25 Best Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
From the towering granite walls of El Capitan and Half Dome to the jaw-dropping waterfalls that cascade through Yosemite Valley to the giant Sequoia groves and high alpine meadows scattered throughout, Yosemite National Park is undoubtedly one of the most breathtaking National Parks in the Lower 48 states!
However, Yosemite National Park is just as beautiful as it is busy! As one of the most visited National Parks in the U.S., Yosemite often sees long lines, packed shuttle buses, and busy trails—especially during the peak summer travel season! To help with this, the National Park Service has implemented an advance reservation system during the busiest times of the year, which you can read about in more detail below.
All that to say, I’ve been fortunate to visit Yosemite National Park in all different seasons, which is why I believe this list of must-see trails, viewpoints, scenic drives, and more is truly the best things to do in Yosemite!
What is the Best Time of Year to Visit Yosemite National Park?
I’ve been fortunate to experience Yosemite National Park both under a blanket of snow and during the best of the summer hiking season, and I can confidently say that the best time of the year to visit Yosemite is easily early summer, with June being the best month overall!
I believe this because this is the time of the year when the best and most iconic trails and roads in Yosemite are open, like The Cables on Half Dome, the Mist Trail, Upper Yosemite Falls—not to mention drives like the stunning Glacier Point Road and Tioga Pass.
On top of this, it’s important to consider that all the waterfalls in Yosemite Valley dry up from August - October, as they are fed by rain and seasonal snowmelt.
For all these reasons, I highly recommend visiting Yosemite National Park in either May if you prefer fewer crowds, or June if you prefer to visit when everything is the most accessible.
What is the Yosemite Advanced Vehicle Reservation System?
In 2020, Yosemite National Park implemented a vehicle timed-entry program in order to reduce the number of private vehicles within the park, as available parking space is the single-most limiting factor when it comes to the number of people that can visit Yosemite.
2025 Yosemite Timed-Entry Season: June 15 - August 15 & August 30 - September 1,
6 a.m. - 2 p.m. daily
If you happen to be visiting Yosemite National Park during the timed-entry season, you either have the option to book an advanced vehicle reservation, or Yosemite National Park can be visited without a timed-entry permit by simply entering the park before 6 a.m. or after 2 p.m.
However, be aware that entering the park prior to 6 a.m. can be a challenge, given the long, winding canyon roads to get to Yosemite—not to mention that getting stuck behind slow vehicles that don’t utilize the turnouts is not uncommon. That is to say, wake up earlier than you think if you’re making your way into Yosemite from either Mariposa or Oakhurst.
Book Here: Yosemite Vehicle Reservations
Hiking Checklist - Yosemite
Obviously, for camping, you will need general backpacking gear. For this reason, I wrote a separate post about what backpacking gear is worth the money, from my experience, and what the best alternatives are to save you money.
Read My Separate Post: Best Ultralight Backpacking Gear
In addition, here is a complete list of must-have things that you will want for any hike in Yosemite National Park.
That being said, bear spray is purposefully excluded from this list because, while the Sierra Nevadas are home to Black Bears, bear spray is not allowed in Yosemite National Park. This is because there has never been a reported attack within the park.
25 Best Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
The following list is written in no particular order of best or worst.
That said, it’s important to note that the waterfalls in Yosemite are seasonal based on the annual snowmelt, meaning they typically don’t flow throughout the year.
If you visit Yosemite during the late summer/ early fall, expect to see a different Yosemite Valley compared to some of the most iconic photos.
On a different note, you can save time when you arrive by purchasing your National Park pass, along with your other outdoor gear, at REI before traveling to the park!
1. Half Dome Trail (The Cables)
Distance (Roundtrip): 16.4 miles / 26.4 km
Elevation Change: 4,770 ft. (1,454 m)
Since The Cables were first constructed by the Sierra Club in 1919, the Half Dome Trail has become a pastime as old as hiking in Yosemite itself!
Today, visitors from around the world come to Yosemite in hopes of hiking up Half Dome’s iconic Cables, but for most, securing one of the very limited day hiking permits is no easy task.
