3 Day Yosemite Itinerary + Travel Guide (+ How To Spend 4 Days)

3 Day Yosemite Itinerary

I recently visited Yosemite National Park with my mom. It was a bucket list trip for us and I’m so glad we were able to do it together. After a lot of planning, we settled on this Yosemite itinerary and it was perfect – we were able to see the highlights, didn’t feel rushed, and we had a blast together.

In this article I’ll share:

  • The perfect 3 day Yosemite itinerary
  • Options for a 4 day Yosemite trip
  • Best time to visit Yosemite
  • Where to stay & eat
  • Getting around + how the shuttle works
  • My tips and tricks for avoiding crowds + Yosemite’s vehicle reservation requirements

⌛ Short On Time? These Are My Top Tips:

‍✈️ How To Get There: Fly into Fresno (2.5 hrs) or San Francisco (4 hrs) and rent a car.
🏞️ Yosemite Must-See: Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point.
💵 Entrance Fee: $35 (good for 7 days) or free with an Annual Park Pass.
🛌 Where To Stay: Yosemite Valley Lodge.

How To Plan A 3 Day Itinerary For Yosemite National Park

There are a few ways you can plan a 3 day itinerary for Yosemite National Park:

  • Fly into a nearby airport, rent a car, and explore at your own pace
  • Book a guided group tour and skip the hassle of driving and parking in Yosemite

Best Way To Get To Yosemite

There’s a few ways to get to Yosemite, but most people fly into San Francisco and rent a car. This is typically the most convenient and least expensive option for planning a trip to Yosemite National Park.

There are 2 airports near Yosemite: Fresno and San Francisco.

Distance from Fresno to Yosemite: 2.5 hours
Distance from San Francisco to Yosemite: 4 hours

Fresno is technically the closest airport to Yosemite National Park (about 2.5 hours drive to Yosemite Valley), but typically does not have the cheapest flights, nor does it have as many flight options as San Francisco.

The best airport for visiting Yosemite is San Francisco. Driving from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park is about a 4 hour trip.

Distance Fresno To Yosemite National Park
Distance Fresno To Yosemite: 2.5 hours
Distance San Francisco To Yosemite National Park
Distance San Francisco To Yosemite: 4 hours

Our trip started in LAX (I was already in the area). My mom flew in and I scooped her up then drove from Los Angeles to Sequoia and Kings Canyon, before making our way up to Yosemite.

Finally, we completed our road trip by driving from Yosemite to San Francisco for her return flight.

If you have additional time for your trip I recommend including a short detour from Yosemite to Sequoia and King’s Canyon so you can see all three parks.

Tours To Yosemite National Park

I love joining tours when I travel. It’s a great way to meet new people, and it’s much less stressful than navigating yourself.

TIP: If you prefer to drive yourself, I recommend this self-guided driving tour. It’s an affordable way to get the “guide” experience while exploring Yosemite at your own pace.

3 Day Yosemite Itinerary + Map

3 days in Yosemite is the perfect amount of time to see the highlights in Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne Meadows.

This 3 day Yosemite itinerary covers all of the highlights, including the best hikes and viewpoints:

3 Day Yosemite Itinerary
3 Day Yosemite Itinerary

Use this 3 day Yosemite itinerary map to plan your trip! I’ve labeled items by day (noted by color) and activity type (noted by icon).

How To Use This Map:
Open this map in your browser by clicking the icon in the top right corner. Then click the star icon on the left-side bar. This will save the map to the Google Maps app on your phone so you can easily reference it during your trip.
Locate this map in your Google Maps app by selecting ‘you’ at the bottom of the phone app and then scroll down and click ‘maps’ to find saved trip maps like this one.

Day 1: Yosemite Itinerary

First stop on this 3 day yosemite itinerary is yosemite valley
Yosemite Valley | Nikkos Daskalakis

Day 1 Highlights: Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Village, Yosemite Falls, Cooks Meadow

On your first or 3 days in Yosemite National Park I recommend arriving to Yosemite Valley and exploring.

Yosemite Valley is centrally located in the park, has a ton of great hikes and things to see, and is the perfect base camp for your 3 day Yosemite itinerary. There are several great options for where to stay in the valley and nearby – more on this later!

