Yosemite is one of the greatest national parks in America. This incredibly beautiful valley offers something for everyone: world class hiking trails, jaw dropping rock climbing and picturesque viewpoints that you can drive right up to.
A trip to Yosemite should be on everyone’s bucket list.
Of all the one day itineraries we have put together for national parks in the USA, this was the hardest. There are simply so many incredible things to do here!
We spent nearly two weeks in Yosemite which has allowed us to cherry pick the best of the best for you if you only have one day. We realise that time is tight on most holidays, so we’ve put together a comprehensive itinerary for Yosemite covering all the major highlights you can manage in just one action packed day.
One day Yosemite itinerary
These are the places you must-see things to do on a 1 day itinerary of Yosemite:
1. Spot the climbers on El Capitan
The first views as you drive into the Yosemite Valley are unforgettable. The huge cliffs are something we’d seen hundreds of times before in photos, but it still blew us away.
Start your day by heading to El Capitan meadow to get a great view of this iconic mountain. It’s an awe-inspiring cliff which has been alluring climbers for decades. If you have a pair of binoculars or a zoom lens on your camera, have a look on the side of the cliff to see if you can spot any climbers.
Since the release of Free Solo, climbing on El Cap has only become more popular.
2. Marvel at Bridal Veil Falls
Following El Cap, take the short, 0.5 mile stroll to Bridal Veil Falls. The path is flat and easy and takes you to one of Yosemite’s most famous waterfalls. In the spring the water flow will guarantee you get soaked if you dare get close!
Sadly we didn’t experience this in autumn when it tends to all but dry up.
3. Stroll along the Cook Meadows walk
Continuing into the valley, head to the meadows loop walk near Lower Yosemite Falls. Include the falls in this trail as this is another Yosemite icon!
The trail will take you around the picturesque meadows in Yosemite and offer your first views of the Sentinel and the breathtaking Half Dome (a place that gave us goosebumps just about every time we saw it).
It’s a flat, short walk and you may even see some of the local deer. The full loop is 2.25 miles but if you don’t want to walk that far you can access some of the best views in the meadows and Lower Yosemite Falls in less than 30 minutes return. It’s one of our favourite easy trails in the park.
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4. Be awed by Half Dome at Mirror Lake
Another picturesque, and short walk is to Mirror Lake. You can make a circuit of the whole lake but we wouldn’t recommend it with just one day in Yosemite. Instead walk for one mile to the lake and enjoy the view before heading back the same way.
This hike at the furthest part of the valley will take you through the forest to Mirror Lake which reflects Half Dome perfectly. Well, so long as there’s any water! If visiting in autumn it will likely have dried up and we would advise skipping this part of the itinerary.
5. Yosemite’s most famous view - Tunnel View
It’s time to move above the valley, and head towards Tunnel View - Yosemite’s most famous viewpoint.
When you think of Yosemite, it’s likely that you think of this view which manages to squeeze in almost every famous landmark: El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridal Veil Falls and many more.
It’s best to go here later in the afternoon to ensure you aren’t looking directly into the sun - which will ruin that iconic photo you’ve always dreamed about taking. You can drive right up to Tunnel View, no walking required.
6. See another famous view at Glacier Point
After Tunnel View, it’s time to move onto another popular lookout: Glacier Point. The walk to get to the viewpoint from the Glacier Point car park is just under half a mile and flat.
This view looks directly out to Half Dome and the whole panorama is one you won’t forget. The cliff face looks unclimbable, but not only have rock climbers regularly done it, but hikers can also walk to the top (via some of the scariest hiking we’ve done in our lives!).
Top tip - the road just before you access the car park for Glacier Point is one you will likely have seen in many photos. The bend in the road with Half Dome directly behind it is breathtaking.
7. Our favourite sunset spot - Sentinel Dome & Taft Point
We know it’s been an action packed day, but we’ve kept the best until last, trust us.
