Best trails in Yosemite National Park
With over 3.5 million yearly visitors from throughout the world, the iconic Yosemite National Park is known for some of the most beautiful hikes and landscapes in the United States. There are over 800 miles of trails to explore through Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Wawona. Yosemite has so much to see including the sequoias, the flower-filled meadows and valleys left behind from the glaciers, the highest waterfall in the United States, and the spectacular Half Dome and El Capitan.
Top trails
Visitor info
A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park Saturday, May 24, through Monday, May 26, from 6 am to 2 pm.
A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park every day from 6 am to 2 pm from June 15 through August 15.
A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park Saturday, August 30, through Monday, September 1, from 6 am to 2 pm.
An educational fee waiver is available for educational and scientific groups that are accredited or tax-exempt for educational purposes planning a trip for educational or scientific purposes related to Yosemite that is not primarily recreational.
This fee is valid for three consecutive days for a non-commercial motorcycle (cost is per motorcycle, not person).
The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free
This fee is valid for three consecutive days for people entering on foot, a bicycle, a horse, or a non-commercial bus or van. People 15 years and younger are free.
This fee is valid for three consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. This fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it.
Annual pass providing free entrance to Yosemite for 12 months from the date of purchase.
Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.
No entrance pass required on these days:
Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day
The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.
The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Loaner wheelchairs, electric scooters, a tandem bicycle, and a hand-cranked bicycle are available at Yosemite Valley Lodge. Assistive listening devices, telecoil neck loop couplers, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available.
Many ranger-led programs have ASL interpreters available by reservation. To make a reservation, please call 209-379-5250 (voice/text) or email yose_deaf_services@nps.gov at least two weeks in advance.
Additional information about accessibility at Yosemite National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.
Reservations are required for all cars entering the park, including Access Pass holders.
All shuttle buses in the park are wheelchair accessible and can fit chairs under 46 inches long and 24 inches wide. The YARTS bus service from Merced or Mariposa is equipped with lifts, but advanced notice is required. Please call 1‐877‐989‐2787 at least 48 hours in advance to make a reservation for the YARTS bus.
Temporary disabled parking placards are available at the park entrance stations or visitor centers for those without a state-issued permit or who do not have one with them.
Other-Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) such as Segways are allowed in the park only for those with a mobility disability.
The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include closed captioning.
Food service facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible except for partial accessibility in the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, which has stairs.
The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, White Wolf Lodge, and Wawona Hotel have wheelchair accessible rooms.
The Lower Yosemite Fall, El Capitan, Sentinel Beach, Swinging Bridge, Church Bowl, the Cascades and Arch Rock, Yosemite History Center, and Soldier Flat Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms or vault toilets.
There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Yosemite Village Parking, Lower Yosemite Fall, Camp 4, Housekeeping Camp, Happy Isles, and Bridalveil Fall.
The Lower Pines, Upper Pines, and North Pines Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and accessible restrooms.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Trail reviews for Yosemite National Park
FUN FACT: Yosemite Falls is way taller than Niagara Falls, way more than 10× in fact! We hiked the most iconic and tallest waterfalls in North America! Yosemite Falls is located in the heart of Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada mountains. A must-see for any visitor to the park. Spring and early summer is the best time to go due to the snowmelt powers its thunderous flow! Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park, California 2,425 feet (739 meters) total Tier: Upper, Middle Cascade, Lower Best Time to Visit April–June (peak flow from snowmelt) Dries up by late summer/fall Waterfall Breakdown Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 ft) – Towering, dramatic main drop Middle Cascades (675 ft) – A series of smaller, steep falls (not easily visible) Lower Yosemite Fall (320 ft) – Easily accessible, popular for photos Hiking the Falls: 1. Lower Yosemite Fall Trail Length: 1 mile roundtrip (Easy) Elevation Gain: Mostly Flat Time: 30-40 mins Family-friendly, paved Great view of the bottom of the falls 2. Upper Yosemite Fall Trail Length: ~7.2 miles roundtrip (Strenuous) Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet Time: 6–8 hours Photography Tips: *Morning light is best for the full waterfall view & less crowd *Spring months offer mist, rainbows and the most powerful flow *Winter: Frozen falls and snow make it photogenic, but access may be limited.
Probably the most stunning view in all of Yosemite National Park. Initial ascent is difficult. Terrain was rocky and steep but it’s all worth it in the end for an incredible view of Half Dome and the valley below.
Some of the best views of Yosemite from the top. Bring poles and plenty of water. Lots of climbing through rocks. Look for cairns if you can’t see trail.
Very challenging hike but worth it. Make sure to hike up to Yosemite point.
Going up was not that difficult- coming down was way harder. It’s a steady elevation going up to the main waterfall/ swimming hole- we cold plunge and it was super healing. Love that this trail is off the beaten path in Yosemite however it kicked our butts getting back down. We didn’t see any rattlesnakes but a hiker in front of us turned around because one was on the path and freaked him out. Probably best to not go alone. We started at 7am and made it back to the car at 1:30pm we spent an hour and a half at the top snacking and cold plunging - definitely on the difficult side but worth it