Yosemite National Park: My Highlights and Tips for Your Trip
Granite walls soaring straight into the sky, waterfalls plunging hundreds of metres into the valley, and giant sequoias that were already standing when Rome was still an empire: few places in California impressed me as much as Yosemite National Park. Here are my favourite spots and everything you need to know for your visit.
Yosemite National Park in Numbers
You could hike through Yosemite for days and still not see everything. The park covers around 3,000 square kilometres (about 1,200 square miles), has more than 1,300 kilometres (800 miles) of hiking trails and over 20 waterfalls. With around four million visitors a year, it's one of the most popular national parks in the US. To make planning a little easier, here are my tips. They're the classics, and they'll give you a great feel for the park on your first visit.
1. Your First Look at the Valley: Tunnel View
No matter how many photos of Yosemite you've seen, the moment you drive out of the tunnel and the panorama suddenly opens up in front of you is always special. From Tunnel View you look straight into Yosemite Valley, with El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and, in the distance, Half Dome. I had to stop and take a deep breath. If you enter the park from the west (for example on Highway 41 from Oakhurst or Fresno), you'll pass the viewpoint automatically, just after the Wawona Tunnel. The car park is right by the road. Just pull over to the right and enjoy the view.
Tip: Drive into the park as early as possible, ideally at sunrise. It's still quiet and the light is especially beautiful.
2. Mist Trail: Up Close to the Waterfalls
If you'd like to hike and don't mind a few wet steps, the Mist Trail is just the thing. The trail leads right past Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall, and yes, you will definitely get wet, but it's worth it. Especially in spring, when the snowmelt arrives, this is one of the most spectacular trails in the park. Or, as in our case, a welcome way to cool off in the August heat.
3. Glacier Point: A View Straight Out of a Movie
Another highlight, quite literally, is the view from Glacier Point. You're standing at around 2,200 metres (7,200 feet), looking out over all of Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome directly opposite. You can drive up to the viewpoint in the summer months; the rest of the year it's only reachable on a longer hike. Tip: Watch the sunset from up here. It's an unforgettable experience.
4. Yosemite Falls: The Giant Among Waterfalls
At almost 740 metres (2,425 feet), Yosemite Falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. A short path leads from the valley floor to the lower fall, which is perfect if you want to take it easy and see the waterfall from below. For those who want more: the trail to the top is long and strenuous, but the view is all the better for it. Allow six to eight hours for the roughly 820 metres (2,700 feet) of elevation gain.
5. Mariposa Grove: Where the Trees Are Older Than Anything You Know
In the far south of the park lies Mariposa Grove, a forest of huge, ancient sequoias. These giant trees are among the largest and oldest species on Earth, grow in only a few places such as California, and some are more than 2,000 years old. Walking among them feels a little like travelling through another era. Tip: Go early in the morning, when it's quiet and you'll have the paths almost to yourself.
6. Bike Instead of Car: Yosemite on Two Wheels
Renting a bike in Yosemite is really easy. It's a much more relaxed way to get from A to B, you avoid the hassle of finding a parking spot and you see more of your surroundings. Since the park dropped its timed-entry system, the valley can get busy at peak times, and that's when a bike is unbeatable. There are flat, signposted bike paths that are absolutely doable even if you're not particularly sporty. And of course there are e-mountain bikes that make even steeper terrain a breeze.
Tip: Leave your bike by the path and walk across the boardwalk into Cook's Meadow, one of the best views of Yosemite Falls
7. Valley View: The Best Sunrise Spot
If you can get out of bed a little earlier, you'll be rewarded with a magical sight. Valley View offers a particularly beautiful view of the valley, and when the first rays of sunlight hit the granite walls, it's simply quiet and beautiful. Don't forget coffee in a thermos and a picnic breakfast.
Yosemite National Park: Your Key Questions Answered
Do I need a reservation for Yosemite National Park in 2026?
No. In previous years you had to book a timed-entry slot online for the peak season, but in 2026 the park dropped that system. Instead, it manages visitor numbers through active traffic and parking management. For you, that means you can go spontaneously, but in summer you should arrive early. Parking spaces in the valley fill up quickly during the day, and on peak days there can be queues at the entrances. Accommodation and campsites, of course, still need to be booked. Whether the rule will stay the same in 2027 hasn't been decided yet, so it's worth a quick look at the park's website before you travel.
How much does entry cost?
Here comes a small downer: since 2026, visiting Yosemite has become noticeably more expensive for international travellers. The entrance fee per car is still 35 US dollars and is valid for seven days. On top of that, however, everyone aged 16 and over without US residency pays 100 US dollars per person. For two people, that comes to 235 US dollars for Yosemite, which takes some getting used to. The extra fee applies at eleven of the most popular national parks; besides Yosemite, these include Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yellowstone.
Tip: If you're visiting more than one of these parks, get the "America the Beautiful" annual pass. For international visitors it costs 250 US dollars and already covers the extra fee. It's valid for the entire car, or for you and up to three other adults. From the second park onwards, you'll save a lot of money.
When is the best time to visit Yosemite National Park?
Between May and October. In spring the waterfalls are at their most impressive, and in summer everything is accessible (but also busy). In autumn it gets quieter, and the colours are all the more beautiful. You can of course visit Yosemite in winter too, but you'll most likely need snow chains and warm clothing. The most beautiful autumn colours in Yosemite Valley usually appear from late October to early November.
Where is the best place to stay?
There are lodges and campsites right in Yosemite Valley, but they're usually booked up far in advance and often promise more than they deliver. I stayed outside the park in the small town of Mariposa and found a lovely little bed and breakfast there. The Sierra Trails Inn is run by an older couple who take plenty of time to share tips about the park. On top of that, they even packed us a picnic for our day out.
How do I get to Yosemite National Park?
The easiest way is by rental car. From San Francisco it takes about four hours, from Los Angeles around six. Fill up your tank before you go, because inside the park fuel is either expensive or not available at all. Tip for your road trip: Highway 1 through Big Sur has been fully open again since January 2026, so Yosemite and the coast combine beautifully into one route.
What should I bring?
Comfortable hiking shoes, a water bottle, snacks, sunscreen, a hat, a camera and, depending on the season, a warm jacket for the evening.
Yosemite National Park: My Top Tips at a Glance
Getting there | Best by rental car: approx. 4 hours from San Francisco, approx. 6 hours from Los Angeles. Fill up beforehand. |
Where to stay | In Mariposa, Oakhurst or El Portal. Accommodation right in the valley is often booked up far in advance. |
Reservation | Not required in 2026. In summer, still arrive early in the day, as car parks fill up quickly. |
Entrance fee | 35 US dollars per car plus 100 US dollars per person without US residency. If you're visiting several parks, save with the 250-dollar annual pass. |
Best time to visit | Spring (powerful waterfalls) or autumn (quieter, beautiful colours). Summer is hot and busy. |
Getting around | Most relaxed by rental bike, which also saves you looking for parking in the valley. |
Don't miss | Tunnel View, Mist Trail, Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls, Mariposa Grove |
Extra tip | Drive into the park at sunrise and catch the sunset at Glacier Point. The light is unforgettable. |
Enjoy Yosemite National Park!
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