The first time I visited Yosemite National Park, I was blown away by the natural beauty. The views, the waterfalls, the alpine lakes, the giant sequoias, and the dramatic rock formations were all more stunning in person than I’d imagined. I’d seen pictures, of course, but they don’t prepare you for seeing the Valley for the first time.
On my first trip, I hiked up to the Half Dome Saddle (it was in Spring so the cables weren’t up yet to go to the very top). Since then, I’ve backpacked a good chunk of the Park on my John Muir Trail thru-hike and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, checked out the amazing viewpoints, and enjoyed the scenic drives.
With so many things to do in Yosemite, it can be hard to choose what to see and do, especially if you only have a few days to explore the park.
Between myself and the Bearfoot Theory team, we’ve visited this stunning park a number of times, and in this post, I share our collective best things to do in Yosemite National Park.
1. Hike the Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls
The Mist Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite, but don’t let that deter you from hiking it! If you are lucky enough to score a permit to Half Dome, you can check out Vernal and Nevada Falls on that hike (which is how I did it). If not, this is definitely worth doing as a stand-alone hike.
You might feel reluctant if you prefer to hike away from crowds, but the views on this trail are absolutely stunning and well worth sharing the trail.
Mist trail starts from the valley floor and ascends up the canyon walls via a steep and challenging path. It’s a pretty hard hike with 2,200 feet of elevation gain in three miles, so make sure you pack your hiking daypack with plenty of water and yummy hiking snacks and give yourself plenty of time. I also recommend trekking poles. They will save your knees on the way down!
In addition to the views out over the valley floor, the highlights of the Mist Trail are passing Nevada and Vernal Falls. If you visit in the springtime, these waterfalls will be gushing from the spring snowmelt. Get more Mist Trail hiking tips and a map in our Best Yosemite Hikes post.
2. Tackle Half Dome
Many people come to Yosemite National Park just to hike Half Dome. This gigantic stone monolith rises above the valley floor and can be summited if you’re lucky (and brave) enough to score a permit.
This hike is not for the faint of heart. The mileage itself is over 16 miles roundtrip and the highlight is the final portion which requires pulling yourself up a rock face using a fixed cable. If this sounds like your idea of fun, read through our Half Dome guide for all the details, including how to get a permit.
I hiked all but the final portion back in 2008. It was before permits were required and also in early May before the cables had been properly installed for the season. While a few folks went all the way to the top, I chose to turn around at the Saddle since I didn’t feel confident continuing to the summit. One day I’ll go back and complete the job.
These days, getting a permit for Half Dome is very competitive. If you can’t get a permit, don’t worry. There are so many other amazing trails in Yosemite. I suggest hiking to Clouds Rest as an alternative.
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3. Drive Tioga Road to Lee Vining
There are many scenic drives in Yosemite National Park, but my favorite is Tioga Road. This road is only open in the summer and takes you out of the Valley (away from the crowds) and up through Tuolumne Meadows. I recommend stopping at Olmsted Point to take in the views before continuing on. Tioga Road keeps going past the eastern entrance of the Park and all the way down to the town of Lee Vining on the western slope of the Sierra Mountains.
The drive from the Valley to Lee Vining is about 77 miles one-way. Give yourself 5-6 hours to do it roundtrip, so you can stop and check off some of the other things to do in Yosemite along the way. If you’re short on time, you can stop at the eastern park entrance and turn around there or, you can spend the night in Lee Vining and return the next day.
Want to make it a road trip? You can continue south on 395 to Mammoth Lakes, California which is also a spectacular place for hiking. Check out my top Mammoth Lakes hikes.
4. Take in the views at Glacier Point
Glacier Point offers some of the best views out over Yosemite National Park. Sitting at 7,214 feet, it makes me feel like I’m above the world! You can drive all the way up to Glacier Point or you can hike from the Valley floor via Four Mile Trail (which is just under 10 miles round trip and very challenging).
5. Swim in the Tuolumne River
On a hot day, the Lyell Fork of the Tuolumne River has some of the most easily accessible swimming holes in Yosemite. I took a dip here on my JMT hike, and what a refreshing way to spend an afternoon.
You can park at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge and walk 3/4 mile on a flat trail to Twin Bridges. Here you’ll find a number of perfect granite-lined swimming holes. Bring a towel, picnic lunch, and a swimsuit and make a day of it. If you have kids, they will also love it here.
6. Hike one of the other amazing trails
There are almost endless opportunities for hiking in Yosemite – the park has over 750 miles of trails! I mentioned above that the Mist Trail, Half Dome or Clouds Rest as must-dos, but you can check out more of my recommendations in my Yosemite hiking guide.