However, most visitors are not aware that there is not just one, but three different ways to secure permits to hike Half Dome—which you can learn all about, including detailed photos of the entire trail and The Cables, in my separate post linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Half Dome Trail (The Cables)
2. Glacier Point
With stunning views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the greater Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point is arguably the best and most beautiful viewpoint in all of Yosemite National Park!
That said, Glacier Point is truly a sunset spot, as sunset is without a doubt the best time to enjoy the views at golden hour, when the evening light brings out the best of the colors in Yosemite Valley—especially on Half Dome!
However, beyond the views, Glacier Point is much more than the overlook itself, as the Glacier Point Trailhead serves as the starting point for a number of amazing day hikes, like the Pohono Trail, the Panorama Trail, and the surprisingly underrated Four Mile Trail.
For this reason, I highly recommend driving up to Glacier Point well before sunset to enjoy one of these amazing day hikes, with the idea of sticking around at the viewpoint once you make it back.
Google Maps Directions: Glacier Point
3. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
Distance: 1.2 miles / 1.9 km
The Lower Yosemite Falls Trail is an easy, paved day hike located right in the heart of Yosemite Village.
The trail leads to one of the most iconic waterfalls in all of Yosemite Valley—one that can only be compared with Bridalveil Falls, the waterfall visible from Tunnel View.
Before visiting, know that Yosemite Falls does not flow year-round, as it is dependent on seasonal snowmelt. To learn more about this, including details about the full trail, I highly recommend reading my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
4. Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
Distance (Top of Yosemite Falls): 7.0 miles / 11.3 km
Elevation Gain (Top of Yosemite Falls): 2,710 ft. / 826 m
One can’t talk about Lower Yosemite Falls without talking about Upper Yosemite Falls, which I personally think is the better of the two—not to mention one of the best things to do in all of Yosemite National Park!
That said, the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail is very steep, but I personally don’t believe that the best views of Upper Yosemite Falls are located at the top of the hike.
In fact, hikers can enjoy much better views roughly halfway up the trail from one of several different vantage points, which you can learn all about in my separate post linked below!
Read My Separate Post: Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
My Print - Upper Yosemite Falls
5. Camp Four
If you haven’t seen the 2014 documentary Valley Uprising, take an evening to watch the movie before traveling to Yosemite National Park! In fact, I personally think it’s the best prequel to the Academy Award–winning documentary Free Solo, released just a few years later.
In any case, there’s a long climbing history in Yosemite Valley, which, in its origins, started right here at Camp 4.
Today, visitors can visit Camp 4 either by making a reservation to camp on Recreation.gov or by simply walking through to read the signs, learn about the history, and see for yourself some of the many places depicted in Valley Uprising—the place where climbing around the world truly got its start!
Book Here: Camp 4
No information is collected by this website when using the Recreation.gov booking widget, and all reservations made here are secure through the official website.
6. Panorama Trail (Illilouette Falls)
Distance (RT: Glacier Point to Panorama Point): 6.6 miles / 10.6 km
As the name should suggest, the Panorama Trail is, without a doubt, one of the most scenic trails in Yosemite National Park, and the best part is, getting to these incredible views is very easy!
Yes, all of the best views on the Panorama Trail are located within a very short stretch at the beginning of the hike, making it one of the best, easy sunset hikes in all of Yosemite!
However, beyond this, the Panorama Trail leads to two amazing viewpoints of both Illilouette Falls and Panorama Point, but what most people don’t know before beginning the hike is that Illilouette Falls is very tricky to see!
This is why I highly recommend reading all the details in my separate post, where I outline exactly where on the trail to look for the hidden, not-so-obvious waterfall.
Read My Separate Post: Panorama Trail
7. Mist Trail (Vernal & Nevada Falls)
Distance (One Way to the Top of Nevada Falls): 2.8 miles / 4.5 km
Distance (Full Mist-John Muir Loop Trail): 6.4 miles / 10.3 km
The Mist Trail to both Vernal and Nevada Falls is one of the most fun, unique, and beautiful day hikes out of Yosemite Valley, because the trail ascends not just one, but two stunning waterfalls on this amazing loop—not to mention the section past Vernal Falls gets sprayed by the mist in the early summer months, hence the trail’s name!