NOTE: If you’re only planning to spend 1 day in Yosemite National Park this is the same itinerary I recommend.

Tunnel View

One Day In Yosemite National Park
Sunrise At Tunnel View | Kelly van Dellen

Arrive at Yosemite National Park early. On your way into the valley, stop by Tunnel View for iconic Yosemite Valley views.

As soon as you pass through the tunnel, the entire valley is presented in front of you. It’s stunning.

Start one day in Yosemite National Park with sunrise at tunnel view
Tunnel View In Winter
Yosemite Tunnel View Is Just After The Road Tunnel As You Start This One Day In Yosemite Itinerary
Tunnel View, Yosemite | Mazin Omron

There’s no hiking required here. There are two small parking lots on either side of the road (spots turn over frequently!) where you can park, and walk to the viewpoint.

From tunnel view you can see El Capitan (left), Half Dome (back) and Bridalveil Fall (right).

Tunnel View of Yosemite in March
Tunnel View | Bridalveil Falls in the background on the right

TIP: Tunnel View is especially beautiful for sunrise or sunset.

Bridalveil Fall

Bridalveil Fall In Yosemite National Park
Bridaldveil Fall, Yosemite | John Randall Alves

Next, you’ll pass by Bridalveil Fall on your drive into the valley.

I recommend stopping and taking the easy, paved 0.8 mile hike to the falls. Be prepared to get sprayed by the mist, especially during the spring when the waterfall is especially strong.

view of yosemite valley, including el capitan and bridalveil fall from el capitan meadow
view of bridalveil fall from the short hike leading to the base of the waterfall

Yosemite Village & Visitor Center

Visitor Center In Yosemite Valley
Stop By The Visitors Center For Maps And To Stamp Your National Parks Passport

From Bridalveil Fall it’s a quick and easy drive into Yosemite Village.

From here you can visit the Yosemite Visitor Center and Ansel Adams Gallery.

The visitors center is always a first stop for me at any National Park. I like to speak with the ranger on duty to ask about trail conditions or closures and to get recommendations for hikes that fit my interest and skill level.

I usually travel with my dog, so the park ranger’s are also able to help me with suggestions for where he’s allowed to be exercised.

If you collect stamps in your National Park Passport, this is also the place to do that!

Yosemite Falls

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls In Yosemite Valley
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls | Roetta Tyer

Right next to the village is Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America.

You can get up close to the falls by walking Lower Yosemite Fall Trail. It’s an easy, mostly-paved 1.2 mile loop.

When I hiked this trail in March the waterfall was so powerful it was hard to stay dry from all the mist!

TIP: This trail is one of a few dog-friendly hikes in Yosemite National Park!

Lower Yosemite Falls
Viewpoint For Lower Yosemite Falls
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail Is Dog Friendly
Lower Yosemite Falls Trail Is Dog Friendly

Cook’s Meadow

Cooks Meadow, Yosemite Valley View Of Upper And Lower Yosemite Falls

Next, head across the road to Cook’s Meadow Loop.

Cook’s Meadow is a 1 mile loop trail with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome and the beautiful valley.

The path is paved and flat, and dogs are allowed! We had my dog, Oscar, with us on this trip and he enjoyed this hike, too.

After, walk to Swinging Bridge for great river views. Swinging Bridge is just east of Yosemite Falls.

If you’re visiting Yosemite during the summer this is a great place to go for a swim or have a picnic lunch.

Cooks Meadow In Yosemite National Park
Cooks Meadow, Yosemite National Park
Cooks Meadow In Yosemite National Park
Cooks Meadow, Yosemite | Salil Bhatt

Hikes In Yosemite Valley

There are several fantastic hikes in Yosemite Valley. I recommend picking one of these for your afternoon plans:

  • Columbia Rock Trail (2.2 miles) – a steep hike up to Columbia Rock with views of Yosemite Falls and the valley
  • Upper Yosemite Falls (6.6 miles) – hike to the top of Yosemite Falls, includes Columbia Rock trail
  • Mirror Lake Loop (4.4 miles) – loop trail around Mirror Lake at the base of Half Dome (the first 1-mile paved portion of this trail is dog-friendly)
  • Vernal & Nevada Falls Via Mist Trail (6.4 miles) – two waterfalls along Mist Trail
  • Half Dome Trail (16.5 miles) – permit required follows Mist Trail before diverting up to Half Dome

Where To Eat In Yosemite Valley

Yosemite Valley has the most restaurant and to-go options in the entire park. Depending on your preference, you can find something here you’ll love!

