Breakfast
Oatmeal and coffee before the valley
A simple hot breakfast of oatmeal, fruit and strong coffee, to fuel a day of walking.
Local tip Valley services are limited, so pack extra snacks.
Arrival day
Before Day 1. The Sierra is high and snow-bound for part of the year, so plan the roads and the season first.Details
- Getting here
- Most visitors fly into Fresno, about an hour and a half from the south gate, or into San Francisco, Oakland or Sacramento, about four hours from the Valley. A car is needed, because the sights are spread over long mountain roads.
- Roads and rules
- Many roads close with the snow, and the high road across the park is shut for much of the year, so check ahead for open dates. The park has needed an entry reservation in busy periods in some years, so check before you go.
- Where to sleep
- Rooms inside Yosemite book up far ahead. Staying in a gateway town outside the park is the usual alternative, with a longer drive each day. For Days 4 and 5, stay near Grant Grove or Giant Forest, or in a town below.
- First evening
- Day 1 starts at Tunnel View, so arrive in daylight, watch the valley from the first viewpoint and sleep early.
Day 1. Yosemite Valley
4 stops · 5.3 miThe valley floor. The famous first view, a waterfall that flows all year, a cliff of granite climbers love, then the highest waterfall in the park as the day closes. Keep each walk short and let the cliffs do the work.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Tunnel View
The classic first look at the valley, from a viewpoint at the end of a tunnel on the road in. El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome sit in one frame, and the view works in any weather.
Go when Morning, or late afternoon when the light slants across the valley (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip It is a short stop at a car park, and it is busy at midday. Fog or cloud can hide the view for a while, so wait ten minutes before you decide.
Photo by Karan Chawla on Unsplash About 10 min by car or transit1.6 mi - 2MiddayWorth the time
Bridalveil Fall
A tall waterfall that flows all year, reached by a short, easy path from the car park. In a breeze the water blows sideways in a mist, so bring a layer. Keep off the wet rock.
Go when Midday, when the sun lights the spray.
Local tip The path is short and paved, but the spray soaks you in a wind, so bring a layer. Keep off the wet rock near the base.
Photo by Tom Gainor on Unsplash - Lunch
A picnic by the river
Sandwiches, fruit and cheese eaten on a flat rock beside the Merced River.
Local tip Take all your rubbish with you, and keep food away from squirrels and bears.
About 14 min walk0.7 mi - 3AfternoonWorth the time
El Capitan Meadow
A flat meadow with a wide view of El Capitan, a sheer granite cliff nearly a kilometre high. Climbers can often be seen on the wall with binoculars, though they are never promised.
Go when Afternoon, when climbers are on the wall and the light is warm.
Local tip Bring binoculars. Stay on the road shoulder or the meadow, and do not walk into the grass, which the park is protecting.
Photo by Stin-Niels Musche on Unsplash About 14 min by car or transit2.9 mi - 4EveningWorth the time
Lower Yosemite Fall
The foot of the highest waterfall in the park, reached by an easy loop path. It is at its strongest in late spring and can be a trickle or dry by late summer, so the visit depends on the season.
Go when Evening, in late spring when the water is strongest (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip The loop is easy and paved. The fall can be a trickle or dry in late summer, so check the season. Keep off the wet rock near the pool.
Photo by Stephan Widua on Unsplash - Dinner
A warm dinner in the village
A hearty bowl of soup, a burger or grilled fish, once the cliffs have gone dark.
Local tip Kitchens in the park close early, so check ahead.
If it rains. Rain feeds the falls and the cliffs go dark and silver. Tunnel View is fine in mist, and Bridalveil is at its best wet, but keep off the slick rock at the base.
Day 2. The rim and the big trees
4 stops · 23.4 miA day on the south side. Two viewpoints high above the valley, then the old road south to Wawona and a grove of giant sequoias. Valley to Glacier Point is about an hour by road, and Glacier Point to Wawona about another.
- Travel from Lower Yosemite FallAbout 13 min by car or transit2.7 miWhere Day 1 ended.
