If you love National Parks, Yosemite should be on your priority list. While it’s not the first National Park, it is the piece of land that began the idea of preserving land for future generations. Yosemite is a wonderful place and a gem of the National Park System. Below, learn about the best things to do in Yosemite Valley, the heart of Yosemite National Park. The list includes hikes, fun facts, the best time to go, and more!
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Written by Carrie Campbell of Overworked and Undertraveled.
Table of Contents
Yosemite Valley Facts
- People have been living in Yosemite for over 8,000 years. When settlers arrived during the 1849 gold rush, it was the Ahwaneechee who called Yosemite home.
- Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Land Grant in 1864, protecting Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove by giving the land to the state of California. In 1890, Yosemite National Park was created.
- The park is over 1,200 square miles and over 3 million people visit each year.
- Yosemite is considered the birthplace of rock climbing.
When to Visit Yosemite Valley
Yosemite Valley is a great place to go any time of year, and essential on any Yosemite itinerary. Summer is definitely the busiest time to visit and you should be aware that the crowds are quite large in summer. Spring and fall are a great time to visit if you want access to all the things to do in Yosemite Valley with fewer crowds.
Yosemite is also a great place to visit in winter if you like skiing, snowshoeing, or simply want to cuddle up next to the fireplace at the Ahwahnee Hotel. You will not be able to access all the hiking trails, but quite a few activities are available to enjoy in winter.
Things to Do in Yosemite Valley: Hikes in Yosemite Valley
What to Wear Hiking in Yosemite National Park
For more suggestions, read my posts on my favorite outdoor gear and the best daypacks for women.
The 10 Hiking Essentials
Every hiker should always carry the ten essentials with them. These include:
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- Navigation systems: map, compass, and/or GPS
- Sun protection: sunscreen and/or ballcap
- Insulating layers: synthetic or down jacket, rain jacket, hat, gloves, and leggings
- Illumination (flashlight or headlamp)
- First-aid kit
- Something to light a fire: lighter, waterproof matches, and/or fire starter
- Repair kits and tools: pocket knife, duct tape, screwdriver, and/or scissors
- Emergency shelter: tent, bivy, tarp, and/or space blanket
- Nutrition: food for both meals and snacks
- Hydration: water bottle, water treatment (LifeStraw or SteriPen), and water
The Mist Trail
Difficulty: Very Strenuous
Distance: 15 mi / 24 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 5,206 ft / 1,587 m
Type of Trail: Out and back
Estimated Time: 9 hours
The hike to Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and ultimately Half Dome is along the Mist Trail – aptly named for the shower you get while climbing the stairs to Vernal Falls.
The trailhead to all three of these points of interest starts at the Junction of Happy Isle Loop Road and the John Muir Trail, near the Upper Pines Campground.
Vernal Falls
Difficulty: Moderate
Distance: 4 mi / 6.4 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 1,279 ft / 390 m
Type of Trail: Out and back
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
The first stop along this trail is Vernal Falls Bridge, where you can see your first destination. Vernal Falls is at its best from April to June when the snowmelt creates a huge cascade. As you pass the bridge, continue along the Mist Trail. You eventually reach the staircase carved into the side of the mountain that will take you to the top of Vernal Falls.
Note: If you are hiking in the spring, be prepared to get wet! The entire staircase is covered in mist from the falls. Wear good hiking boots with good rubber soles.
If you decide to continue past the top of Vernal Falls you have several choices.
Nevada Falls
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 8.8 mi / 6.4 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 2,191 ft / 390 m
Type of Trail: Lollipop
Estimated Time: 5 hours
If you continue along the Mist Trail you can make your way to Nevada Falls for another spectacular waterfall and view.
If you are a hardcore hiker and have trained beforehand, this is the same trail that goes to the top of Half Dome!
Note: Please do not try the Half Dome hike without proper training and gear!
Detour Down the John Muir Trail
If you don’t want to complete the hike up to Nevada Falls, continue past Vernal Falls until you are about to cross the Merced River. Just before the river crossing, you’ll see a trail that heads off to the right that will link up with the John Muir Trail. This is a great way to extend your Vernal Falls hike and hike your way down a portion of one of the most famous trails in the world!
Yosemite Falls Trail
The full length of Yosemite Falls is 2,425 feet, making it the tallest waterfall in North America and one of the best things to do in Yosemite Valley. The best way to see the full majesty of the falls is from the other side of Yosemite Valley, but to take an up-close look, take the easy walk to Lower Yosemite Falls.
The Lower Falls is an easy one-mile loop from the trailhead. The entire loop is paved making it a wheelchair accessible route as well.
