Yosemite National Park Travelers Recommend

Soaring peaks, waterfalls, and sheer cliffs make Yosemite National Park a scenic wonderland. The valley's compact size means you can take in key highlights even in limited time; opt for express hiking or sightseeing tours to cover more sights in less time. Here’s how best to spend 24 hours in Yosemite. 

Morning: Gaze at Glacier Point

The view from Glacier Point is the classic Yosemite calendar shot and is not to be missed. On typical Yosemite sightseeing tours, this is the first stop as the viewpoint offers you the chance to capture dramatic photos of the landscape. A paved, wheelchair accessible trail continues from the Glacier Point parking area to the viewpoint while the steeper Four Mile Trail links Glacier Point with the Yosemite Valley; some tours offer the option to complete the popular hike and meet your tour vehicle at the bottom.

Afternoon: Into Yosemite Valley

Carved by glaciers and immortalized by photographer Ansel Adams, Yosemite Valley is home to some of the park’s most recognizable sights, which include Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Bridalveil Fall. Spend the afternoon exploring Yosemite Valley on a guided or independent hike, a photography tour, or a scientist-led nature walk. Hiking tours range from leisurely strolls to steep hikes up the sides of the valley, and ensure you don’t lose you way. Among the less-strenuous options are Bridalveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Falls, and the Vernal Fall Footbridge; if you’re looking for a bigger challenge, try the Mist Trail, Nevada Fall, or Yosemite Falls Trail.

Evening: Half-Dome Sunset Shots

Late-evening light works colorful magic on Yosemite’s rock faces, with Half Dome looking especially dramatic. Plan ahead to position yourself for photographing the landmark; among the best places for shooting Yosemite at sunset are Glacier Point, Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead, Sentinel Bridge, and Curry Village. If you’re determined to capture the perfect shot, photography tours ensure you get the perfect position, choose the right lens, and find the best light for each destination. Tours typically include hotel pickup and drop-off to save you finding you way back in the dark. 

Many make the trip into Yosemite National Park in search of mountain peaks, waterfalls, and the area’s varied wildlife. But it can be hard to spot some of the park’s 400+ species of animals. Here are the best ways to see bears, foxes and more.

Best Ways to Spot Wildlife in Yosemite

• Visit with an experienced naturalist guide who knows the park well. Tour guides can share the best places to see animals, as well as information about the various species.

• Head to meadows such as Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne, which are rich habitats where animals are more likely to be seen. At higher elevations, groves of the famous giant sequoias offer bountiful biodiversity.

• Check in with a National Park Service ranger; they have the latest information and tips for wildlife viewing.

What You Can See

Black bears, mule deer, bobcats, mountain lions, foxes, and bighorn sheep are some of the most commonly spotted mammals at Yosemite National Park. There are also more than 250 species of birds, plus a variety of amphibians and reptiles, including three species that can only be found in the Sierra Nevada mountain range. Keep an eye out for turtles, snakes, and the Yosemite toad.

Tips for Wildlife Viewing

• Stay quiet. Large and small animals will both steer clear of loud noises or rapid movements.

• Avoid large groups of people. Wild animals are not likely to be found near crowds.

• Look for animal tracks. Evidence of an animal’s presence is the best clue that they may be nearby.

• Do not disturb the animals’ habitats. Respect the home of wildlife, and do not cause harm to them or yourself in an attempt to encounter animals.

With two days in Yosemite, branch out beyond Yosemite Valley to explore magnificent Tuolumne Meadows. You’ll see two completely different sides of Yosemite National Park as you go from the valley’s sheer rock faces and streaming waterfalls to Tuolumne’s open, subalpine terrain. Here’s how to make the most of your 2-day trip.

Day 1: Yosemite Valley Explorer

**Morning:**First light illuminates Yosemite Valley landmarks such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls, so start the day early for the best possible views from Glacier Point. From there, continue into Yosemite Valley by vehicle or on foot: The popular 4-mile trail winds from Glacier Point to the valley floor.

**Afternoon:**Pick another day hike in Yosemite Valley for an afternoon on the trail. Laid-back options include family-friendly walks to Bridalveil Fall, Cook’s Meadow, and Lower Yosemite Fall; find steeper terrain on the way to Yosemite Fall or on the Mist Trail. Some tours follow guided hikes with lunch at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel, which offers great views of Yosemite Valley.

**Night:**This is why you brought a camera—find a spot to settle in well before sunset and wait for evening light to catch the rock walls here. With little light pollution, Yosemite National Park has gorgeous stargazing, too.

Day 2: Discover Tuolumne Meadows

**Morning:**Open during the snow-free months between spring and autumn, Tuolumne Meadows has subalpine flowers, clear-running streams, and views across the Sierra Nevada mountains. Start your second day here at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, where you’ll find info on the area’s trails, wildlife, and history.

**Afternoon:**Pick a trail for an afternoon hike, choosing from options that go from mellow to strenuous. An easy, kid-friendly option is the hike to Soda Springs and Parson Lodge, while very fit hikers can reach Mono Pass or Cathedral Lakes.

