Yosemite Valley:
🥾 Half Dome (15.3 miles, 5,213 feet elev. gain): This is the ultimate hiking experience in Yosemite and an all-day adventure. To reach the base of Half Dome and summit using the seasonally-installed cables, hikers will pass Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, and many panoramic vistas on the John Muir and/or Mist Trail. Summiting Half Dome via the cables requires a permit that is issued through a lottery.
🥾 Upper Yosemite Falls (6.6 miles, 3,254 feet elev. gain): This steep and strenuous hike can be accessed from Yosemite Valley’s floor and guides hikers through jaw-dropping views of the valley and eventually to the top of its most famous waterfall.
🥾 Lower Yosemite Falls (1.2 mile, 55 feet elev. gain): This short, paved trail guides visitors to the bottom of the park’s namesake waterfall.
🥾 Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls (5.4 miles, 2,129 feet elev. gain): The up-close waterfall views that this trail provides are unparalleled almost anywhere else in the country. Return on the John Muir Trail for different views on the way back.
🥾 Four Mile Trail (9.7 miles, 3,418 feet elev. gain): When the road to Glacier Point is closed, this scenic trail is an alternate way to reach the park’s famous lookout point.

Tuolumne Meadows:
🥾 John Muir Trail to Cathedral Lakes (8.6 miles, 1,624 feet elev. gain): Use the JMT in Tuolumne Meadows to see some stunning granite rock features (like Cathedral Peak) and pass through some beautiful forests.
🥾 Clouds Rest (12.2 miles, 3,100 feet elev. gain): Conquering this trail will result in a unique perspective of Yosemite Valley and panoramic views of the park’s distant peaks.

Mariposa Grove:
🥾 Grizzly Giant Loop Trail (2.0 miles, 383 feet elev. gain): This hike is essential for those visiting Mariposa Grove, as it guides visitors through its most impressive giant sequoias. To access this trail, park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and take the free shuttle to the trailhead. If the shuttle service is not in operation, you can reach the trail from the welcome plaza via the Washburn Trail or Mariposa Grove Road.

Hetch Hetchy:
🥾 Lookout Point (2.7 miles, 544 feet elev. gain): Located at the Hetch Hetchy entrance station, this short trail takes hikers to an overlook of the Hetch Hetchy Valley and the reservoir, offering views that rival those seen in Yosemite Valley.
🥾 Wapama Falls (4.7 miles, 1,108 feet elev. gain): This trail hugs the shores of the reservoir and passes two gorgeous waterfalls.

🧗 Rock Climbing: Yosemite is a world-famous destination for rock climbing. The park is home to massive multi-day climbing objectives like El Capitan and Half Dome, and offers a lifetime of opportunity for traditional climbers. Boulders, sport climbers, alpine climbers, free soloists, and scramblers will also find lots of opportunity here. Check out this list of guidebooks or Mountain Project’s website for guidance on the park’s climbing scene.
⛺ Camping: If visiting the park for several days, camping with a tent or RV is a great way to experience the sights and sounds of nature. Be warned, though: campsites in the park – especially in the valley – are among the most sought-after in the country, and can be snatched up within seconds of becoming available online.
🌄 Glacier Point: This famous viewpoint can be accessed by car or from the valley floor via the 4-Mile Trail. Sunrises and sunsets from this spot are spectacular.
🌄 Tunnel View: Many famous pictures of Yosemite Valley – including the one above – have been taken from Tunnel View.
🚣 Merced River: The Merced River runs through Yosemite Valley and offers chances to swim, raft, kayak, or canoe throughout the year. The park offers raft rentals when the river is high enough.
🏊 Tenaya Lake: This lake in Tuolumne Meadows often goes unappreciated due to its distance from the valley. It is easily accessible from the road and offers beaches with great views of the granite domes in upper Yosemite.
🎒 Backpacking: There’s no better way to experience the park’s backcountry than via a backpacking trip. Be sure to reserve permits in advance and follow backpacking best practice.
🚴 Cycling: The park’s paved roadways present great opportunities for cyclists to rack up some miles and enjoy spectacular scenery. Bike rentals are offered in Yosemite Valley.
🏘️ Yosemite Village: Plenty points of interest can be found in Yosemite Village in the valley, including museums, the visitor center, stores, restaurants, lodging, and the famous Ahwahnee Hotel.

🏞️ Mono Lake: Sitting 2 hours from the park, this hauntingly beautiful lake offers hiking and opportunities to see its famous tufa towers.
🏞️ Devils Postpile National Monument: The bizarre-looking landscapes of this national monument are not far from Yosemite. The park is a 3-hour drive from the Valley Visitor Center. Those backpacking the John Muir Trail will pass through this spot on their journey.
🏙️ San Francisco: This famous city sits about 4 hours from the park and is a good candidate to use as a “jumping-off” point to visit the park.  While there, be sure to check out the Golden Gate Bridge, Muir Woods, Fisherman’s Wharf, Lombard Street, and Alcatraz.
🏞️ Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks: These national parks rival Yosemite in their views, rock features, forests, and recreational opportunities, and are about a 4-hour drive from the park.

📅 When to Visit: Yosemite’s peak season runs from May through September. During this time, the weather is nicest and the park is very busy. Make sure to book lodging, campsites, and/or permits far in advance if visiting during this time. May-June offer the best chance to see the park’s waterfalls flowing.
⌚ How Long to Visit: If you just want to see the park, and nothing else, you can be in and out in only a day. However, I strongly recommend trying to stay for at least 3 days, longer if you can. This will let you explore the park’s many regions and enjoy its most popular hikes.
🚗 How to Get There: Amtrak and Greyhound both offer public transportation options to access the park. The NPS operates several shuttle services within the park itself. YARTS offers public transit from the park to nearby communities. If you plan to fly into the area and drive a car, SJC or SFO in the San Francisco area are the best airports to fly into.
🛏️ Where to Stay: There are thirteen campgrounds within the park! Each of these have different levels of accommodations, accessibility, and availability. The most popular campgrounds are the Pines trifecta – Upper, Lower, and North – in the Valley. Campgrounds typically fill up months in advance, so try to nab reservations early. The park also offers many lodging opportunities within its borders, like Yosemite Valley Lodge and the Ahwahnee. Outside the park, El Portal Road has decent lodging options west of the park, and several campgrounds exist near the park.
🧳 What to Bring: This depends greatly on what you plan to do in the park. No matter what you’re doing, bring sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy hiking boots or shoes, and the best camera you own. Leave the bear spray at home, as it’s not allowed in Yosemite.

✅ DO check on road closures before visiting the park.
✅ DO make reservations far in advance. Lodging reservations are available 1 year out, and campgrounds release sites for reservations 5 months in advance once a month. Enter into the Half Dome lottery if you’re interested in summiting the rock.
✅ DO check on wildfire conditions throughout the year. Park webcams are a great way to see if the park is smokey during wildfire season.
✅ DO check on weather forecasts and build flexibility into your plans. Afternoon thunderstorms are common in Yosemite, especially in summer.
❌ DON’T feed wildlife. This is a common problem in Yosemite thanks to the large volume of visitors, evident in the curiosity of your average squirrel in the park. Don’t contribute to the problem.
❌ DON’T bring bear spray. It’s not allowed in Yosemite.