160th anniversary: Yosemite became a state park during Lincoln’s administration
160 years ago on July 7, 1864, President Abraham Lincoln granted Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove to the state of California “for public use, resort and recreation.”
“I have seen persons of emotional temperament stand with tearful eyes, spellbound and dumb with awe, as they got their first view of the Valley from Inspiration Point, overwhelmed in the sudden presence of the unspeakable, stupendous grandeur.”
– Galen Clark, guardian of the Yosemite Grant
Yosemite Valley is about 8 miles long. In spring, at least 10 waterfalls flow into the valley.
The Merced River cut through the rock to create a canyon over millions of years.
About 1.3 million years ago, glaciers covered the area.
The ice carried boulders and ground down the rock walls.
The canyon walls eroded, leaving steep cliffs.
The glaciers receded about 15,000 years ago, leaving behind the stunning landscape of the valley.
The name Yosemite is simply a corruption of the term that the southern Miwoks applied to any species of bear and particularly to the grizzly.
The Miwok name for the valley is Awani (Ahwahnee).
A reconstructed Miwok village is located on the former site of the largest Indian village in Yosemite Valley. The village is located behind the Yosemite Museum in Yosemite Valley.
The bark houses, ceremonial roundhouse, sweathouse, pounding rocks, cabin, acorn granaries and chief’s house are representative of the structures found in a village of the late 19th century. The village is still actively used by members of the local American Indian community for ceremonies and special gatherings.
Driving through the park
A reservation is required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through Oct. 27, for those driving into the park between 5 a.m. and 4 p.m.
A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park every day from 5 a.m. to 4 p.m. from July 1 through Aug. 16.
Exceptions
If you have an in-park camping, lodging or vacation rental reservation, a Half Dome permit or wilderness permit reservation, or are entering via regional transit or authorized tour groups, you do not need an additional reservation.
Reservations are available each day at 8 a.m. Pacific time. Reservations are taken almost immediately. Be sure to have a Recreation.gov account and be logged in and ready to get a reservation promptly at 8 a.m. Pacific time.
The nonrefundable reservation fee is $2 (this does not include the $35-per-car park entrance fee).
Each user can make two reservations for each three-day period. For example, if a user makes a reservation for a Friday arrival (valid Friday through Sunday), the user won’t be able to make a third reservation for an arrival that Friday, Saturday or Sunday. The reservation holder must be in the arriving vehicle and show photo ID at the entrance station.
Peak-hours reservations are valid for three consecutive days (including arrival date).
If you don’t have computer access, you can call 877-444-6777 to make a reservation.
Sources: National Park Service; U.S. Geological Survey; Yosemite Conservancy Additional reporting done by former Register designer Anna Berkin