📍Degnan’s Kitchen (7:00 am – 6:00 pm) sandwiches, salads and soups
📍Base Camp Eatery (7:00 am – 8:00 pm) food hall: Asian-style noodles, pizza, salads and burgers
📍Starbucks (7:00 am – 5:00 pm) coffee and treats
📍Village Grill (11:00 am – 6:00 pm) burgers, sandwiches, hot dogs
📍The Mountain Room (5:00 pm – 10:00 pm) upscale steak, seafood & pasta dishes

My mom and I ate at Degnan’s Deli, I had a delicious sandwich and she raved about the soup. There can be a bit of a line during peak hours, but it moves really quickly.

The Village Store is also located in this area. It’s a fairly large grocery store. We stopped in to pick up snacks and something easy to cook for dinner at our campground that night.

Yosemite Village Store

Where To Stay In Yosemite Valley

There are two hotel accommodations in Yosemite Valley:

Additionally, there are cabins for rent in Curry Village, which are the most affordable (around $170/night). There are standard hotel rooms as well as traditional cabins and canvas tents available.

Yosemite Valley Lodge is also a fairly affordable option (around $350/night), and is conveniently located in the center of the valley. It’s a rustic, motel-style property with standard amenities.

The Ahwahnee is a historic lodge with beautiful views and well appointed rooms and cabins. It’s a luxury option with rooms starting around $600/night.

You really can’t beat the convenience of the location for any of these options, but they fill up extremely quickly so make your reservations far in advance (a year ahead, if possible – Ahwahnee reservations open 366 days in advance).

The Ahwahnee Is The Best Place To Stay After A Day Trip To Yosemite National Park
The Ahwahnee Hotel In Yosemite | Getty

There are also 4 campgrounds located in Yosemite Valley. You can book campgrounds in advance on the recreation.gov website.

We stayed at Upper Pines campground and I highly recommend it! The mountain views from our campsite were stunning, and the location is centrally to most of the valley.

Camping at Upper Pines campground in Yosemite National Park
Dogs In Yosemite National Park

TIP: None of the campgrounds in Yosemite offer showers. Instead, we walked over to Curry Village pool showerhouse, which is the only public shower available in the park.

Showerhouse In Curry Village, Yosemite Valley

Day 2: Yosemite Itinerary

Glacier Point Is Stop 2 On This One Day In Yosemite National Park Itinerary
Glacier Point, Yosemite | Alicia Bube

Day 2 Highlights: Glacier Point, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point, Mariposa Grove, Grizzly Giant & California Tunnel Tree

Day 2 in Yosemite is for exploring Glacier Point Road and Mariposa Grove! When you head south from Yosemite Valley your first stop is Glacier Point, and about an hour farther down the road is Mariposa Grove.

Glacier Point gets busy later in the day, so I recommend starting there before heading to Mariposa Grove, but you can do them in either order as you’ll be returning to Yosemite Valley at night.

TIP: Make breakfast reservations at The Ahwahnee Lodge dining room in Yosemite Village before you head out for the day.

Even if you’re not a guest at the hotel you can still eat in the dining room and explore the grounds.

Breakfast at Ahwahnee Lodge In Yosemite National Park

The dining hall is an impressive room with 34-foot tall ceilings, chandeliers and massive windows that overlook Yosemite Valley.

My mom and I had the buffet breakfast (in early 2024 the kitchen was still under renovation and the buffet was the only breakfast dining option). I don’t think I’ve ever had a better buffet-style meal – everything was hot, fresh, and delicious!

Our waiter, Jeremy, was also really kind and full of good tips for visiting the park.

