You only have one day to visit Yosemite National Park and you don’t know what you should do. Don’t worry I have you covered. In this post, I’m going to share a one day itinerary that will help you enjoy and see a lot of the park. Of course, having more than one day is ideal to enjoy Yosemite National Park but even one day in Yosemite is better than no days in Yosemite.
I have been to Yosemite five times, and out of the 25 national parks I have visited, it is my favorite. My goal with this itinerary is to give you a great overview of the park so that when you return, and you will want to return, you will have a clearer idea of what you would like to explore more deeply.
When you do come back, I have two other posts that can help you out when you do. First, I have a 4 day itinerary that will help you plan your next time in the park, as well as 10 hikes to do while in the park.
If you want to see other itineraries, ways to save on travel, and how you can earn and maximize credit card points, make sure to go to my blog Travelwidstom.
Yosemite National Park: One Day Overview
Mariposa Grove
Glacier Point
Tunnel View
Bridal Veil Falls
Eat in the Valley
Lower Yosemite Falls
Cooks Meadow Loop
Vernal and Nevada Falls
Mariposa Grove
Approximate Time: 1.25 hours
Drive Time: 2 minutes from south entrance
The Mariposa Grove is the largest group of Sequoia trees in the park and is located just in the south entrance of the park. A wonderful hike to do is to go to the Grizzly Giant and Tunnel Tree and then return the same way that you came. This hike is 1.5 miles long and is classified as easy.
The Grizzly Giant is the largest sequoia in the park. It’s truly a spectacular tree. Just down the trail from the Grizzly Giant is the Tunnel Tree. As you probably have guessed, the Tunnel Tree has a hole in the tree that you can walk through. It is pretty cool to see and do.
If you want to add another half a mile to your hike, you can do the full loop of the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail which branches off at the Tunnel Tree.
Pro Tips
- If you get to Mariposa Grove at 7:00 am or earlier, you can drive back to the parking area at the trailhead. This can save you valuable time since you only have one day in the park. Otherwise, you’ll need to park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center and take the shuttle back to the trailhead which runs about every 15 minutes.
- A quicker hike in the grove is the Big Trees Loop Trail. It’s only .3 tenths of a mile long. It’s flat and has a nice boardwalk to hike on. You can still feel the majesty of the grove on this short hike.
Glacier Point
Approximate Time: 45 minutes
Drive Time: 1 hour
It may take you an hour to get from Mariposa Grove to Glacier Point but the payoff is more than worth it. It’s one of the most spectacular views that you can get in the park. Plus, it’s only a short walk from the parking lot to get to the views.
At the Glacier Point viewing area, you can see views of Yosemite Valley, which is 3,200 feet below you, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Nevada and Vernal Falls, and the High Sierra Peaks. You will find many different places at Glacier Point to get some great photos. You can also find restrooms, a gift shop, and snack bar at Glacier Point.
Pro Tip:
Just before you get to Glacier Point is Washburn Point. It’s a less busy stop than Glacier Point. You can’t see as much from this stop but it may be worth your time before getting to Glacier Point.
Tunnel View
Approximate Time: 20 minutes
Drive Time: 35 minutes
Tunnel View is the most iconic viewpoint in the park. I’m sure that you have seen this view in pictures but pictures don’t do it justice. Once you go through Wawona Tunnel, you are met with Tunnel View. There are two small parking lots to park at. From Tunnel View, you can see down the valley including Bridal Veil Falls as well as Half Dome.
Bridal Veil Falls
Approximate Time: 45 minutes
Drive Time: 5 minutes
You can see Bridal Veil Falls from Tunnel View but the 620 foot waterfall is worth stopping to see. The hike is .7 miles round trip. You truly get up close and personal to this waterfall once you are at the observation deck. There is a parking area but you may have to park along the road leading back to the falls or on Wawona Road.
Park and Eat in the Valley
Approximate Time: 1 hour
Drive Time: 15 minutes
If you are visiting Yosemite during peak season, then it may take some time to find a parking spot. A good place to find parking is in the Yosemite Valley Lodge parking lot. You don’t have to be staying at the lodge to park in their lot. There are other parking areas in the valley.
