Things to Do in Yosemite National Park
Plan your days in Yosemite National Park, your way
Start at Tunnel View for the panorama that tells you exactly where you've landed.
Ride the valley shuttle and hop off wherever the light looks good.
Walk the easy trail to Lower Yosemite Fall and feel the mist before lunch.
Eat pizza on the Curry Village deck with granite towers for scenery.
Rent a bike and drift the flat valley loop past meadows and deer.
Take an hour at the Ansel Adams Gallery, then an hour doing nothing by the river.
Drive up to Glacier Point for the late-afternoon view over everything you just walked.
Dinner at the Mountain Room as the cliffs go amber outside the windows.
Next morning, meet the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove before heading home.
A little famous, a little quiet, and entirely Yosemite.
Top attractions and places to eat in Yosemite National Park
Yosemite Valley
A glacially carved valley in Yosemite National Park framed by iconic granite formations like El Capitan and Half Dome, along with waterfalls and meadows. Travelers come for world-famous scenery, hiking, and photography.
park · 4.7 rating
Glacier Point
A famous overlook in Yosemite National Park offering sweeping views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and several waterfalls. It is reached by road, making its panoramic vistas accessible without a strenuous hike.
viewpoint · 4.9 rating
The Ahwahnee
A historic grand lodge in Yosemite Valley renowned for its rustic-elegant architecture, stone-and-timber interiors, and views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. Travelers visit to stay, dine, or admire its landmark public spaces.
hotel · 3.9 rating
Tunnel View
An iconic roadside overlook offering a sweeping panorama of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome. It is one of the most photographed vistas in the park, reached directly from a parking area.
viewpoint · 4.8 rating
Yosemite Falls
One of the tallest waterfalls in North America, plunging in three tiers within Yosemite National Park. Travelers visit for the dramatic cascade views and short trails to its base, especially in spring when snowmelt maximizes flow.
waterfall · 4.6 rating
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
The largest grove of giant sequoias in Yosemite National Park, home to hundreds of ancient trees including the famous Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. Travelers visit to walk among some of the largest and oldest living organisms on Earth via a network of trails.
park · 4.6 rating
Bridalveil Fall
A 620-foot waterfall near the entrance to Yosemite Valley, often the first major waterfall visitors see. It flows most dramatically in spring when snowmelt is at its peak.
waterfall · 4.5 rating
Half Dome
An iconic granite dome rising nearly 5,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, famous for its sheer vertical face. Adventurous hikers ascend a strenuous trail culminating in a cable route to the summit for panoramic views.
mountain · 4.8 rating
Vernal Fall
A 317-foot waterfall on the Merced River in Yosemite National Park, reached via the popular Mist Trail. Travelers hike to it for close-up views of the powerful cascade and the surrounding granite scenery.
waterfall · 4.7 rating
El Capitan
El Capitan is a massive vertical granite monolith rising about 3,000 feet above Yosemite Valley, world-renowned as one of the premier big-wall rock climbing destinations. Travelers come to marvel at its sheer face, watch climbers, and photograph its dramatic profile.
mountain · 4.8 rating
Charles Street Dinner House
A steakhouse-style dinner restaurant near Yosemite serving classic American fare in a rustic setting. A sit-down option for a fuller evening meal after park visits.
restaurant · 4.6 rating
The Mountain Room
An upscale restaurant at Yosemite Valley Lodge known for steaks, seafood, and dramatic views of Yosemite Falls. A special-occasion dining choice within the park.
restaurant · 3.9 rating
Fredricks of Savourys
A local restaurant near Yosemite offering a varied menu in a relaxed setting. A convenient dining stop for park travelers.
restaurant · 4.5 rating
Tioga Pass
Tioga Pass is the highest highway pass in California, serving as the eastern entrance to Yosemite National Park through dramatic high-country scenery of granite peaks and alpine meadows. Travelers drive it for the stunning mountain vistas and access to the park's high Sierra terrain.
landmark · 4.8 rating
Mist Trail
A steep, iconic Yosemite hiking trail that climbs past Vernal and Nevada Falls, often drenching hikers in spray on the granite steps beside the cascades. Travelers go for the up-close waterfall views and one of the park's most rewarding day hikes.
trail · 4.8 rating