I’ve loved all of the national parks I’ve been to, but there’s a special place in my heart for Yosemite. Undeniably, the drive through the valley with El Cap and Half Dome looming over you is nothing short of breathtaking. This post will guide you through an itinerary to take advantage of some of the best Yosemite has to offer. If this is your first national park trip, then check out my post on how to prepare.
Before we get too deep into the post, I do want to preface that I wasn’t able to complete my entire recommended itinerary. Unfortunately, I visited in late October and an unexpected snowstorm forced me to cut my trip short. From all of the research I’ve done, however, I feel confident in these recommendations.
Side note: if you’ve never seen Free Solo, I would recommend watching it prior to your trip. Being in Yosemite makes you realize just how wild Alex Honnold’s feat was.
General Tips
- As one of the most popular parks, parking is tough in Yosemite! I recommend driving into the park early each morning (before 9:00 AM in peak season) and finding one spot to leave your car in. There is a free shuttle you can take advantage of to travel around the park!
- Unlike some of the other national parks I’ve been to, bear spray is not allowed. Instead, consider buying an air horn upon your arrival.
- If the park is expecting winter weather, there may be a requirement for you to have snow chains on your car. Snow chains are typically not allowed on rental cars. Due to this, I highly suggest visiting between June and September.
- There are a lot of options to stay within the park itself and many are worth the extra money. Because staying in Yosemite will allow you extra time to enjoy the park. I stayed in a condo in Yosemite West and having coffee on the balcony one morning, I saw the bear in the picture above. (This condo is no longer listed on AirBnb which is why I haven’t linked it)
Can’t Miss Yosemite Sights
- Tunnel View
- The most famous view of Yosemite! There’s a small parking lot that you may need to circle multiple times to find parking in, but it is worth the hassle.
- Pro tip: after checking out the view from the parking lot, hike up to Inspiration Point for another great viewpoint.
- Yosemite Valley
- There is something magical about walking directly beneath El Cap and Half Dome. Especially because they are humongous from their base.
- Waterfalls on top of waterfalls!
- The best time to visit Yosemite for waterfalls is the spring; however, I visited in the fall and Yosemite falls (seen above) was still flowing.
- Tuolumne Grove or Mariposa Grove
- These groves allow you to walk through Giant Sequoias. It’s so peaceful and beautiful.
- The trail to Tuolumne is just under 3 miles round trip, while the trail to Mariposa is just under 7 miles round trip. I recommend choosing one or the other based on your fitness level.
- Half Dome Day Hike
- I only recommend this if you have a high level of fitness and are a bit of a daredevil. This is an extremely difficult and technical hike.
- Permits are required to hike Half Dome! You can apply for the preseason lottery in March or daily lotteries during hiking season.
- Due to the time of year I was in Yosemite, I was unable to hike this trail; however, I am dreaming of the day when I’m able to.
Recommended Yosemite Itinerary
- Day 1
- Visit the famous Tunnel View
- Consider hiking to Inspiration Point after taking your can’t miss photo at Tunnel View!
- Explore Yosemite Valley
- Valley View
- Souvenir shopping
- Take a sunset hike to Taft Point
- Bring a headlamp! After enjoying an unforgettable sunset, your hike back to your car will be in the dark.
- Additionally, bring layers as the temperature will most likely cool down and trekking poles for additional stability.
- Visit the famous Tunnel View
- Day 2
- Hike either Mariposa Grove OR Tuolumne Grove to see some of Yosemite’s well-known Giant Sequoia trees
- Visit some of the incredible waterfalls Yosemite has to offer
- Many of the waterfalls can be viewed from a distance or by hiking closer to their base. Depending on your activity level, you can choose which type of adventure you’d like to go on.
- Pro tip: in winter, the Horsetail Falls appear to be on fire in just the right lighting! It’s supposed to be incredible.
- Day 3
- If you have a high fitness level and a thirst for adventure, complete the Half Dome Day Hike.
- For something a little easier, hike Sentinel Meadow Cook Meadow’s Loop Trail. This 2-mile trail has less than 100 ft of elevation fain.
Honestly, you can’t go wrong with an itinerary in Yosemite National Park! It’s such a magical place. I hope this post will help you plan an unforgettable trip to one of the most well known national parks.
Happy travels!
XOXO, Mackenzie
