Yosemite Itinerary: 5 Ideas for Day-to-Day Experiences in an Iconic National Park

Article Summary: Yosemite Itinerary, One Day in Yosemite

So you want to visit Yosemite National Park, but you’re not sure how much time you can spare? We get it. You don’t want to spend too many days there because of the cost or time constraints, and yet you don’t want to not see everything that this spectacular place has to offer either. The Parks Expert is here for you.

We’ve broken down this Yosemite itinerary day by day: one, two, three, four, or five days in Yosemite. Or, use it to decide how to spend one day in Yosemite. There’s something in this Yosemite itinerary for everyone, guaranteed.

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Yosemite National Park Overview: What You Need to Know Before Planning Your Yosemite Itinerary

Arrive Prepared: Tips for Visiting Yosemite

Arrive early: Beat the crowds at the entrance station and at the popular trailheads by waking up at sunrise.

Have your reservations: Reservations are required to enter Yosemite National Park. You can make reservations online here. You can also hold reservations for lodging or camping in Yosemite in order to enter the park. Print these confirmation emails so you can show them at the entrance station. It’s very likely you won’t have cell phone reception.

Plan ahead and book in advance: Again, if you have reservations, you’re golden. If you are arriving on a whim, you’ll only have three hours to spend in the park. That three hours must be spent driving to the eastern side of the Sierras on Highway 120 rather than sightseeing. 

Drink a lot of water: Yosemite can be hot! Especially in the summer. Plus, most of the hikes are exposed and strenuous. Make sure you are prepared with plenty of water. I’d recommend at least 2 liters per person, more if you are hiking over 5 miles.

Stay on the trail: A majority of the hiking accidents in Yosemite National Park occur when visitors leave the maintained path. For your safety, do not veer off the trail. While hiking, you also need to be bear-aware. Note that bear spray is not allowed in the park.

Spend as much time in the park as you can: This itinerary is designed for one day in Yosemite, but that’s not enough. You should plan at least 2 days in the park, and 3-4 if you can.

Best time to visit Yosemite National Park: We recommend visiting in the busy summer season. Though it is crowded, this is when most of the park is open and accessible. In the winter, you risk road closures and conditions that don’t allow for scenic drives or hiking popular trails in the park. If you want to avoid the crowds, try a spring or fall visit. If you want to see the Firefall, you’ll want to visit in mid-February.

Yosemite National Park Entry fees

There is an admission fee in Yosemite. This is in addition to any fees for guided tours, overnight accommodations, or timed entry reservations.

To enter Yosemite, it’ll cost $35/vehicle, $30/motorcycle, or $20/pedestrian. Your admission is valid for 7 days.

In order to save money, I would recommend purchasing a national parks pass. These cost $80 and are valid for a full calendar year (from the date of purchase) at all public lands in the United States. After you visit 3 national parks, it’ll have paid for itself. It also makes a great gift for national park enthusiasts! Learn more about park entry fees.

How to Get to Yosemite National Park

By car: If you want to use your own vehicle, make sure you have enough fuel and an extra day just in case of traffic or other delays on the way there. Gas is also very expensive in California, so keep that in mind as you travel. 

By plane: Yosemite is two hours away from Fresno-Yosemite International Airport (FAT), which offers flights from many major airports in the region. You can also fly into San Francisco, which is about 4 hours from Yosemite.

By bus: Yosemite has a public transit system for those who can’t or don’t want to drive their own car. This is called the Yarts bus and it arrives at Yosemite from destinations throughout central California. There is also a Yosemite Valley shuttle and a Mariposa Grove shuttle to help you navigate these busy areas. Even with the reservation system parking is a challenge, so we highly recommend the park shuttles.

By train: Yosemite also has an Amtrak stop that is located just outside the park. You can take the bus from this station.

By bike or on foot: Those who are up for a challenge might want to hike their way into Yosemite!

Where to Stay in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley is the most popular part of Yosemite National Park, included in every Yosemite itinerary. It offers easy access to Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, etc. That said, it’s also pretty crowded! Expect a majority of visitors to stay in Yosemite Valley.

Yosemite Valley Lodge: The Yosemite Valley Lodge is a Yosemite hotel option for people just looking for a night or two of Yosemite lodging. It offers all the amenities Yosemite visitors need, such as air conditioning, refrigerators, and wireless internet access.

