Top Things to do in Yosemite National Park
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What to do and see in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park: The Best Things to do
Tucked into the mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is renowned for its granite cliffs and waterfalls. Half Dome and El Capitan are two of the formations made famous by photographer Ansel Adams. The valley is open year-round for camping, hiking, and climbing. Traffic is congested during peak season and park rangers encourage visitors to use the free shuttle system. For upscale visits, the Ahwahnee Hotel, built in 1927, is chic and luxurious.
1. El Capitan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,363 reviews
Challenging, popular rock to climb in Yosemite.
Reviewed By thomh235 - Sulphur, United States
Years ago I enjoyed skydiving. Then we started our family and I bought diapers instead of Lift Tickets! One of my good friends who I jumped with told me how he base jumped off of El Capitan. I was always intrigued and vowed to visit Yosemite one day. If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong place and should try your luck in the subways of New York. But...if you love the outdoors and enjoy spectacular scenery, this park is a MUST SEE! Between ElCapitan and all the Waterfalls, you'll take home memories that will last a lifetime AND make your neighbors jealous! Safe Travels!
2. Glacier Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,561 reviews
This rustic geological formation is most famous for the magnificent sunsets that can be viewed from its top.
Reviewed By W6633PYpauls - Costa Mesa, United States
It's been probably 20 years since I was last at Glacier Point and it's as amazing as I remember it. I was last here "pre-kids" with my wife when we were first married and finally got around to bringing the boys to see Yosemite National and, of course, Glacier Point. This is a well reviewed attraction so, instead, here's some logistical items that might make the visit more enjoyable: 1. Depending upon where you're coming from, this will be a long drive - check your GPS and plan accordingly. 2. Services are minimal. Get gas for your car before you start. Bring snacks and drinks. I would turn this into a picnic location. 3. Take your time and make the journey part of the adventure. Yosemite has much to see and don't race around from point to point. Stop along the way and enjoy this trip. FWIW, I would use this as your first stop and then work your way through other stops on your way back to your base camp. 4. Camera/Phone is a MUST. Definitely take panoramic photos. The view here is awesome.
3. Half Dome
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,474 reviews
Major rock formation in Yosemite.
Reviewed By C1431LKnancyt
After failing to summit 2 years ago (ear infection caused severe vertigo on sub-dome) I chose to have a guided tour on my second attempt (Aug 2019) so that I didn't have to navigate the ridiculously complicated process of getting wilderness permits and half dome permits again. (Hello Silicon Valley! Can you not help our gov't improve this system!?) I chose the DiscoveryTreks.com company for their reasonable price and doable 3 night backpack itinerary. Having someone to cook and clean up after all the meals was really appealing, and our guide Jason did not disappoint! He was wonderful in both his calm and encouraging demeanor (not easy to keep everyone happy in a group with varying opinions and expectations haha!) We had two people with us who had never backpacked before, and all of us had our challenges with fitness and knee issues, so Jason really was awesome in how he managed all of our anxieties and fitness issues and still got us to the dome with a great attitude. Unless you are extremely fit, I do NOT recommend attempting half dome without at least one night in the Little Yosemite Camp site. Doing it in one day is dangerous unless you are very fit and very prepared. I highly recommend #DiscoveryTreks.com if you want to climb half dome but don't want the hassle of figuring out all the logistics on your own. These guys will get you there safely and will take a lot of the burden out of the trip. We started the hike via Mono Meadows after spending our first night at North Pine backpackers campsite in the valley floor. We woke up early to catch a tour bus (you must have tickets) to Glacier Point, and then hopped back on same bus to Mono Meadows trailhead. It was a nice bonus to get a tour of Glacier Point and our bus driver Colette (I think?) was hysterical! From Mono Meadows we had an easy 3 hr hike to our campsite on the Illilouette creek where we swam and relaxed in virtual solitude. I recommend water proof hiking shoes by the way, as we had a very wet meadow crossing at one point. From there the next morning we