How To Spend 1 Day In Yosemite Nationwide Park (Itinerary)

Yosemite was one of many first nationwide parks established in america, and for my part it’s one of the stunning locations on the planet.

For those who solely have sooner or later in Yosemite Nationwide Park, one of the simplest ways to spend it’s within the valley, the place you may benefit from the spectacular waterfalls, viewpoints, and hikes. Most of those are positioned fairly shut to one another.

A aspect journey to the Mariposa Grove can also be worthwhile to see the traditional Sequoia bushes. A few of these giants are greater than 3,000 years outdated!

You gained’t see the entire park in a day, as a result of it covers nearly 1,200 sq. miles, however you’ll have sufficient time to see plenty of the principle highlights.

We spent 2 weeks at Yosemite, and on this information, I’ll present you the entire prime sights to knock out on a brief go to to the park!

About This Itinerary

Right here’s a fast abstract of all of the locations on this itinerary:

 
I’ll cowl every of those locations intimately, after which share a map and timeline you may observe on your itinerary.

Yosemite Falls reflection through the springtime flood

Greatest Issues To See & Do

• Swinging Bridge Viewpoint

To your first cease in Yosemite, make a fast go to to the Swinging Bridge picnic space. This spot has probably the greatest views of Yosemite Falls within the park.

Higher but, once we visited in June, we have been fortunate to see a tremendous reflection within the water due to the historic flooding. The Merced River had changed into a lake!

In most months you gained’t see that, nevertheless it’s nonetheless value a fast cease right here to get your first good view of Yosemite Falls. That is the park’s largest waterfall, and it’s one of many world’s tallest, at 2,425 toes (739 meters).

One other image from the identical spot at noon

• Mist Path

Subsequent, drive to the parking zone for the Mist Path. This is among the busiest hikes in Yosemite, so that you’ll wish to get there early to beat the crowds and safe a parking spot.

You’ll be able to park at Curry Village or the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Parking. The latter is nearer and saves you 10 minutes of strolling, however the former has a restaurant if you wish to seize one thing to eat earlier than or after the hike.

The Mist Path is an excellent hike with two large waterfalls: Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. For those who’re a match hiker, it’s properly value going a minimum of to the highest of Vernal Fall. In any other case, you may take pleasure in a pleasant rainbow under the waterfall.

Vernal Fall rainbow

Above Vernal Fall. There’s a security fence so you may take photos like this with out worrying.

The Mist Path is a average hike with loads of elevation acquire, even if you happen to cease earlier than Nevada Fall. For those who’re not up for that, you may substitute this hike for Mirror Lake, which is all flat and simple.

Once you attain the highest of Vernal Fall, if you happen to proceed for a brief distance you’ll get a pleasant peek at Nevada Fall and the Liberty Cap with out including a lot to the hike.

Or, you may hike as much as Clark Level for a good increased view of Vernal Fall, after which circle again right down to the beginning through the John Muir Path. Both approach, you’ll get a pleasant number of surroundings in 2 or 3 hours of complete mountain climbing.

Keep in mind to deliver water, snacks, and durable mountain climbing sneakers. A poncho can be useful so that you don’t get too moist on the waterfall. That’s how the Mist Path bought its title!

The Liberty Cap and Nevada Fall

Vernal Fall as seen from above close to Clark Level. See the tiny individuals?

• Sentinel / Prepare dinner’s Meadow Loop Path

After you end the Mist Path, it’s time to see extra of the valley. Drive to the Yosemite Falls Vantage Level and discover parking. Right here’s a map.

From right here, you may stroll the Prepare dinner’s Meadow loop path, which is flat, simple, and largely paved or boardwalked, making it accessible for strollers and wheelchairs.

Anybody can and will do that path, as a result of it’s so relaxed and it has a number of the finest views of Yosemite Falls and the valley!

For those who stroll the entire path, it takes as much as 1 hour, however you’ll get to see some nice surroundings even if you happen to flip again after quarter-hour. For those who’re fortunate, you may see deer or different animals alongside the way in which, like we did.

• Decrease Yosemite Fall

It’s time to go see one other waterfall up shut! Drive to the Decrease Yosemite Fall trailhead, park, and hike to the waterfall.

As you’ll discover, Yosemite Falls is definitely a three-part waterfall, with higher, center, and decrease falls. This hike offers you an excellent view of the underside waterfall.

It’s one other brief, flat, simple, and accessible hike, and it takes about half-hour roundtrip. Anybody can do it.

Alongside the way in which, you’ll get peeks of the Higher Yosemite Fall by means of the bushes, and the hike ends on the Decrease Fall, which you’ll be able to see up shut.

