Top Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Things to do in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park: The Best Geologic Formations
Tucked into the mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is renowned for its granite cliffs and waterfalls. Half Dome and El Capitan are two of the formations made famous by photographer Ansel Adams. The valley is open year-round for camping, hiking, and climbing. Traffic is congested during peak season and park rangers encourage visitors to use the free shuttle system. For upscale visits, the Ahwahnee Hotel, built in 1927, is chic and luxurious.
1. El Capitan
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,363 reviews
Challenging, popular rock to climb in Yosemite.
Reviewed By thomh235 - Sulphur, United States
Years ago I enjoyed skydiving. Then we started our family and I bought diapers instead of Lift Tickets! One of my good friends who I jumped with told me how he base jumped off of El Capitan. I was always intrigued and vowed to visit Yosemite one day. If you're in a hurry, you're in the wrong place and should try your luck in the subways of New York. But...if you love the outdoors and enjoy spectacular scenery, this park is a MUST SEE! Between ElCapitan and all the Waterfalls, you'll take home memories that will last a lifetime AND make your neighbors jealous! Safe Travels!
2. Glacier Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,561 reviews
This rustic geological formation is most famous for the magnificent sunsets that can be viewed from its top.
Reviewed By W6633PYpauls - Costa Mesa, United States
It's been probably 20 years since I was last at Glacier Point and it's as amazing as I remember it. I was last here "pre-kids" with my wife when we were first married and finally got around to bringing the boys to see Yosemite National and, of course, Glacier Point. This is a well reviewed attraction so, instead, here's some logistical items that might make the visit more enjoyable: 1. Depending upon where you're coming from, this will be a long drive - check your GPS and plan accordingly. 2. Services are minimal. Get gas for your car before you start. Bring snacks and drinks. I would turn this into a picnic location. 3. Take your time and make the journey part of the adventure. Yosemite has much to see and don't race around from point to point. Stop along the way and enjoy this trip. FWIW, I would use this as your first stop and then work your way through other stops on your way back to your base camp. 4. Camera/Phone is a MUST. Definitely take panoramic photos. The view here is awesome.
3. Matthes Crest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
A rocky crest that provides one of the finest moderate ridge climbs in North America.
4. Half Dome
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1,474 reviews
Major rock formation in Yosemite.
Reviewed By C1431LKnancyt
After failing to summit 2 years ago (ear infection caused severe vertigo on sub-dome) I chose to have a guided tour on my second attempt (Aug 2019) so that I didn't have to navigate the ridiculously complicated process of getting wilderness permits and half dome permits again. (Hello Silicon Valley! Can you not help our gov't improve this system!?) I chose the DiscoveryTreks.com company for their reasonable price and doable 3 night backpack itinerary. Having someone to cook and clean up after all the meals was really appealing, and our guide Jason did not disappoint! He was wonderful in both his calm and encouraging demeanor (not easy to keep everyone happy in a group with varying opinions and expectations haha!) We had two people with us who had never backpacked before, and all of us had our challenges with fitness and knee issues, so Jason really was awesome in how he managed all of our anxieties and fitness issues and still got us to the dome with a great attitude. Unless you are extremely fit, I do NOT recommend attempting half dome without at least one night in the Little Yosemite Camp site. Doing it in one day is dangerous unless you are very fit and very prepared. I highly recommend #DiscoveryTreks.com if you want to climb half dome but don't want the hassle of figuring out all the logistics on your own. These guys will get you there safely and will take a lot of the burden out of the trip. We started the hike via Mono Meadows after spending our first night at North Pine backpackers campsite in the valley floor. We woke up early to catch a tour bus (you must have tickets) to Glacier Point, and then hopped back on same bus to Mono Meadows trailhead. It was a nice bonus to get a tour of Glacier Point and our bus driver Colette (I think?) was hysterical! From Mono Meadows we had an easy 3 hr hike to our campsite on the Illilouette creek where we swam and relaxed in virtual solitude. I recommend water proof hiking shoes by the way, as we had a very wet meadow crossing at one point. From there the next morning we hiked into Little Yosemite Valley via the Panorama Trail and John Muir Trail, which afforded amazingly beautiful views without the steep climb of the mist trail. Arriving before lunch we had time to swim in the Merced and rest before eating lunch (Jason is a great cook!) and then preparing for the Half Dome climb. We started out before 2pm and arrived at the cables about 3.5hrs later. Lots of breaks on the way up due to high heat and just our fitness levels. The sub-dome was particularly challenging for me because it is steep and does not have railings. Not recommended for folks with vertigo! It was not a long ascent though, and we reached the cables within maybe 30 minutes. The cable route is very steep and way scarier than I imagined, but thankfully there were very few hikers on it that late in the afternoon. We arrived at cables around 5:30 I think. I was not going to attempt them until the ranger there said they aren't as bad as they look. He was wrong, haha, but by the time I started going up there was no turning back. Having the cable on each side of your body is reassuring, especially with good gloves and hiking shoes gripping well, but there are sections where you are walking up very steep slick rock with a cliff on each side of you and it is