The Best Day Hikes in Yosemite: By Region- Here is the list of the best day hikes in Yosemite, this list is organized by area and regions of the Yosemite National Park. It will highlight long hikes to short hikes, all hitting the best scenic views. Some of these hikes are the best family friendly hikes. This list of my favorite day hikes in the Yosemite National Park will vary in distance and difficulty, ranging from easy, moderate and difficult. Check out all the information below on the hikes, miles, time, where to stay and more!
Overview
Tips For The Hiking in Yosemite
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When To Go
The best time to go to Yosemite National Park is June through October. We went at the very end of September and a few weeks later there was a snowstorm that closed Tioga Road.
Tioga road can get snow before the valley and can close to visitors before the Yosemite Valley does.
Going in the shoulder seasons provides cooler weather and less crowds but you will need to keep an eye on storms.
Thunderstorms are another event you might want to avoid. There are not many areas for coverage as a lot of it is granite stone along the trail.
Where To Stay
We booked this trip just a few months out and had a hard time finding affordable accommodations. Wei the last minute planning we ended up in Mariposa, California. We enjoyed our time there and there were many options for restaurants. It was about a 1 hour drive to the Yosemite National Park entrance and about 2 hours to the Parking Lot.
We stayed at the Gateway to Yosemite AirBnB.
Hikes By Area
Yosemite Valley
Lower Yosemite Falls
Distance: 0.5 miles
Time: 15-20 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
This area could be very crowded as there are lodges, the Visitors Center, bike rentals, restaurants and more in this area. We found parking on the side of the road and walked to the Lower Yosemite Fall Vista Point. This hike was just about half a mile, and only should take about 15-20 minutes to hike there and back.
Mirror Lake
Distance: 4.4 miles one way
Time: 1-2 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
This is a great hike if looking to stretch your legs and get away from the crowds in the Yosemite Valley. The path is mostly flat and you can even bike in on a road if you have bikes available to you. Again, as most of your trip went, the lake was dried up. It was disappointing at first,but then a lot of fun to be able to walk out in the sandy bottom and take in the views around us.. You can get a good view of Half Dome from here as well.
Base of the Nose at El Capitan
Distance: 0.5 miles
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
If you are a fan of the Free Solo documentary you might be interested in seeing the Base of the Nose at El Capitan to see where the famous climb started. Standing from the bottom you will be able to fully take in the mass of this rock face. You can even spot climbers starting and in the middle of their routes. It’s a short walk from the parking lot so I highly suggest it.
Bridalveil Falls
Distance: 0.4 miles
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
***As of February 2021 this trail is closed for the Bridalveil Fall Rehabilitation Project. So we did not get to see this sight. Plus the water was not following in Yosemite when we went.
Check out my post on the entire Yosemite Valley in one day.
Glacier Point Road
Glacier Point
Distance: Short walk from parking lot
Time: 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
From the parking lot you can easily get to Glacier Point view point. This was my favorite viewpoint off of Glacier Point Road. You can really get a great look at the valley and a good view of the famous Half Dome.
Taft’s Point
Distance: 2.3 miles
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Easy
If you were to do any longer hike along Glacier Point Road I would suggest Taft’s Point. It is an easy flat walk. Hikers of all types were walking along this route to see the famous Taft’s Point.
Sentinel Dome
Distance: 2.2 miles
Time: 1 hour
Difficulty: Moderate
This was an easy flat path as well, there is a little bit of an uphill climb to get to the top of the Sentinel Dome. The cool part of this hike is it gives you a 360 degree view of Yosemite. You can walk to the different sides of the dome to see different angles of the entire park. We stopped and ate our packed lunch on the top of this dome.
Tioga Road
Mount Watkins
Distance: 6-7 miles
Time: 3-4 hours
Difficulty: Moderate
The Mt. Watkins hike was one of my favorite hikes in Yosemite. I think because we only saw maybe 5 other people on this trail. It was so peaceful and only about 6.2 miles round trip. It is along Tioga Road, giving you amazing views of the Yosemite Valley below.
Cloud’s Rest
Distance: 12.5 miles
Time: 6-8 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Cloud’s Rest Hike– One of the more difficult hikes in Yosemite, but some of the best views. If looking for a more difficult, all day trek check out Cloud’s Rest. This is a great alternative if you were not able to hike Half Dome.
Mariposa Grove
Visiting Mariposa Grover in Yosemite is worth it. It has a totally different scenery from the rest of the park. It was amazing to see the giant sequoias. In this area you have options of which hikes you want to take on.
Big Trees Loop: 0.3 miles (0.4 km); includes the Fallen Monarch
Grizzly Giant Loop: 2.0 miles (3.2 km); includes the Fallen Monarch, Bachelor & Three Graces, Grizzly Giant, and the California Tunnel Tree
Guardians Loop: 6.5 miles (10.5 km); includes Grizzly Giant Loop trees plus upper grove
Mariposa Grove Trail: 7.0 miles (11.3 km) round trip; includes includes Grizzly Giant Loop trees plus Wawona Point and portions of upper grove
Tips For Hiking in Yosemite
Leave No Trace
Make sure you practice Leave No Trace 7 principles to leave minimal impact on the trails.
Be Bear Aware
Make sure you are Bear Aware while in any part in Yosemite. We did not carry bear spray while on any hikes in Yosemite. We did not see any moose or bear along these hikes. Stay alert, make noise, and seal food in containers. I also used a bear bell since we are usually pretty quiet hikers.
Watch For Weather
There is not much storm coverage at the top of this trail. Make sure you keep in eye on the weather before heading out on any of these hikes.
Go Early
Going early will help you beat the crowds and the heat. And maybe even give you a better chance at seeing some wildlife if you are interested in that. Going early also helps you secure a parking space as well.
What To Bring Hiking
Water– we each carried 2 liters of water in our hydration bladders with an additional collapsible water bottle on most longer hikes.
Hiking Poles– my husband never used hiking poles but I find them very valuable to me knees for those uphills and downhills at the beginning of the high elevation hikes.
Layers– You never know what the weather and high elevation hikes may bring you. Dress in thin layers and make sure you bring a raincoat as well.
Sunscreen– Sunscreen is essential, being on the rock face with not much shade can be a bad combo on a sunny day.
Bear Spray– We did not bring any during this trip but some people like to, and I had attached a bear bell on to my backpack.
Bug Spray– Although we didn’t seem to get bitten by bugs much during this time of year it is always smart to carry some with you.
Hiking Shoes– Good sturdy hiking shoes are a must. I love my Ahnu’s.
Snacks/Food– This is a long hike, we packed many snacks such as granola bars, jerky sticks, fruits strips and more. We also packed a sandwich to eat at the top.
Sunglasses/Hat– Again it is very bright at the top of some wide open areas. I would pack sunglasses and maybe even a hat if you are sensitive to the sun.
Other Articles You Might Be Interested In
One Day in the Yosemite Valley
10 Days in Washington State: A National Park Guide
1 Week in Colorado: A Guide To The Best Hikes
The Cloud’s Rest Hike in Yosemite National Park