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 1.2 mi / 1.9 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 59 ft / 18 m
Type of Trail: Loop
Estimated Time: 1 hour
If you are up for a more difficult hike, take the Upper Falls Trail from Camp 4 for a spectacular day hike to the top of the falls. This is a quite strenuous hike and will take most of a day so plan accordingly.
Difficulty: Strenuous
Distance: 6.9 mi / 11.1 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 3,123 ft / 951.9 m
Type of Trail: Out and back
Estimated Time: 5 hours
Bridalveil Falls
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 0.5 mi / 0.8 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 85 ft / 26 m
Type of Trail: Out and back
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Another easy hike doable by just about everyone is the 0.5-mile trail to the base of Bridalveil Falls. This is the waterfall most visitors see first when looking for things to do in Yosemite Valley. This is another hike to be aware of slippery rocks as there is often a pretty strong mist from the waterfall, especially in spring.
Note: Bridalveil Fall is currently closed for construction.
Mirror Lake via the Valley Loop Trail
Difficulty: Easy
Distance: 6.1 mi / 9.8 km round-trip
Elevation Gain: 337 ft / 102.7 m
Type of Trail: Out and back
Estimated Time: 2.5 hours
The relatively easy walk to Mirror Lake is a great way to get a little exercise and cool off by taking a swim when you get there. It’s not so much a lake as it is a large pool in the river, but it’s beautiful and you can see views of Half Dome.
Mirror Lake is a great hike in winter as most of the trail is paved and the views are spectacular in the winter snow!
Read More About More Things to Do in California’s National Parks:
Where to Stay in Yosemite Valley
Ahwahnee Hotel
The first-class Ahwahnee Hotel is the créme de la créme of Yosemite Valley, and possibly all National Park lodging. It’s decorated with huge stone fireplaces, wall tapestries, and beautiful stained glass. It’s a wonderful place to stay if you are traveling to Yosemite for a romantic winter vacation.
Yosemite Valley Lodge
The Yosemite Valley Lodge is one of the most popular places to stay in Yosemite Valley. It’s very close to Yosemite Falls and equipped with nice rooms, a pool, two restaurants, and many other amenities.
Curry Village
If you want a great place to stay that is fun for the whole family, Curry Village is it. You can choose between traditional motel rooms, wood cabins, or tent cabins for your accommodations and there is a pool, an ice skating rink in winter, and several eateries including a pizza joint and a coffee shop.
Campsites
There are four campsites in Yosemite Valley, with the Pines campsites being the most popular. With the exception of Camp 4, all campsites will require reservations in advance and I highly recommend reserving your spot as soon as they are released for reservations, usually 5 months in advance.
Camp 4 is a first-come, first-served camp that attracts a lot of climbers. It’s close to the base of El Capitan, so you’ll see a lot of people preparing to ascend El Capitan. In summer, campsites are often done by a lottery system the day before. Be sure to check Recreation.gov for information on Camp 4.
Upper Pines campground is open all year. Lower and North Pines are only open during spring to early fall.
More Things to Do in Yosemite Valley
Tunnel View
Don’t miss this iconic view of Yosemite Valley from just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Hwy 41. There is no hiking required, but the parking lot can fill quickly so get there early in the day. While the view is spectacular any time of year, it’s perhaps at its best in spring when the falls are at their peak, or in winter when Half Dome and El Capitan are covered in snow.
Yosemite Firefall
If you’re visiting Yosemite in winter, check out this magical phenomenon for yourself.
Cook’s Meadow Loop
This is an easy 1-mile flat walk that begins at the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. With an easy walk through a large meadow, you’ll see the valley’s most famous landmarks including Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock, and Yosemite Falls. This trail is open all year, making it one of the best things to do in Yosemite.
Mariposa Grove
If you want to get out of Yosemite Valley for a day, drive south to Mariposa Grove where you will see the largest grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite National Park. Several trails are available for hiking, from a .3 mile wheelchair-accessible trail to the strenuous Guardians Loop Trail.
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About the Author: Carrie Campbell
Carrie Campbell is a non-profit arts executive who spends most of her free time traveling or planning the next trip! While she occasionally takes the luxury vacation, she’s mostly just made sure to get away for a few days to recharge and see a bit of the world. Carrie and her partner Chris can often be seen hitting the road in their bright green Jeep Wrangler. Her blog Overworked & Undertravled aims to inspire everyone to fit more travel into their lives! Read her posts about the Colorado Flat Tops Wilderness and Colorado’s Alpine Loop to get acquainted.
All photos and content in this post are credited to Carrie unless otherwise stated.
Pin Things to Do in Yosemite Valley
I was recently in Yosemite and loved it! You pointed some of the best highlights in the Park. I didn’t get to do all of these, but you gave me reasons to go back!