not for the faint of heart. They have wood planks to stop on every 10 or 15 feet, which helps you get some rest and feel more secure on the cliff. It takes around 30 mins to climb if you don't have others holding you up on the cables, but it is definitely hard on your arms and back since you are pulling your weight up equally between your arms and legs. I advise ascending the cables without looking to either side of you as you are definitely close to the cliff at several points. Arriving at the top was so worth all of the pain and fright though! It is otherworldly on top, with stunning 360 degree views. So peaceful that time of day too. The sun was starting to set so that the light was gorgeous on the valley. Coming down the cables was also quite frightening, but maybe not as bad as going up since you knew what to expect and had gravity helping you. There are a few rock shelves to step down and these are quite disconcerting if you are short since you have to reach up higher to the cable in these sections, but overall the descent is quick if no one is holding up the line. Going down the sub-dome was way easier for me than up, and we were on the main trail home in no time. However, the trail back to LYV camp is long and it is critical to carry extra water and snacks and MOST IMPORTANT a light! We were at our campsite before dark, but not much before it. We saw several people coming up on our way down who did not have water or headlamps and we heard later that one of them had to be helped by others on the trail. Don't be a burden to others and make sure you prepare properly for this hike! It is not cool to assume you are so special you don't need water or headlamps to attempt the dome. The next morning we broke camp and headed back to the valley floor via the John Muir trail. It took around 3.5hrs. Lots of switchbacks and sore knees but well worth the effort. We chose to splurge on a final night at the Ahwahnee with a dinner reservation planned in advance. A great end to a fantastic adventure! Thanks to Jason and DiscoveryTreks!
5. Sentinel Dome
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 731 reviews
At 4,150 feet high, this peak offers an extensive view.
Reviewed By ElaineMI
We hiked up here for sunset, with a pizza for dinner (which we packed out--always take your trash with you!) Fantastic 360 degree view with a guide--there is a rock with a plate on the top that tells you all that you are seeing. We neglected to bring headlamps, which frustrated the photographer, as the best light on Half Dome was actually a bit after sunset given the elevation. Leave lots of time to drive up here as the road is winding and the hike isn't substantial except for a steep dome ascent. A highlight of a place of superlatives.
6. Taft Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 312 reviews
Reviewed By tommN2611VV
IN the dozens of trips to Yosemite I had neever been to Taft Point. We decided to do this short hike after leaving Glacier Point. This is a fairly easy hike of a little over a mile each way. The view from the point looking straight down into the Valley is amazing.
7. El Capitan Meadow
8. Cloud's Rest
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 64 reviews
Reviewed By florindahysa - San Francisco, United States
That was a f$$$ing awesome hike of 12.6 miles in total. Don’t rely too much on the mileage signs along the way. They tend not to be very accurate. My boyfriend and I did all way up for a little less than 3 hours including a couple of pretty quick water stops. It gets kinda hard after mile 1.5 having to go fully up hill for another 1.5 miles. Also another bad part is the mile before you get down at the spine part. The spine itself is not that bad as you could see on the videos. I would freak myself out one night before the hike looking at you tube videos :). Was so ready to abort the mission when the alarm went off later on in the morning, but somehow did it. It is actually not that bad as it looks. It’s pretty wide. The trick is not to look down and take the left side. It won’t take you more than 5 min to get along the spine and reach the very top. Once you’re there it looks amazing. I even had a nice little run for fun. You have a full view of everything around. Half Dome looks so close. All the 3D view you get to see is so rewarding and beautiful. Spoiler: don’t bring kids up there. ????They would be scared and exhausted. At least we didn’t see any kids up there.
9. North Dome
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 16 reviews
Reviewed By tinaNtravel - San Jose, United States
We hiked to North Dome. The first several miles of the trail is through the forest and is a fairly easy/moderate hike. You will pass a number of stream crossings, which you can easily get across by walking on the rocks or a fallen tree branch. Near the top, is a short side hike to Indian Rock which has an impressive view and is a fairly steep hike up. Careful going back down, the gravel is slippery, as I found out (literally) the hard way. Then, continueing to North Dome, you walk down a very large granite rock. When you are near the end, the trail to North Dome will be on your left and is marked with a bunch of rocks, lining the start of the path. The first part of the path contains an approx few meter fairly sharp incline. You almost need to slide down it (and wonder how on earth you are going to get back up -- but you will). The rest of the walk is moderate/easy through the forest and then on to North Dome. The scenery from North Dome is magnificent. On your left is a great view of Half Dome and on your right, a great view of Yosemite Valley. It was really worth it and I would do it again. The hike back up is not that bad until you get to that steep slide part. It is easier to go up on on the left side of that short incline. Then you need to walk back up the granite rock - which seems a whole lot longer and steeper on the way up. Then, you again hike through the forest, which is mostly downhill, and pleasant with a not too bad incline up the last 2 miles or so. Bring plenty of water and your lunch! There is a restroom (not flush toilets) at the trail head/parking lot. We saw no restrooms anywhere along the hike.