**Night:**Bundle up for a cool evening at Tuolumne Meadows, which has great star views. Check for ranger-led stargazing programs at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, or simply find an open spot where you can see the natural show overhead.

Spending three days in Yosemite lets you explore the national park’s main areas, from the big walls of Yosemite Valley to Tuolumne Meadows’ subalpine landscape. Great road access and ample scenic overlooks mean you can find amazing vistas by car, while hiking trails lead to waterfalls, peaks, and sequoia forests. Here’s how to plan.

Day 1: Yosemite Valley Hiker

The postcard-ready views from Glacier Point are a spectacular introduction to Yosemite Valley, whose gems include Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and more. It’s an included first stop on many tours of Yosemite Valley, with a wheelchair-accessible, paved path and a steeper trail that leads to the valley floor. Once you reach the bottom, keep exploring on a hiking tour that’s tailored to your experience level and fitness—options range from kid-friendly walks to steep treks up the valley sides. The best hikes in Yosemite Valley include Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls Trail. A full-day hike up Half Dome might be the most famous in the park; guided tours help ensure a fun, safe day, but you’ll still need to secure a hiking permit months in advance.

Day 2: Visit Tuolumne Meadows

At 8,600 feet (2,621 meters) above sea level, subalpine Tuolumne Meadows shows a different side of the Sierra Nevada, with cooler air that’s especially welcome during midsummer months. Guided hiking tours of Tuolumne Meadows ensure you’re equipped for hiking, and trails can be as relaxed or challenging as you choose: Options include Mono Pass, Cathedral Lakes, Soda Springs, and Parson Lodge. Don’t miss a prehike stop at the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center, where you can learn about the area’s plants, animals, and geology. In the evening, the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center sometimes schedules ranger-led stargazing events, too, taking best advantage of Yosemite’s dark skies.

Day 3: Yosemite Photography Day

Snapping perfect shots of Yosemite requires a bit of planning, and photography tours can coordinate the best timing, shooting locations, and lens choices for the park’s constantly changing light. In the early morning, bring your camera to Tunnel View, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, or Nevada Falls. Afternoon is great for Vernal Falls, while sunset light illuminates Half Dome and the views from Taft Point. The most famous Yosemite photographer is Ansel Adams, whose black-and-white prints of the park remain touchstones; Ansel Adams–themed photography trips take in the photographer’s most iconic locations and often include tips on replicating beloved images. 

Yosemite isn’t just another national park—it was the first protected land in the US and the basis for what would ultimately become the National Park Service. Experience the park’s epic beauty—including stunning waterfalls—by hiking these trails.

Sentinel Dome Trail — 2.2 miles (3.5 km)

While the trail itself isn’t too difficult, the altitude of Sentinel Dome makes it a little tougher for hikers who haven’t acclimatized to the elevation. The trailhead is at 7,700 feet (2,347 meters), and the trail tops out at over 8,000 feet (2,438 meters). The reward of panoramic views make it a popular hike, as does its short round-trip distance.  

Mist Trail — 2.5 miles (4 km)

This moderate Yosemite trail is named for the fact that you’re sure to get covered in mist while hiking it. That is, of course, if you make it all the way to the top of Vernal Fall—a 2.5-mile (four-kilometer) round-trip hike that’s one of the park’s most popular routes. To leave the summer crowds behind, continue on to Nevada Falls for a strenuous, 5- to 6-hour hike that climbs just over 2,000 feet (609 meters).

Four Mile Trail — 4–10 miles (6–16 km)

Despite the relatively harmless name, Four Mile Trail is actually closer to 10 miles long if you hike it round-trip. However, considering it climbs 3,200 feet (975 meters) in less than five miles (eight kilometers), many travelers opt to drive to the top of the trail at Glacier Point before hiking one way down to the Yosemite Valley floor. It’s a popular day hike, offering a view that looks out at iconic sights such as Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite Falls, and the Half Dome summit.

Yosemite Falls Trail — 2–7 miles (3–11 km)

Ranging in distance depending how far you go, the Yosemite Falls Trail offers perfect views of America’s tallest waterfall. The round-trip hike to Columbia Rock takes about 2.5 hours, whereas the climb to the top of Yosemite Falls is a 6- to 8-hour journey.

Half Dome Trail — 14.2 miles (22.7 km)

Without question, Half Dome is one of the most visually stunning and epic American hikes, one steeped in wilderness and a journey that every outdoor enthusiast should experience. You can visit parts of it on a guided hiking trip, or choose a tour that involves summiting Half Dome and conquering its rickety cable system to the top (permit required). Because of the elevation gain and rugged terrain, the Half Dome Trail is the most difficult hike in the park and is only for fit and very experienced hikers.

You might not expect opulent lodging in California’s rugged Yosemite National Park. Yet there are a wide range of options—from luxury accommodations at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel (formerly the Ahwahnee Hotel) to the Half Dome Village tent cabins to tent and RV sites—within the park boundaries and just outside. Here’s what’s on offer.

