Galen Clark is credited with discovering Yosemite Valley by becoming the first European-American to enter and explore it in the 1850s.

While John Muir is often associated with the preservation and promotion of Yosemite, it was Galen Clark who is credited with discovering Yosemite Valley in 1851. Clark, a pioneer, was among the first non-Native Americans to explore the valley and is known for his role in bringing attention to its natural beauty. He also became the first custodian of Yosemite after it was established as a protected area in 1864. While John Muir later played a critical role in advocating for the creation of Yosemite National Park, it was Galen Clark who first helped bring the valley to the attention of the broader public.