7. Sign up for a rock climbing lesson
Yosemite is one of the world’s greatest rock climbing destinations with big walls like El Capitan and tons of crack climbing. If you want to try your hand at scaling some of the iconic rock faces, Yosemite Mountaineering School offers rock climbing lessons for beginners. They provide all the gear, so you just need to show up!
8. Bike the loop around Yosemite Valley
There are over 12 miles of paved bike paths in Yosemite Valley. You can do a full loop that takes in some of the best Valley stops and sights like Mirror Lake, views of El Capitan, the Awahtanee Hotel, the Nature Center at Happy Isles, and more.
If you don’t have your own bike, Yosemite has a free bike share program for up to 2 hours or you can rent bikes at Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village. Also, e-bikes are allowed!
9. Visit Mariposa Grove
Did you know that Yosemite National Park is home to three stands of Sequoia trees? I didn’t either until I visited Mariposa Grove! This beautiful area of Yosemite is located on the west side of the Park between Fish Camp and Wawona.
I loved walking the trails here and gazing up at these giants – it’s so peaceful and serene. Be sure to visit some of the iconic sequoias like the Grizzly Giant, Clothespin Tree, and Fallen Monarch.
10. Float or Raft the Merced River
Rafting the Merced River is a popular summer activity in Yosemite National Park, however, it is water-level dependent. You can rent a raft at Curry Village and put in at Stoneman Bridge (near Curry Village) and take out at Sentinel Beach Picnic Area.
If you’re looking for a little more adrenaline, you can also sign up for a full or half-day white water rafting trip with Z Rafting Guides.
11. Swim or Paddle on Tenaya Lake
Kayaking and SUPing is popular at Tenaya Lake, which is located up near Tuolomne Meadows on Tioga Pass Road. There isn’t really anywhere convenient to rent kayaks or SUPs near here, but if you have your own, it’s a relaxing place to get out on the water.
If you don’t have your own watercraft, Tenaya Lake is still a worthwhile place to stop for a picnic or a swim. You drive right by it on your way to Tuolumne Meadows from Yosemite Valley.
12. Enjoy a picnic at El Capitan Meadow
El Capitan Meadow provides picnic tables, grills, and pit toilets for a great place to hang out. You can also spot rock climbers ascending the towering rock wall.
13. Visit the Ansel Adams Gallery
Located in Yosemite Village, the Ansel Adam Gallery houses a collection of Ansel Adam’s original photographs of Yosemite from the mid-1900s. While you’re there, I also recommend visiting the Visitor’s Center and the Yosemite Museum to learn more about the history of the park.
14. Hang out at Hetch Hetchy
Hetch Hetchy is a water-filled valley in the remote northwestern corner of the park. If you’re looking to get away from the crowds in Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy offers some reprieve.
If you’re familiar with the writings of John Muir, you may know the history of Hetch Hetchy. It was once a lush valley filled with waterfalls and the rushing Tuolumne River. As the population of San Francisco began to grow in the early 1900s, though, a reliable source of drinking water was needed. Despite the pleas of conservationists – including John Muir – the Tuolumne River in Hetch Hetchy was dammed. Today, when you visit you’ll see the Hetch Hetchy reservoir.
Note: Swimming and boating are prohibited on Hetch Hetchy. If you want to explore the area, check out these Hetch Hetchy day hikes.
15. Have lunch or a drink at the Ahwahnee Bar
The Ahwahnee Hotel is an elegant lodge located in the valley of Yosemite National Park. It’s quite expensive to stay at, but you can still experience the grounds by having coffee, lunch, a light dinner, or a drink at the Ahwahnee Bar. I recommend sitting outside on the patio so you can enjoy the views of the park while eating.
You can also make a reservation to dine in the Ahwahnee dining room, but beware that the prices are quite expensive.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yosemite can be visited year-round and each season has its pros and cons. Summer brings the best weather, but also the most crowds. Spring and fall can be chilly with the chance of moody weather, but crowds are fewer and you can see wildflowers (spring) and changing fall foliage (fall). In Spring not all of the trails will be accessible due to snow, and Tioga Road doesn’t usually open until late May. In winter, Yosemite Valley is open and offers a chance to see the epic scenery dusted in snow.
Personally, I love visiting Yosemite in the shoulder months of spring and fall.
During peak tourist season, visitors are required to have a reservation to enter the park. Learn more about Yosemite entrance reservations to determine whether you’ll need one during your trip.
Yosemite is one of the most visited national parks in the US, so it’s to be expected to share the trails and sites with others. If you want to get away from the crowds, I recommend heading up to Tuolumne Meadows, Hetch Hetchy, or Crane Flat.
That depends on what you want to see and do! I recommend spending at least three days in the park if you want to explore beyond the valley. Ideally, 5-6 days would give you more time to see and experience Yosemite.
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Are you planning a trip to Yosemite National Park or have you been? Share your questions, comments, and experiences below!
