It’s no secret that Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierras, is best known as one of the most beautiful locations on Earth. And for good reason! There is so much to see and do in its 1,169 square miles. Whether you’re visiting for the ancient giant sequoias, colossal granite monoliths, abundant waterfalls or vast valleys, it’s safe to say that Yosemite will not disappoint! John Muir said it best:
“Walk away quietly in any direction and taste the freedom of the mountaineer. Camp out among the grasses and gentians of glacial meadows, in craggy garden nooks full of nature’s darlings. Climb the mountains and get their good tidings, Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine flows into trees. The winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while cares will drop off like autumn leaves.”
— John Muir
Here are some of our favorite (and world-renowned!) sights to see in Yosemite National Park. Don’t forget to bring your camera — or a fully charged cell phone — to capture all the majesty Yosemite has to offer.
El Capitan
Upon your arrival to the west end of Yosemite Valley, you cannot miss the massive granite walls — El Capitan. It looms 3,000 feet tall above the valley floor, is 1.5 miles wide, and 2.5 times larger than the Empire State Building! Climbers from all over the world come to scale this incredible rock face. Bring your binoculars and you just might spot these experienced rock climbers scaling El Cap!
This granite monolith is so impressive that as you come into the Valley, you’ll want to pull over, step outside of your car and “ooh” and “aah.” There are several ways to get a spectacular view of El Capitan. The easiest is by driving through the Western Yosemite Valley floor and pulling over at one of the many pull-outs to admire the view. El Capitan Meadow is a fantastic place to look straight up on this majestic wonder. Additionally, the Wawona Tunnel View along Highway 41 offers an insane view of El Cap and other geological features.
El Capitan can easily be seen year-round, but in mid-to-late February you can catch a glimpse of the Firefall, or Horsetail Fall. When standing at the El Capitan picnic area, you can see the fall turn golden red thanks to the angle of the sun as it sets. Of course, weather conditions or dry years you might not be able to see it.
Want to learn more about El Capitan before your Yosemite visit? We highly recommend watching the documentaries Valley Uprising, Free Solo and The Dawn Wall.
Half Dome
When it comes to Yosemite’s iconic geological wonders, Half Dome is by far the most recognizable sight to see. Known for its distinct shape (three rounded sides with the fourth a sheer face), it rises up 5,000 feet from Yosemite Valley. It truly is a sight to behold!
This granite formation can easily be seen as you drive through Yosemite Valley, but there are many other astonishing views within the park. Cook’s Meadow is a great spot on the Valley floor to capture this picturesque scene, as previously photographed many times by Ansel Adams. Our personal favorite is Glacier Point, as it is directly across this massive granite dome and completely unobstructed. Glacier Point, as well as Washburn Point and Tunnel View, which offer up some stellar viewpoints as well, are accessible by car along Highway 41 and Glacier Point Road.
Of course, you can always hike to the sub dome and/or top of Half Dome… but it’s not for the faint of heart! The trek is at least 14-16 miles and over 4,800-5,300 feet of elevation gain, not to mention climbing up the cables to get to the tippy top. Steven has hiked Half Dome multiple times, and I made it to the sub dome once. (My palms are sweaty just thinking about the cables… and that sheer drop-off along either side. ? No thanks!) For those who are fearless like my hubby and want a challenge, the top of Half Dome offers breathtaking views of Yosemite National Park. Note that you do need a permit to hike Half Dome. For more info on this trail, check out this NPS resource.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite National Park is home to many incredible waterfalls, including one of the tallest waterfalls in the world: Yosemite Falls! It is 2,245 feet high and flows November through July, with the best viewing in May as snowmelt plunges down to the Valley floor. Yosemite Falls is made up of three separate waterfalls: Upper Yosemite Fall (1,430 feet), the middle cascades (675 feet), and Lower Yosemite Fall (320 feet).
You can catch Yosemite Falls from most anywhere in the Valley, with especially good views from Yosemite Village or Yosemite Valley Lodge. There’s also two trails that take you right up to the Falls: Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (an easy, one-mile loop with 50 feet of elevation gain), or Upper Yosemite Falls Trail (a strenuous, 7.6-mile out and back hike with 3,218 feet of elevation gain).
Merced River
This 145-mile river carved out what is now the Yosemite Valley, and truly deserves its own mention. When exploring Yosemite Valley, the Merced River flows through some exceptional scenery, including many of the must-see sights listed here. Along the water there are numerous beaches and swimming holes that park-goers can enjoy. You can even bring your own rafts or tubes and float down the Merced River! It is a fantastic place to bring the kids, swim gear and a picnic lunch. At the Sentinel Bridge, you can even catch views of Half Dome and its reflection in the Merced River.