My recommendation would be to pack some sandwiches and snacks to eat while in the park. You’ll save money and time if you do this. If you can’t or don’t want to there are numerous places that you can grab a bite to eat in the valley. Two places that we enjoyed included, Base Camp Eatery and Degnan’s Deli.
Lower Yosemite Falls
Approximate Time: 30 minutes
The hike back to Lower Yosemite Falls is flat and only .5 miles round trip. At the trailhead, you can see Upper Yosemite falls as well Lower Yosemite Falls. At the observation area, you’ll get a bird’s eye view of the 320 foot lower falls.
There are large boulders at the base of the falls. People climb on them all the time but they can be very slippery and dangerous.
Tip:
If you park at the Yosemite Valley Lodge, it’s only a 5 minute walk to the trailhead. You should get off at stop 6 if you take the shuttle.
Cook’s Meadow Loop
Approximate Time: 45 minutes
The trailhead to the Cook’s Meadow Loop is about a 3 minute walk from Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead. The loop is flat and one mile in length. You definitely get a different perspective of major landmarks, such as Half Dome, El Capitan, Sentinel Dome, and Glacier Point from the valley floor.
Make sure that you stop on Sentinel Bridge. You get a wonderful view of the Merced River with Half Dome in the background. As you make the loop, you’ll also see the Yosemite Valley Chapel. You’re allowed to go in and check it out if you want to.
Pro Tip:
There are also other trails that you can explore as you do this route. Just walking through the valley and seeing the waterfalls and sheer cliffs all around is just spectacular and therapeutic.
Vernal/Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
Approximate Time 1 hour to 4.5 hours
The great thing about this hike is that you can tailor it to how you’re feeling and how far you want to go. The first major landmark is the Vernal Falls Footbridge, which is 1.6 miles round trip if you turn around there. This section takes about an hour and offers a nice view of Vernal Falls from the footbridge.
If you continue to the top of Vernal Falls, the total distance becomes 2.4 miles round trip, taking around two hours. The final stretch includes more than 600 stone steps. Think of it as a stair master workout with a stunning reward at the top.
For those looking for a longer adventure, hiking all the way to the top of Nevada Falls is 6 miles round trip and takes roughly 4.5 hours. You can return via the John Muir Trail, which adds about 0.75 miles but offers gentler terrain and beautiful views of both waterfalls.
Pro Tips:
- You’ll want to have some kind of rain protection with you. They don’t call it the Mist Trail for nothing.
- You want to be careful on the steps leading up to the top of Vernal Falls since the steps can get slippery.
- When taking the shuttle to this hike, you’ll get off at stop 16 which is the Happy Isles stop.
Itinerary Adjustments
You can adjust the order of this itinerary depending on where you’re starting from. The order that I have this itinerary is with you entering the south entrance. If you were entering the park from the west or north, you could do Tunnel View and all of the things in the valley. You could then go to Glacier Point and then finish up with Mariposa Grove.
If you are staying in the valley, you could reverse the order of the itinerary. This would be especially advantageous for the Vernal/Nevada Falls hike since that hike can be very busy later in the day.
Hike Alternatives
There are countless hikes to choose from in Yosemite. The longer hike featured in this itinerary is the Vernal and Nevada Falls Trail. However, if you’d prefer something shorter or different, here are a few other great options to consider.
Taft Point and Sentinetel Dome are located 5 minutes from Glacier Point on Glacier Point Road. Both hikes can be accessed from the same parking areas.
Taft Point and the Fissures– This hike is considered easy and is 2.3 miles round trip. It gives you fantastic views of the valley, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.
Sentinetel Dome– This hike is considered moderate and is 2.2 miles round trip. You get 360 degree views of the park if you hike to the top of the dome.
Mirror Lake Trail– This hike is in Yosemite Valley. You can get off at stop 17 or stop 18 if you want a shorter hike. The hike is 2 miles long and is easy.
Helpful Tips to Know Before You Go
Starting Your Day
It doesn’t matter if you are staying in or out of the park the earlier that you start your day the better off you’ll be. This is especially true during the high season, which is June-August.
If you are staying outside the park, I would suggest being at the gate by 6:30 to 7:00 am. I know that is early but hey you only have one day to be in the park. During the high season, if you get to the south entrance at 8:00 am or later, you more than likely will be waiting to get in the park.
