be going as the falls will be running full with the run-off from the Spring thaw. Enjoy your trip and look forward to seeing your photos posted here.
May 13, 2016 10:55:13 #
Bluejay
Loc: Toronto, Ontario
Completed south rim visit several years ago. Would go back in a heartbeat. Items to consider in and around Page, Arizona : Hummer Tours to Sandstone Canyon, Horsehoe Bend , Colorado River flat water float from base of Colorada Dam to Lee's Ferry ( you are bused back to Page town ). . Have National Park pass. Excellent supper at restaurant in houseboat storage area too. Take tripod to Canyon. Driver very knowledgeable as to best photo opportunities. I did river float one day starting in morning and canyon the next day. Have fun!
May 13, 2016 11:48:05 #
sbirt2
Loc: So. Calif.
We always stay at the Yosemite View Lodge at El Portal. It is clean, reasonable, right outside the west gate of the park and has a restaurant. We go up almost every year to try and catch the Firefall. One of our favorite places.
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