Greetings from Yosemite National Park

After graduating high school, my circumstances allowed me to travel cross-country from New Jersey to the West Coast several times. I would spend several months out West with my camping gear in the car, a map next to me, and go from national park to national park. I remember my first three days in Yosemite it rained cats and dogs. We were backpacking and were soaked. Finally on the third day the sun came out as we exited our tent at Half Dome. Our wet clothes were forgotten in the grandeur of our surroundings. My experiences in those parks and the impact they had on me have lasted a lifetime. The amazing natural beauty and splendor left me in awe. Protecting the parks from pollution, infringement, and overuse are absolutely critical to protecting these natural treasures for future generations who may also find themselves in a car, with the GPS on, and the next National Park to visit on the horizon.

Sincerely,
Dave

Yosemite National Park

With its sculpted granite rock formations, towering ancient sequoia trees and spectacular waterfalls, it's no wonder Yosemite is one of the most celebrated national parks in the world.

State(s): California

Established: 1890

National parks represent the best of America. Why do you care about protecting and preserving them? Tell us why parks matter to you!

{{ active ? "Cancel" : "Begin"}}

Success! Thanks for sharing your story with us.

You’ll be notified by email when your story is approved and added to the collection on the My Park Story homepage.

In the meantime, you can share your own story page with your family and friends — and help us spread the word about these priceless memories and priceless places!

Here’s your unique story page link:

{{ storyUrl }}

* indicates Required fields

Click to choose a file to upload

Submitting your story means that you agree to our Terms of Service

More Stories

  • Greetings from Yosemite National Park

    We did the little train tour there and for over 2 hours, we got facts, history, and interesting tidbits on Yosemite for our first visit there. Our ranger was so funny and passionate about what he did. We still talk about it frequently! I can't imagine our parks without the…

  • Greetings from Yosemite National Park

    My family and I did a bus tour at Yosemite and the ranger was wonderful! I learned a lot about the park and was able to appreciate the land in further depth.

  • Greetings from Yosemite National Park

    I am 93, and my favorite stories are about going to Yosemite every summer with my parents, and also taking my children there. All the personnel working there were wonderful and helpful. That park made me aware of how important being in any State or Federal park is a valuable…

Donate

Preserve Our Parks

Make a tax-deductible gift today to provide a brighter future for our national parks and the millions of Americans who enjoy them.

Donate Now