Yosemite National Park is breathtaking. The granite cliffs that tower over and all around you are SO MUCH BIGGER than you can ever imagine. If you are looking for a truly awe-inspiring place to get out into nature and un-plug, Yosemite is for you!
You can spend a week or more at Yosemite National Park and still not see everything – after all, the park covers 1,169 square miles! There are hundreds of hiking trails to explore ranging from easy & flat to very long and/or very steep, not to mention all of the other cool stuff to see & do.
So, how on earth do you decide what to pack into your short time there? I’ve narrowed down my top 4 must-do’s in Yosemite. Add these to the top of your list & you will not be disappointed. I’ll also share some things you need to know before you go at the end.
Tunnel View
In my opinion, there really is no other way to be introduced to Yosemite. As you drive, the scenery will get more beautiful, but mostly you just see mountains covered in trees with an occasional glimpse at a tiny bit of granite. Then, you’ll drive through Wawona Tunnel, which is really cool itself – going right through the granite mountain. When you come out of the tunnel though…jaw-dropping beauty! There is a parking lot just as you exit the tunnel. You will definitely want to stop and take in the amazing beauty in front of you (and take a bunch of pictures, of course).
How to get there: If you fly into Fresno, you’ll hop on State Highway 41 and head north. Highway 41 turns into Wawona Road.
Length & Difficulty: This is a perfect stop for anyone you may be traveling with. No long hike required, just a short walk across the parking lot.
Restrooms & Such: No restrooms/stores/shops or water for purchase.
Want to know the BEST places to stay in Yosemite? CLICK HERE for my top recommendations!
Hike Mist Trail to Vernal Falls
This is a beautiful (though tough) hiking trail that takes you through moss-covered rocks, right along the side of Vernal Falls. You will be hiking close to the waterfall and the “mist” gets pretty heavy. It could have been named “soaking wet trail.” Although it isn’t for everyone, my son was able to do it without any issues and he was 11 years old at the time. He may have complained about being wet & cold a time or two, but alas, he survived. I promise that it is worth all the effort, just make sure you have some good shoes and take your time (you can see my #1 hiking shoe recommendation here).
Once you get to the top of the falls, there is a big open area that is perfect for stopping and taking a break. You can get really close to the top of the waterfall and look down at all those hikers coming up after you. Don’t be surprised if you have some chipmunks run up to you and try to steal your food.
How to get there: Start at Happy Isles Trailhead (bus stop #16).
Length & Difficulty: From the trailhead to the top of Vernal Falls and back is about 3 miles. The trail is rated as hard. It gets pretty steep and there are a LOT of steps (many of them wet & narrow). If you choose, you can continue on up to Nevada Falls. The total hike to Nevada Falls and back is 7 miles.
Restrooms & Such: There are outhouse-style restrooms past the top of Vernal Falls, but no stores/shops or water for purchase.
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Hike Around Mirror Lake
This is a gorgeous area and definitely a must-see! Mirror Lake may be full of water or almost dry depending on the time of year you are visiting, but it is beautiful year-round. We were there in late July and the water was somewhat low. We waded across the lake in knee-deep, crystal clear, cold water at one point. Many people were swimming, but the water was too cold for us to go that far. There are several sandy areas where you can sit and relax. As an added bonus, we saw some deer close to the lake.
How to get there: Start at shuttle stop #17. You can also hike there from Half Dome Village/Curry Village if you are staying there or choose to park there.
Length & Difficulty: The hike to the lake and back is 2-miles. The hike all the way around the lake is 5-miles. It is an easy hike. Add about 2 miles to your overall hike if you hike from Half Dome/Curry Village.
Restrooms & Such: There are outhouse-style restrooms on one area of the trail, but no stores/shops or water for purchase.
Glacier Point
The only thing more impressive than seeing all those granite cliffs towering above you is seeing them all from the top. I cannot recommend Glacier Point enough! You will have an amazing view high above Yosemite Valley.
Depending on where you stay, it may be a little out of the way, but it is totally worth the drive. You will not be disappointed! We almost skipped it because it was so out of the way. I am SO glad we didn’t! You'll only have road access to this amazing viewpoint when the roads are not icy (approximately from late May to October/November).
How to get there: From Yosemite Valley, head south on Wawona Road for about 13 miles. Turn onto Glacier Point Road and just follow the road until you arrive. It is about a 1-hour drive from Yosemite Valley.
Length & Difficulty: There is a big parking lot. From there, it’s just a short walk down a wide paved trail (wheelchair accessible).
Restrooms & Such: There are restrooms, a store/cafe, and a gift shop. This shop was the only place where we saw shirts for sale referring to climbing half dome).
Before Your Trip To Yosemite…
Yosemite National Park is one of the most awe-inspiring parks I’ve ever been to. Although we did a ton of hiking and did a few other things while we were there, these were by far my 4 favorite things and definitely must-do’s if you are heading to Yosemite!
Now before you go to Yosemite, there are a few things you definitely need to know to make sure you are prepared so you can make the most of your time there.
- It is not as easy to get from point A to point B. Traffic in the summer is crazy. Also, the roads wind through the mountains so make sure you allow yourself plenty of time.
- If you are staying in the park, you need to know that registration desks can get really crowded, especially in the afternoons. Most are open 24 hours a day. Choose early mornings or late evenings to go in and ask questions…Read More
If you've ever thought of taking a family trip to Big Bend National Park, check this out! Big Bend National Park: The Best Family Hiking Trails & Where To Stay In Big Bend!
Ladies…if you need a good hiking backpack, check out The BEST Hiking Backpacks For Women. We've done the research, compared, and reviewed all of the top backpacks out there!
Until next time…
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This Yosemite National Park Guide is incredibly helpful. You’ve really thought through everything you need to know before planning a trip. Thank you for this helpful resource. Saving this guide for later!
Thank you so much! I’m so glad you found it helpful. Be sure to check back – I’m working on a “Where To Stay in Yosemite’ article right now!
Great info Jody, thanks! We’re working on the details of a hoped for trip to Yosemite in late May/early June. Since it’s so huge it seems that staying inside the park is preferable. We’re coming from Ohio so likely our one time to make this trip while our son is still at home. Probably best to stay at least 3 nights in the park? We also want to make a separate trip to Sequoia if possible. Did you hike the Panorama Trail while at Yosemite? Our heads are spinning with all the possibilities!
Hey Paul,
I’m so glad you found my article helpful! I definitely recommend staying inside the park if at all possible. It really is SO HUGE and traffic can be really crazy. The less driving around you have to do, the better. When planning hikes & things to do, group them by area so if you have to drive somewhere, you will be in that area for the day.
Yes, I’d stay at least 3 nights in Yosemite (4 if you can). Just know that you won’t fit everything in & that’s ok. We didn’t hike the Panorama, but did many of the shorter trails (not sure my son would have been able to hang through 9 difficult miles). You can see similar views at Glacier Point. I’d go on the AllTrails app and search for the best (highest rated) trails and just pick a handful to try out. Honestly, I don’t think you can go wrong. All the ones we did were excellent!
& YES…go to Sequoia – it’s a whole other kind of awesome! We stayed 4 nights in Yosemite and then 3 nights in Sequoia. Enjoy your trip!