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
Stunning Views. Run into lots of Yosemite Wildlife , Deers, Pocket Pins. Beautiful waterfalls.
Beautiful trail!! Part of the trail on the way to Yosemite falls is closed currently due to a crack in the rocks but you can easily detour it via the main road. Absolutely perfect!
Cloud’s Rest is everything one could hope for while hiking in Yosemite.
Vernal & Nevada Falls via John Muir Trail Loop (with Silver Apron) Moderate | ~8.4 miles round-trip | ~2,700 ft elevation gain | 3.5–5 hours Overview: This iconic Yosemite hike takes you past two of the park’s most stunning waterfalls—Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall—with a stop by the Silver Apron, a smooth granite chute just above Vernal. While the Mist Trail is partially closed for maintenance, you can still do this hike as a scenic loop using the John Muir Trail (JMT). Route: Start at Happy Isles Trailhead and follow the JMT up. You’ll first pass the Vernal Fall Footbridge, then detour to see the Silver Apron and top of Vernal Fall (note: with the Mist Trail closed, views are mostly from above). From there, continue the climb to Nevada Fall via the Mist Trail. The trail here gets steeper but rewards you with incredible panoramic views. After soaking it in at the top, return via the JMT—a longer but more gradual descent with sweeping views of the Merced River canyon. Trail Notes: • Mist Trail Closure: As of now, the Mist Trail is closed between the footbridge and the top of Vernal Fall. This means you’re using the JMT for both the climb and descent—or combining the open upper Mist Trail to Nevada. • Water Flow: Expect lighter water flow in mid-to-late summer, especially compared to the spring runoff. Still beautiful, just less mist. • Safety: The Silver Apron looks like a natural waterslide, but swimming is prohibited and dangerous—stick to the trail. Best for: Hikers looking for a moderately strenuous loop with iconic Yosemite views, waterfall overlooks, and a solid workout. Suitable for most with decent fitness, but bring plenty of water and good shoes.
You don’t have to buy a Yosemite National pass to park. I wish I would’ve known so I could have started earlier. Ended up doing another similar hike and then when I started at 3pm I didn’t have enough time. Definitely recommend the hike
I LOVED this trail! So beautiful the whole way up and the lake was spectacular. I should’ve brought a bathing suit to go swimming. Hot but not very buggy. Took me just over an hour round trip (no including the time I spent at the lake!) A new favorite hike in Yosemite.