Dreaming of visiting Yosemite National Park? These are the attractions you need to add to your bucket list.
Set against the breathtaking backdrop of the Sierra Nevada mountains, Yosemite National Park is where nature’s grandeur is on full display. This iconic destination, known for its striking granite cliffs, majestic waterfalls, and lush meadows, offers an unparalleled escape.
Whether you’re into hiking, sightseeing, climbing, or perhaps a combo of all three (very ideal), there are so many things you can do in Yosemite. Not sure where to start? Allow us to share our favourite things to do in Yosemite National Park.
Explore This Guide
Best Things to do in Yosemite
Visit Yosemite Valley
Dramatic vistas and gorgeous views await you at Yosemite Valley. This glacial valley is almost 8 miles long, surrounded by a number of the top attractions in Yosemite – we’re talking Half Dome and El Capitan, among plenty others.
If you’re heading here during the summer months, plenty of hiking trails start in the valley. Or, in the winter, when the valley is blanketed in snow, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing are popular activities.
Marvel at the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
One of the most famous things to do in Yosemite National Park is to see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias – the impressively large trees that tower over the entire national park. Most of the trees have hilarious names: the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree are both a case in point.
We recommend taking on the hike around the area. Follow the trail to Wawona Point, and you’ll get to admire these trees in all their giant glory. The hike itself is moderately strenuous, but it’s very simple to follow the highlighted trail.
Tackle the Half Dome
Possibly the most famous attraction in all of Yosemite is the Half Dome. You’ll notice this iconic peak dominating the skyline no matter where you are in the national park.
It can take up to 12 hours to climb to the Half Dome and back, so trust us when we say you’ll want to start early (partly to avoid huge crowds, but also to give yourself plenty of time to complete the journey) and bring lots of snacks along. That said, it’s a fairly straightforward hike to the top, and you don’t need to do much preparation in order to climb.
Read Next: 10 Beginner-Friendly Hikes in Yosemite National Park
Go Rock Climbing at El Capitan
One of the most busiest climbing spots in all of Yosemite National Park is El Capitan. This huge granite monolith is around 3,000 feet tall and is a haven for rock climbers who dare to brave this challenging spot.
You can spot this beautiful icon from multiple viewpoints in the park, though El Capitan Meadow is one of our favourites. Keep your eyes peeled as the face of El Capitan changes colour throughout the day, reflecting the sunlight in various shades of gold and orange, especially during sunrise and sunset.
Admire the Mirror Lake
Mirror Lake is one of the most breathtaking attractions in Yosemite National Park – quite literally named because the lake’s water reflects the beautiful scenery that surrounds it. You can reach this gorgeous spot via the Meadow Trail.
In the background you’ll be able to notice North and Half Dome towering over this (surprisingly small) body of water – make sure to admire the reflection, too. You can also take a dip in the water if the weather is warm enough… or you’re feeling particularly brave in the cooler seasons.
If you arrive on the shuttle bus, it’s a 2.5 mile hike to the Mirror Lake and back. Although, if you’re visiting Yosemite, we recommend hiring your own car so you don’t have to rely on public transport to get around. Everything within the park is signposted clearly and the roads are easy to drive on.
Hike to Glacier Point
Glacier Point is one of the iconic beacons of Yosemite. From here the mighty Half Dome looms large, framed by a vast expanse of Sierra Nevada peaks that stretch as far as the eye can see.
The hike is short and fairly easy, though we recommend getting there early to beat the crowds. Just remember to bring plenty of water and your favourite hiking trainers.
See Yosemite Falls
One of the most stunning natural landmarks in Yosemite National Park is Yosemite Falls. Even though you can see them from pretty much any location in the park, the best thing to do while you’re in the area is to take on the trail that leads you to a spot above them.
As you peer over the edge, you’ll be treated to dreamy views of the cascading falls, as well as the rest of the national park. This is a slightly harder trail than some of the other hikes in Yosemite, but well worth the effort.