Yosemite Falls peeking by means of the bushes

Decrease Yosemite Fall

• Yosemite Valley Lodge

If that you must seize lunch at this level within the itinerary, you are able to do that on the close by Yosemite Lodge Meals Court docket, which is only a 2 minute drive or a 5 minute stroll from the place you parked for the decrease falls.

Whilst you’re at it, there’s additionally a present store and Starbucks, so you may choose up a shirt, mug, magnet, or different souvenirs from the park.

For those who packed a picnic lunch for the day, there are many spots within the valley the place you may take pleasure in your meal with a view. The following one you’ll cross driving west is the El Capitan picnic space.
 

• Cathedral Rocks Viewpoint

That is an unmarked and unnamed viewpoint, however I’ve to say it as a result of it’s value stopping for photos.

As you proceed driving west on the valley loop street, after you cross the El Capitan picnic space, and earlier than you attain a curve within the river known as the Satan’s Elbow, there’s a pull-off spot with epic views of the Cathedral Rocks.

I’ve marked the coordinates on the map right here. There’s a small parking house with room for a couple of automobiles.

Cathedral Rocks viewpoint

Unbelievable cliffs

• El Capitan Meadow

The El Capitan meadow is correct by the street, and it’s one in every of my favourite spots in the entire park.

It has stunning views of the Cathedral Rocks throughout the meadow, and you may look straight up at El Capitan, the sheer granite monolith that was climbed by Alex Honnold with none tools within the Free Solo documentary.

Folks like to return right here with garden chairs to allow them to sit and watch the climbers going up the aspect of El Capitan. It’s an excellent place to go to within the afternoon.

El Capitan Meadow

El Capitan

• Yosemite Valley View

That is one other viewpoint that’s proper by the street, and it’s one of many final locations you’ll cease within the valley.

It has glorious views of the Merced River, El Capitan, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Fall. We even noticed a giant rainbow at Bridalveil within the afternoon.

Yosemite Valley View

Bridalveil Fall rainbow

• Tunnel View

The Tunnel View is among the most iconic views of Yosemite as a result of you may look straight by means of the valley, all the way in which to Half Dome.

So why put it aside till later within the day? Easy: early within the morning, it’s fully backlit and onerous to take photographs. Afternoon is the right time to see it.

Sure, there can be crowds, however parking is normally simple to search out as a result of there’s plenty of turnover. Folks snap their photos and go away fairly rapidly.

Tunnel View

• Washburn Level

Now that you simply’ve seen the Yosemite valley from under, it’s time to see it from above!

Drive out of the valley and as much as Glacier Level, one of the best overlook of the park. The drive from Tunnel View to Glacier Level will take about 45 minutes.

Alongside the way in which, you’ll cross Washburn Level, which is value a cease too. It has related however barely totally different views of the park, and you may see the entire Mist Path from above, together with Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Views of Yosemite on the way in which to Glacier Level

• Glacier Level

Up subsequent is Glacier Level, the place you may see extra of the well-known Yosemite icons from above!

This overlook has nice views of Yosemite Falls and the sheer face of Half Dome, which nearly appears shut sufficient to succeed in out and contact. You gained’t be capable of see the hikers scaling the cables on Half Dome since that’s all on the alternative aspect of the height.

If you wish to do extra exploring at Glacier Level, there are some nice mountain climbing trails right here, corresponding to Taft Level or the Panorama Path.

Half Dome as seen from Glacier Level

• Large Timber Loop Path

The final cease on this itinerary for Yosemite is the Mariposa Grove of Big Sequoias, the place you may see a number of the world’s oldest and largest bushes.

From Glacier Level, it’s a 1 hour drive to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, the place you may hop on one of many free shuttle buses that runs each quarter-hour. The shuttle journey to the sequoia grove solely takes 5 or 10 minutes.

Right here, you’ll wish to hike a minimum of a part of the Large Timber Loop Path, which is spectacular. It’s additionally comparatively flat and simple.

Bachelor And Three Graces

Roots of the Fallen Big

For those who’re brief on time, it’s best to hike a minimum of so far as the Grizzly Big and the Tunnel Tree, which takes about 1 hour roundtrip. Most individuals flip round at this level.

These are two of essentially the most notable and spectacular bushes within the park. The Grizzly Big is the oldest sequoia within the grove, and one of many oldest bushes on the planet. It’s at the moment estimated to be greater than 3,000 years outdated!

The Tunnel Tree is a brief distance previous the Grizzly Big, and it’s a enjoyable photograph op because the base is hole. That was accomplished in 1895 so horse drawn stagecoaches might cross by means of the tree.

That is the top of your itinerary for sooner or later in Yosemite Nationwide Park. You’ve now seen lots of the finest highlights of the park!

The Grizzly Big is a large tree

Grizzly Big

Tunnel Tree

Map Of Issues To See & Do

Right here’s a map of all of the sights and actions listed on this Yosemite itinerary. You’ll be able to click on on the icons for instructions and different info.

