Yosemite National Park Guide
Yosemite travel itinerary
Planning the perfect vacation can be both exciting and rewarding. This Yosemite travel itinerary covers all the must-see attractions and top things to do in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite National Park in California is vast — you could spend weeks exploring its majestic waterfalls, granite cliffs, and scenic trails — but this guide highlights the most iconic sights along with a few hidden gems you won’t want to miss.
Click here🔗 to check out the map of the itinerary.
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Practical Information:
Location
Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of eastern California, about 300 km (186 miles) east of San Francisco. The park covers a vast area of granite cliffs, forests, and valleys, ranging in elevation from around 600 meters (2,000 feet) to over 3,900 meters (13,000 feet).
Transportation & Exploration
✈️ By Plane: The nearest major airports are Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) (2.5 hours), Sacramento International Airport (SMF) (4 hours), and San Francisco International Airport (SFO) (4.5 hours). From there, you can rent a car or take YARTS to reach the park.
👉 You can book your plane ticket here🔗.
🚗 By Car: Most visitors arrive by car, and this is the most flexible way to explore Yosemite. The park has four main entrances:
- Arch Rock Entrance (from Mariposa / Highway 140)
- Big Oak Flat Entrance (from Groveland / Highway 120 West)
- South Entrance (from Oakhurst / Highway 41)
- Tioga Pass Entrance (from Lee Vining / Highway 120 East — open only in summer)
⚠️ The entrance you use depends on your plans — the park is huge, so make sure you know which parts you want to explore before you go. You find the entrance map here🔗.
🚐 By Shuttle: During peak season, Yosemite operates a free shuttle service in Yosemite Valley, connecting major sites such as Yosemite Village, Curry Village, and Yosemite Falls. This is a convenient and eco-friendly way to get around, as parking can be limited.
🚌 By Bus: If you’re not driving, the YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) connects the park with nearby towns such as Merced, Fresno, and Mammoth Lakes.
💸 Entrance fees:
- Private vehicle: $35 (valid for 7 days)
- Motorcycle: $30
- Individual (on foot, bicycle, or shuttle): $20
- Beautiful Annual Pass for $80, which grants access to all U.S. National Parks for one year.
⚠️ I chose the annual pass since it’s totally worth it if you’re planning to visit multiple parks.
👉 During the high season, you’ll need an entrance ticket that requires booking your spot in advance. It’s not actually an entrance ticket — it’s just a way to reserve your spot in the park. They do this to keep the number of visitors under control. You can find detailed information on the official website🔗.
This rule also applies to some (very famous and popular) hikes, such as Half Dome: the park runs “lotteries”, where you have the chance to reserve your spot for a specific date. How it works:
- Preseason ticket: which runs a couple of months prior to the summer.
- Second lottery: which runs daily for the next day. So if you want to book for the 26th of July, you have a chance to reserve your spot only the 25th of July.
⚠️ During the high season, spots fill up fast. You’ll need a ticket to enter the park and a separate reservation for certain hikes, like Half Dome. This system can be tricky because you have to plan ahead — if you change your itinerary at the last minute, you might miss out on either the park or the hike. Make sure you have both tickets in advance to avoid any headaches.
Weather
☀️ Summer (June–August): Warm and sunny, with temperatures between 25°C and 32°C (77°F–90°F). Perfect for hiking, but also the busiest season—book accommodation well in advance.
🍂 Autumn (September–November): Cooler temperatures from 10°C to 25°C (50°F–77°F), fewer crowds, and beautiful fall colors. Some higher elevation areas may close due to early snow.
❄️ Winter (December–February): Temperatures range from -2°C to 10°C (28°F–50°F). While some roads and trails close, Yosemite turns into a peaceful winter wonderland, ideal for snowshoeing and photography.
🌸 Spring (March–May): One of the best times to visit. Waterfalls are at their peak, wildflowers bloom, and temperatures stay between 10°C and 22°C (50°F–72°F).
Accommodation
Yosemite offers options for every traveler—from luxury lodges to rustic campsites:
- Hotels & Lodges: The Yosemite View Lodge🔗 or Moonrise Lodge🔗.
- Campgrounds: Popular options include Upper Pines, Lower Pines, and North Pines—book early via Recreation.gov🔗 as spots fill up months ahead.
- Nearby Towns: If park lodging is full, stay in Mariposa, El Portal, or Oakhurst, which offer cozy cabins and affordable motels within a short drive of the park entrances.
👉 I decided to stay outside the park in Oakhurst (at the Oakhurst Inn at Yosemite🔗) to save money, but it means driving back and forth a lot more. Whether it’s worth it depends on your plans and your budget.