Read Next: The Best Yosemite Campgrounds for Cosy Fireside Chats
Follow the Beautiful trail to Sentinel Dome
We don’t like to play favourites… but the hike to Sentinel Dome might just be our favourite in Yosemite. This is a hard feat as picturesque scenery surrounds you in every part of the park. Just over a mile to the top (and another back), the terrain is mostly flat until you get to the very top section. The views are incredible from the top and bottom.
Check before you go – Glacier Road has been closed for a period of time and, although it has reopened now, this is one of the roads that shuts when the weather gets unpredictable.
Visit Horsetail Falls…
Our favourite of the very many Yosemite National Park falls is Horsetail Falls, which cascades for more than 2000 feet down the Eastern side of El Capitan.
Be warned though, this waterfall only flows during winter and spring. In February, if the conditions are absolutely perfect, you’ll notice a phenomenon known as the firefall. This is where the sun makes it appear as if the waterfall is on fire – a mesmerising sight.
…Or Vernal Falls
Vernal Falls might stand at only 317 ft tall, but it is among the most powerful waterfalls in the entire national park. Unlike some of its more famous counterparts, you will not be able to spot Vernal Falls from the valley floor. If you fancy seeing this waterfall you will need to hike a trail.
We recommend taking the easiest path that starts near the Happy Isles Nature Centre – you can walk there easily from Curry Village and it’s about a mile to the Vernal Falls footbridge. Or, if you’re feeling brave, you can continue on to the top of the waterfall.
Enjoy a Picnic Near Tenaya Lake
Pack a picnic and head to Tenaya Lake – you won’t find a spot more picturesque than this one. The lake is situated along Tioga Pass Road (Highway 120), which is the main east-west route through the park.
There’s not much to do here other than admire the lake (it’s a mirror lake on really clear days), but it’s a sight not to be missed on your Yosemite bucket list.
Yosemite National Park Map
What to Know Before You Go
How to Get to Yosemite National Park
Most people will travel from other parts of California. San Francisco and Sacramento are the largest nearby cities (around 4 hours drive away) but it’s also possible to take a 5-6 hour drive from Los Angeles.
Although you could take a tour if you’re not comfortable driving, we recommend renting a car and heading on a fun road trip. This will cost around $300 dollars for an entire week, depending on the vehicle and drop off locations.
Where to Stay in Yosemite
There are so many campgrounds in Yosemite – though the most popular ones fill up fast. Our favourites are North Pines (very popular) and Hodgdon Meadow (slightly more lowkey). But, since Yosemite sprawls across almost 800,000 acres, we recommend you check your itinerary first to find the closest campground.
If you want a little bit more comfort throughout your trip, there are a few mid-range hotels and hostels nearby. The majority of these are located outside of the park, so you will need to drive into Yosemite each day.
Best Time to Visit Yosemite
Most people choose to visit Yosemite in the hot summer months as this is when all the trails and campsites are open. We recommend visiting at the very beginning or end of summer – May or September is perfect – when the weather is slightly cooler and hiking is more pleasant.
Autumn and winter offer cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and stunning foliage (especially in the valley). However, some higher elevations and passes, like Tioga Pass, may start closing in October due to snow.
How Long to Spend in Yosemite
With so many beautiful places to visit, deciding how long to stay in and around Yosemite can be baffling. There’s no right answer, but the longer the better!
A day trip to Yosemite is possible, especially if you’re visiting from nearby San Francisco. However, spending 2 to 3 days in Yosemite allows you to explore the main attractions more thoroughly. You can visit Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, and even tackle a couple of hikes.
Yosemite Park Fees
There is a small(ish) fee to enter the national park. This ranges between $20.00 – $35.00 depending on your vehicle and can be paid when you arrive at the park. Check out the latest fees here.
A heads up: if you’re planning a U.S. road trip and will be visiting multiple parks, it might be worth getting the America the Beautiful Pass. This grants you free access into all National Parks within a year of your purchase, as well as heavy discounts in numerous campgrounds around the country.
