If you only have one day in Yosemite National Park, you’ll need to do some planning in advance. The top sights are spread out and so to manage your time efficiently, you’ll want to look ahead. Of course, it’s impossible to see everything in just one day at Yosemite, but I understand that not everyone has the luxury of time when they travel. Personally, I think two days is better because you explore a little deeper and go at a more relaxed pace. But this post is not for two days, it’s for one day in Yosemite, so let’s get into that.
One Day in Yosemite National Park
This itinerary will focus heavily on viewpoints and scenic overlooks. Yes, there are plenty of great hikes throughout the park, but so many of these hikes are 5 or more miles. If you only have one day, I think it’s better to get as much variety as you can rather than using the whole day for one hike. But you may feel differently, in which case, this may not be the one day itinerary for you. We’ll do a little hiking, but we’ll also try to see some of the most iconic views of the park.
8:00 – Arrive at Yosemite National Park
Your day starts early and you’ll want to arrive at the Mariposa Grove entrance at 8:00 am. So, you’ll likely have to get up even earlier so you can reach the park on time.
Additionally, depending on the season, I would consider arriving even earlier. During the busy seasons, expect lines to enter the park and the earlier you arrive, the less likely you’ll have to deal with these lines and headaches. Trust me when I say that the lines can get bad (see my notes at the end of this article for more details).
8:15 – Mariposa Grove
The first stop is just past the entrance and it’s at Mariposa Grove. Unfortunately I don’t have any first hand experience here because I tried to visit in the afternoon on my way out of the park. This was a mistake because the parking lot here was completely full. So by starting your day at Mariposa Grove, you hopefully won’t run into the same issue I did.
Mariposa Grove is a grove of sequoia trees. If you’ve also visited Sequoia National Park on your vacation, you may see some similarities since both Mariposa Grove and Sequoia National Park highlight the same type of trees. But get out and explore and take in your first glimpse of Yosemite National Park.
9:15 – Glacier Point Road
After Mariposa Grove, it’s time to head to Glacier Point Road. This road takes you up in elevation to some fantastic viewpoints in the park. We’re going to drive all the way to the end of the road (at Glacier Point) and then start working our way back.
However, we will be stopping at Taft Point. If you are driving out to Glacier Point and see an open spot at one of the two Taft Point parking lots, stop at hike to Taft Point first. It doesn’t make a big difference which order you do these three points (Glacier, Washburn, and Taft Points), but it would really stink to have to skip Taft Point because you couldn’t find parking. We tried to do Taft Point first, but couldn’t find a spot. However, as we worked our way back from Glacier Point, we got a spot and were able to do the hike.
So while I recommend all three of these next stops, feel free to move Taft Point up if you manage to find a parking spot on your way to Glacier Point.
9:45 – Glacier Point
The first major viewpoint of the day is Glacier Point and it’s a good one that gives you an expansive view of the mountains of Yosemite National Park, including the famous Half Dome.
The parking lot is pretty big, but you may still have to hunt for a spot. From the parking lot, you’ll have to walk a short distance to get out to the viewpoints. But once there, there are so many different angles of the surrounding mountains, including Half Dome. It’s pretty incredible.
10:00 – Washburn Point
Washburn Point is just down the road from Glacier Point and it offers, in my opinion, a less chaotic view of the surrounding mountains. The parking lot at Washburn Point is smaller so only so many people can be here at one time.
However, it’s totally worth a stop at Washburn Point, even if you already have plans (or have stopped) at Glacier Point. Yes the views are somewhat similar, but it’s really hard to get tired of these views.
10:15 – Hike to Taft Point
Taft Point is also located on Glacier Point Road, but you’ll have to hike out to the view point to really see the views. But trust me when I say that the hike is worth it. This may have been my favorite hike that I did at Yosemite National Park (to be fair, all of the hikes to waterfalls were nice, but water levels were dramatically low) and I recommend it to anyone who is able to make the hike.
On my hike to Taft Point, I logged 2.5 miles and 377 feet of elevation gain. It took my mom and I just over one hour, which includes plenty of time to stop at Taft Point for photos and to enjoy the view. The hike itself is not very difficult and while there several uphill sections, nothing felt particularly steep.
However, you’ll start your hike at over 7,000 feet so don’t be surprised if you find yourself huffing and puffing up what you think should be easy uphills.
There are two parking lots at Taft Point and trails lead from both lots to the main trail. I don’t think there is a preferred lot and I’d just recommend grabbing whichever parking spot you can.
11:15 – Back to the Main Highway
Now that you’ve finished your hike to Taft Point, you’re done on Glacier Point Road. Head back the way you came to get back to the main highway.
