Things to Do
We always start with the Mist Trail, one of the greatest day hikes in America. The trail climbs past Vernal Fall (5.4 miles round trip, $0 beyond park entry) and Nevada Fall, with granite steps carved into the cliff and clouds of mist that soak you on warm days. The round trip to Nevada Fall is about 7 miles with 2,000 feet of elevation gain — strenuous but utterly rewarding. Start early (before 8am) to beat the crowds and the afternoon heat.
Glacier Point is our other must-do. The viewpoint sits 3,200 feet above the valley floor and serves up a panorama that includes Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the entire valley spread out below like a painting. You can drive there (1 hour from the valley, open roughly May through November) or hike the challenging 4.8-mile Four Mile Trail from the valley floor. We have done both, and the drive is worth it if time is short. There is no additional fee beyond the $35 park entrance.
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias ($0 beyond park entry) at the park’s southern end is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias, including the Grizzly Giant, which is roughly 1,800 years old. A free shuttle runs from the parking area to the grove trailhead. The lower grove loop is 2 miles and accessible, while the full grove loop extends to 7 miles through quieter forest. For the adventurous, permits for the Half Dome cables ($10 lottery) allow you to climb the final 400 feet to the summit — an unforgettable, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Where to Stay
Staying inside the park is the best experience but requires planning far in advance. The Ahwahnee Hotel ($500-$800 per night) is one of the great national park lodges, with its towering stone-and-timber great hall framed by granite cliffs. Even if you do not stay, walk through the lobby and have a drink at the bar. Yosemite Valley Lodge ($250-$350) offers comfortable modern rooms within walking distance of Yosemite Falls.
For budget-friendly in-park options, Curry Village ($100-$160) offers canvas tent cabins with beds and linens beneath the granite walls. They are basic — no heat or private bathrooms in the tent cabins — but the location cannot be beat. Hard-sided cabins at Curry Village ($180-$250) offer more comfort. Housekeeping Camp ($110-$140) provides concrete-and-canvas shelters right along the Merced River.
Camping in the valley is magical. Upper Pines ($26 per night) and Lower Pines ($26) fill up the moment reservations open (typically five months in advance on recreation.gov). First-come, first-served sites at Camp 4 ($6 per person) are available but require arriving very early. Outside the park, the gateway towns of Mariposa, Groveland, and El Portal offer motels and lodges from $120-$250. Rush Creek Lodge ($300-$450) near the Big Oak Flat entrance is a standout with a genuine resort feel.
Where to Eat
Dining options inside the park are limited. The Ahwahnee Dining Room ($30-$55 entrees) is the fine dining option, serving California cuisine in a grand hall with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the granite cliffs. Reservations are essential and a dress code applies at dinner. It is expensive, but the setting is without equal. For breakfast, the Ahwahnee Brunch ($55 adults) is a special-occasion splurge.
For everyday meals, the Yosemite Valley Lodge food court ($10-$18) offers pizza, burgers, and salads in a convenient cafeteria setting. Curry Village has a pizza deck ($14-$20) and a taqueria ($8-$14) that are popular for casual dinners. The Village Store sells groceries, sandwich supplies, and snacks for trail lunches — budget $12-$18 per person for a packed lunch.
Outside the park, the gateway towns have expanded their dining scenes considerably. In Mariposa, 1850 Brewery ($14-$22) serves good pub food and craft beer. The Happy Burger ($8-$14) in Mariposa is exactly what it sounds like — solid diner food at fair prices. In El Portal, the Yosemite View Lodge restaurant offers decent meals ($16-$28) with river views. We always stock up on groceries in Mariposa or Oakhurst before entering the park to save money and time.
Getting Around
Inside Yosemite Valley, a free shuttle bus runs year-round, stopping at all major points including trailheads, lodges, the visitor center, and stores. We rely on it heavily and recommend parking your car once and using the shuttle — parking in the valley is extremely limited in summer and filling by 9am is common. The shuttle runs every 10-20 minutes and is efficient.
To reach areas outside the valley — Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Meadows — you need a car. Glacier Point Road (open seasonally) takes about an hour from the valley. Tioga Road to Tuolumne Meadows (open roughly June through November) is a 90-minute drive but feels like entering a completely different park, with alpine meadows and high-country scenery. Free shuttles also serve the Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows area in summer.
The park entrance fee is $35 per vehicle, valid for seven days. An annual America the Beautiful pass ($80) covers all national parks and is worth it if you plan to visit more than two this year. YARTS buses run from Merced ($18 round trip including park entry) and Fresno, providing car-free access. Bike rentals are available at Yosemite Valley Lodge ($12 per hour, $34 per day) for cruising the valley’s 12 miles of paved bike paths.