There is no way we can begin describing a Yosemite Park itinerary without mentioning famed veteran and Yosemite ranger Carl Sharsmith’s story. The legend goes that when someone asked him what he’d do if he had just a day in Yosemite, he said that he would sit by the Merced River and cry — and we agree! No number of days is enough to explore Yosemite National Park, but we’ve gone ahead and drawn up itineraries for all kinds of travelers with all kinds of time on their hands. In this write-up, we’ve created Yosemite itineraries ranging from one day to one week. That being said, you can get a lot out of Yosemite by visiting it just for a single day too, as incredibly impossible as it seems.
With its backcountry trails, mountain passes, craggy cliffs, and verdant forests, Yosemite National Park is one of the most incredible sights in the country. Our detailed and comprehensive itineraries will take you through as many of its hidden gems and popular sights and attractions as you can cover with the time you have on your hands. We’ve also included some of the best places to stay in the park, along with some useful tips and tricks to make the most of your Yosemite stay.
Table of contents
Trip Overview
One of the first things to get out of the way is when exactly is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park. While we’ve visited it in all seasons, our best visit happened in late spring, towards the beginning of June. Overall, the best time to explore the park is between late spring and late fall, as many of the access roads, including Glacier Point Road, are shut in the snowy winter. Plus, we wanted to have as much daylight on our hands as we could to explore the park.
Since Yosemite is part of the National Park Service, everyone needs to pay a fee to enter it. The private vehicle pass costs USD 35 and is good for 7 days. However, one of the best ways to explore America’s national parks is via the “America the Beautiful Pass,” which we had. It cost us just USD 80 annually and saved us a lot of money due to national parks always being on our itineraries.
Where to stay in Yosemite?
The first thing we did when planning any Yosemite adventure was to choose what to see, which entrance to use, and where to stay. Moreover, all these choices are dependent on each other as they could potentially lessen the amount of time spent in the car, thus optimizing your schedule.
Yosemite is split into many different sections, which include the Tuolumne Meadows, Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Creek, Wawona and Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, and Hetch Hetchy, among others. Additionally, there are many options for staying inside as well as outside the park. However, you need to book staying inside the park in advance as the options are limited and expensive, and the hotels and campgrounds fill up quickly.
1-Day Itinerary
Can Yosemite be experienced in a single day? Why not? If you’re doing Yosemite for a day, we’re going to assume that you’re driving in from somewhere close. Since we were driving in from Fresno, we were hardly an hour away from Yosemite’s Southern Entrance at Wawona/Fish Camp via Highway 41. So, we started our day in Yosemite by seeing the stunning Mariposa Grove, which sat right at the southern entrance. This lovely grove was home to more than 500 massive sequoia trees, some of which were more than 200 ft tall (61 m).
From here, it was less than an hour’s drive to Tunnel View and Bridalveil Creek, where we were able to catch stunning views of Bridalveil Falls and Half Dome. Luckily, the viewpoint was right next to the parking lot, so we didn’t have to hike. Our final stop of the day was Yosemite Valley, which was a mere 15-minute drive away. This is where we decided to take a gentle, 1 mi loop (1.6 km) stroll to the foot of Lower Yosemite Falls, one of the most amazing waterfalls in the world and also North America’s tallest waterfall. After that, it was a direct 2.5-hour drive back to Fresno, making seeing Yosemite in a day possible.
Are you coming in from LA? You could do the drive in 2-3 days too: check out our 101 Guide: Drive From LA to Yosemite National Park.
2-Day Itinerary
Day 1
For our 2-day Yosemite itinerary, we arrived the day before and stayed at the historic Ahwahnee Lodge, a 1920s-built hotel that radiated old-world charm. It sits an hour from Fish Camp, Yosemite’s Southern Entrance, so factor in that time when you arrive the day before. What’s more, we had many accommodation choices ranging from classic hotel rooms to suites and cottages. For our 2-night stay, the spacious King Room was perfect, complete with mod-cons and overlooking the gorgeous scenery around.
Our first day in Yosemite was exactly like our 1-day itinerary, except we didn’t do Mariposa Grove on the first day. We saved that for when we were exiting the park for convenience.
Day 2
On our second day in Yosemite, we started the day with a delicious breakfast at the Ahwahnee Lodge before proceeding to Glacier And Washburn Points. They were a 45-minute drive away and offered spectacular views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the magnificent High Sierra Mountains. Finally, we did our longest adventure on the itinerary, the Pohono Loop Trail, to see Taft Point, Roosevelt Point, and Sentinel Dome. While the Pohono Loop Trail was a moderate 5-mi (8 km) hike, there were also options to hike individually to Sentinel Dome (2.25 mi, 3.6 km) and Taft Point (2.5 mi, 4km), which were easier. After a long day, we returned to Ahwahnee and left the next morning, checking out Mariposa Grove on our way out.