Timeline For Your Go to

Right here’s a advised timeline you may observe on your itinerary in Yosemite.

The park is extraordinarily common and normally begins to replenish by 8 AM, so I’d extremely advocate beginning early within the morning if you happen to can.

This can mean you can safe parking and beat the worst of the crowds, and the valley can also be further good at daybreak.

• 6:00 AM – Go away Oakhurst or Mariposa and drive to Yosemite Nationwide Park (if you happen to’re staying within the valley, you can begin later).
• 8:00 AM – Arrive in Yosemite valley and begin mountain climbing the Mist Path.
• 9:30 AM – Attain the highest of Vernal Fall on the Mist Path, and begin mountain climbing again to the parking.
• 10:30 AM – End the Mist Path and arrive again on the parking zone. Drive to the Yosemite Falls Vantage Level and discover parking.
• 11:00 AM – Stroll the Sentinel / Prepare dinner’s Meadow loop path.
• 11:30 AM – Drive to the Decrease Yosemite Fall trailhead, park, and hike to the waterfall.
• 12:00 PM – Seize lunch on the close by Yosemite Lodge Meals Court docket.

Mirror Lake lives as much as its title

• 12:30 PM – Proceed driving the loop street, stopping on the viewpoints for the Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan Meadow, and Yosemite Valley View, in that order, after which cease on the Tunnel View on the way in which out of the valley.
• 1:30 PM – Exit the valley and begin driving to Glacier Level. Alongside the way in which, cease at Washburn Level for the views.
• 2:30 PM – Arrive at Glacier Level and go searching on the viewpoint.
• 3:00 PM – Begin driving to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.
• 4:00 PM – Arrive on the Mariposa Grove and seize a shuttle to the grove.
• 4:15 PM – Hike the loop path so far as the Grizzly Big and the Tunnel Tree, then again to the shuttle space.
• 5:15 PM – Seize a shuttle again to the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza.
• 5:30 PM – Arrive again on the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza. Go away the park and begin driving again to Oakhurst or Mariposa.
• 6:00 / 6:30 PM – Arrive again at your lodging in Oakhurst or Mariposa in time to seize supper.

Different Suggestions For Visiting Yosemite

• Reservation: Keep in mind to examine the NPS web page to see if reservations can be required throughout your go to.
• Entrance Charge: A park cross is at all times required at Yosemite. You will discover extra data on the NPS web page.
• Navigation: The street contained in the valley is a loop street, and it’s not at all times simple to backtrack if you happen to miss one thing. It’s a good suggestion to plan your route forward of time so you may see every part you need.
• Parking: Parking is usually a problem, particularly throughout peak season. The valley has a free shuttle system, however we discovered it to be fairly sluggish and inefficient. For those who begin early, you may drive your automobile in every single place on this itinerary and the shuttle gained’t be wanted.
• Clothes: Gown in layers. Even summer season mornings will be chilly in Yosemite, however the climate warms up through the day.
• When To Go to: In my view, the best possible time to go to Yosemite is within the spring months of Could and June. The waterfalls are large due to the continuing snowmelt, the climate remains to be cool, and the crowds aren’t at their peak but. We went in June and it was good. I wouldn’t change something.
• The place To Keep: The most effective accommodations are within the valley, at The Ahwahnee or Yosemite Valley Lodge. If these are out of your finances then you may attempt to safe tenting within the valley, or there are accommodations in Oakhurst and Mariposa, outdoors the park. We stayed in Oakhurst.

A view of Half Dome from Yosemite Valley

How To Spend Extra Than One Day In Yosemite Nationwide Park

If in case you have greater than sooner or later in Yosemite, there are many different nice issues to do, particularly if you happen to’re a hiker.

For the second day, do the strenuous hike to Higher Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Level. Even if you happen to don’t go all the way in which to the highest, it’s nonetheless an excellent expertise to see the waterfall up shut.

Higher but, attempt to get permits for the Half Dome hike, which is essentially the most thrilling hike within the park! It has a scary cable part on the finish that leads you to panoramic views of the complete Yosemite valley.

For the third day, go to any locations within the valley you missed on the primary day, corresponding to Bridalveil Fall and Mirror Lake. Each of those are brief and simple hikes. Then do the scenic drive on Tioga Highway to see Olmsted Level, Tenaya Lake, and the Tuolomne Meadows.

Higher Yosemite Falls is an superior hike, particularly within the springtime when it seems to be like this!

Extra Journey Guides For Yosemite Nationwide Park

Thanks for studying! I hope you loved this itinerary for easy methods to spend sooner or later in Yosemite Nationwide Park.

I’m engaged on extra journey guides for the U.S. nationwide parks, so don’t overlook to examine again later.