Bridalveil Fall
Plunging 620 feet from above, Bridalveil Fall is a very popular attraction within Yosemite National Park. This sight requires a short, quarter-mile walk to the base of the waterfall on a paved trail, and it’s usually super busy. Perhaps for good reason: the Ahwahneechee Native American tribe believed that inhaling the mist of the waterfall would improve one’s chances of getting married!
Please note that Bridalveil Fall is currently closed due to a rehabilitation project.
The Ahwahnee Dining Room
OK, OK — I know that this is man-made, but it is worth mentioning. The classically rustic Ahwahnee Dining Room, which serves breakfast and dinner year-round, really is a sight to lay your eyes on. The towering ceilings are 34 feet high, and the pine trestles and granite pillars frame the cathedral windows that allow one to take in the surrounding views. You’ll feel like a king or queen dining in such grandeur and opulence!
Wawona Tunnel View
As I mentioned earlier, the Wawona Tunnel View is a great stop to see some of Yosemite’s most scenic views. In fact, this vista was made famous by the talented Ansel Adams! From this view you can see El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall. To get there, take Highway 41. The parking area can get crowded during the summer, so make sure to get there early in the day to snap that picture-perfect photo. Pro tip: If the parking lot is full, don’t worry. Keep driving through the Tunnel, and stop at the second pullout to the right. You’ll be able to get some pretty stellar views without fighting the crowds!
Glacier Point
Want the best views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley, the High Sierra and beyond? Then you’ll want to incorporate Glacier Point into your trip itinerary. This overlook is 3,214 feet above Curry Village, on the floor of Yosemite Valley. Trust us — it’s well worth the drive up Highway 41 and Glacier Point Road between the months of late May through October/November, depending on conditions. There’s also a 0.6-mile, paved loop at the overlook that will leave you breathless (only from the views!). If you’re looking to do some backpacking while in Yosemite, Glacier Point is a fantastic starting place!
Glacier Point can get pretty busy, especially when you’re trying to find a spot to park. If this is the case, don’t fret — you can stop off at Washburn Point. It’s on the way to Glacier Point, and the first glimpse of the impressive Half Dome and and the eastern crest of the Sierra Nevada. You can also spot Vernal, Nevada, and Illilouette Falls from here!
One more quick note on Glacier Point Road. Based on the NPS, the road will be closed in 2022 for improvements, and the only way to get to Glacier Point are via strenuous hikes — Four Mile, Panorama and Pohono Trails. Be sure to get your visit in this year!
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Want to see one of the largest and oldest living things on our planet? Then you must see the giant sequoias! Just inside of the Wawona entrance, you’ll find a grove of 500 giant sequoias, many of which are more than 3,000 years old.
In 1864, President Lincoln signed legislation to protect the Mariposa Grove for the benefit of future generations — a first in our nation’s history. It’s easy to see why — these sequoias tower over us tiny humans, leaving one “oohing” and “ahhing” at these beautiful wonders.
Keep in mind that this is not just a viewpoint — you’ll have to work to see extraordinary trees like the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree (the latter of which you can walk through!).
Unfortunately, in January 2021 a massive windstorm came through the area and destroyed much of the area with 50mph winds, including some of the trees and trails. During our last visit, we were saddened to see this. However, you can still access this area buuuuuuuuuut it requires that you hike up and down the road four miles (500 feet of elevation) to the grove, which does not include the additional 1.5 miles (plus another 500 feet of elevation gain) to the trees. If you decide to go to the Mariposa Grove, do yourself a favor and go VERY early in the morning before it gets hot. Hiking on asphalt is no fun in the heat! Also — the only exception to the four-mile trek is if you have a disability placard, in which case you can drive up to the parking area.
Tuolumne Meadows
While Half Dome and El Cap are truly amazing sights, Tuolumne (pronounced “too-AH-lum-ee”) Meadows is an outdoor lover’s dream. This vast, sub-alpine meadow features the winding Tuolumne River and picturesque views of mountain peaks and glacially-carved domes. Early in the season Tuolumne Meadows is green and abundant with wildflowers, and is considered one of the largest high elevation meadows in all of the Sierra Nevada.
While there still are quite a few visitors to this area, it is relatively less crowded than some of Yosemite’s other sights. It’s tranquility and peaceful views make it the perfect spot to have a picnic lunch.
There are so many astonishing sights to see within Yosemite that it’s nearly impossible to list it all, but we hope that this list narrows down the most remarkable views within this iconic national park. Which will you go see first?
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