‘What Were You Like In the 90s?’ See Yosemite Every Decade from 1890 to 1990

Maybe it’s escapism or perhaps it’s just a wholesome social media trend, but everybody seems nostalgic in 2026.

At first, the Internet flooded with nostalgia for 10 years ago, the time of The Chainsmokers’ “Closer,” Snapchat filters, chokers and green bomber jackets. But then, people started thinking back even more. Nostalgia for the 90s is in full force, with celebrities, businesses and ordinary folks posting photos to show what they were like in the 90s. People are watching Sex and the City and ER for the first time ever, and low rise jeans are somehow making a comeback.

We’re feeling a bit nostalgic, too. The national parks have a long, storied history that goes back even more than we know. Yosemite became the nation’s third national park on October 1, 1890, and social media got us thinking, “Yosemite, what were you like in the 90s? The 1890s, that is.” Take a look back at the park and reminisce with these nostalgic Yosemite photos from the National Park Service’s archives, one for every decade from 1890 to 1990.

1890s

Nothing like a Yosemite summer, even 136 years ago. This group was camping in Yosemite Valley, but you wouldn’t guess that by their outfits.

1900s

Can you picture only one car in Yosemite? This picture captures the first motor vehicle to enter Yosemite Valley with Oliver Lippincott and Edward E. Russell at Mirror Lake. Early automobiles were criticized for their “gas breath” according to the National Park Service.

1910s

Just going to school in Yosemite Valley, no big deal. Yes, at one point there was a school in Yosemite. Some of these kids look like they had already had a long day of learning.

1920s

The Firefall used to be when people would literally dump fire off Glacier Point until they stopped doing that around 1968. Now, people travel to see the natural phenomenon (one of Yosemite’s most Instagrammable events) when the sun sets perfectly in the right place and Horsetail Fall looks like molten lava is heading down El Capitan.

1930s

This group of 101 people went on a bird walk and identified more than 25 birds. Imagine just trekking through Yosemite in a little dress and hat to see the birds.

1940s

Even in 1940, the Yosemite scenery is just breathtaking. This group took a photo walk to check it out. I love their cameras around their necks, and maybe we should bring that back.

1950s

Not a phone in sight, just people getting ready to go for a dip in the Merced River near Sugar Pine Bridge on July 28, 1950. This is what I mean when I say embrace nature.

1960s

The parks have always been made better by hardworking people. These engineers were checking out Yosemite in October 1960.

1970s

Behold, color photos! If there’s one thing we’re going to do in Yosemite, it’s point to something in awe. We’re just like them.

1980s

Their neon jackets just scream 80s to me. This truly looks like the perfect fall day.

1990s

Talk about getting the shot! I bet this picture was pulled out of the family photo album for years and years to come.