Top Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Top 6 Lookouts in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park
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. 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!
2. Tunnel View
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 3,023 reviews
Reviewed By drmikenyc
The photo I'm seeing looks just like mine, so... what you see 'here' is what you get, on a photo or experiencing it through all your senses. This is a super-easy-to-get-to stop along Tioga Road, now. Once upon a time this was a view which enthralled Ansel Adams, who photographed this in black and white, and that image has been burnished into American iconography. Translation: This is an incredible, amazing, awe-inspiring view, looking at Yosemite Valley as it was carved out by glaciers, in the Ice Age, centuries ago. Once home to native Americans, it is now a national park (Yosemite). You know all this. All I can say is, even during the smoky days with wildfires around, this (at times of the day) was exactly what it looked like. A prime place to head for photography, selfies, painting, stretching...
3. Washburn Point
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 19 reviews
Reviewed By Gonen2014 - Haifa, Israel
The Washburn Point Lookout allows for great views of the western part of Yosemite Park. Besides 'Half Dom', you can see the upper part of the Merced River, which forms the valley of the Yosemite Park.
4. Valley View
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 159 reviews
Reviewed By drmikenyc
Well, it's actually a big "spot" with oversized views like most of Yosemite. Skimming recent reviews I've not much to add, except some tiny points. First, this is a stop for the Yosemite Valley tram tour, as well as convenient for the shuttle bus stop, and hiking - it's near the Mist Trail trailhead near a connection to John Muir Trail. Look through the photos and you'll get the gist. This is a carved out mini-valley, serene and quiet, the size of several fields, so you can walk around and see many different perspectives, with beautiful scenic views of the river, tall trees, and famous rock formations (e.g., Cathedral) and Bridalveil Fall. So that's the story with location and relative size. A small but incredibly beautiful spot, serene, ideal for contemplation of beauty, nature, life.... people enjoy the cool, clear river too. Contrary to one recent review I read, I had no problem at all getting views past trees - just walk to the Merced River's edge! Of course it's an ideal spot for more active plans, too, such as a stop before or after a serous hike along Muir or Mist trails. I agree BTW, with a recent reviewer who recommended "Tunnel View and Valley View". They're among the very best in my book too (from a photography and appreciating-the-view perspective). I'd add a third, a bit of a drive along Tioga Road from the Valley, but Olmsted Point is awesome too, especially at dawn or dusk as it catches the light dramatically. At Olmsted Point there is plenty of parking, both sides of the road, and there is smooth glacial rock which you can climb, take selfies on, whatever. There are trails too, including a short/easy one just beyond the parking area which allows for a more unobstructed view of major formations, including one you may not recognize from this perspective - it's Half Dome. And at your feet are cool "jointed granite" rocks. Fun.
5. Sentinel bridge
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 10 reviews
Reviewed By andylU9650HR - Allen, United States
Great location for Half Dome images when the Merced River is still for a wonderful reflection especially for sunset. Last week there were at least 25 cameras and tripods set up well before the sunset alpenglow. Many others with cameras crowded in. Fun was had by all!