Head first to Taft Point for that jaw dropping view and another of our favourite photography spots in the park. The angles make it look a lot scarier than it actually is, but you will still want to be careful on that cliff edge.
Now for our top Yosemite tip - walk along the Roosevelt trail to Sentinel Dome. Hardly anyone does this and it is a simply mesmerising walk and finishes at Sentinel Dome for sunset.
Sentinel Dome is the best sunset spot in Yosemite (and one of the best we’ve seen anywhere in the world).
The dome offers 360 views to both El Capitan and Half Dome and gives you the feeling of sitting on top of the world. It is a fitting end to a day in one of the best national parks in the world.
If you do the whole trail it is six miles long and fairly easy, there is some elevation gain but by Yosemite’s standards it’s not difficult.
If that sounds too much you can choose either Taft Point or Sentinel Dome for sunset, both of which are just over two miles return and have some elevation gain. Exact mileage and elevation gain for every hike mentioned in this itinerary can be found here.
How to visit Yosemite like a pro
You’ll need a car
Whilst Yosemite does run a great shuttle service, you couldn’t get round all of these spots in a day without a car.
Start early
You will need a full day; think sunrise to sunset to manage everything on this itinerary. If you have to factor driving some distance to get to Yosemite, we’d recommend skipping a couple of things from this list.
The easiest ones to let go are Bridal Veil Falls, which can be seen from a distance as you drive in, and also cut down your time at Cook’s Meadow, park beside it and just take a few photos, rather than going for a longer walk. You can also choose Taft Point or Sentinel Dome rather than both.
Crowds
Yosemite can get incredibly busy, so the time of year you visit can make a huge difference. We recommend avoiding the weekends and school holidays if you can, as we’ve heard horror stories about not being able to park and long queues for the shuttle. Fall can be a great time to visit for fewer crowds, but there are some drawbacks, we’ve outlined them in this post.
Glacier Point
The full itinerary is based on Glacier Point Road being open, if you’re visiting during the snow season you will skip the last two parts of this itinerary as the road will be closed.
Entry Fees
To enter Yosemite you can use the America the Beautiful Annual National Parks Pass (US80 per annum). Otherwise it will cost $35 for entry with a car, $30 for a motorbike or $20 per person on foot or bike for 7 days.
As the National Parks Pass is $80 for the year, it is well worth it if you plan on visiting more than three national parks in a year.
Food
Yosemite does have a few places to eat - which are surprisingly affordable - but the wait times can be pretty long. In peak season, it is like Disneyland. The two main spots are Curry Village (which has a buffet, cafe and take away pizza) and Degnan’s near the Visitor Centre.
For a day trip, it is easier to bring your own food. Just make sure you always put it in the bear boxes when you see them.
Cell Signal
Cell signal in Yosemite is almost non-existent except by the Visitor Centre. We recommend downloading a map to get around and not be reliant on your phone for the day.
Packing suggestions for Yosemite
Having the right gear can make a huge difference. Here’s what we pack and have relied upon for years:
Sunscreen: A lot of the trails in Yosemite have very little shade and the sun is brutal most of the year! Check for sunscreen on Amazon or REI
Day Pack: Osprey Talon 22 (we’ve owned this for years). Check on Amazon, REI or direct with Osprey
Hiking Boots: Merrell Moab (for men and women). We’ve both used these for over three years and they just keep going. Check them out on REI or Amazon
Trekking poles: We’ve used Black Diamond for years as they are light, solid and durable. Check out REI or Amazon.
Life straw: Something that it useful on the longer hikes as you can fill up and drink from the creeks. You can check them out REI or Amazon.
Reusable water bottle: To avoid single-use plastic. Check then out on REI or Amazon
Icebreaker Base Layer: What we always wear in the winter and makes a huge difference for keeping warm. Check out on REI or Amazon
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Are you planning a trip to Yosemite? What would you include if you only had one day? Let us know in the comments below!