Wildlife in Yosemite, Bobcat Crossing The Road In Yosemite Valley
Bobcat in Yosemite Valley

To top off a great meal, we were delighted to spot this bobcat heading out to the valley to hunt for his own breakfast on our walk back! Yosemite is magical.

Glacier Point

Glacier Point In Yosemite National Park
Glacier Point In Yosemite National Park

Next, head to Glacier Point via Glacier Point Road (only open during the summer). From here, there are stunning panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and surrounding peaks.

Unfortunately for us, the road was still closed when we visited in March so we weren’t able to make it to Glacier Point.

There are a few great hikes near Glacier Point, including the Sentinel Dome or extend it to include Taft Point.

Sentinel Dome Hike In Yosemite National Park Is A Great Hike In Glacier Point With Just One Day In Yosemite
Sentinel Dome Hike, Yosemite | Julie Caron
Taft Point Hike In Yosemite National Park
Taft Point | Raj Sarvan

Mariposa Grove

After Glacier Point, drive to Mariposa Grove. Mariposa is in the southern end of Yosemite and has giant sequoia groves, like the famous California Tunnel Tree which you can walk through.

Mariposa Grove, Yosemite National Park

To get to this part of the park, you must park at Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and take the shuttle a short drive up to the Mariposa Grove Trailhead area.

NOTE: If you visit during the winter there is no shuttle. Instead you can walk up to the trailhead along the road (this is what we did). It’s a two mile walk each direction.

From Mariposa Grove Trailhead there is a large network of trails you can take through the sequoia grove.

I recommend hiking to Grizzly Giant and then on to California Tunnel Tree. From there you can hike back the way you came, or add 1.1 miles and complete the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail.

Grizzly Giant Tree In Mariposa Grove Of Giant Sequoias In Yosemite
Grizzly Giant Tree
California Tunnel Tree In Mariposa Grove Of Giant Sequoia Trees In Yosemite National Park
California Tunnel Tree

Wawona

Next, head into Wawona (right next to Mariposa!). This is a great area to explore if you like easier hikes.

Some short, easy hikes in Wawona I recommend are:

  • Swinging Bridge Trail (1.4 miles) – short hike to a bridge and popular swimming spot with granite “slides”
  • Lower Chilnualna Falls (0.4 miles) – short, steep hike to the base of a waterfall and swimming hole
  • Chilnualna Falls (7.7 miles) – hike to the top of the waterfall with panoramic views
Upper Chilnualna Falls In Wawona Area Of Yosemite National Park
Upper Chilnualna Falls
Chilnualna Waterfall In Yosemite
Chilnualna Waterfall
Chilnualna Trail In Yosemite
Chilnualna Falls

The dining room at the Wawona Hotel is a fantastic place for dinner before you drive back to Yosemite Valley.

NOTE: In 2025, the Wawona Hotel is undergoing unplanned maintenance. Anticipated reopening dates have not yet been released.

Sunset In Yosemite Valley

There are several fantastic spots to watch sunset in Yosemite Valley.

Tunnel View is one of my favorite sunset spots in Yosemite. It’s also very popular, so I recommend arriving at least 30 minutes before sunset so you can get a parking spot.

Tunnel View At Sunset
Tunnel View

Or, on your way back to Yosemite Valley from Wawona you could stop at Glacier Point and watch the sunset from there. It’s also a popular spot, but it’s a bit easier to find a quiet spot farther down the trail to get away from the crowds.

Finally, stop by El Capitan Meadow to watch rock climbers in the evening. They’re fascinating to watch after the sun goes down because you can see the light from their headlamps as they continue up the granite cliff.

El Capitan At Sunrise
El Capitan

Day 3: Yosemite Itinerary

Day 3 Highlights: Half Dome, Vernal & Nevada Falls, Tioga Road Scenic Drive, Tuolumne Meadows

The final day of this 3 day Yosemite itinerary is all about exploring Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows in the northern part of the park.

NOTE: This road is only open during the summer, so if you’re visiting Yosemite in the winter (like us) you’ll have to skip it. I recommend spending an extra day in Yosemite Valley, or visiting Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park.

Hike Half Dome Or Mist Trail

Sunrise at Half Dome In Yosemite National Park
Half Dome

Get an early start in the morning. If you’re up for a hard hike, I recommend getting a permit to hike Half Dome before you leave the valley.