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3-Day Itinerary
On our 3-day itinerary, it’s best to keep your day 1 and day 2 itinerary the same as the 2-day itinerary. On the 3rd day, you could either explore Hetch Hetchy or drive down the spectacular Tioga Pass Road. Since these places get considerably fewer visitors than the Yosemite Valley, we wanted to explore them. We decided to drive down Tioga Pass Road, an extremely scenic drive that climbed up over the mountains and opened up to stunning views over the valley. We were able to spot tall trees, rolling meadows, and clear blue lakes. Pro tip: Do check the NPS website for road closure details as it usually opens over Memorial Day weekend (end of May) and closes in late September.
On this 3-day trip, we highly recommend staying at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. The cozy yet elegant lodge sits in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains, just a few minutes outside the Fish Camp entrance. It was a serene and luxurious retreat since we wanted to explore staying outside the park as well.
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4-Day Itinerary
Days 1 and 2
The four-day itinerary is going to be slightly different as we’re starting from the Hetch Hetchy entrance in Groveland, California. It’s just over a two-hour drive from Stockton/Modesto, so plan to arrive the previous day if you want to enjoy a full four days in the park. Moreover, the nearest airport is San Francisco, around 3.5 hours away.
Begin the first day with a stop at Hetch Hetchy, one of Yosemite’s least-visited sections. The place where the hydroelectric dam sits today was a large valley floor, just like the Yosemite Valley, before 1923. It’s about an hour and 15-minute drive from Hetch Hetchy to the valley floor. If you want to hike, then check out the 5 mi out & back (8 km) Wapama Falls Trail on the northern side of the reservoir. After that drive down to the Yosemite Valley just over an hour away and visit the Lower Yosemite Falls.
The second day can be spent exploring Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove at the Southern entrance. Adventurers will love the challenging Four Mile Trail, which runs from the Yosemite Valley floor right up to Glacier Point. At the end of the 9.7 mi (15 km) trail, you can spy impressive views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and the valley. Finally, we recommend staying at Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite for the first two nights.
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Days 3 and 4
We find it crazy that people never leave the Yosemite Valley, which is why we recommend Yosemite’s High Country to everyone. Get out of the valley by heading up the spectacular Tioga Pass Road, California’s highest mountain pass at 9,943 ft (3,030 m) elevation. Snap photos of the striking landscape at Olmsted Point or enjoy a summer swim in Tenaya Lake, which is Yosemite’s largest alpine lake. For those who simply want to soak in the views, visit the large alpine Tuolumne Meadows. The best bit is that all these sights are located right off Tioga Pass Road.
Reserve the fourth day of your itinerary to go on hikes. Hiking to the Upper Yosemite Falls, a 6.6-mile (10.3 km) trip, is perfect for avid hikers looking for a fun challenge. We’d recommend starting this hike as early as possible as it could take up your entire day. An alternative to this is the Mist Trail to Nevada and Vernal Falls. Pack your hiking rain jackets and prepare to get soaked on this arduous 6.4-mile round trip. For the last two days, we recommend staying at Rush Creek Lodge and Spa.
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5/6-Day Itinerary
Days 1, 2, and 3
For the 5 and 6-day itineraries, we’ve kept the first through fifth days the same, adding another day for the 6-day trip. Both these itineraries are from Wawona, the southern entrance of the park. For such a long trip, we decided that the first day should be about getting acquainted with the valley, the hotel, and settling in. For this, you should stay at Wawona, as there’s a lot to see and explore. The Visitor Center is an excellent place to start where you can learn about Yosemite’s history. If you have the energy, you could also visit the Pioneer History Center and even explore Swinging Bridge.
The second day is for spending time exploring Yosemite’s best and brightest landmarks, like El Capitan, Half Dome, and the Lower Yosemite Falls. There are many walks to choose from, like Cook’s Meadow and Mirroe Meadow/Mirror Lake that take you straight to Half Dome. If you want something more challenging, hike the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls.
Spend the third day entirely at Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. While the Lower Grove Arrival Area has many trees, you could continue another 1.5 miles (2.4 km) through the California Tree Tunnel to marvel at the Grizzly Giant at the end. Finally, biking is another great way to explore the Yosemite Valley.
Days 4 and 5
Spend your fourth day here by giving your legs a rest and seeing or doing things outside the park. You could go horseback riding, swimming, and even boating. Or you could do something unique and ride the steam train from Bass Lake on the way back to Wawona. We loved our time aboard the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad‘s vintage steam train.
The fifth day is dedicated to driving along Glacier Point Road. It provides access to Yosemite Valley’s southern rim, where many hikes offer splendid bird’s eye views of the valley below. The best and longest adventure here is the Pohono Loop Trail, as mentioned in our 2-day itinerary. It’ll get you to Taft and Roosevelt Points, and Sentinel Dome.
Day 6
Lastly, there’s the sixth day of the itinerary, which is for people who’re adding an extra day to the above 5-day itinerary. This day is to see the stunning Tuolumne Meadows, which is the furthest away from Wawona and hence needs an extra day. This incredibly scenic drive along Tioga Pass has many views that are worth stopping for, including the lovely Tuolumne Meadows.
For the entire duration of the 5/6-day itinerary, we stayed at Tenaya at Yosemite, a 15-minute drive from Wawona.
