Yosemite National Park typically ranks high on travelers’ lists of favorite national parks. There’s a good reason for this. Yosemite National Park is stunning and there are so many things you can do here. There are loads of hikes, plenty of waterfalls, jaw dropping mountain views, and even more.
In this post, I’m going to cover the best things to do at Yosemite National Park for a first time visit. Rather than giving a list of twenty or more items, it’s limited to just ten. Unless you are spending three or more days exploring the park, you won’t have time for much more that this list.
10 Things to Do at Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is massive and this is not a comprehensive list of all of the things to do at Yosemite National Park. But for those planning their first visit to Yosemite National Park, the items on this list is where I’d focus your time.
Glacier Point
There are numerous viewpoints throughout Yosemite National Park and this list will definitely cover several. So, I’m starting with Glacier Point. Located at the end of Glacier Point Road, this viewpoint offers incredible views of the surrounding mountains.
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.
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.
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 spot you can.
Additionally, I recommend trying to visit Taft Point first and then going on to Glacier Point and Washburn Point. Why? Because you may not find a parking spot on your first try, which is what happened to us. There was no parking at Taft Point (in either lot), so we went up to Washburn Point and Glacier Point. On our way back, we managed to find one open spot that allowed us to get out on this trail.
Hike to Columbia Rock, Oh My Gosh Point, & Yosemite Falls
The waterfalls at Yosemite National Park are spectacular—or at least that’s how the photos look. I visited in September when many of the waterfalls, including every waterfall I wanted to see, were either dry or very low. Yosemite Falls looks spectacular, but was completely dry during my visit. That didn’t stop people—myself included—from getting out on the trail.
For people visiting during spring and early summer (basically when there’s actually water at Yosemite Falls), you can hike out all the way to the top of the falls for a phenomenal view. Plus, you’ll get plenty of great views along the way.
For people visiting when the waterfall is dry (or even very low), you can still hike for views, but you don’t have to expend all of your energy going all the way out to Yosemite Falls. My mom and I hiked as far as Columbia Rock which offers sweeping views of Yosemite Valley. I then hiked a smidge further to Oh My Gosh Point which was also quite nice (although the sun was directly in my face so it was a bit difficult to see).
The hike to Columbia Rock is steep and you’ll gain over 1000 feet of elevation in the first mile. It feels like endless switchbacks but your reward is a great view of Yosemite Valley. From Columbia Rock to Oh My Gosh Point, it’s another quarter mile, but it’s less steep and even down hill in some parts. From Oh My Gosh Point, it’s another approximately two and a quarter miles to Yosemite Falls, plus another 1500 feet of elevation gain. If 7.2 miles roundtrip and 2700 feet of elevation sound like too much, consider only hiking to some of the view points and save your energy for other activities (particularly if Yosemite Falls is dry).
Views of El Capitan
There are many mountains throughout Yosemite National Park but one that so many people make it a point to stop at is El Capitan. The mountain towers 3000 feet above the valley and is a popular spot for climbing. Even those you don’t plan to climb the mountain can take in the views of the mountain.
Horsetail Fall is a waterfall that flows down the eastern side of El Capitan. What makes this waterfall so unique is that if you time your visit right (sunset in mid to late February), the light hits the water in such a way that it looks like the falls are on fire.
Even if you can’t see Horsetail Fall (“on fire” or otherwise), pull over and take in the views of El Capitan from the road.
Views of Half Dome
Half Dome is another iconic view at Yosemite National Park. Adventurous travelers can hike all the way to the base of Half Dome and then climb the cables to the very top for stunning views of the park.
That said, there is a permit process and you’ll need to be in good physical shape to climb Half Dome. For most visitors, just taking in views of Half Dome from the valley floor is enough. And don’t limit yourself just to Yosemite Valley. You can also see Half Dome from Glacier Point.
Hike to Vernal Falls
For those who plan to hike to Half Dome, you’ll be on the trail to Vernal Falls. For those who want to see a massive waterfall, but don’t want to go all the way to half dome, consider a hike to Vernal Falls.