Curry Village: Curry Village is a Yosemite Valley area campground that has Yosemite-style cabins with Yosemite-style amenities. These cabins are either wood framed or canvas. Cabins have single beds, functional kitchens, picnic tables, and fire rings. The tent cabins do not have electricity. The only supplies are twin or double beds, towels, a trash can, sheets, blankets, and a food storage bin outside your tent. Bathrooms are shared with other campers. Curry Village may be the most popular place to stay in Yosemite National Park because of its proximity to many of the park’s attractions and facilities. 

Ahwahnee Hotel: The Ahwahnee Hotel is the most luxurious Yosemite hotel and was built in 1927. It has many features that make it the best hotel in Yosemite National Park, including its natural granite construction and unique architectural design. The Ahwahnee offers various room types ranging from standard to mountain view suites.

This hotel also offers many amenities including an on-site restaurant, bar, spa services, as well as a conference center for events. The Ahwahnee Hotel may be one of the best places to stay in Yosemite National Park because it provides such luxury accommodations but also has so much else to offer visitors!

Tuolumne Meadows

Tuolumne is home to two lodging options. It’s located in the northern part of the park.

Tuolumne Meadows Lodge: The Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is located in the heart of Tuolumne Meadows, making it a popular lodging destination on a Yosemite itinerary. The lodge offers guests an opportunity to take a break from everyday life. Similar to Curry Village, this lodge offers canvas tents and allows for great proximity to high country destinations.

High Sierra Camp: High Sierra Camp offers Yosemite visitors the opportunity to spend time in the backcountry and enjoy an unforgettable experience. There are multiple camps spread out several miles apart from each other. They offer many amenities including dining. Activities offered are hiking, fishing, boating, and more. Reservations run on a lottery system.

Wawona

Wawona is the southernmost district of the park, closest to the Mariposa Grove.

Wawona Hotel: The historic Wawona Hotel is within easy access of the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park and is the perfect Yosemite hotel for visitors looking to escape the crowds. The beautiful and historic Wawona Hotel is the park’s only Victorian lodge.

Where to Stay Near Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park has quite a few gateway communities with lodging options if those in the park are full. Any of these would accommodate your Yosemite itinerary well.

Oakhurst: Yosemite Southgate Hotel, Yosemite Sierra Inn, Mountain Trail Lodge, Comfort Inn

Fish Camp: Tenaya Lodge, White Chief Mountain Lodge, Black Pines Retreat, Carriage House at Yosemite

Mariposa: River Rock Inn, Yosemite Nights B&B, Best Western Plus, Sierra Trails Inn

El Portal: Cedar Lodge, Yosemite View Lodge, Gatekeeper’s Lodge

Groveland: Riverside Inn, Rush Creek Lodge

Mammoth Lakes: Motel 6, Mammoth Mountain Inn, The Village Lodge, Travelodge, Juniper Springs Resort

Yosemite National Park Map

Click on the map of Yosemite National Park above to enlarge it and download it.

One Day in Yosemite Itinerary, Option 1: Yosemite Valley

I recommend that you go to Yosemite Valley if you only have one day in Yosemite because there are so many amazing attractions to see in Yosemite Valley. There are so many places that you can hike, like Yosemite Falls (upper or lower), the Mist Trail, Bridalveil Falls, or Mirror Lake, to name a few. Not all of these will squeeze into a one-day Yosemite itinerary, but you can certainly tackle a few.

First, think about whether you’d like to do a few short hikes or spend your time on longer trails. Let’s start with some shorter options, then detail some longer ones.

Not interested in hiking? Some other popular things to do in the area include visiting Tunnel View (pictured above), Valley View, or watching climbers make their way up El Capitan.

Or, if you’re visiting in winter, focus on the Yosemite Firefall.

Lower Yosemite Falls is one of the shortest loops in Yosemite Valley. You can either head up the left side, which is a bit steeper, or head up on the right side, which is a much more gradual incline. Either way, you should expect to complete the loop in about 30 minutes. The scenic trail is mostly in the woods, so you’ll have a decent amount of shade on a hot day. Halfway through the loop, you’ll arrive at a footbridge over Yosemite Creek with marvelous views of the falls.

Bridalveil Falls may be an even easier hike than Lower Yosemite Falls! It’s only 1/4-mile from the parking area to the falls viewing point. I would allow about 30 minutes for this walk as well.