Inside Yosemite National Park When visiting Yosemite, the best way to get close to the action is to stay within it.

The Majestic Yosemite Hotel This National Historic Landmark offers overnight guests a prime location on the valley floor, in close proximity to park features. The hotel is renowned for its heritage architecture, and some rooms offer views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Glacier Point.

Yosemite Valley Lodge The wood-and-glass design of this restored lodge boasts some amazing views with its central location in Yosemite Valley. From here, guests enjoy easy access to Yosemite Falls and other valley attractions.

Half Dome Village Formerly known as Curry Village, Half Dome Village features family-style lodging in canvas tent cabins, classic cabins with private baths or shared bathhouse, and standard motel rooms. Food, amenities, and shuttle bus service all lie within reach.

Near Yosemite National Park Staying outside of the park gives you less-crowded options without sacrificing the scenery.

Yosemite Cedar Lodge (El Portal, CA) Just 8 miles (13 kilometers) from the park’s southern entrance near the Merced River, this lodge provides guests with comfortable rooms and suites. Kids love the seasonal outdoor swimming pool.

Yosemite View Lodge (El Portal, CA) Well-appointed rooms with plenty of amenities including indoor and outdoor pools and hot tubs make this a popular choice. Choose a room or suite—some have private balconies and riverside views.

Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite (Fish Camp, CA) Lodge or cottage rooms with fireplaces, plus new creekside cabins, offer a wide range of options at this premier resort nestled in the High Sierra. It’s located just 3 miles (5 kilometers) south of the Wawona park entrance and 27 miles (43 kilometers) from Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite’s natural beauty is so striking that it led photographer Ansel Adams to base his life’s work here in the 1920s. Today, you can get some stellar nature shots of your own. Here are the most Instagram-worthy spots in Yosemite National Park.

Tunnel View Called the most photographed spot in the country, Tunnel View is definitely the most popular photo op stop in the park (as evidenced by the number of cars perpetually parked here). With pine trees and the wide open sky perfectly framing the shot, Tunnel View offers the coup de grace of Yosemite icons with El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall just waiting to be captured.

Glacier Point For one of the best views of Yosemite Valley and several of its show-stopping waterfalls, Glacier Point is a must visit for photos. Half Dome’s curved aspect features prominently in the foreground while Vernal and Nevada Falls are just a short walk down the Panorama Trail. Only open from spring through fall, Glacier Point is worth scheduling your trip around.

Valley View If you're heading to Mariposa Grove (remember to get a shot of yourself standing in the California Tunnel Tree), be sure to stop off at the Valley View lookout. You'll be able to capture the winding beauty of the Merced River flanked by El Capitan on the left and the Cathedral Rocks and Spires—it's a view you can't get from Tunnel View. You'll find Valley View along on-way Northside Drive before the Pohono Bridge.

Cook's Meadow An easy 30 minute walk from Shuttle Stop #6 (Lower Yosemite Fall), Cook's Meadow in Yosemite Valley offers spectacular sunset views of Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks and the Yosemite Falls area. On the edge of Cook's Meadow is Stoneman Bridge, a popular spot for capturing Half Dome over the Merced River.

Yosemite National Park is one of the country’s most iconic—and most visited—national parks, often filled with so many people in the summer months that it can be hard to find a peaceful nature experience. In the winter months, however, the nearly empty park is often blanketed in snow, providing crowd-free activities that show off its natural wonders.

Snowshoeing

If hiking is your usual mountain activity, then low-impact snowshoeing is the way to go in the winter. Book a guided tour so you don’t have to worry about following a map as you traverse the snow-covered wilderness of Yosemite Valley, the giant sequoia grove, the high country, or other park locations. Most tours typically include use of equipment, so you won’t have to rent your own snowshoes and poles.

Cross-Country Skiing

Unlike downhill skiing—where you take a lift up the mountain, zoom down, and repeat—cross-country skiing is done on flat terrain or rolling hills, providing a good workout while you explore the winter landscape. In Yosemite, the Crane Flat area is home to marked winter trails such as the Crane Flat Lookout Trail and South Landing Road Trail. Trails are designated “easiest,” “more difficult,” and “most difficult” and are used by snowshoers, too.

Photography

Follow in the footsteps of photographer Ansel Adams, who took some of his most famous shots in Yosemite. Book a photography tour of the park in winter as the season provides more solitude for getting shots without people in them, as well as a different perspective on nature, especially if it’s snowing. Note, however, that various sections of the park are closed in winter, so photo locations may be limited.

Downhill Skiing and Snowboarding

Most visitors to this area of California who want to ski and snowboard head to one of Lake Tahoe’s many resorts, but Yosemite does have its own designated space: Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (formerly known as Badger Pass). The resort features gear rental, a handful of chairlifts, a terrain park, a tubing hill, lesson for kids, and 10 runs that range from beginner to intermediate to advanced.