The Complete Guidebook to Yosemite National Park

Bought this book on the recommendation of others. it is the "essential" guidebook for Yosemite. You will find the book sold in the bookstores in the park but it's much wiser to get it ahead of time so you can plan your trip more carefully before you go. Yosemite Valley is an hour from the south entrance and you need to understand how to manage your time, your driving and the places you want to visit. This guidebook will do it very well for you. If you only have room for one book in your belongings, this is the one to take. I got an earlier version that was still very relevant. A must have for first time visitors to Yosemite.

I've visited Yosemite National Park since 1968, hiking in all sections of the backcountry, climbing the highest peaks, visiting every high point on Yosemite Valley's rim, skiing across the park from Lee Vining Canyon to Yosemite Valley, visiting all the park's Giant Sequoia groves, etc., etc., etc. In my opinion Medley's Complete Guidebook to Yosemite National Park is the single best general book for both one-time and frequent park visitors. It serves as both an introduction and basic reference for the park's natural history, human history, and sights to help visitors to decide which things they want to see and do. There is also information on the logistics of visiting the park (roads, transportation, accommodations, camping, etc.). Lots of photographs and numerous orientation maps add value to the text and an index helps finds the information you need in a hurry. One reviewer criticized this book as being "very mixed up" without explaining what they meant. Yosemite is an extremely large and complex park with natural zones ranging from desert-like to Arctic-like along with incredibly spectacular sights - at least five waterfalls exceeding 1,000' in height, for instance - and lots of activities in which to participate. People who don't plan visits often become confused and even frustrated. Medley's book reflects the park's complexities but it is hardly "mixed up". Just take time to understand all there is to see and do in the great park, plan ahead (camp spots and accommodations sell out months ahead in all seasons) and allow at least 5-7 days for your initial visit. Once you decide exactly what you want to see and do in the park you may need more detailed information and large scale maps but the Complete Guidebook to Yosemite National Park is both a good place to plan your first visit and a fine reference to keep for return visits. Highly recommended.

Quite possibly one of the best guidebooks ever written about a National Park. Steve Medley, president of the Yosemite Association, shares his 30 years of park experience with Yosemite newcomers and old-timers alike. The book is affordable, light-weight, and includes nearly everything a visitor may need to know about the park. The author pays close attention to detail, is quite humorous, and looks great in a speedo. I would recommend this book to anyone visiting Yosemite National Park

Hi All, I read this book from cover to cover and highlighted the entire time. I went with my friends Amy and Dave to Yosemite in May 2001. We had my son (3 at the time) and their two kids (2 and 8 months at the time) in tow. I wanted to be ready with information which I never really did get to give out a tour guide as I had planned(funny thing about kids, they have other ideas of what to do in the car other than hear all about Yosemite and John Muir).The book came with a sheet of updated info which I did copy into my copy of the guide. I was directed to write for a better map than is provided in the book. Well, I never received it...ever! That was my only disappointment. I would like to see the Yosemite with kids section expanded for future travelers with small kids. I recommend you get this guide!

This is the best guidebook to Yosemite I've seen. The guide is well written, easy to read and full of useful and interesting facts about visiting the park. Mr. Medley obviously knows his subject, and his insightful and humorous observations make this an enjoyable read. Not only does it include how-to information for visiting the park, but also sections on Yosemite history, geology and wildlife. If you are planning to visit Yosemite, make this your first purchase.