Half Dome permits are based on a lottery and you can get them during the preseason lottery in March, or through daily lotteries two days before your planned hike.

TIP: Only 300 people are permitted to hike Half Dome each day, so permits are really hard to get and I highly recommend applying for one on March 1st when the preseason lottery opens.

half dome cables section in yosemite
Half Dome Cables | Getty Images

As an alternative to Half Dome, you can hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls via the Mist Trail.

The loop trail is 6.4 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain. You’ll see multiple waterfalls and Emerald Pool on the hike.

Hike to Vernal Falls with one day in Yosemite
Vernal Falls, Yosemite | Andrea Copp
Emerald Pool above Vernal Falls in Yosemite National Park
Emerald Pool | Jon Chica Parada

Tioga Road

In the afternoon, drive along Tioga Road. It’s a beautiful scenic drive that takes you through mountain passes and connects the east side of the park.

Stop at Olmstead Point for views of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake and Clouds Rest before continuing to Tenaya Lake for a swim or relaxing by the water.

Tuolumne Meadows In Yosemite National Park
Tuolumne Meadows | Rita Panahi

Tuolumne Meadows

Next, head into Tuolumne Meadows. It’s a beautiful drive with several great hiking options.

  • Elizabeth Lake (7 miles) – moderately challenging hike to an alpine lake near Unicorn Peak
  • May Lake (2.3 miles) – a short hike in Yosemite to a lake surrounded by alpine forest
  • Cathedral Lakes (9.5 miles) – hike to an alpine lake at the base of Cathedral Peak with wildflower meadows
  • Dog Lake and Lembert Dome (4.8 miles) – relatively easy hike around Lembert Dome and then Dog Lake loop
Tuolumne Meadows In Yosemite National Park
Alpine meadows Yosemite National Park

Day 4 Options: Yosemite Itinerary

If you have 4 days in Yosemite National Park I have a few suggestions for how to spend your extra day!

I highly encourage you to explore Hetch Hetchy. Fewer than 1% of the people who visit Yosemite make it to the Hetch Hetchy area of the park, which is a shame because it’s magnificent!

Tuolumne Grove

Start your day with a short hike through Tuolumne Grove Trail (2.7 miles) where you can see Tunnel Tree. This is about 30 minutes outside of Yosemite Valley, towards Hetch Hetchy.

Sadly, Tunnel Tree is dead now. However, it’s massive stump still stands, and you’re still able to see walk through it.

Tunnel Tree in Yosemite National Park
Tunnel Tree | Kelly van Dellen

A Brief & Interesting History Of Tunnel Trees

I got curious about what sparked the popularity to cut giant holes through beautiful old trees and found some interesting information.

During the first half of the 1900’s there wasn’t much interest in National Parks (the concept was still relatively new) so in order to promote conservation efforts, some creativity was used to encourage tourism.

Most of the trees which had tunnels cut into them were already damaged by fire, which made them easier to carve.

Since these trees were already fairly damaged, in most cases the tunnels weren’t as awful for the trees survival as they sound. But, surviving significant fire damage is probably easier to do before someone tunnels straight through you, so most of these trees slowly died or fell down over the following decades.

Luckily, conservation efforts and general population awareness of how fragile ecosystems truly are have evolved to the point where we no longer need to deface thousand year old trees.

It’s interesting to see how ideas of “right and wrong” change throughout history. When we know better, we do better, and our National Parks systems have a lot to do with the acceptance, understanding and funding of conservation efforts.

While tunnels would not be ok by today’s standards, they were accepted by the standards of the time, and the increase in tourism eventually made way to what our National Parks system is today – and to the great preservation efforts they facilitate.

Hetch Hetchy

Next, drive up to Hetch Hetchy, one of the hidden gems of Yosemite National Park.

From Tuolumne Grove Trail it’s about 30 minutes to the entrance, and another 20 minutes to most of the trailheads.

Th Hetch Hetchy reservoir used to be a valley, like Yosemite Valley, until San Francisco required more water and the valley was dammed to create a water reservoir which provides drinking water and electricity for the city today.