Mirror Lake can be found at an elevation of 2,996 meters. It’s a day hike and it takes about five hours to get to the top. The first part of the hike is mild and flat with a gradual incline, but as you get closer to the lake, it becomes steeper. When you finally reach the lake, you can enjoy its natural beauty. 

If you’re up for more of a challenge, why not climb the Mist Trail? This is the most popular hike in Yosemite National Park and a must on any Yosemite itinerary. I would allow at least 6 hours to complete the strenuous hike. You’ll climb (what I would estimate as) over 1,000 stairs to reach the top of Nevada Falls if you choose to hike the full trail. You can also make it a loop with the John Muir Trail or Clark Point cutoff. Learn more in my guide to hiking the Mist Trail. 

One Day in Yosemite Itinerary, option 2: Mariposa Grove and Wawona

Enter at the South Gate on Highway 41 near the Mariposa Grove and Wawona. I do recommend arriving early to beat the lines at the entrance stations. Sometimes, it can take over two hours to get through the gate. Don’t forget your Yosemite reservations! 

I highly recommend visiting Mariposa Grove via shuttle. Shuttle service begins in late May and runs through the end of March. Other times of year, the visit requires a 4-mile round-trip hike. That’s just to the beginning of the grove; to see it the giant sequoias, you’ll have to walk even further.

PARKS EXPERT TIP: Visitors with a valid disability placard can drive as far as the Grizzly Giant parking area in order to avoid the 4-mile walk and shuttle.

If you’re up for the trip, you’ll get to experience the largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park. If you won’t be able to visit Sequoia National Park while you’re in California, this is a great addition to your Yosemite itinerary.

Here are some options for hiking in the Mariposa Grove during your day in Yosemite.

Big Trees Loop: An easy, relatively flat, 0.3-mile loop that would take 30-45 minutes. You’ll get to see the Fallen Monarch as you walk in addition to waysides that describe the ecology of giant sequoias.

Grizzly Giant Loop: This is the most popular hike in Mariposa Grove. Allow 1.5-2 hours for this 2-mile, moderate loop. Start on the Mariposa Grove Trail at the Big Trees Loop. Along the way, you’ll pass notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Grizzly Giant, and the California Tunnel Tree. Expect 300 feet (91 m) of elevation gain.  

Guardians Loop: One of the more strenuous hikes in Mariposa Grove, the Guardians Loop is 6.5 miles roundtrip. I would allow up to 6 hours for this hike. You’ll see famous trees such as the fallen Wawona Tunnel Tree and the Telescope Tree in addition to the Mariposa Grove Cabin.

Mariposa Grove Trail: If you’re willing to hike a bit farther, this strenuous trail is 7 miles long and would also take up to 6 hours. The trail passes sequoias you may have heard of, including the Bachelor and Three Graces, the Faithful Couple, and the Clothespin Tree as you climb toward the top of the grove. The hike also includes Wawona Point, an overlook with panoramic views. The total elevation gain is 1,200 feet (366 m). 

Learn more about visiting the Mariposa Grove.

One Day in Yosemite Itinerary, Option 3: Tuolomne Meadows

Tuolomne Meadows (pronounced to-all-uh-me) is a high-altitude meadow in Yosemite National Park. It is located at around 8,600 feet above sea level. The meadow has a unique climate that ranges from dry and cool to warm and wet depending on the time of year.

The Tuolumne River also runs through the meadow and there are towering granite peaks all around it. The meadow was originally called “Tuolumnes” by the indigenous people who named it in honor of their Red Dog God, Tuolumne.

Visiting Tuolumne includes driving the scenic Tioga Road. I would allow 4 hours for the roundtrip drive if you are heading to Tioga Pass and returning to Yosemite Valley for the night. That’s 4 hours for the drive itself; it doesn’t include any stops.

This high-elevation drive (the highest paved road in the state of California) is only open from late May or early June until November. 

Some hikes in the Tuolumne area include:

Soda Springs/Parsons Lodge: This 1.5-mile roundtrip hike is easy and only takes about an hour. Starting at the parking area for Lembert Dome, you’ll walk along the Pacific Crest/John Muir Trail to the historic Parsons Lodge. If there’s a staff member on-site, it will be open so you can view the exhibits. You can also view Soda Springs, a mysterious spring with cold, bubbling water.

Tuolumne Grove Trail: If you weren’t able to hike to the Mariposa Grove, or didn’t have time in your Yosemite itinerary, I recommend stopping at Tuolumne Grove as you drive Tioga Road. This grove is much smaller, but still spectacular to see.  The full hike is 3.2 miles roundtrip, but you can turn around whenever you’d like on this out-and-back trail. 

