Introduction

Known for its breathtaking views and incredible hikes, Yosemite is like a place out of a storybook. The valley is full of life and vegetation, and surrounded by towering granite stone buildings such as Half Dome and El Capitan. Yosemite Valley, also known by the indigenous people as “Large Mouth”, is the ideal place for hiking, exploring and camping. In this travel guide, we will go over the perfect 1 day itinerary for anyone visiting this historic National Park.

Preparing for your visit

Best time to visit Yosemite

Yosemite experiences all 4 seasons. Depending on the season, you can see roaring waterfalls or snow filled meadows. The best time to visit, in our opinion, is May thru September. The temperature is warm and the weather is generally clear. When it comes to doing one of Yosemite’s many hikes, clear skis always makes for a more enjoyable, and safe experience.

Depending on the time of year, certain parts of the park can be closed due to snow. Roads such as Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close from November to May. Depending on snow removal, road closure can extend so be sure to visit the Yosemite National Park website for updates.

Yosemite recently, to mitigate the crowd surges during the busy period, has implemented a reservation system during certain parts of the summer season. Below are the date ranges where a reservation is required.

April 13 – June 30: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays Only

July 1 – August 16: Everyday

August 17 – October 27: Saturdays, Sundays and Holidays Only

Make sure to plan ahead and visit Yosemite National Park for reservation requirements and to reserve a spot if applicable.

What to Pack

There’s nothing like hiking in Yosemite. The scenery is like something out of a movie, picturesque and illydic. The hikes themselves can leave you tired, hungry and wet! So make sure you are prepared, be sure to pack the correct gear.

Hiking boots

A good pair of hiking boots can be the difference between a fun hike or a miserable one. Make sure the boots are waterproof and comfortable.

Rain Jacket

This one sounds odd, especially if you look at the weather and don’t see any rain in the forecast. But, some of the waterfalls, especially the Mist Trail, can leave you completely soaked. As you climb higher in Yosemite, the weather can change rapidly so best to be prepared.

Water

It’s very important that you make sure you bring enough water on your hike. Water filling stations are few and far between so make sure you plan and make sure you have enough water. We recommend having a Cammelbak with a built in bladder.

Extra clothing

Certain hikes in Yosemite can leave you soaked, so an extra pair of clothes is a necessity. Keeping yourself dry can help prevent blisters and make the hike more enjoyable.

Food

The hikes in Yosemite can range in difficulty with hikes such as the Mist Trail and Half Dome taking several hours! Make sure you pack some snacks to keep your energy up.

Hiking Poles

This is more of a preference than a necessity. But, hiking polls definitely make the descent a little easier on the knees and help with balance.

Camera

I mentioned before how incredible the scenery is in Yosemite. Make sure you have your phone charged or your camera packed. Bringing a small portable charger makes sure you won’t lose power while you are enjoying the hikes. These are memories you are going to want to capture and relive again and again.

Bug Spray

Depending on the time of day, the bugs at Yosemite can be vicious. We recommend bringing along some bug spray and applying as it gets closer to sunset. The number of bugs at Glacier Point was surprising especially at sunset.

Where to Stay Nearby

The closest town to stay near Yosemite is Mariposa, CA. This small town is located about 1 hour from the El Portal Entrance. The town includes places to eat, gas stations and grocery stores. Below are some recommended stays in Mariposa:

Mariposa

Yosemite Plaisance Bed & Breakfast, Mariposa (updated prices 2024) (booking.com)

Bed and breakfast located about 30 miles from Yosemite. The entrance to the room is private and includes breakfast. The room is perfect for 2-4 people visiting Yosemite.

Stunning Treetop Villa – 1 Mi to Dtwn Mariposa!, Mariposa (updated prices 2024) (booking.com)

Treetop Villa located about 1 mile from downtown Mariposa. The stay includes parking on site, air conditioning and a separate bedroom.

Becky’s Condo, Mariposa (updated prices 2024) (booking.com)

Condo with garden views, air conditioning and 1 bedroom. The kitchen is well equipped for cooking, perfect for a night in!

The Perfect 1 Day Itinerary

Arriving at Yosemite

A day at Yosemite starts early. With the sheer size of the park and the number of sites to see, you want to give yourself plenty of time to visit as much as possible. When arriving at Yosemite, you are greeted by towering walls of granite and the tranquil sounds of running water. When you reach the Yosemite National Park sign, it’s the exciting feeling that you have made it and your journey is just beginning.

There are 3 entrances to the park, Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza (South), Arc Rock Entrance (West), Big Oak Flat Information Station (North). Depending on where you are coming from determines what is the best entrance. Entrance to the park cost $35 per car. If you are planning to go to more than just Yosemite in one year, we recommend getting the National Park Annual Pass. The pass is only $70 and gets you into any US National Park of your choice for a year.