- Breakfast
Coffee and a muffin for the road
A hot drink and something sweet to carry up the long climb to the rim.
Local tip Fill your water bottle too, since there is little for sale on the rim.
- 1MorningA half day with Glacier Point
Taft Point
A viewpoint on the cliffs above the valley, reached by a walk through the forest from the road. There are deep cracks in the rock and drops with no fence, so keep back from the edge and hold children by the hand.
Go when Morning, before the crowds and the heat.
Local tip Deep cracks in the rock run to the edge, and there is no fence in places. Keep back, keep hold of children and stay on the path.
Photo: Dave, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 11 min by car or transit2.1 mi - 2MiddayWorth the time, go early
Glacier Point
A famous viewpoint high on the south wall, looking down on the valley floor and across to Half Dome and the high peaks. The road to it closes with the snow, so check ahead on when it is open.
Go when Midday for the full view, or sunrise or sunset for the light (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip The road is shut by snow for part of the year, so check ahead. The view is the same as from Tunnel View but much higher, so it is worth the drive.
Photo: Diliff, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A picnic on the rim
Sandwiches and fruit eaten on a rock with the whole valley below.
Local tip Wind and altitude chill you quickly, so bring a layer.
About 37 min by car15.0 mi - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Mariposa Grove
The largest grove of giant sequoias in the park, with a few hundred mature trees on easy, shaded paths. The trees are very old, and walking among them is the point. Check ahead on parking and shuttles.
Go when Afternoon, in the shade of the trees.
Local tip The paths are gentle but long, so choose a loop that fits your time. Stay on the paths to protect the tree roots, and check ahead on parking and shuttles.
Photo: Richard Frear on Wikimedia Commons About 16 min by car or transit3.6 mi - 4EveningWorth a short stop
Pioneer Yosemite History Center
A collection of historic buildings gathered at Wawona, including a covered bridge and old cabins and barns. You can walk among them at any time of year, though the interiors are open only on a limited basis in summer.
Go when Evening, in the soft light (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip The buildings are outside and open to walk among. Check ahead on any tour or interior access.
Photo: Yosemite Valley Railroad on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
A supper in the foothills
A warm meal in a small mountain town, such as a pie, a plate of chicken or a bowl of chili.
Local tip Choices are few, and many places close early.
If it rains. Cloud can hide the view from Glacier Point, so swap it for Mariposa Grove, where the big trees are good in rain. Skip Taft Point in a storm, when the rock is slick.
Day 3. The high road across the park
4 stops · 45.6 miThe road over the top. Granite domes, a big alpine lake, then a high meadow at the heart of the park. Valley to Tuolumne Meadows is about two hours by road, and the drive back is the same, so start early. This road is shut by snow for much of the year.
- Drive from Pioneer Yosemite History CenterAbout 45 min by car21.0 miWhere Day 2 ended.
- Breakfast
Eggs and bacon before the high road
A big breakfast for a long day, with plenty of coffee.
Local tip The drive is long and has no services, so fill the tank and your water.
- 1MorningWorth the time
Olmsted Point
A roadside viewing area on the high road, with a look down a glacial canyon to the back of Half Dome. Loose boulders left by the ice sit on the granite slopes, and a short path leads out among them.
Go when Morning, when the cliffs are lit and the light is clear.
Local tip The path out among the boulders is short but the rock is smooth, so take it slowly. The road is shut by snow for much of the year, so check ahead.
Photo by Derek Oyen on Unsplash About 11 min by car or transit2.0 mi - 2MiddayWorth the time
Tenaya Lake
A big alpine lake ringed by bare granite domes beside the road. A good place for a picnic and a paddle. The water is very cold and the lake is high, so the wind and the weather change fast.
Go when Midday, when the water is blue.
Local tip The lake is high and cold, and thunderstorms build fast in summer afternoons. Get off the water and the domes if you hear thunder.
Photo by Deepak Adhikari on Unsplash - Lunch
A picnic on the granite
Sandwiches, nuts and fruit eaten on a warm slab beside the lake.
Local tip The lake is cold and the weather changes fast, so keep a layer in the bag.