Now, what most hikers don’t anticipate is how steep the Mist Trail truly is, as there are very few places where the trail isn’t either climbing or descending the roughly 1,950 ft (594 m) of elevation change from the Happy Isles Trailhead to the top of the loop.
To learn more—including detailed photos throughout every section of the hike, and where to park in this incredibly busy corner of Yosemite Valley—I highly recommend reading all the details in my separate post!
Read My Separate Post: Mist Trail (Vernal & Nevada Falls)
8. Diving Board Trail
Distance: 10.4 miles / 16.7 km
The Diving Board is a unique, overhanging cliff on the north face of Half Dome that I often regard as one of the best places I’ve ever been fortunate to see!
That said, getting to the Diving Board is no easy task, and it’s not an adventure meant for 99% of Yosemite visitors because of the tricky Class 4 scrambling sections required to navigate what’s known as the Snake Dike.
To learn more, including detailed photos of every challenging section on the Diving Board Trail, I highly recommend reading all the details in my separate post.
Read My Separate Post: Diving Board Trail
9. Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail
Distance: 1.0 miles / 1.6 km
The Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail is one of my favorite easy adventures in Yosemite National Park because, within just a few steps of beginning the hike from any number of directions, the views of Yosemite Falls and the greater Yosemite Valley open up in all directions!
Before visiting, I think the most important thing to know is that Cook’s Meadow is located adjacent to some of the busiest areas within Yosemite Village. This is why I highly recommend visiting Cook’s Meadow first thing in the morning, as shown in my separate article.
Read My Separate Post: Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail
10. Sentinel Dome Trail
Distance: 2.2 miles / 3.5 km
The Sentinel Dome Trail is the best sunset hike in Yosemite National Park!
I say this because the trail, at only 1.1 miles (1.8 km) each way, makes for a relatively short hike back in the dark—not to mention that the summit of Sentinel Dome is one of the most beautiful panoramic viewpoints in the park, especially when the late evening golden light cuts across Half Dome at sunset!
Read My Separate Post: Sentinel Dome Trail
11. The Ahwahnee
Since 1927, visitors from around the world have enjoyed staying at The Ahwahnee, the oldest and most historic hotel in Yosemite National Park!
Today, nearly a century later, visitors can stay in the historic Ahwahnee, located in a quiet corner of Yosemite Valley, away from the busyness that surrounds Yosemite Village.
That said, The Ahwahnee is quite popular throughout the year—especially during the busy summer travel season—meaning, it’s best to reserve your stay as soon as you know your travel dates!
Book Here: The Ahwahnee
The Ahwahnee
12. Tunnel View
Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park is, without a doubt, one of the best and most iconic viewpoints across the entire United States!
I mean, how could you visit Yosemite Valley without pulling over at this incredible overlook?
That said, Tunnel View is especially beautiful at both sunrise and sunset, with sunset being my personal favorite because of how the evening light hits Half Dome and El Capitan.
However, it’s important to know that the sun does not hit El Capitan at sunset throughout the year—meaning that the winter months are best for enjoying sunset, whereas I typically think of summer as the better time to see sunrise.
Google Maps Directions: Tunnel View
13. Clouds Rest Trail
Distance (Roundtrip): 13.2 miles / 21.2 km
Clouds Rest is one of the most beautiful, iconic day hikes in Yosemite National Park, as the summit is one of the most panoramic viewpoints in the park, sitting above notable landmarks like Yosemite Valley and Half Dome, with views of the highest peak in Yosemite, Mt. Lyell, in the distance.
Before attempting, know that the Clouds Rest Trail is by no means a short day hike from any direction, but it is definitely one that’s worth the effort, as the hike is more long and tedious than difficult by technical means.
To learn more, I highly recommend reading my thoughts about the trail in the introduction of my separate article, because there is more than one route that hikers take—with the one outlined in my post being the easiest!
