8 Things I Wish I Knew Before Visiting Yosemite National Park

Picturesque mountains, crisp air, and skies that look like they're basically from paintings. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your trip.

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Back in January, my friends and I decided to rent a car and drive from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park — one of America's 60 national parks — because adventure, and because why the heck not?? And despite the research we did prior to the mini road trip, nothing could prepare us for the seemingly infinite drive, the vastness of the park, or the breathtaking beauty of the Sierra Nevada mountains. So here's what you should know to start planning the most positive Yosemite visit possible.

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1. While the park has many bright sunny days through the year, even in December, know that in the winter you'll need snow chains, and in the summer you should be prepared for hazy or smoky conditions.

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As you can see from my pic above, IT SNOWED. You might say to yourself, "Meh, it's Cali, the weather will be perfect in Yosemite," but I urge you to do your research ahead of time so you'll know how to dress and how to prepare. For comparison, San Francisco weather that same day was in the 50s but the temperature in the Yosemite Valley was in the 30s. Here's what to know for each season:

Winter: Like I said, expect COLD. The park requires all cars to carry tire chains on snowy days — which there are quite a few of — but if you get lucky, they're balanced out by some clear, sunnier days! Unsurprisingly, it's the least popular time to visit.

Spring: Sure, you might still get that occasional winter storm, but the weather is typically warm with temperatures going as high as 69 degrees in the valley.

Summer: The busiest season! Temps are unsurprisingly warmer (think 80s–90s), with some afternoon thunderstorms; the lightning causes fires sometimes, and those plus other nearby wildfires can make the valley appear hazy.

Fall: Be prepared for GORGEOUS fall foliage! The land seems to really come alive in the fall, though the waterfalls may have sparse flow (the water levels tend to be much lower this season).

No matter what, check the website to know which roads around the park might be closed.

2. Plan to begin your journey early in the day because it's a loooong drive — both to and into the valley. You'll want as much daylight time in the park as possible, especially if you're only taking a day trip there.

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After our three and a half-hour drive from SF to the visitors center, it took another hour and a half to make it to Yosemite Falls, a waterfall flowing through the rocks, where we finally pulled over to take a look around. You have to drive slowly and carefully because of the winding twists and turns of roads without guard rails, and at an elevation of 2,000+ feet, well, let's just say you don't want to accidentally drive off the road...By the time we felt we had made it far enough into the park, we only had about an hour left of light before the valley got dark. In the future, I'd definitely stay in a nearby lodge and stretch the trip out over the course of more days, but more on that later.

If you don't feel like getting behind the wheel, try the YARTS bus (short for Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System), which connects to Amtrak and Greyhound buses and trains from several nearby cities. From San Fransisco you can take the Amtrak San Joaquins line to the Merced station, which costs around $30.25. Then from Merced, you can take the YARTS bus for $16, for a one-way total of about $46.25. Be sure to check the YARTS website for additional connections and to calculate the cost of your ride using their handy fare calculator.

For an even more relaxing trip over to the park, you could book a guided tour, like the scenic (overnight) train ride and tour that Cross Roads Tours & Limo runs from both San Fransisco or Los Angeles, or the giant Sequoia hike Extranomical Tours runs from San Jose. While these aren't the most cost-effective options, you'll be able to see a lot more of the park, and you won't have to worry about getting around as much.

3. Once you get inside the park, use the free shuttle buses to get around.

National Park Service

It'll save you some gas money since you won't have to drive your own car (or a rental) around the park. Plus, it'll save time since you may not know where to turn or what roads lead to where. Just let someone else (who's more knowledgeable about the park) do the driving!

Besides the loop in the popular Yosemite Valley, the park runs seasonal shuttles elsewhere, too: in the winter, there's a free bus to Badger Pass Ski Area; in the summer, visitors can take the Glacier Point tour, the Tuolumne Meadows Shuttle, or the Yosemite Valley-Tuolumne Meadows Hikers' Bus.

4. Save time and energy by booking a room at a nearby lodge, or even by camping in the valley so you can enjoy the park over the course of two (or more!) days instead of a day trip's few short hours.

