Explore Yosemite National Park in 2 days+

Last updated February 2024

I often yearn to stroll along forest trails leading to waterfalls and breathe in the crisp mountain air. One place that immediately comes to mind is Yosemite National Park. Regardless of your fitness level, this destination will satiate your craving for the outdoors. With a variety of hikes ranging from easy to strenuous and viewpoints accessible by a scenic drive, Yosemite offers an experience tailored to everyone.

I've hiked in many national parks, but Yosemite is the one place I find myself returning to the most. It was love at first hike, and since then, I've found myself back on its trails countless times. I believe it's time to share a full itinerary for your perfect visit.

BEFORE YOU GO:

Entrance to Yosemite National Park requires reservations on certain days. Secure your entry reservations for your visit HERE.

I truly believe this park is epic in every season, but if you're like me and love chasing waterfalls, spring is the perfect time to visit.

Yosemite National Park is located approximately 4 hours and 30 minutes from Los Angeles (the shortest route via CA-99 N spans 279 miles), about 3 hours from San Francisco (the shortest route via I-580 E and CA-120 E is 167 miles), and roughly 7 hours from Las Vegas (the shortest route via I-15 S and CA-58 W is 456 miles).

There are numerous accommodation options in the towns near the park, ranging from hotels and motels to Airbnbs. I often find great deals on Expedia and Booking.com. Camping is also a fantastic idea; you can explore camping options nearby by following this link HERE.

DAY 1: YOSEMITE VALLEY

Start your exploration from the heart of Yosemite - Yosemite Valley. Prepare to make frequent stops and be in awe.

If you are taking Highway 41 to get to Yosemite, your journey will begin with Tunnel View, providing you with a quick introduction to Yosemite's beauty. If you are arriving via Highways 120 and 140, I recommend heading straight to the valley without any backtracking.

Brideveil Falls, the first landmark you'll encounter, plunges 620 feet (189 meters) and is often the initial waterfall visible upon entering Yosemite Valley. In spring, it thunders; during other seasons, watch for its gentle, swaying flow. A paved trail from the parking area leads to the waterfall's base, accessible year-round, though not suitable for wheelchairs due to its grade.

Continue driving on Southside Drive; there are several excellent picnic spots near the water along the valley loop. I highly recommend stopping by one or two to relish the serenity of this place. Choose from:

Cathedral Beach Picnic Area - view of El Capitan

Sentinel Beach Picnic Area - view of Yosemite Falls

Swinging Bridge - view of Yosemite Falls

Next, you will see Yosemite Chapel. Designed by Charles Geddes, a renowned church architect from San Francisco, the chapel stands as Yosemite Valley's oldest structure.

Continue driving to the Mist Trail leading to Vernal Falls – your first hike. Choose your desired distance:

Vernal Fall Footbridge: A moderately difficult hike with a 400 ft (120 m) elevation gain, covering 1.6 mi (2.6 km) round trip. Plan on hiking for 1-1.5 hours.

Top of Vernal Fall: A strenuous hike with a 1000 ft (300 m) elevation gain, spanning 2.4 mi (3.9 km) round trip (via Mist Trail). Plan on hiking for 3 hours.

For the adventurous souls, you can extend the trail to the Top of Nevada Fall. This hike involves a strenuous climb with a 2000 ft (610 m) elevation gain, covering 5.4 mi (8.7 km) round trip (via Mist Trail). Plan on hiking for 5-6 hours.

Next stop is the Mirror Lake Trailhead, just 0.5 miles away. This offers an easy 2-mile (3.2 km) round trip to the lake and back, or a 5-mile (8 km) loop around the lake, with an elevation gain of 100 feet.

Follow the road to Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, where you can take a walk on Cook’s Meadow Loop: 1 mile (1.6 km).

The last hike of the day is the Lower Yosemite Falls Loop: it is an easy 1-mile (1.6 km) hike that begins at Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead.

Continue driving on Northside Drive towards the exit of the park and stop by Hanging Valley View, and then head to Yosemite Valley View to end the day with these inspiring sights.

DAY 2: GLACIER POINT (accessible when Glacier Point Road is open, approximately late May through October or November).

The other side of Yosemite will provide you with a different perspective of the park from up high.

Your first stop will be Tunel View if you are coming from routes 120 or 140, a great way to start the day!

If you are taking 41, head straight to the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome trailhead for our first hike of the day.

The Sentinel Dome and Taft Point trails can be combined into a loop hike. Decide which option you prefer:

Sentinel Dome: a moderate 1.8-mile (2.9 km) round-trip hike with a 400 ft (125 m) elevation gain; plan to hike for 2 hours.

Taft Point: a moderate 2.2-mile (3.5 km) round-trip hike with a 200 ft (60 m) elevation gain; also takes about 2 hours.

Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop: a moderate 4.9-mile (7.9 km) loop with a 1,000 ft (300 m) elevation gain; takes about 3-4 hours.

Next, continue on this road toward Washburn Point, where you will get a different perspective on Vernal and Nevada Falls.

Continue driving to Glacier Point, and don’t forget to snap a picture of the Curve Vista.

From Glacier Point overlook, you will see the entire Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Yosemite’s high country. This is a perfect place to witness the sunset.

IF YOU ARE UP FOR A CHALLENGE...

If you've visited Yosemite several times and already experienced most of its landmarks, you might be interested in pushing yourself with a strenuous wilderness hike (under 10 miles).

Here are examples of day hikes that start at Yosemite Valley:

Top of Yosemite Falls: This is a strenuous hike, covering 7.2 miles (11.6 km) round trip with a 2,700 ft (823 m) elevation gain. Plan on hiking for 6-8 hours.

If you prefer not to climb all the way up, there's another destination on this route you might enjoy: Columbia Rock. It offers a moderate difficulty hike, spanning 2 miles (3.2 km) round trip with a 1,000 ft (328 m) elevation gain. It will take you approximately 2-3 hours. From this viewpoint, you can see Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock. If you continue hiking for another 0.5 miles (0.8 km), you'll get another perspective on Upper Yosemite Fall.

Snow Creek Trail: This is a strenuous hike that begins at the Mirror Lake Trailhead. It covers 9.4 miles (15.1 km) round trip with a 2,700 ft (820 m) elevation gain. Plan on spending about 6-7 hours to complete the hike.

Full-day hikes that start at Glacier Point:

Panorama Trail: This strenuous hike covers 8.5 miles (13.6 km) one-way and typically takes 6 to 8 hours.*

Four Mile Trail: This strenuous hike spans 4.8 miles (7.7 km) one-way and usually takes 3 to 4 hours.*

*Both of these hikes lead to Yosemite Valley, so it is highly recommended to arrange transportation to Glacier Point to avoid hiking back to your car.

BONUS:

On your way out, visit the Mariposa Grove with giant Sequoias. Here are hikes to choose from:

Big Trees Loop trail - an easy 0.3-mile (0.5 km) hike that starts at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area.

Grizzly Giant Loop trail - a moderate 2-mile (3.2 km) hike that starts at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area.

Guardian Loop trail - a strenuous 6.5-mile (10.5 km) hike that starts at the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area.

Mariposa Grove trail - a strenuous hike, 7 miles (11.3 km) round trip from the trailhead to Wawona Point.

Let's rock'n'roam,

Polina