Since most visitors do not make it to Hetch Hetchy, it’s extremely peaceful and has a lot of opportunity to spot wildlife.

Hetch Hetchy in Yosemite National Park
Hetch Hetchy | Vincent Tran

Hetch Hetchy is very remote, so don’t expect many amenities. This area of Yosemite is only open during daylight hours – from sunrise to sunset.

There are several great hikes in this area, depending on how much of a challenge you’d like.

Tips For Your 3 Day Yosemite Itinerary

Yosemite National Park is like Disney World for adults. It’s massive, there are so many things to do, and Yosemite Village is one of the best areas for park accommodations I’ve seen in any National Park (and I’ve been to quite a few!).

Visiting Yosemite National Park can be a bit overwhelming, so let me break down some tips I learned on my recent trip!

Where to Stay In Yosemite

Overall, the best place to stay in Yosemite is in Yosemite Valley. This way you’re centrally located and have lots of accommodation and restaurant options.

However, there are only two lodges here: Yosemite Valley Lodge and The Ahwahnee. They both book up quickly so I recommend booking as soon as you can – both open reservations 366 days in advance.

Additionally, there are cabins, canvas tents (some with heat) and traditional style hotel rooms available in Curry Village.

There are also several camping options in Yosemite Valley: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, and Camp 4 are all great options. I stayed at Upper Pines and really enjoyed it!

NOTE: There are no showers at any of the campgrounds, but you can walk over to Curry Village to find public showers with hot water.

Additionally, there is a lodge located in the Wawona & Mariposa Grove area (the southern part of Yosemite). Wawona Hotel is a great option if you’re planning to explore Mariposa Grove. If not, this is too far south and too long of a drive to make it a good option for where to stay in Yosemite.

Getting To Yosemite

Unfortunately, there aren’t many efficient or affordable public transportation options to get to Yosemite.

If you’re staying outside the park, YARTS is a decent option for public transit, but keep in mind their schedule is limited, especially for accessing areas deeper in the park, like Tuolumne Meadows or Mariposa Grove.

YARTS is a good option if you’re only planning to explore Yosemite Valley, where you can also use the free in-park shuttle.

Getting Around Yosemite

There are a few options for getting around Yosemite, including driving and taking the free park shuttle.

While in Yosemite Valley, you can also bike. The valley is flat and easy to navigate, and biking is a convenient way to avoid crowded shuttle buses.

🚲 Bike Rentals In Yosemite Valley

Rates: $30 for half day, $40 for full day
Hours: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
Rental Locations: Curry Village, Yosemite Village, and Yosemite Valley Lodge
Rentals are available first-come, first serve.
Helmets are included, bike locks are not.

NOTE: there are only two gas stations in Yosemite National Park, and none are located in the Yosemite Valley area. Gas is located at Crane Flat and Wawona, or just outside the park in El Portal.

Yosemite Shuttle Tips

Yosemite offers a free shuttle that services the Yosemite Valley area of the park.

There are two shuttle routes in Yosemite Valley – Valleywide Shuttle (green route) and East Valley Shuttle (purple route).

The green route covers more of the valley, whereas the purple route operates within Yosemite Village and Curry Village.

Yosemite Valley Shuttle Route
Yosemite Valley Shuttle Route | NPS

The shuttle is free, and it runs from 7 am to 10 pm every day. Routes are easy to follow because the shuttle follows the stop numbers in numerical order.

NOTE: Most of Yosemite Valley is a one-way loop, which means the shuttle buses only go in one direction.

This is important to know when you plan your Yosemite itinerary because if you want to get from stop 7 to stop 6 you’ll have to go through the entire route, 19 stops in total.

The green route shuttle comes every 20-30 minutes and takes an hour and a half to complete the loop.

The purple route shuttle comes every 20 minutes and takes just under an hour round trip.

Yosemite Parking

Parking at Yosemite can be very tricky if you’re visiting during the busy summer months- particularly in the Yosemite Valley area.

The valley has a great shuttle system which makes it really easy to get around. There are three large (free) parking areas in Yosemite Valley where you can find parking easily. From there you can hop on the free park shuttle to get around the valley.

