Yosemite National Park itinerary: 1 to 2 days
Plans for one and two days in Yosemite National Park, staying in Yosemite Valley or a gateway town such as Mariposa, Oakhurst or Groveland, day by day: the Mist Trail to Vernal Fall in the morning, Lower Yosemite Fall, El Capitan Meadow, Bridalveil Fall and Tunnel View, then up to Sentinel Dome and sunset at Glacier Point; over two days, the valley on day one with Mirror Lake and the Visitor Center, ending at Tunnel View in the evening, and the rim on day two with Taft Point, Sentinel Dome and Glacier Point, then the giant sequoias of the Mariposa Grove. Every stop has a typical visit length.
How long do you have?
Map: 2 days
Yosemite National Park in 1 day
Day 1
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Steep trail from Happy Isles up granite steps beside Vernal Fall, soaked in spray in spring, to the top of the falls.
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
Easy loop through the woods to the foot of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in the park, loudest in spring.
El Capitan Meadow
Open meadow on the valley floor under the sheer face of El Capitan, where climbers can often be seen on the wall.
Bridalveil Fall
Waterfall blowing in the wind from a hanging valley near the valley entrance, reached by a short paved path.
Tunnel View
Classic viewpoint at the tunnel on the Wawona Road, showing El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall in one view, lovely at dusk.
Sentinel Dome
Short hike from the Glacier Point Road up a bare granite dome with a full circle of views over the valley and peaks.
Glacier Point
Viewpoint on the valley rim facing Half Dome, with Vernal and Nevada Falls and the High Sierra spread out below.
Yosemite National Park in 2 days
Day 1
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Steep trail from Happy Isles up granite steps beside Vernal Fall, soaked in spray in spring, to the top of the falls.
Mirror Lake
Small seasonal lake below Half Dome, reached by an easy walk, at its fullest and most reflective in spring.
Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
The main visitor centre in Yosemite Village, with exhibits, maps, ranger advice and a film about the park.
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
Easy loop through the woods to the foot of Yosemite Falls, the highest waterfall in the park, loudest in spring.
El Capitan Meadow
Open meadow on the valley floor under the sheer face of El Capitan, where climbers can often be seen on the wall.
Bridalveil Fall
Waterfall blowing in the wind from a hanging valley near the valley entrance, reached by a short paved path.
Tunnel View
Classic viewpoint at the tunnel on the Wawona Road, showing El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall in one view, lovely at dusk.
Day 2
Taft Point
Easy rim walk to a cliff-edge viewpoint with deep fissures in the rock and a sheer drop to the valley below.
Sentinel Dome
Short hike from the Glacier Point Road up a bare granite dome with a full circle of views over the valley and peaks.
Glacier Point
Viewpoint on the valley rim facing Half Dome, with Vernal and Nevada Falls and the High Sierra spread out below.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Grove of hundreds of giant sequoias near the south entrance, including the ancient Grizzly Giant, with walking trails among the trees.
Watch: Yosemite National Park
A one-minute look at the plan: every stop, day by day, with the map.
When to go to Yosemite National Park
Late spring and early summer, from May to June, bring the fullest waterfalls, though Glacier Point Road may open only from late May or June. July and August are hot in the valley and very busy; September and October are quieter, with low waterfalls. Winter is snowy and peaceful, and in February the Horsetail Fall firefall draws large crowds.
Plan the rest of your trip
- Where to stay: hotels in Yosemite National Park on Booking.com or Trip.com
- Skip-the-line tickets: museums and sights in Yosemite National Park on Tiqets
- Tours and day trips: things to do in Yosemite National Park on GetYourGuide
- Data on arrival: an eSIM for United States from Airalo
Some of these are affiliate links: we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips for Yosemite National Park
- Check before you go whether a peak-hours entry reservation is needed: Yosemite has required them on busy days from spring to autumn in recent years.
- Glacier Point Road, for Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome and Taft Point, is open only from about late May or June to October or November; snow closes it the rest of the year.
- Start the Mist Trail early, before the heat and the crowds; the granite steps are steep and wet with spray, so wear shoes with good grip.
- The waterfalls are at their fullest in spring and early summer; by late summer some, like Yosemite Falls, can be almost dry.
- Store all food in the bear-proof lockers provided and never leave it in the car: black bears live throughout the park.
Make it your own
Open the guide in Andiamo Places to see every stop on a map with walking directions, move places between days, check opening hours for your dates, and add your own finds. After the trip, your photos become a journal and, if you like, a printed photo book.
Guides are made with the help of AI and public sources such as Wikipedia, and may contain errors. Opening hours and prices change, so check before you go. Spotted a wrong photo, a pin in the wrong place, a missing stop or a better one? Write to andiamotravelapp@gmail.com: the e-mail opens with this guide filled in.
Photo credits
- Bridalveil Fall: Asamudra, CC BY 3.0
- El Capitan Meadow: Clementp.fr, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Glacier Point: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lower Yosemite Fall Trail: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mirror Lake: chensiyuan, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Mist Trail to Vernal Fall: TFNorman, Public domain
- Sentinel Dome: Supercarwaar, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Taft Point: Dave from San Jose, CA, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Tunnel View: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Yosemite Valley Visitor Center: Almonroth, CC BY-SA 3.0
Opening hours change; check before you go. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors.
