Visiting Yosemite National Park? Don’t miss these spots.
Yosemite National Park is easily one of our favorite places in the United States. It was the first national park I visited as an adult, and as most firsts go, it will always hold a special place in my heart.
There is so much to explore within Yosemite that it’s sometimes hard to figure out where to start. If you plan to visit, here’s a quick guide to get you started.
This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. All opinions are always our own. Read our full disclosure for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.
Last Updated: September 15, 2023
17 Things to Do in Yosemite National Park that will Take Your Breath Away
1. Glacier Point
37.7284714,-119.5731828, map
This is one of Yosemite’s best viewpoints that you can drive up to with easy access. Located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, you get a spectacular view of the valley and Half Dome. If you can make it, sunrise and sunset are the best times to go.
2. Taft Point & Sentinel Dome
Trailhead Coordinates: 37.712620, -119.586448, map
Taft Point and Sentinel Dome are right next to each other. Taft Point is easy to get to and a great spot to conquer your fear of heights. Edge up to the cliff and stare straight down into the valley to appreciate its grandeur. Sentinel Dome is an easy 1-mile walk from the parking lot and gives you a 360-degree view of Yosemite.
See More: 11 Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park
3. Yosemite Falls
37.7565999,-119.5990961, map
Standing at 2,424 feet, this is the highest waterfall in North America and sixth largest in the world! The best time to view it is in late spring when the melting snow creates the strongest flow. You can even day hike to different portions of the falls, including the top!
Local Tip: For an extra special experience, go during the moonbow.
See More: 7 Magical Moonbow Dates and Locations You Need to Know
4. Tunnel View
37.7158029,-119.6796714, map
This spot can get crowded with tour buses and cars, but still makes the list of top places to see. From here you get a view of Yosemite Valley, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, and El-Capitan.
5. Bridalveil Fall
37.7166784,-119.6485457, map
This waterfall is one of the most iconic waterfalls in the park and is just a short hike away (0.5 miles). It has quite the spray in the spring. The Ahwahneechee Native American tribe believed inhaling the mist would improve your chances of getting married.
6. Half Dome →
36.0306029,-113.8290033, map
This is Yosemite’s most popular rock formation. You can even hike to the top. Check out our guide on hiking this 15-mile trail here. I still can’t believe I climbed those cables with my fear of heights!
Local Tip: Remember that you need a permit to do this hike. Click below for details.
See More: How to Get Half Dome Permits
7. El Capitan
Coordinates: 37.730755, -119.636021, map
This is the ultimate climb, stretching about 3,000 feet from bottom to top, and rock climbers worldwide make the trek here. The most popular route is The Nose. You can watch other climbers or try this bucket list-worthy climb yourself. You’ll often see headlamps from climbers on El Cap at night. We mainly boulder, and while we’ve dabbled in sport and trad, we have trouble imagining 31 pitches of climbing.
Pro Tip: Watch Free Solo to get a better look at the scale of El Cap.
9. Cathedral Peak
Coordinates: 37.847908, -119.405866, map
Cathedral Peak was first scaled by John Muir in 1869 and is still as spectacular today.
10. Vernal and Nevada Falls
37.727429,-119.5458875, map
Take Mist Trail to gaze at this beautiful fall, but be sure you have hiking shoes on as the trail gets very slippery from all the mist. Just a bit further past Venal Fall is Nevada Fall. It is the closest waterfall to the Sierra Nevada mountain range.
11. Olmsted Point
Coordinates: 37.810733, -119.485184, map
Located about an hour from the valley floor, stop here for a less common view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. You can even see people climbing the cables of Half Dome. Here’s a photo from our friend, Josh, from California Through My Lens.
13. Tuolumne Meadows
7943 Willow St, Wawona, 95389, map
This beautiful meadow that runs along the Tuolumne River gives you great views of the Cathedral Range, Lembert Dome, and Mount Dana. Take a stroll or camp overnight.
Local Tip: The road to Tuolumne Meadows is closed in the winter.
14. Mariposa Grove
Coordinates: 37.504613, -119.600608, map
Stand face to face with giant Sequoias. They even have a tree that you can drive through.