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1-Week Itinerary
Finally, we come to the granddaddy of all Yosemite itineraries, the one-week itinerary. For those who are lucky enough to take a week-long trip to Yosemite, the Rush Creek Lodge & Spa is the perfect place to stay for the entire week. Besides its fantastic amenities, it also sits right next to the Yosemite National Park’s main entrance on Highway 120. Moreover, everything from the northern Tioga Pass to the southern Wawona can be explored while staying here, besides the area’s attractions, of course.
Day 1
We’re not exaggerating when we say that you’ll want to spend the first day exploring the Rush Creek Lodge and Spa and settling into your room or villa. The sleek, nature-inspired complex sits on 20 acres of a wooded hillside and we loved the bright and contemporary vibe. The surrounding pine trees gave us the feeling that we were staying in the heart of Yosemite. However, the standout is the facilities here, including the huge heated saltwater swimming pool circled by hot tubs and firepits where we’d toast s’mores every evening. Aside from the games-stocked recreation room, there is also a huge roster of guided outdoor adventures. A restaurant, a tavern, and a general store selling all kinds of outdoor foods and supplies complete the place.
While most rooms and suites sit in the poolside three-story building, ours was a villa on the hillside with a huge balcony and expansive views. All rooms have balconies, besides plush beds, cabin-esque accents like coiled-rope lamps and striped wool blankets, and modern bathrooms. Moreover, all rooms boasted individual climate controls, Keurig coffeemakers, and mini-fridges.
Days 2, 3, and 4
After a wonderful breakfast at the lodge, head out to the Yosemite Valley for a guided tour of the best sights, landmarks, and attractions of Yosemite National Park. These include the likes of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome, among others. Just like the other itineraries, you could also hike one of the valley’s trails, like the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail or the Mirror Lake Loop. Reserve your evening for stargazing back at Rush Creek Lodge.
Your third day in Yosemite begins with an exploration of one of its biggest hidden gems: the Hetch Hetchy Valley. It’s home to some of the most stunning seasonal and permanent waterfalls in the park, such as Tueeulala and Wapama Falls. You could also walk across the early 20th century 400-ft-tall O’Shaughnessy Dam, an impressive engineering feat.
The fourth day of your one-week Yosemite itinerary is to explore Yosemite’s famed High Country but in a rather unique way. Pack provisions for a picnic lunch from Rush Creek Lodge’s general store. Then, head out for one of the most scenic drives of your lives along Tioga Road. Make stops at Tenaya Lake, Olmstead Point, and Tuolumne Meadows, which offer drop-dead gorgeous views of the landscape. For those who like challenges, you could indulge in one of the high country trails, like Cathedral Lakes or Clouds Rest. Of course, you could enjoy a picnic lunch at any of these points.
Days 5,6, and 7
One of the most iconic ways to experience Yosemite is to get a bird’s eye view of it, which is possible onboard the Yosemite Flight Tour. These are the only flight tours that are allowed to fly over the park’s iconic landmarks! As you soar above the stunning canyons, volcanic peaks and ridges, and forests, you can snap amazing pictures of the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne, Hetch Hetchy, and Yosemite Valley.
The sixth day of your itinerary is all about another picnic lunch at Big Trees and Camp Mather. After a hearty breakfast, head out two hours to Big Trees for a hike in a majestic sequoia grove. At the end of the hike, you can simply cool off in one of the swimming holes. After heading back to Rush Creek Lodge for an afternoon siesta, you can head to the Aromatherapy Steam Room for a relaxing treatment. Or, you could go horseback riding at sunset at Camp Mather, which boasts some of the most beautiful trails in the region.
Finally, day seven of your Yosemite adventure is spending an entire day relaxing at Rush Creek Lodge. You could wander the nature trails around the property, pamper yourself at the spa, dig into snacks poolside, and roast your last batch of s’mores at the firepit during sunset.
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Tips for visiting Yosemite National Park
- If you don’t have your car, then getting around Yosemite could be a struggle. Again, parking could be a nightmare during the height of summer. So, do have a look at the season before choosing. Also, if you’re visiting the park for longer, then having the bus schedule handy is great for those days when you don’t want to take the car out.
- You require a reservation if you’re entering Yosemite during popular times. Additionally, you don’t need a permit to enter the park before 6 am and after 4 pm. Here are the details for getting a permit.
- Yosemite can get very, very hot even during winter. So, don’t forget to pack the best travel-size sunscreens for reapplying even when you’re hiking on the trails.
How many days is Yosemite open?
Yosemite National Park is open 365 days a year, 24 hours a day. However, some roads are shut due to the snow between November and May/June. Also, the Hetch Hetchy entrance is approximately open only during daylight hours.
What is the main entrance to Yosemite?
Yosemite has five entrances, of which the Big Oak Flat and Fish Camp entrances are the most popular and heavily trafficked ones. Hetch Hetchy is a less crowded one, while Arch Rock Entrance allows visitors to access the center of the national park.
How long can you stay in Yosemite?
While there’s no staying limit when it comes to hotels, there’s a 30-night camping limit in a calendar year. Additionally, between 1st May and 15th September, the camping limit is 14 nights, of which only 7 can be in Wawona or Yosemite Valley.