About 25 min by car or transit6.7 mi - 3AfternoonWorth the time
Tuolumne Meadows
A wide sub-alpine meadow set among granite domes and a river, high in the park. Walk a short stretch of the meadow trail in the quiet, and watch for bears and keep your food locked away.
Go when Afternoon, when the light softens on the domes.
Local tip Mosquitoes can be bad in early summer, so bring repellent. Keep food locked in a bear box, and give any bear plenty of room.
Photo: Steve Dunleavy, CC BY 2.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 38 min by car15.9 mi - 4EveningAn evening stop
Cook's Meadow
A flat meadow in the valley with a boardwalk and a clear view of the cliffs and Half Dome. A calm place to end the day after the long drive back, with the granite glowing in the last light.
Go when Evening, as the light fades on the cliffs (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip A flat boardwalk loop that is easy for anyone. Stay on the boardwalk to protect the meadow.
Photo by Stefan Szankowski on Unsplash - Dinner
A late dinner back in the valley
Something warm and filling after the long day, such as pasta, a steak or a bowl of soup.
Local tip The kitchens close early, so check ahead.
If it rains. Thunderstorms build on the high road in summer afternoons. Get off the lake and the granite domes at the first thunder, and check the road for snow or closure.
Day 4. South to the big trees
3 stops · 95.9 miThe long drive. Leave the valley early and cross the foothills to Kings Canyon, about four hours by road. Stop at Grant Grove on the way, then take the winding Generals Highway on to the giant forest and a granite dome at sunset.
- Drive from Cook's MeadowAbout 1 h 52 min by car76.8 miWhere Day 3 ended.
- Breakfast
Coffee and a pastry for the drive south
Something warm and portable, for a long morning on the road.
Local tip Fuel up too, since gas stations are far apart.
- 1MiddayWorth the time
General Grant Tree
The second largest tree in the world, in a grove of sequoias in Kings Canyon National Park. A short paved loop leads past it and other giants. Take your time, and look up.
Go when Midday, on the drive south.
Local tip A short paved loop that takes less than an hour. Stay on the path, and do not touch or climb the roots.
Photo: Pimlico27, CC BY-SA 4.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Lunch
A picnic in the grove
A sandwich and an apple eaten at a table among the giant sequoias.
Local tip Take all your rubbish with you, and keep food away from bears.
About 10 min by car or transit1.5 mi - 2AfternoonWorth a short stop
Panoramic Point
A viewpoint above Grant Grove, reached by a narrow road that closes in winter, with a long view across the high Sierra. The road is steep and not for large vehicles, so check ahead before you go.
Go when Afternoon, when the air is clear.
Local tip The road up is narrow and steep and closes in winter, so check ahead. The walk from the car park is short and paved.
About 40 min by car17.6 mi - 3EveningA short climb at sunset
Moro Rock
A bare granite dome in Sequoia National Park, climbed by a stairway cut into the rock. The view over the foothills and the high peaks is best near sunset. Avoid it in a storm, when the rock draws lightning.
Go when Evening, near sunset (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip The stairway is steep with some open drops, so take it slowly and hold the rail. Avoid it if there is lightning or ice.
Photo: DiverDave, CC BY-SA 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons - Dinner
A supper near the park
A plain, filling meal of chicken, grilled vegetables or a burger after a long day of driving.
Local tip Choices are few near the forest, and kitchens close early.
If it rains. Rain makes the Generals Highway slow, and Moro Rock can be slippery or closed in lightning. Keep to Grant Grove and swap the dome for the museum on Day 5.
Day 5. The giant forest
4 stops · 6.2 miA day in the big trees. The largest living tree on Earth, a museum to set it in context, a tree with a road through it, and a quiet meadow to finish. All of these lie within a few minutes of each other along the park road.
- Travel from Moro RockAbout 13 min by car or transit2.7 miWhere Day 4 ended.
- Breakfast
A hot breakfast in the foothills
Eggs, toast and coffee before the walk among the trees.
Local tip Make it an early one, since the groups arrive by mid morning.