Yosemite travel itinerary
Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is the heart of Yosemite National Park and by far the most popular and touristy area. Stunning granite cliffs, iconic waterfalls, and sprawling meadows make it a must-see, but it’s also where the crowds are heaviest.
⚠️ The best way to enter the valley is through the Arch Rock or Big Oak Flat entrance, depending on your starting point.
1- Taft point
Taft Point is one of Yosemite’s most famous viewpoints, known for its dramatic cliffs and jaw-dropping views of the valley below.
👉 To reach this viewpoint you'll have to hike 2.2 miles (round-trip). The trail starts here🔗, passing through Glacier Point Road.
⚠️ This hike is only accessible when Glacier Point Road is open, which is in the summer. During this season, you must take the shuttle between 10 AM to 4:30 PM, but you can usually drive yourself if you go before or after.
2- Glacier Point
Glacier Point is another great viewpoint and is a must-see spot in the Yosemite National Park.
👉 It is reachable by car via Glacier Point Road (like Taft Point), and you can park here🔗.
3 – Tunnel view
Don’t miss Tunnel View, one of Yosemite’s most iconic viewpoints. Located just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41, it’s easily accessible with zero hiking required — perfect for a quick stop and breathtaking photos.
4- Bridalveil Falls Viewpoint
I highly recommend visiting the Bridalveil Fall viewpoint, home to one of Yosemite’s iconic waterfalls. It’s very easy to reach — just a short 10-minute walk from the parking area.
👉 Located here🔗.
5 - El Capitan Viewpoint and Meadow
For a truly iconic view of El Capitan, head to the El Capitan viewpoint. From here, you can admire the sheer granite monolith up close, making it a favorite spot for photographers and anyone wanting that classic Yosemite shot. The viewpoint is easily accessible, so even a short visit lets you soak in the scale and beauty of this legendary cliff.
👉 Located here🔗.
I also suggest exploring the El Capitan Meadow🔗 to enjoy a distinctive view of the waterfall. There is a wooden platform that crosses the meadow.
6 - Sentinel Meadow Cook's Meadow Loop Trail
This short, easy walk offers stunning views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock.
👉 It's 3,2 km (2 miles) long, and it takes an average of 40 minutes to complete. You find the map here🔗.
✨ I enjoyed this short walk, as it doesn't take too much time and can easily be squeezed into the tour.
7- Yosemite Valley View
Another viewpoint that is worth a stop is the Yosemite Valley view🔗, which is reachable by car.
Outside Yosemite Valley
1- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
If you want to see the Sequoia trees, there is a possibility to see them in Yosemite Park.
👉 A free shuttle provides service from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, near the South Entrance, to the Mariposa Grove.
Once you arrive, there are multiple hikes:
- Big Trees Loop Trail (easy): 0.3 mile (0.5 km) loop from trailhead, 30 to 45 minutes. Winding through a forest with many giant sequoias, this trail features the Fallen Monarch. This loop is relatively flat.
- Grizzly Giant Loop Trail (moderate): 2 miles (3.2 km) loop from trailhead, 1.5 to 2 hours. Start along the Mariposa Grove Trail at the Big Trees Loop and hike past notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree. It includes 300 feet (91 m) of elevation gain.
- Guardians Loop Trail (strenuous): 6.5 miles (10.5 km) round trip from trailhead, 4 to 6 hours. After hiking to the tranquil upper portion of the grove, a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) loop takes hikers past many famous features including the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree, the Telescope Tree, and the Mariposa Grove Cabin.
- Mariposa Grove Trail (strenuous): 7 miles (11.3 km) round trip from trailhead to Wawona Point, 4 to 6 hours. You will see famous sequoias such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin Tree along this somewhat strenuous route to the upper reaches of the grove. Continue to historic Wawona Point, an overlook with panoramic views. Total elevation gain is 1,200 feet (366 m).
✨ I decided to follow the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, which allows you to see the most famous trees. Keep in mind that these are suggested routes, you can take any path you'd like.
2 - Tioga Road
Tioga Road (Highway 120) spans Yosemite National Park from the west to the east gates.
⚠️ The seasonal road is normally open to vehicles from late May or June until sometime in November, depending on snow levels.
✨ This road is absolutely stunning during the summertime, as at every turn, there is a unique outlook over the mountains. I suggest stopping by:
- Olmsted Point🔗
- Tenaya Lake🔗
- Tuolumne Meadows (we did a short walk to the Soda Springs🔗 to enjoy a bit of the place).
Planning a perfect day trip doesn't have to be overwhelming. By following these steps and considering your preferences, you can create an unforgettable experience. So, pack your bags, choose your destination, and get ready for an adventure!