Where to Stay
Ideally, the best place to stay if you only have one day is in the park. There are numerous campgrounds and hotels to stay at inside Yosemite. The hotels in the park are going to be pricey and depending on what time of year you’re looking to stay can be hard to book. The upside is if you stay in the park you don’t have to worry about reservations getting in the park.
Hotels in the Park
Yosemite Valley Lodge- Located in the Yosemite Valley near Yosemite Falls.
The Awahnee– An iconic and pricey hotel located in Yosemite Valley with fantastic views.
Wawona Hotel– Currently closed.
Tent Cabins and Campgrounds in the Park
Curry Village– Tent cabins with views of Half Dome and Glacier Point.
Housekeeping Camp– Three sided structures with canvas roofs overlooking Half Dome.
White Wolf Lodge– Tent cabins and rustic lodge located 30 miles from Yosemite Valley.
Tuolumne Meadows– Tent cabins located 60 miles from the Yosemite Valley.
High Sierra Camps– Five camps along a loop trail that have tent cabins.
Camps for Tents and RVs– There are 13 campgrounds located in the park.
Yosemite West, Wawona, and Foresta
Beside the above options, you can also stay at Yosemite West, Wawona, and Foresta which are all located inside of Yosemite National Park. There are all kinds of different houses and condos that you can rent in each one of these places.
Our family stayed in Yosemite West. Yosemite West is a 30 minute drive to Mariposa Grove, Glacier Point, or the Yosemite Valley. So, it’s centrally located in the park.
Places to Stay Outside of the Park
The following places are good choices if you are looking to stay outside of Yosemite.
- El Portal
- Mariposa
- Oakhurst
- Fish Camp
- Bass Lake
- Groveland
Entrance Reservations
There are certain times of the year that you need a reservation to get into Yosemite if you plan on entering the park between 6 am and 2 pm. This is different from a park pass. You need a park pass to enter every day excluding a few free days throughout the year.
You can buy a park pass at the gate for $35 which is good for 7 days. You can also buy the America the Beautiful Pass. The pass costs $80, is good for a year, and is a great option if you plan on visiting multiple parks in a given year.
You can find details about reservations by going to this page.
Parking
Parking in the valley can be challenging, especially during the high season. The valley has a number of parking areas including: Yosemite Village Parking, Yosemite Falls Parking, Curry Village, and Yosemite Valley Lodge to name a few. Unless you are a glutton for punishment, you should park and then walk or shuttle between stops.
Parking can also be a challenge when visiting different locations in the park during high season. You just need to pack your patience and something will eventually open up.
Frequently Asked Questions: One Day in Yosemite National Park
Yes and no. You can’t see it all but you can see many of the major highlights. With a well-planned Yosemite one day itinerary, like this one, you can visit or see major highlights like Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove and (if open) Glacier Point.
Pack plenty of water, snacks or lunch, sunscreen, a hat, layers for changing weather, and comfortable walking shoes. Cell service is limited, so it’s smart to download offline maps before you arrive.
Each season offers something unique. Spring and early summer bring roaring waterfalls, fall offers colorful foliage and fewer crowds, and winter delivers quiet beauty and snow-covered scenery in Yosemite Valley.
Cell service is spotty or unavailable in much of the park. You may find limited Wi-Fi at Yosemite Village and some lodges, but it’s best to plan ahead and download what you need before arriving. The best Wi-Fi we found in the park was at the top of Yosemite Falls. Go figure! You only need to climb nearly 3,000 feet to get it.
Pets are welcome in developed areas, campgrounds, and paved roads, but they’re not permitted on most trails. They must be kept on a leash at all times.
You better believe it. Like I said before, one day in Yosemite is better than no days in Yosemite.
Tours to the Park
If driving around Yosemite National Park doesn’t seem appealing to you, there are various tours that you can take instead. Here are a number of one day tours that you can book through Viator.
Yosemite Highlights Small Group Tour
Semi Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch and Hotel Pickup
Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point Adaptive Tour
Jeep 4 x 4 Yosemite Park Tour with Hotel Pickup
Final Thoughts
Hopefully, this one day itinerary will inspire you as you plan your trip to Yosemite National Park. Make sure to bookmark this post, so that you can easily refer back to it as you plan your trip.