11:45 – Tunnel View
Most of the roads through Yosemite National Park hug the side of mountains. There’s one exception and that is a tunnel that cuts straight through the mountain. While the tunnel itself is unremarkable for tourists, there is a pull out on the eastern end of the tunnel. This is known as Tunnel View and it is a spectacular viewpoint. Pull in to stop and fully enjoy this view.
A word of warning is that this area gets busy. We didn’t have a problem finding a spot to park, but I mention it’s busy because there are places to park on both sides of the road. As a result, there are plenty of tourists crossing the road and you need to pay attention. Signs are posted to warn you. While this isn’t something I’d normally comment on, the views and parking lots are immediately after the tunnel, so as your eyes adjust to the brightness outside, you also need to be aware of tourists who may not be using common sense when crossing the street.
12:00 – Bridalveil Falls
This waterfall towers over the trees and flows off the cliff in such a way that it can resemble a bride’s veil (although to be clear, I think all of the waterfalls give this appearance). There is a parking lot here, but like so many other parking lots at Yosemite National Park, be careful because it is busy. From the parking lot, there are a handful of short trails that take you to different vantage points of Bridalveil Falls.
We visited in mid September and Bridalveil Falls was nearly dry. There was just a small flow of water. However, because of the wind, it gave a cool illusion of a small, thin piece of fabric blowing in the wind. I’d imagine that it’s more impressive in the spring and early summer months.
1:00 – Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is the most popular area of Yosemite National Park. This where you’ll find some of the best views. It’s also a hub for big hikes, viewpoints, and so much traffic. Given that this is just a one day itinerary, we’re going to focus on just a few aspects of Yosemite Valley, but if you have more energy or time, I’ll give some ideas of what else you can do. But just know that depending on when you are visiting, you may hit traffic an that could throw off the rest of these times.
This itinerary is based on the best case scenario. It assumes that there’s minimal traffic throughout Yosemite Valley and you’ll be able to move at a decent pace. If there’s a lot of traffic, be pack your patience and crawl through the valley. However, given that it’s the afternoon, it will probably take you longer to move through the valley.
Inside Yosemite Valley, you’ll be able to see towering waterfalls and giant mountains. The famous El Capitan is located here and depending on the day, you might even spot some rock climbers.
1:15 – Cook’s Meadow
One of my favorite experiences at Yosemite National Park was strolling through Cook’s Meadow. I’m hesitant to even call this a hike because it was almost completely flat and there was a boardwalk for most of it.
So what’s so great about Cook’s Meadow? It’s the views of Yosemite Valley. Sure, you can see so many mountains from all over the valley, but I feel like Cook’s Meadow was special. As you stand in the meadow, turn around a full 360 degrees and just appreciate the jaw dropping beauty at every single angle. Seriously, there is no bad views.
The Cook’s Meadow Loop is a one mile trail that’s almost completely flat.
1:45 – Lower Yosemite Falls
Depending on where you visit in Cook’s Meadow, you won’t be too far off of Lower Yosemite Falls. If you’re not close by, jump on the shuttle or drive to the Lower Yosemite Falls stop.
Yosemite Falls is a massive waterfall and you can’t hike to the very top of the falls. However, if you only have one day in Yosemite National Park, you’ll have to skip the trail to Yosemite Falls as hiking the trail takes the entire day. So instead, just visit Lower Yosemite Falls. This waterfall is much more accessible and I think it’s a great way to get up close to one of the many waterfalls with minimal effort.
Note that if you are traveling late in the season, the falls may be completely dry. If that’s the case, it doesn’t even pay to stop.
2:15 – Exit the Park
Again, this is the optimistic times for Yosemite National Park. It’s very likely that you traffic will cause you to not make this good of time. However, if you do have more time, check out my section for what else you can do. Otherwise, your one day in Yosemite National Park is over. Exit the park and head on to your next destination.
With More Energy
Let’s say you were very efficient (and traffic was light) and you were able to see everything on this list. If you still have the energy and the daylight, you could add on some more stops to this itinerary. I’d suggest hiking part of the trail to Vernal Falls. The entire trail to the top of Vernal Falls is too long for what we have left, so consider hiking to the footbridge where you’ll get a nice view of the falls.
With More Time
While you can see a lot of spectacular scenery with one day in Yosemite National Park, there is still so much more you can see. For a more relaxed trip, consider adding more days at Yosemite National Park. You’ll be able to see more at a more relaxed pace. But you can also add more hikes, such as part (or all) of the Yosemite Falls Trail or the trail to Vernal Falls. To escape Yosemite Valley and see something new, consider driving Tioga Road.
When to Visit Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park can be visited all year round but some months are better than others.
Summer is peak travel time, but it’s also when you’ll have great weather. Winter is low season where you’ll find fewer people, but you’ll also have less to do as some of the roads close during this time. Spring and fall are shoulder season and tend to offer a balance between good weather (although this isn’t guaranteed) and manageable crowds.
