Is Yosemite Sam Named After Yosemite National Park?

For many—and certainly for anyone soaking up the sights at Scenic Wonders—the name “Yosemite” immediately conjures postcard-perfect images of towering Half Dome, misty Yosemite Falls, the scraggly Jeffrey-pine snag atop Sentinel Dome, and other iconic landmarks. But there’s another association familiar the world over: old Yosemite Sam, the pint-sized, perpetually riled nemesis of Bugs Bunny in the Looney Tunes universe. Yosemite Sam Euphonious and imbued with Old West flavor, "Yosemite" became the perfect moniker for the cartoon character, who, while wearing plenty of different guises (and adopting plenty of different nicknames depending on the situation and time period he finds himself in), is best-known as a miner or desperado. The character first officially appeared in a 1945 cartoon, Hare Trigger; he was created by the legendary animation artist Friz Freleng. Yosemite Sam in Yosemite Yosemite Sam’s connection to the national park is a slim one, but that’s not to say you can’t connect that bad-tempered varmint hunter with the region’s landscape. For one thing, mining—one of the character's typical pursuits—is a major historical part of the Sierra Nevada story. And so are rabbits! Actually, only one true rabbit inhabits Yosemite National Park—the brush rabbit—but there are several other native lagomorphs (members of the rabbit and hare order): the snowshoe hare and white-tailed jackrabbit as well as the little rock-hopping pika. Naturally, all Yosemite wildlife is strictly protected, so Yosemite Sam, were he to visit his namesake countryside, would only be able to fume at his long-eared rivals. There’s an endless list of reasons to come to Yosemite again and again, from magnificent geological formations to world-class hiking. For fans of classic cartoons, though, there’s the additional incentive of paying homage to the area that gave its name to one of Bugs Bunny’s most dedicated antagonists.

Make Your Yosemite Reservations Today

If you’re planning to visit Yosemite, consider making your reservations with Yosemite’s Scenic Wonders. We offer Yosemite reservations within the gates of the park. With one of our cozy cabins, condominiums, or homes, your Yosemite accommodations will be just minutes from all the fun in Yosemite. Give us a call at 1-888-YOSEMITE (1-888-967-3648) to learn about our rentals and to make your Yosemite reservations today.

Yosemite National Park Blog

Scenic Wonders’ Yosemite blog provides the latest news related to Yosemite National Park. By reading our blog, you’ll stay up to date on activities, accommodations, and more.   Photo credit: tkksummers