Yosemite Valley is seven miles of granite cathedral: El Capitan’s 3,000-foot wall, Half Dome’s sheared face, and waterfalls tumbling from the rim in spring. Beyond the valley lie giant sequoia groves, alpine meadows along Tioga Road and Glacier Point’s balcony view. It is four hours from San Francisco and deserves at least two nights.
Best things to do in Yosemite
Tunnel View
The first view of the valley as you come in on Wawona Road: El Capitan on the left, Bridalveil Fall on the right, Half Dome in the distance. Pull over — everyone does.
2The Mist Trail
Granite steps climb beside Vernal Fall, and in spring the spray soaks you (and makes rainbows). To the top of Vernal Fall: 2.4 miles return, 1,000 ft up. Continue to Nevada Fall for a 6-mile loop back on the John Muir Trail.
3Glacier Point
A balcony 3,200 feet above the valley, facing Half Dome and the high Sierra. Drive up (open roughly late May to October) and stay for sunset; the Four Mile Trail links it to the valley floor for strong hikers.
Half Dome & El Capitan
Watch climbers inching up El Capitan from El Cap Meadow with binoculars. The Half Dome hike (14–16 miles, the last 400 ft on steel cables) needs a permit from the lottery and a very early start.
5Yosemite Falls
The tallest waterfall in North America, 2,425 feet in three tiers. A flat loop leads to the base of the Lower Fall; the Upper Falls trail is a strenuous 7 miles return. Usually dry by late August.
6Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Near the south entrance, 500 mature sequoias including the Grizzly Giant, around 2,000 years old. A free shuttle runs from the welcome plaza in season.
7Tioga Road & Tuolumne Meadows
The high road across the Sierra (Highway 120), open summer to fall: Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, and the exit to Mono Lake and Death Valley.
Yosemite entrance fees and reservations
Since 1 January 2026, foreign visitors pay a $100 surcharge here. Do the maths before you go.
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Private vehicle, 7 days | $35 |
| On foot or by bike, per person | $20 |
| Non-US residents aged 16+ | +$100 per person, on top of the entrance fee |
| America the Beautiful annual pass | US residents $80 · non-residents $250 — covers the whole car and the $100 fee |
Cashless.
- No entry reservation in 2026 (the park ended its timed system); expect traffic management at peak times.
- Half Dome cables: permit by lottery.
When to go: waterfalls, crowds and snow
| Season | What to expect |
|---|---|
| April–June | Waterfalls at their peak; Tioga and Glacier Point roads may still be closed early on |
| July–August | Everything open, busiest, valley traffic jams; waterfalls fading |
| September–October | Fewer people, warm days, dry falls, golden light |
| November–March | Snow on the granite, quiet valley; Tioga Road closed, chains may be required |
Where to stay in Yosemite
Sleeping in the valley saves hours of driving; it books 12 to 13 months ahead. The gateway towns are 45 to 90 minutes away.
Our 2 hotel picks in Yosemite
Photos, facilities and tips →
Luxury$$$$The Ahwahnee
Yosemite Valley, east of Yosemite Village
Yosemite's 1920s stone-and-timber landmark in the valley, with views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls.
Family$$$$Yosemite Valley Lodge
Yosemite Valley, near the base of Yosemite Falls
A 245-room lodge in Yosemite Valley near Yosemite Falls, with family and bunk rooms and free parking.
Yosemite Valley
$$$$Best for: sunrise and sunset in the valley
The grand Ahwahnee (1927), Yosemite Valley Lodge near the falls, and Curry Village tent cabins.
Hotels in Yosemite Valley partner linkEl Portal
$$$$Best for: closest outside the park
Riverside hotels just outside the Arch Rock entrance, 20 minutes from the valley.
Hotels in El Portal partner linkOakhurst & Fish Camp
$$$$Best for: sequoias, south side
Near Mariposa Grove; about an hour from the valley.
Hotels in Oakhurst & Fish Camp partner linkMariposa
$$$$Best for: value, gold-rush charm
A historic town on Highway 140, about 75 minutes from the valley.
Hotels in Mariposa partner linkWeather in Yosemite by month
Best time to visit Yosemite, month by month →
Compare every destination month by month in the when-to-go explorer.
Yosemite: your questions
Do you need a reservation to enter Yosemite in 2026?
No. Yosemite did not use a timed-entry reservation in 2026. Arrive early in summer, as traffic is managed when the valley fills up.
When are Yosemite’s waterfalls at their best?
In May and June, with the snowmelt. Yosemite Falls usually dries up by late summer.
How many days do you need in Yosemite?
Two full days for the valley, Glacier Point and the sequoias; three or more to hike or add Tioga Road.
Can you visit Yosemite as a day trip from San Francisco?
It is 4 hours each way: possible on a tour, exhausting by car. Spend at least one night.
How much does Yosemite cost in 2026?
$35 per car for 7 days. Non-US residents 16 and over pay an extra $100 each unless they have an annual or America the Beautiful pass.
Written by Kylian Dev · Last reviewed October 21, 2026. Prices are in US dollars, before sales tax.