Read My Separate Post: Clouds Rest Trail
14. Washburn Point (Sunset)
Washburn Point is a beautiful east-facing viewpoint above both Vernal and Nevada Falls, and it’s one that I often see as a hidden gem compared to the busy Glacier Point just down the road.
To be clear, Glacier Point is incredible for a number of different reasons, but because of that, Glacier Point is, without a doubt, the busiest location on the entire 15.7-mile (25.3 km) Glacier Point Road!
However, Washburn Point is pretty much the exact opposite, as visitors tend not to spend as much time here, even though the viewpoint toward Half Dome and Little Yosemite Valley is nearly identical.
This is why I highly recommend sticking around Washburn Point for sunset, and if you’re lucky, you might just get the entire viewpoint to yourself!
Google Maps Directions: Washburn Point
15. Tuolumne Grove Trail
Distance: 2.7 miles / 4.3 km
The Tuolumne Grove Trail is a short day hike off Tioga Road that leads hikers into a beautiful, hidden Sequoia Grove—the smallest in Yosemite National Park!
That said, Tuolumne Grove is very popular, but much less so than Mariposa Grove and all the day hikes within—which is why I think Tuolumne Grove is a great Yosemite hidden gem, especially first thing in the morning!
Read My Separate Post: Tuolumne Grove Trail
16. Bridalveil Falls Trail
Distance (Main Trail): 0.6 miles / 1.0 km
Distance (East Trail): 0.8 miles / 1.3 km
While the vast majority of trails that begin in Yosemite Valley climb steeply from the valley floor, the Bridalveil Falls Trail is the exact opposite!
In fact, the Bridalveil Falls Trail is one of the easiest, most accessible day hikes across all of Yosemite National Park, which can be enjoyed from either one of two different routes, both of which I have outlined in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Bridalveil Falls Trail
17. Cathedral Beach
Cathedral Beach on the Merced River in Yosemite Valley is a favorite during the hot summer months because the beautiful beach is one of the best places in the park to swim, paddleboard, and get some sun!
Before visiting, know that the entire beach seen in the photo below is almost always underwater during peak snowmelt, when the river is much higher than it is here. That is to say, it’s certainly not safe to even try getting in the water when it is higher and moving much faster.
This is typical in April, May, and sometimes early June, but when the water levels drop, Cathedral Beach, below the Dawn Wall on El Capitan, is one of the best places to relax in Yosemite National Park!
Google Maps Directions: Cathedral Beach
18. Ansel Adams Gallery
Ansel Adams is widely regarded as a pioneer of landscape photography in the American West, as his iconic black-and-white images of Yosemite, beginning in the 1920s, helped shape the way millions of people see and appreciate the natural world.
Today, visitors can walk right into the Ansel Adams Gallery in the heart of Yosemite Village, where they can experience the park through the eyes of a photographer who dedicated his life to capturing its beauty and advocating for its protection.
Google Maps Directions: Ansel Adams Gallery
19. Big Trees & Grizzly Giant Loop Trail
Distance (Big Trees Loop): 0.3 miles / 0.5 km
Distance (Grizzly Giant Loop): 2.1 miles / 3.4 km
The Big Trees Loop Trail, as well as the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, are two of the best and most popular day hikes in Mariposa Grove!
This is because both trails traverse through some of the most beautiful Sequoias within Mariposa Grove, but the Grizzly Giant Loop leads to the biggest Sequoia tree in the grove, at only 0.75 miles (1.2 km) into the hike.
The reason I have both trails listed together is because the Big Trees Loop truly is the introductory trail to all the different adventures within Mariposa, including the Perimeter Trail. This is why, if you decide to hike further than the short Big Trees Loop, I recommend reading my Grizzly Giant article to learn more, because the very beginning and end follow the same Big Trees Loop.
To learn more—including my thoughts on the best time of day to visit Mariposa Grove—click either link below to learn all the details in my separate posts.
Read My Separate Posts: Big Trees Loop Trail / Grizzly Giant Loop Trail
20. Chilnualna Falls Trail
Distance: 8.4 miles / 13.5 km
Elevation Gain: 2,230 ft. / 680 m
The Chilnualna Falls Trail is one of Yosemite National Park’s best-kept secrets!