- 1MorningWorth the time, go early
General Sherman Tree
By volume the largest known living single-stem tree on Earth, in the Giant Forest. A paved path leads to it, with benches and signs that show its size. Come early, before the groups arrive.
Go when Morning, before the groups arrive.
Local tip A paved path leads to the tree, with a steep staircase back up. Check ahead on parking and shuttles.
Photo: Jane S. Richardson ( talk…, CC BY 3.0 on Wikimedia Commons About 10 min by car or transit1.7 mi - 2MiddayWorth a short stop
Giant Forest Museum
A small museum in a historic building at the edge of the forest, with exhibits on giant sequoias and how people nearly lost the forest. A good stop in rain or heat.
Go when Midday, as a break from the sun or the rain.
Local tip A good place to understand the trees before you walk among them. Check ahead on opening.
Photo by Sebastien Gabriel on Unsplash - Lunch
A lunch under the trees
Sandwiches and fruit eaten at a picnic table in the forest.
Local tip Keep all food in a bear box or locked in the car.
About 21 min walk1.1 mi - 3AfternoonWorth a short stop
Tunnel Log
A fallen sequoia with a road tunnel cut through it on the way to Crescent Meadow. Large vehicles do not fit, so check the clearance before you drive through, or walk through it instead.
Go when Afternoon, on the way to Crescent Meadow.
Local tip Large vehicles and trailers do not fit, so check the clearance, or leave the car and walk through. Do not climb on the log.
Photo by Christian Vasile on Unsplash About 16 min walk0.8 mi - 4EveningWorth the time
Crescent Meadow
A green meadow ringed by sequoias, with an easy loop trail that is a gentle way to end the trip. Deer and bears live here, so stay quiet and keep your food locked away.
Go when Evening, when the light comes low through the trees (about 7:06 PM).
Local tip The loop is easy and flat. Stay on the trail to protect the wet meadow, and keep any food out of sight.
- Dinner
A last supper in the valley below
A farewell dinner in a foothill town, such as barbecue, tacos or a pizza, as you drive down from the mountains.
Local tip Tables fill on summer weekends, so check ahead.
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If it rains. Rain suits the giant forest, with the trunks dark and the air still. The museum is the best wet-day stop, and Moro Rock and the paths are slick, so take them slowly.
Departure day
After the last day. The roads out of the Sierra are slow, so allow extra time.Details
- The drive out
- The winding road down from Giant Forest takes longer than the map suggests, and a slow vehicle can hold up the line. Fill the tank in town and allow plenty of time.
- Your flight
- Fresno is about two hours from Giant Forest, and Los Angeles several hours more. Do not plan a big hike on the day you fly.
- If you have a few hours
- Walk the meadow loop at Crescent Meadow once more in the morning light before the drive down.
Questions people ask
When is the best time to visit Yosemite Valley?
By average weather from 2021 to 2025, April to June and September to November are the most comfortable months for walking around Yosemite Valley. This plan is built for late September, which is one of the best months. Crowds and prices change through the year, so check them before you book.
How many days does this plan cover?
It covers 5 days in Yosemite Valley, planned for late September. Each day is built around a small number of stops, with room to rest.
Who is this plan for?
It was planned for most travelers. The pace and the places reflect that, so check it fits how you travel.
Is anything on this plan booked?
No. Places marked "book ahead" need a reservation. Hours, prices and availability change, so confirm before you go.
Can I plan my own days like this?
Yes. Archie drafts a day by day plan for your dates and takes your pace, the weather and who is travelling into account. You can start one from the Archie app.
Can I change this plan?
Yes. It is a starting point you can change to fit your own trip: swap a place, add a day or move the pace.
How much walking is there?
Each day has about 3.5 to 24.6 miles between its stops, and 73.2 miles in all across 5 days. A short hop is a walk and a longer one a ride. Distances are straight-line estimates, so allow extra for the streets.
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Make this plan yours
Make it yours in a minute, then move days around and add what you want.
A trip idea · Updated November 2026
Want your own days planned like this? Plan your own trip on the web or get the Archie app.