hiked into Little Yosemite Valley via the Panorama Trail and John Muir Trail, which afforded amazingly beautiful views without the steep climb of the mist trail. Arriving before lunch we had time to swim in the Merced and rest before eating lunch (Jason is a great cook!) and then preparing for the Half Dome climb. We started out before 2pm and arrived at the cables about 3.5hrs later. Lots of breaks on the way up due to high heat and just our fitness levels. The sub-dome was particularly challenging for me because it is steep and does not have railings. Not recommended for folks with vertigo! It was not a long ascent though, and we reached the cables within maybe 30 minutes. The cable route is very steep and way scarier than I imagined, but thankfully there were very few hikers on it that late in the afternoon. We arrived at cables around 5:30 I think. I was not going to attempt them until the ranger there said they aren't as bad as they look. He was wrong, haha, but by the time I started going up there was no turning back. Having the cable on each side of your body is reassuring, especially with good gloves and hiking shoes gripping well, but there are sections where you are walking up very steep slick rock with a cliff on each side of you and it is not for the faint of heart. They have wood planks to stop on every 10 or 15 feet, which helps you get some rest and feel more secure on the cliff. It takes around 30 mins to climb if you don't have others holding you up on the cables, but it is definitely hard on your arms and back since you are pulling your weight up equally between your arms and legs. I advise ascending the cables without looking to either side of you as you are definitely close to the cliff at several points. Arriving at the top was so worth all of the pain and fright though! It is otherworldly on top, with stunning 360 degree views. So peaceful that time of day too. The sun was starting to set so that the light was gorgeous on the valley. Coming down the cables was also quite frightening, but maybe not as bad as going up since you knew what to expect and had gravity helping you. There are a few rock shelves to step down and these are quite disconcerting if you are short since you have to reach up higher to the cable in these sections, but overall the descent is quick if no one is holding up the line. Going down the sub-dome was way easier for me than up, and we were on the main trail home in no time. However, the trail back to LYV camp is long and it is critical to carry extra water and snacks and MOST IMPORTANT a light! We were at our campsite before dark, but not much before it. We saw several people coming up on our way down who did not have water or headlamps and we heard later that one of them had to be helped by others on the trail. Don't be a burden to others and make sure you prepare properly for this hike! It is not cool to assume you are so special you don't need water or headlamps to attempt the dome. The next morning we broke camp and headed back to the valley floor via the John Muir trail. It took around 3.5hrs. Lots of switchbacks and sore knees but well worth the effort. We chose to splurge on a final night at the Ahwahnee with a dinner reservation planned in advance. A great end to a fantastic adventure! Thanks to Jason and DiscoveryTreks!
4. Tioga Pass
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,160 reviews
Dramatic drive starting at elevation 6,100 feet outside of Yosemite Valley and finishing 47 miles later atop Tioga Pass.
Reviewed By sherylfu - Berkeley, United States
Such a beautiful drive over Tioga Pass--something for everyone, photographers, geology freaks, hikers, lake lovers.
5. Mist Trail
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,020 reviews
Eminently accessible and popular, the Mist Trail takes hikers through Yosemite National Park to Vernal Fall Bridge, the best place to watch the waterfall.
Reviewed By val0rih - Brainerd, United States
Our family with two kids (6&7) did his hike at the end of August and we had a great experience and views. It was not smoky at all. The trail gets very busy so an early start is recommended!! I am in decent shape so this may be why I think this but I thought down was harder on the body than up!! We went down the John Muir trail and my knees and toes hurt quite a bit. Bring enough water as we didn’t and was quite parched by the time we reached the water refill station. We brought a picnic lunch and had one lunch on top of Vernal falls in the rocks by emerald pool and then another lunch on top of Nevada Falls....some of the best picnic spots I’ve ever experienced. It’s such a great feeling reaching the top of Nevada Falls and knowing what was accomplished to get there!!! Awesome, rewarding hike. Take your time and just do it... we took many breaks and took us 6 hours roundtrip!