How far you hike is up to you. There are two trails that go all the way to the top of Vernal Falls (the Mist Trail and the Muir Trail), but they both share the same trailhead. If you just want a short trail with a view of the falls, consider hiking as far as the Vernal Falls footbridge. From the footbridge, you’ll be able to see Vernal Falls, but it’s not as far as going all the way to the top of the falls. It’s after the footbridge that you’ll need to decide if you’re taking the Mist or Muir Trail.
As mentioned before, when I visited Yosemite National Park, most of the waterfalls were either dry or very low. Because of this, my mom and I chose to only hike as far as the Vernal Falls footbridge. We were able to see the tiny stream of water. For us, that was far enough since the waterfall wasn’t quite that impressive because of the flow rate.
Walk 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.
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.
For those entering Yosemite National Park from the Mariposa Grove Entrance, this will be the first of many dramatic views throughout Yosemite. Don’t get me wrong, there are other mountain views along the way, but Tunnel View really packs a punch.
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.
Bridalveil Falls
Bridalveil Falls is the last of the waterfalls I’m going to cover. There are of course more than what is on this list, but the ones on this list are some of the best, if not the best. Bridalveil Falls is also the only waterfall on this list that is outside the busy Yosemite Valley.
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.
Bonus
I have to include three additional items in my best of Yosemite list. The only reason that they didn’t make the main list is because I didn’t have time to visit. But, if you have the time (ideally for those spending more than two days at Yosemite National Park), here’s where I recommend looking.
Toiga Road
Toiga Road is a bit off the main tourist route so a visit to this scenic drive will likely be significantly quieter than the main Yosemite Valley loop. Admittedly I didn’t make it out here (I just ran out of time), but the photos look great and it’s definitely on my list for next time.
Tuolumne Meadows
To reach Tuolumne Meadows, you’ll need to get on Toiga Road. For this reason, it’s likely to be quieter than any other meadow you’ll find at Yosemite Valley, but that sounds ideal for hiking. Again, I ran out of time, but it looks beautiful and getting away from crowds is a big plus so it’s on my list for next time.
Mariposa Grove
Mariposa Grove is located just passed the Mariposa Entrance and is a grove on sequoia trees. You’ll also find a hiking trail leading from here, but I don’t have any first hand experience.
My mom and I planned to stop here as the last stop of our day. However, as we pulled up, the parking lot was blocked off because it was full, so we just decided we’d skip it because there wasn’t anything we could do. My theory is because Mariposa Grove is the first thing many people entering at the Mariposa Entrance come across, the lot fills up fast. So my advice is if you want to visit Mariposa Grove, try to do it earlier in the day, or even very late in the afternoon.
What Are the Best Things to Do at Yosemite National Park?
So now that we covered what are 10 (13 if you include the bonus items) things to do at Yosemite National Park. What if you have limited time and can’t do everything on this list?
Personally, I’d recommend the viewpoints along Glacier Point Road (Glacier Point, Washburn Point, Taft Point) and then head to Yosemite Valley and take in the views and walk through Cook’s Meadow. You’ll likely have time to add in one hike. I think the views at Columbia Rock are better than Vernal Falls.
How Long Do You Need at Yosemite National Park
How long you need at Yosemite National Park depends on how much you want to do. While you could tackle the highlights with one very busy day, I recommend giving yourself a minimum of two days at the park. Still, I think three days is better as it allows you to get off the beaten path and explore some of the less visited areas of the park.
For those who love hiking, you could spend even more time here and not run out of fun and interesting hikes to do.
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 online from the official website.
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 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
Yosemite National Park is stunningly beautiful and it’s no wonder why so many people rank this park so high. The views are incredible, the hikes are epic, and there’s so much to do here. This list provides a great starting point for people traveling to Yosemite National Park for the first time. It has all of the highlights and must see sights so you can have the perfect visit.
Continue Your Adventure
California National Park Itineraries: Loop Sequoia National Park in with Kings Canyon and Yosemite National Parks for one awesome week long road trip. Alternatively you could fly into Las Vegas and visit Death Valley and Joshua Tree National Parks on a week long road trip.
Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks: Many people will also visit these two parks because they are so close to Yosemite. Despite being managed together, they are two parks. Learn about the top things to do at Sequoia and the top things to do at Kings Canyon.
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.