Located between Mariposa and Yosemite Valley, the Chilnualna Falls Trail is a surprisingly easy uphill adventure to reach the top of a beautiful, towering waterfall and swimming hole that few park visitors ever venture up to see!
That said, the hidden swimming hole at the end of the hike is not the easiest to find, which is why I highly recommend reading all the details about this hidden gem in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Chilnualna Falls Trail
21. Four Mile Trail
Distance (One Way): 5.1 miles / 8.2 km
Elevation Change: 3,220 ft. / 981 m
The Four Mile Trail is arguably the most underrated day hike in Yosemite National Park, as few venture out on this steep adventure because the elevation change seems so intimidating.
However, what most don’t know is that the best and most beautiful views on the Four Mile Trail can be reached fairly easily, compared to the trail’s overall difficulty.
To learn more, I highly recommend reading my thoughts about the trail at both the beginning and near the end to find where the best and most beautiful views are located—and to learn why reaching them isn’t as difficult as it may seem!
Read My Separate Post: Four Mile Trail
22. Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
Distance: 21.6 miles / 34.8 km
The Yosemite Valley Loop Trail is a long, continuous 21.6-mile (34.8 km) adventure around the perimeter of Yosemite Valley that passes the best and most iconic landmarks in all of Yosemite National Park, like Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.
That said, it is uncommon for most visitors to hike all 21.6 miles (34.8 km), as outlined in my separate article, but the best thing about the way it is written is that you can easily navigate to different parts of Yosemite Valley using the pop-up bubble at the bottom corner of my separate article.
This way, you can easily plan how much or how little of the full Yosemite Valley Loop you’re interested in seeing, while reading my honest thoughts and insider secrets for each section around the Valley.
Read My Separate Post: Yosemite Valley Loop Trail
23. Sentinel Bridge (Half Dome)
Year-round, the Sentinel Bridge is one of the best and most beautiful places in Yosemite Valley to photograph Half Dome—especially late in the evening as the orange light cuts across the north face of Half Dome at sunset!
Google Maps Directions: Sentinel Bridge
24. Taft Point Trail
Distance: 2.4 miles / 3.9 km
At only 1.2 miles (1.9 km) each way, Taft Point is one of the best all-around sunrise and sunset hikes in Yosemite National Park!
I say this because, at sunrise, hikers get to enjoy first light shining down into Yosemite Valley, hitting iconic landmarks like the Dawn Wall on El Capitan.
However, sunset is even better, in my opinion, as golden hour in the late evening casts long, beautiful shadows through Yosemite Valley—not to mention, the view of sunset is a lot more direct than the view at sunrise!
Read My Separate Post: Taft Point Trail
25. Snowshoe / Ski to Dewey Point (Winter)
Distance: 7.7 miles / 12.4 km
The vast majority of Glacier Point Road is not plowed during the winter off-season, but visitors can drive the first 5.0 miles (8.0 km) to reach the Badger Pass Ski Area.
It is here that visitors can begin a roughly 3.7-mile (6.0 km), one-way snowshoe route out to Dewey Point, a stunning panoramic viewpoint above Yosemite Valley.
AllTrails: Dewey Point Trail [Winter Route]
My Print - Dewey Point
Additional Early Season Gear
Depending on the winter snowpack, trails can be covered in snow well into June, and even July, in the high Sierras.
For this reason, micro-spikes are a must on many upper-elevation trails, as conditions can be particularly hazardous if the snow is melting during the day and freezing overnight.
Many hikers miss out on trails that they could have done simply for this reason alone, which is why I recommend coming prepared, should you expect conditions like this.
I personally use the Yaktrax below.
5 Best Things to Do Near Yosemite National Park
1. Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
This recommendation should come as no surprise, as one of the most common California roadtrips is visiting all three National Narks in the Sierra Nevada at once.
For this reason, I want to highlight that Grant Grove in Kings Canyon National Park is only a 3-hour 30-minute drive from Yosemite Valley, and Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park is only 4 hours and 15 minutes away.
Read My Separate Post: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Park
2. 1850 Restaurant & Brewery
If you’re looking for a great place to eat, consider 1850 Restaurant & Brewery in Mariposa, outside of Yosemite Valley.