Travel Yosemite

My friends and I only did a day trip over to the park, partly because we actually didn't realize that it was a viable option until we drove through the park and saw hotels, inns, and lodges lined along some of the roads. Booking a place to stay takes some of the stress away because you'll be able to rest up after a long drive, take your time and explore the park the next day, and you won't feel as rushed or as drained as you would if you tried to do it all in one day.

No matter how rough (or smoothly) you want to rough it, the area has lots of accommodation options to suit almost everyone's tastes. A few stand-out options for convenience include The Ahwahnee (an upscale hotel right by Yosemite Falls), Yosemite Blue Butterfly Inn (a cozy, mid-range setup just 30 minutes away from the Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point), and the Housekeeping Camp (outdoor units divided by curtains for those who want a little more nature in their stay).

Keep in mind that while some hotels and inns may have "Yosemite" in the name, they could actually be located over an hour away from the park, so make sure you check Google Maps to verify that the distance suits your plans.

If you'd rather go camping, there are 13 campgrounds throughout the park — April through September reservations are required and fill up quickly once the reservations open. The rest of the year, some can be reserved (though they still fill fast) while others are on a first-come, first-serve basis (but usually fill up by noon).

5. While many people hit up Yosemite Valley first (like we did), the whole park has over 800 miles of trails, so you definitely don't *have* to start there.

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Yosemite Valley is often the most crowded spot, probably because there are 10 different hikes (ranging from easy to strenuous) that start there. But you can also start your hike in Tuolumne Meadows, Glacier Point Road, or Mariposa Grove, to name a few (their website has even more starting points you can choose from).

BTW, if you plan to camp or backpack through the ~vast~ wilderness of the park over the course of more than a day, you'll need a free permit — just keep in mind that they give out a limited number of permits in order to ensure backpackers get to spend the solitude in nature they're looking for.

6. While the park itself is open 24/7, some specific trails actually close around 5 p.m.

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Trailheads that close will have a sign posted so you know. We started down a trail even though a sign told us that it would be closing in about 45 minutes...and then the reality that we could potentially be locked in there till dawn set in and we yeeted right back to the car. Do not risk starting a hike if there's a possibility that you won't return to the gate before closing time. In fact, you should obey all signs you see while moving around the park — they're there for your safety!!

7. Don't leave food in your car that could attract wild animals; if you get hungry, there are some convenient food spots and cafes in the Yosemite Valley.

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We read ahead of time that leaving snacks and food in a parked car could attract hungry bears — and you do not wanna mess with 'em. Luckily, Yosemite Village has some convenient shops, grocery stores, and places to eat, and there are some stops outside of the valley, too. We came across a cute cafe and a cozy 'lil pizza spot called Two Guys Pizza Pies that serves personal pies for dinner (which I clearly couldn't wait to eat before taking a photo). Bottom line: You won't be stuck in the middle of nowhere without food or water. So depending on what shape you want your trip to take, there's no need to shop in bulk beforehand.

Speaking of bears, while a sighting can be (exciting? Terrifying? A fun or not-so-fun mix of both?), keep in mind that if they get ahold of the yummy snacks you bring along, they start losing their fear of humans and may actually be killed for your protection. So to keep yourself (and the bears!!) safe while you camp, you can use the bear-proof lockers located on each campsite to store food, snacks, and other items you don't want them getting their paws on. You should also remember to lock your car, cabin, or hotel room doors, and if you're hiking, never let food out of your sight. Before you go, make sure to read all of Yosemite's bear safety tips.

8. And, no matter what kind of trip you take, you'll be so glad you took the plunge and made the visit.

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Sure, you'll really need to plan ahead and make some preparations but whether you're going for just a day or for several days, you'll be so grateful you made the trek, especially if you're used to living in a fast-paced city.

Honestly, the only thing I'd do differently on a second trip to Yosemite is plan even further ahead so that I could take advantage of a tour package and take in the park over the course of at least three days. Nature is best enjoyed when you take the time to slow down, after all.

Now go forth and have the Yosemite getaway of your ~wildest~ dreams!

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And if you've already had the pleasure of visiting Yosemite National Park, tell us what you wish you'd known before going!

Don't forget to check out Bring Me! for all of BuzzFeed's best travel tips and hacks, vacation inspiration, and more!

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