Gaylor Lakes: This is the farthest trailhead from Yosemite Valley, but it’s certainly worth the trip. It’s actually the favorite for a park ranger friend of mine, which means it has to go on your Yosemite itinerary, right? The hike is about 2 miles and will take up to 2 hours to complete with 500 feet of elevation gain. You’ll begin at the Tioga Pass Entrance Station and take in some beautiful views of the High Sierra as you steadily climb. The views of Mt. Dana and Dana Meadows are particularly splendid from here. Once you crest the ridge, it’s a 200-foot descent to Middle Gaylor Lake, a great turnaround point if you’re not up for the entire hike. 

Don’t want to hike? Why not visit Tenaya Lake and go for a swim? Or, sit by the shore and take in the beautiful views.

Also, you won’t want to miss the scenic Olmstead Point along the drive! You’ll get a unique view of Half Dome from here. If you bring binoculars, or if there’s a staff member onsite with a spotting scope, you may even catch a glimpse of hikers climbing the Half Dome cables.

One Day in Yosemite Itinerary, Option 4: Hike One of the Park’s Most Strenuous Trails

Up for one of the most popular all-day hikes in Yosemite? If you want to spend your full day hiking in Yosemite, I have two options for you.

Half Dome: This is one of Yosemite’s most famous hikes as it takes you from forested trails through granite slabs then onto an exposed face leading all the way up until you reach the summit where there are stunning 360° panoramic views. Climbing to the base of Half Dome on the Mist Trail is open to all visitors, but climbing the cables to reach the top of Half Dome requires a permit. The hike is 16 miles roundtrip and can also be done as an overnight trip, which requires a different type of permit. 

Upper Yosemite Falls: If you’re interested in a strenuous hike without having to make reservations, Upper Yosemite Falls might be a good option for you. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in the United States and the fifth tallest in the world at 2,425 feet (740 m). Upper Yosemite Falls is the first of three falls that make up the full length. It is found on the top half of the valley’s vertical face. The trail to the top is a strenuous 7.5-mile roundtrip out-and-back hike with over 3,000 feet of elevation gain and over 4 dozen switchbacks. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen!  

One Day in Yosemite Itinerary, Option 5: Glacier Point

In my opinion, Glacier Point Road is the perfect way to either start or end your Yosemite itinerary.

Glacier Point Road is a 12.8-mile (20.5 km) east-west road in Yosemite National Park that provides access to Glacier Point, Yosemite’s highest accessible point from which one can see the entirety of the park. The road ascends 1,200 ft (365 m) over the course of its length to reach its terminus at 7,160 ft (2195 m). The drive is entirely forested until you get closer to the end of the road at Glacier Point itself. Watch for wildlife and abide by the speed limit! 

There are two famous vista points, Washburn Point and Glacier Point. Washburn Point has amazing views of Half Dome. At Glacier Point,  you’ll have sweeping views of the entire Yosemite Valley from El Capitan to Nevada Falls and beyond. It’s most definitely something that needs to be on every Yosemite itinerary.

Along Glacier Point Road, here are two of my favorite hikes:

Sentinel Dome is a granite dome that overlooks the Valley from the west side of Yosemite National Park. Being one of the closest domes in Yosemite National Park to parking, it attracts large amounts of day hikers and tourists alike. It’s only about 1 mile to the top of Sentinel Dome from the parking area, making this hike 2 miles in total. It’s considered easy by Yosemite standards, but I’d call it moderate with at least 450 feet of gradual elevation gain. The views are absolutely stunning!  

If that sounds too tough, try Taft Point. It begins from the same parking lot and doesn’t include as much elevation gain. This does also mean that the views are different – you won’t be able to see Half Dome from Taft Point like you can from Sentinel Dome. 

You can also do both of these points via a loop trail. Very few people choose to do this, so it’s a decent way to get a break from the crowds on the more popular trails or at Glacier Point.

Pin Our Yosemite Itinerary for One Day in Yosemite

It may sound like a lot, but you can include all of these sights in one Yosemite itinerary if you set aside plenty of time and plan ahead. And don’t forget to leave room for some hikes! You’ll love the views that make the climb worthwhile. If you want help creating a Yosemite itinerary or need more ideas on what to do, let us know.