In my opinion, 1850 Restaurant is one of the best places to eat outside of Yosemite National Park—not to mention, it’s considerably better than anything you’ll find to eat inside the park!
3. Castillo’s Mexican Restaurant
For a great but slightly cheaper option in Mariposa, try Castillo’s Mexican Restaurant.
I’ve tried a number of the Mexican spots in town, and none have been as good as Castillo’s, in my opinion!
4. Mt. Whitney (Highest Peak in California)
There’s nothing quite like climbing to the summit of Mt. Whitney, the highest summit in the Lower 48 states!
That said, the most common route to the summit of Mt. Whitney is through Whitney Portal in the eastern Sierra, out of Lone Pine, which you can learn more about in my separate article linked below.
Read My Separate Post: Mt. Whitney Trail (Lone Pine)
5. Lassen Volcanic National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park may seem a bit out of the way from Yosemite National Park, but if you’re flying to Sacramento to visit Yosemite, then Lassen isn’t as out of the way as it may initially seem.
In fact, from the Sacramento Airport, Lassen Volcanic is only 2 hours and 40 minutes away—more than an hour closer than driving to Yosemite Valley.
To learn more, I’ve written an entirely separate post about Lassen Volcanic, similar to my detailed articles about visiting the parks in the Sierras.
Read My Separate Post: Lassen Volcanic National Park
5 Things to Know Before Visiting Yosemite National Park
1. Even with the advanced reservation system, don’t expect there to be any less crowds.
At the most popular destinations in and around Yosemite Valley—such as the Mist Trail, Glacier Point, Tunnel View, and Lower Yosemite Falls—it will almost certainly feel like the advanced reservation system doesn’t even exist.
I say that because these are among the most popular destinations across the entire park, meaning that whether you’re visiting within the time period for advanced reservations or not, everything from the trails to the parking lots can be incredibly busy, especially during the summer months!
2. There is cell phone service in Yosemite Valley.
For most of the big carriers, there is cell phone service in certain parts of Yosemite Valley, especially near Yosemite Village.
This obviously varies from provider to provider and by location within the Valley, but if you need to connect, it’s almost certainly possible in the busiest parts of Yosemite Valley.
3. Yosemite Valley is the lowest point on most trails that begin in the Valley.
Through and through, Yosemite National Park is a hiking destination, meaning that hitting the trails is, without a doubt, the best way to enjoy the park!
That said, hiking in Yosemite is certainly a challenge because, of all the trails that begin in Yosemite Valley, very few are flat. This means that most trails in Yosemite Valley ascend very steep elevation gradients, which is why some hikers may want to bring trekking poles to navigate the challenging terrain.
On top of this, I want to mention once again that they don’t call the mountains the sunny Sierras for nothing!
This is also true throughout Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park—which is to say, if you plan on hiking one or a few of the adventures I’ve outlined in this article, come prepared with a good sun shirt.
Almost every adventure ends up being a lot of time spent in the sun!
4. Arrive early for day in Yosemite Valley.
This is all centered around how busy Yosemite National Park is—not to mention that the lines for the El Portal park entrance are notorious for stretching miles long during the busy summer travel season.
That is to say, if you’re staying in Mariposa or Oakhurst during peak summer travel months, I highly recommend getting up around sunrise and skipping breakfast, with plans to eat in Yosemite Valley.
There are more than a few places to grab breakfast in Yosemite and Curry Village, which is why waking up early will help you enjoy a less stressful day in Yosemite’s busiest part of the park—especially because finding parking close to where you want to spend the day is easiest early in the morning.
5. If you want to catch sunset in the park, plan ahead for dinner.
Catching sunset at Glacier Point, the Sentinel Dome, or even Tunnel View is easily one of the best things to do in Yosemite National Park. However, by doing so, almost everywhere to eat—both in the Valley and in Mariposa and Oakhurst—will be closed.
This is why I highly recommend grabbing dinner in Yosemite Valley before heading out for sunset, as it really is the only way to plan ahead and not go hungry!