6. Tunnel View
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,023 reviews
Reviewed By drmikenyc
The photo I'm seeing looks just like mine, so... what you see 'here' is what you get, on a photo or experiencing it through all your senses. This is a super-easy-to-get-to stop along Tioga Road, now. Once upon a time this was a view which enthralled Ansel Adams, who photographed this in black and white, and that image has been burnished into American iconography. Translation: This is an incredible, amazing, awe-inspiring view, looking at Yosemite Valley as it was carved out by glaciers, in the Ice Age, centuries ago. Once home to native Americans, it is now a national park (Yosemite). You know all this. All I can say is, even during the smoky days with wildfires around, this (at times of the day) was exactly what it looked like. A prime place to head for photography, selfies, painting, stretching...
7. Yosemite Falls
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,287 reviews
The fifth tallest waterfall in the world, Yosemite Falls is the centerpiece of Yosemite National Park.
Reviewed By ELKW
Yosemite falls consist of Upper and Lower fall, I think the Upper fall is more powerful, more impressive, but if you just look at the Lower fall, it is also beautiful and fabulous. You can see the falls in many spot, e.g. in the Cook's meadow loop, swinging bridge, Yosemite falls trail, Glacier point, etc. You can view the falls from different angles at different place, and it's worth to see the falls from different view at different place. It has the most water in the Spring and early summer, while the fall may dry out in late summer, so better plan to visit it in Spring and early summer.
8. Vernal Fall
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,384 reviews
Though not as tall as Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall is popular for the green foliage that surrounds it year-round and the rainbow mist it produces as the water cascades.
Reviewed By MariaCaders - Los Angeles, United States
I have not worked out in the past 4 years but yet I was able to do this without struggling and I was carrying 1 Gallons of water on my back. Wear good shoes with plenty of traction. There is NO SOCIAL DISTANCING and 25 % of the people were wearing masks. Allow 2-3 hours to do the regular loop. The way back down brings you down the hill a different way from the way up. Beware bc it can be steep and those not used to running on trails may fall. I did not need it but bring salty snacks just in case
9. Yosemite Valley
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6,631 reviews
Many climbers consider Yosemite Valley among the world's very best climbing sites.
Reviewed By archlav - Glenmoore, United States
We spent three days in Yosemite. We did tioga pass, hetch hetchy on one day, the valley the next day, glacier and wawona the next. The valley is the busiest and parking is insane. Please buy your national park pass in advance. Thats the easiest entry into the park you can get in very quickly. You have to arrive in the valley by 8 am. Otherwise parking will be an absolute nightnare. We parked at the lodge because the visitor center was already full. There are shuttle buses available but they have crazy wait times. We rented bikes! That was the best decision we made. There are bike paths all over and you dont have to fight with the cars for space. There are bike rentals at the lodge. It was $34 each to return by 6:45. It was a great deal for the whole day. We started with Yosemite lower falls, biked through the gorgeous meadows and saw some beautiful views of glacier point. We visited the chapel, conservation center and then headed to curry village had some pizza, headed to happy isles, hiked vernal falls, rode to visitor center and headed to lodge. You get to see all the magnificent falls and views in the valley. On your drive back stop by el capitan look out for some pics.
10. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,863 reviews
Reviewed By havanapampy - Austin, United States
I was willing to go to these place for a while and planning the trip very carefully because I wanted to do it with my (3.9 and 0.2 years old) kids. Here are the things that you need to know before doing the hike: - The shuttle service is amazingly fast - restrooms are clean and kid friendly at the parking lot - Take water with you or get it on the grove arrival area, where the shuttle leaves you - Do not take any kind of stroller, nothing with wheels - You won’t be able to touch the Grizzly Giant. It is surrounded by a wooden fence. - You will probably have to wait in line to take pictures at the Tunnel Tree. I was able to hike all over to the California Tunnel Tree and return doing the Grizzly Giant loop trail which is a 2 miles todo hike. I had an 3 years old in hand and a 2 months old baby in a carrier. I’m glad to have had my lovely cousin with me too. Unforgettable experience.