15. COoks Meadow
Coordinates: 37.745392, -119.593712, map
This is where Ansel Adams took some of his most famous photos. You get a great view of the Cathedral Rocks, Three Brothers, and Half Dome.
16. Camp and Boulder at Camp 4
37.7414843,-119.6037445, map
Yosemite is a mecca for rock climbing. Camp 4 is an iconic and historic spot for the growth of rock climbing in the 20th century. The rock is really slick and polished, so it was a lot tougher for us than we imagined. If you’re interested in trying it out, here are a few of our posts to help you get started.
- Rock Climbing Tips for Beginners
- 15 Clever Rock Climbing Hacks, Tips, Tricks, and Etiquette
- Best Exercises and Games to Improve Rock Climbing
Below is Midnight Lighting, the most famous bouldering problem in the world.
17. Yosemite Ski & SNowboard Area – FOrmerly Badger Pass (Winter)
7082 Glacier Point Rd, 95389, map
Yosemite is a winter wonderland. There are less people in the winter too. You can snowshoe, ski, or snowboard. You can see more of our snow day adventure here.
See More: Snowshoeing Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park Map / Yosemite Attractions Map
More Things to DO in Yosemite National Park
If you’ve already blown through all the above, here are some more ideas for your next visit!
- Horsetail Falls during the Firefall
- Photograph Valley View
- Inspiration Point (2.3 mi out and back, 1043 ft gain, moderate)
- Washburn Point
- Merced Grove – densest sequoia grove in the park
- Raft or Kayak down the Merced River
- Chilnualna Falls Hike (7.9 mi out and back, 2188 ft gain, difficult)
- Ansel Adams Gallery
- Mirror Lake
- Yosemite Museum
- Pioneer Yosemite History Museum
- Soda Springs
- Happy Isles Bridge
- See Frazil Ice (spring only)
- Wawona Swinging Bridge Swimming Hole (summer only)
- Pothole Dome Hike
- Camp in Half Dome Village (formerly Curry Village) – We did this before our Half Dome Hike.
- Photograph Sentinel Bridge
- Hetch Hetchy and Wapama Falls
- Drive Tioga Pass Road / Tioga Road to get to quieter areas of the park (check road conditions on whether it is open)
- Astronomy Walks and Talks
- Dine at Majestic Yosemite Hotel
- Ribbon Falls Hike – unmaintained trail
- Lyell Canyon Hike
- Dewey Point Lookout
- Yosemite Valley Chapel / Community Church (especially beautiful in winter)
Essential Tips for Visiting Yosemite
- Best Time to Visit: If you want the least crowds consider visiting in the fall or winter. If you want to see the gushing waterfalls, visit in May or June.
- Special Events: The Moonbow happens on select dates and times between April through June. The Firefall happens late February.
- Download Alltrails+ so that you have trail maps even when you don’t have service.
- The Valley gets extremely crowded, especially in the summer. Expect to wait and hit traffic driving around. If you only stay in the Valley, you might get overwhelmed by the crowds, but Yosemite is a massive park with plenty of places to find solitude.
- It’s always best to stop by the Visitor Center to get the most up-to-date info.
What to Pack for Yosemite
- Sunscreen, sun protection
- Down jackets in Spring / Fall / Winter
- Food
- Hiking shoes if you plan on doing moderate to challenging hikes.
- Reusable bottles
- Day Pack
- Camera
Best Places to Stay in Yosemite
Planning Checklist
- Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
- Find a great deal on Yosemite hotels.
- Arrange a rental car for your trip.
- Book a tour for your visit.
- Get airport lounge access.
- Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
- Get a new backpack for your trip.
- Buy a Yosemite travel guide.
- Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
- Don’t forget your in-flight essentials.
Have you been to Yosemite National Park? Any other spots we need to add to the list?
Did you enjoy this post? Pin it for later
SEE MORE NATIONAL PARK GUIDES
⟡⟡⟡⟡⟡
“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes” – M. Proust
Esther + Jacob
Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.
Follow on Instagram (E + J), YouTube, TikTok, and Pinterest.