You can find ample parking at:

  • Curry Village
  • Yosemite Village
  • Yosemite Falls

TIP: if you’re visiting during the busier season (June, July & August) I recommend finding a parking spot prior to 9 am as the lots can be full later in the day.

No Cell Service In Yosemite

Like most National Parks, you can expect very little or no cell service. While there are pockets where you might pick up an LTE signal, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to load any data.

I recommend downloading your maps so you can use them offline, including Google Maps and Alltrails hiking maps (the pro version of AllTrails is required to do this and is about $3 per month.)

Keep in mind that cell signal is different than GPS signal. The GPS on your phone will still work even when the cellular signal does not. GPS uses satellites, so you’ll likely have this signal for your entire trip – this is why Google Maps and AllTrails can function without cell service.

I also recommend taking a screenshot of all your important reservation details for your Yosemite itinerary before entering the park, that way you’re able to easily reference it without service.

❤️ A Love Note About AllTrails ❤️

My Favorite App For Hiking
AllTrails (free version)
$0
  • Trail Mileage, Elevation, Route
  • Save To Personalized Lists
  • Trail Ratings & Reviews
AllTrails+
$2.99/mo
  • Live Share Activity
  • Download Maps For Offline Use
  • Off-Trail Alerts

Some links on this post show you the detailed AllTrails guide for each recommended hike. I love AllTrails+ for my National Park trips. It allows me to easily pre-plan my hikes, save trails to personalized lists for easy access, and download them so I can access route information while out of cell service.

As a solo hiker, the live sharing capabilities make me feel much safer knowing someone else has my coordinates, and if I wander off the trail the app alerts me so I don’t get lost.

Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee and Reservations

The fee to enter Yosemite is $35 per vehicle, and good for 7 days.

If you plan to visit other National Parks in the same year (like Sequoia and Kings Canyon, which are right next door), you should consider getting an annual America The Beautiful National Park Pass.

I’ve had this pass for a few years and love it. It’s $80 for the year (12 months rolling) and grants you access to all 63 National Parks and over 400 other recreation areas.

Essentially, if you plan to visit more than 2 parks in a year the America The Beautiful pass will save you money. I also find that it makes getting through the park entrance gates much faster because I don’t have to pay, and often times when the gates get backed up they’ll have an ‘express’ line for those with parks passes.

Yosemite National Park has a vehicle reservation system, but it’s quite complex and it changes every year.

For 2025, complete details have not yet been released. Once they’re announced they’ll be posted on the parks website, and I’ll update this article as well.

Last year, reservations were needed for most summer weekends and holidays, so I expect a similar schedule in 2025.

How Many Days In Yosemite?

How many days in Yosemite is best? Personally, I think 4 days in Yosemite National Park is ideal.

It’s a massive park and a 4 day Yosemite itinerary allows you to see all areas of the park without rushing.

However, if you have less time it’s possible to see the Yosemite Valley highlights in one day. With 2 days in Yosemite National Park you can also explore more areas like Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point, and with even more time I recommend Tioga Pass and Tuolumne Meadows.

Best Time To Visit Yosemite National Park

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park depends on what you want to experience. Each season offers a unique experience, so the “best” time really depends on what you’re looking to do at Yosemite!

Best Overall Time: Late spring (May to early June) is ideal for seeing waterfalls at their peak, enjoying mild weather, and experiencing fewer crowds before summer.

Best Time for Hiking and Full Access: Summer (July to September), if you want access to all areas of the park and don’t mind the crowds.

Best for a Quiet Visit: Fall (late September to October), for fewer visitors, mild weather, and scenic fall colors.

Seasonal Closures At Yosemite

When you plan a 3 day trip to Yosemite National Park there are a few considerations to keep in mind. Depending on when you visit, parts of the park may be closed seasonally. These are the important closures to consider:

  • Tioga Road: closed November through late May.
  • Glacier Point Road: closed November through late May.
  • Mariposa Grove Road: closed November through late April. In winter, you can hike approximately 2 miles into the grove, along the road.

More Resources For Planning Your Yosemite Itinerary

Check out these additional guides to plan your trip!

All guides for Yosemite National Park:

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