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Once you've paid your entrance fee, you don't have to spend another dime to have an amazing Yosemite experience. Going on a free ranger walk is always a rewarding thing to do; find out about them at one of the park visitor centers, or in the free Yosemite Guide newspaper. At the Valley Visitor Center you can also catch the free film every half hour. In the evenings, rangers present free evening programs at the Lodge and many of the park's campgrounds. There are also free evening programs at LeConte Lodge in Yosemite Valley, with different guest stars every weekend. Shutterbugs will want to sign up for a free morning camera walk with the pros at the famed Ansel Adams Gallery. Families will want to visit Happy Isles Nature Center which is very kid-oriented and hosts free Junior Ranger programs in the summer. It's a short walk from here to go up to MIrror Lake, an easy uphill to cool water (except in late summer) and nice beaches. The Yosemite Art and Education Center has terrific free art classes 10 am - 2 pm most summer days, with a different visiting professional art instructor every week; find it near the Village Store. The very fit and very motivated can have what may truly be an adventure of a lifetime by hiking up the unique Half Dome. It can be done in one tough, long day, or backpackers can pick up a free wilderness permit and camp part-way up for an easier summit attempt. Those wilderness permits offer access to 800 miles of trail, where the hardy can spend many fine days without any spending at all. As John Muir put it: '...the blessing of one mountain day and you're rich forever."