Once you pass the ranger station and enter Yosemite, follow the road until you reach El Capitan Meadow. Once you reach the meadow, pull your car over to a parking spot and take in the first popular landmark, El Capitan.

The massive granite rock face is one of Yosemite’s most famous landmarks. Standing at an impressive 3000 ft above the valley floor, El Capitan is an impressive site to lay your eyes on.

Parking near El Capitan gives you access to visit other impressive sites, such as BridalVeil Falls and witnessing HorseTail Falls.

Once you have had time to take in the scenery, you will jump back in your car and continue the journey to the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center.

Along the way, there are many iconic stops that you can get out and take pictures. These include Sentinel Meadow and Superintendents Bridge.

Once you reach the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, the next part of the journey begins!

Hiking in Yosemite

When you are trying to decide between hikes, be mindful of the time. Some of the hikes in Yosemite can take a couple hours, while others can take most of the day to complete. Planning ahead will make sure you aren’t rushed and can enjoy everything Yosemite has to offer.

Mirror Lake

Difficulty: Easy

Time: 1 hr 45 mins

Trail Length: 5 miles

Elevation Gain: 301 ft

Mirror Lake, located at the far east end of Yosemite Valley, provides a different view of Half Dome than any other trail in Yosemite. When looking at the lake, you can see the vertical face of Half Dome staring right back at you. The water in Mirror Lake is refreshing to jump in especially on a hot summer day. During the hot summer days, visitors like to congregate here for a quick dip or just hangout in the sun.

The trail itself is fairly easy. A good part of the trail is paved. The middle part of the trail is a flat walk through the woods. Be careful of people on bikes, and remember to stay to the right. Many people camping enjoy jumping on a beach cruiser and riding to the lake.

On the way back, watch out for moving vehicles. Very few vehicles are allowed to access the lake, but those with handicap restrictions are allowed to drive to a designated area.

The Mist Trail (Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls)

Difficulty: Hard

Time: 3 hr 53 min

Trail Length: 5.7 miles

Elevation Gain: 2129 ft

Considered one of the most popular trails in Yosemite, The Mist Trail takes you to see two of the park’s most popular landmarks, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. The best time to visit these 2 waterfalls is during the spring and early summer. Snow melt generates the largest amount of water which makes for a much stronger waterfall. The climb to the top of Nevada Falls is steep so take caution when deciding how far to go. The trail starts at Happy Isles and climbs to the first stop at Vernal Falls Restroom. Here you can stop to fill up your water bottles and take a quick break before beginning the trek to the top of Vernal Falls.

Once you reach Vernal Falls, you discover how it got its name “Mist Trail”. As the water from the falls hits the rocks below, water is pushed up in a cloud of mist. You will be surprised just how wet you get here. For that reason, we recommend wearing a rain jacket here. Take your time climbing the many steps to the top of the falls. The steps are slippery and it’s a popular place for tourists to take photos.

After reaching the top of Vernal Falls, you can continue the climb to the next falls, Nevada Falls. The hike up to the top of Nevada Falls can be challenging with a multitude of steps to climb to reach the top. At the conclusion of the hike, you are greeted with picturesque views of the valley from the viewpoint above the falls.

You literally feel like you are standing on top of the world. You also get views of Liberty Cap, with a towering elevation of 7060 ft.

Overlook at Glacier Point

At the conclusion of your hiking adventure, the best way to end the day is enjoying the stunning viewpoint at Glacier Point and Tunnel View. Both of these viewpoints offer unique viewpoints of Yosemite Valley and capture Yosemite’s most famous landmarks.

Once you reach your car at the Yosemite Valley Welcome Center, you will begin the drive up to Glacier Point. The total driving time to the top is about 1 hour.

On your drive up to Glacier Point, you will stop at your first viewpoint, Tunnel View.

Tunnel View

Located just before Wawona Tunnel, Tunnel View offers a view of the valley like no other. The picturesque view includes sites such as El Capitan, Half Dome and BridalVeil Falls.

Take some time here to take in the view and take photos. This will be a site you won’t ever forget!

Glacier Point

With one of the best views of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point is a can’t miss destination. Once you reach the parking lot, it is a short walk to Glacier Point. Once there, you are greeted with views of Half Dome, Nevada Falls and Yosemite Valley. Depending on the time of day you visit, the bugs can be ferocious, so pack some bug spray!

Overall

Though some of the journey can be difficult, it is well worth it. Yosemite is a special place and a trip there is a memory you won’t forget for the rest of your life!

The Ultimate 1 Day Yosemite Itinerary