Yosemite National Park hardly needs an introduction. Nestled in California’s Sierra Nevada, the valley has long been a magnet for hikers, climbers, and sightseers drawn to its iconic granite faces — El Capitan, Half Dome, and cascading falls that feel almost larger than life. Now, thanks to Cli4D Designs, simmers can experience a far more convincing rendition of Yosemite Valley inside Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.
In the base simulator, Yosemite already looks impressive, with its sheer cliffs and sweeping valleys rendered in high detail. But this mod takes things further, adding custom structures, landmarks, and cultural touchpoints that make the digital valley feel closer to the real-world location. Instead of just a dramatic landscape, simmers now find the Ahwahnee Hotel, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Yosemite Chapel, and more, the elements that give Yosemite its character beyond the scenery itself.
The developer has gone for a comprehensive approach, hand-crafting key points of interest that many visitors would recognize instantly. Expect to find Glacier Point, Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and even the Ahwahnee Hotel, a faithful touch for anyone who’s stayed or stopped there in real life. Smaller details, such as the Yosemite Valley Chapel, Curry Village Pizza Deck, and even outhouses along the John Muir Trail, also make an appearance for those willing to take the time to explore them.
Main features:
- Improved terrain and textures with adjusted road elevations (though terraforming quirks remain, especially over TIN data).
- Custom 3D landmarks built with PBR textures.
- Dynamic waterfalls and rivers that bring some motion into the scenery.
- Hand-crafted details at every POI, rewarding low-and-slow flights or heli tours.
The package also introduces multiple parking and spawn points, though they’re not always visible until you zoom in on the fictional airport tag YSMT. The developer recommends beginning at Cascade Glade, right at the entrance to the valley, or flying in from Mariposa-Yosemite Airport (KMPI). For PC users, definitely check out a free community upgrade of KMPI by zbazillo on flightsim.to, which pairs nicely with the valley scenery.
Cli4D Designs’ Yosemite Valley scenery is available now through SIMMARKET for around $20 USD.