One thing to consider is the waterfalls. If seeing some of the powerful waterfalls is high on your list, I recommend aiming for late spring or very early summer. As summer moves into fall, the water dries up and the falls decrease in power.
I visited in mid September and while I had excellent weather, every waterfall was either completely dry or very low. Crowds were mostly manageable and the only thing we had to skip was Mariposa Grove as we couldn’t get into the parking lot (more on this later in my tips about managing crowds).
Where to Stay on Your Visit to Yosemite National Park
You have many options when it comes to lodging in and around Yosemite National Park and much of it is determined by how much you are willing to spend.
There are lodges and hotels within the park, but these book up well in advance and can come with heavier price tags. If you’re on a budget, consider looking a bit further afield for your hotels.
Our visit to Yosemite National Park lasted for two days. We spent the night in Fresno before getting up very early to drive and reach the entrance to Yosemite National Park at 7:00 am. Then we spent the night in Mariposa. After our second day at the park, we returned to Fresno. While our hotels in Fresno were strategically planned with the rest of our itinerary and flight times, our hotel in Fresno was half the cost of our hotel in Mariposa.
Entrance Fees for Yosemite National Park
Entrance to Yosemite National Park is $35 for a 7 day pass. Annual passes, such as the America the Beautiful Pass, are also accepted.
Reservations for Yosemite National Park
Most visitors will need a reservation to visit Yosemite National Park. This is a new measure that was introduced to try to control crowds at the park. So when you have your plans and dates set, pick up a reservation.
Reservations are needed from late spring through early fall. During the summer, reservations are required everyday. In late spring and early fall, reservations are only required for Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays (such as Labor Day, Memorial Day, etc.). These reservations are required for entry between 5:00 am and 4:00 pm. If you plan to enter the park outside of these hours, you do not need a reservation (although you will not be allowed to re-enter the park between 5:00 am and 4:00 pm without a reservation).
Reservations cost $2 and are valid for three days. So if you purchase a reservation for Wednesday, you can use that same reservation for Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.
Reservations go on sale on January 1.
If you do not have a reservation, you’ll be turned away at the entrance.
A limited number of the reservations are held until the night before, so if you didn’t manage to get a reservation weeks or months in advance, try the night before. If you still don’t have a reservation, you’ll need to get up very early and enter the park before 5:00 am.
Managing the Crowds at Yosemite National Park
The crowds at Yosemite National Park can be crazy and because of that, I recommend getting an early start. We arrived at our trailheads by 8:00 am on both days of our visit. We shared the trails with other hikers, but we noticed a lot more hikers as we worked our way back from the various viewpoints.
More importantly, the entrances to the park can be a huge bottleneck. It gets so bad that there are signs posted along the road to tell visitors how long of a wait it will be (30 minutes from this point, 60 minutes from this point, etc.). Additionally, the traffic can get backed up through Yosemite Valley. Thankfully, we never experienced this but we always arrived in the valley early in the morning.
On our second day, we planned to stop at Mariposa Grove, but the lot was full so we exited the park (as that was our last stop before heading back to Fresno). It was 1:00 pm on a Monday in September that had rain (and snow in some areas) predicted for the afternoon. The line of cars to enter the park at the Mariposa Grove entrance stretched beyond the “60 minutes from this point” marker.
The point of all of this is to remind you to make your reservations and arrive at the park early. However, if you enjoy waiting in long lines, by all means, take your time.
Tips for Dealing with the Weather
Weather can be difficult and don’t be surprised by big temperature swings. These parks are big and if you put “Yosemite National Park” into your phone’s weather app, its forecast may be different than your actual destination in Yosemite. So, what I recommend doing is using the forecasts provided by the NPS.
For each park, you can select where you’ll be and they’ll give a forecast for that area. This is incredibly helpful as there can be some significant temperature differences throughout the park.
Final Thoughts
While it is possible to visit Yosemite National Park in one day, you need to prepare yourself for a busy day. Not only is there so much incredible scenery to see, but it is spread out, so you’ll be spending a lot of time in the car. Personally, I think you should plan for two days (at a minimum) for Yosemite National Park, but it is possible to see a lot with just one day.
Continue Your Adventure
Yosemite National Park: Learn all about the top 10 things to do at Yosemite National Park. Plus check out my two day itinerary and learn how to enjoy a visit to the park without hiking.
More in California: Yosemite National Park is just one national park in California. Walk among the largest trees in the world at Sequoia, drive through the scenic Kings Canyon, visit the lowest point in the United States at Death Valley, and explore the rocks and trees at Joshua Tree.
Itinerary: Loop Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks together in a one week road trip.
US National Parks: Start planning your national park vacation with my US National Park Travel Guide. You’ll find information about each park, photos, itineraries, and everything you need to start planning your trip. And don’t forget to book your timed entry reservations in advance!