My very first visit to a national park was Yosemite and it was a 2-day stop on a road trip around northern California. I can remember planning for it and feeling overwhelmed at the amount of recommended things to do and see. I honestly had no idea that I was about to visit one of the most popular landmarks in the US. At the time, I really didn’t know much about national parks, but I was definitely left wanting more.
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The best time to visit Yosemite is in the spring or fall. Summer months are extremely busy which can take away from the experience. Plus, spring is the best time to see all the waterfalls! Although I’d personally prefer to have more than 2 days in Yosemite, this is still enough time to scratch the surface and see some of the most famous sites and viewpoints in the country. Here are my suggestions for things to do and see if you only have 2 days in Yosemite National Park.
Yosemite Valley
Start with Yosemite Valley and give yourself a full day. If you are going in the busy months of summer, it’s probably best to use the free shuttles to get around. Or, if you’re up for it, you can also walk around the valley. Make sure to hike the short 1 mile trail to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls. Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America, and the fifth tallest in the world at 2,425 feet. If you’re up for a more strenuous hike, consider the 3.5 mile trail to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls. Another option is to hike to the top of 317-foot Vernal Falls on a 1.5 mile trail. From here, you can see the 594-foot Nevada Falls. Mirror Lake is another easy, short hike with a rewarding view of North Dome and Half Dome.
Glacier Point
On your second day, start by driving (or hiking) up to Glacier Point, which is 3,214 feet above the valley, and then head towards the South entrance to Mariposa Grove. I often wonder if the drive up to Glacier Point would be as terrifying now as it was back then. I’ve done a lot of national park steep, narrow, and windy roads since this one, but I have a very vivid memory of being terrified on the way up to Glacier Point. On the way up, make sure to stop at Tunnel View Overlook. This has been called one of the most photographed vistas on Earth. From this viewpoint, you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Dome, Cathedral Rocks, and Bridalveil Falls. You can attempt this drive yourself, take the Glacier Point Bus Tour, or hike the Four Mile Trail, which is actually closer to 5 miles one way.
Mariposa Grove
After leaving Glacier Point, head towards the South Entrance to Mariposa Grove. This feels like an entirely different world from the valley surrounded by granite. Here, you can walk among hundreds of giant sequoias. Even if you just stick to the lower grove, an easy 2.2 mile round trip hike, you’ll still get to see the Fallen Monarch, the Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree. The Fallen Monarch is a dead sequoia that fell over 300 years ago and still lays in the spot where it fell. The Grizzly Giant is one of the oldest living sequoias at about 1,800 years old. It is a whopping 209 feet tall with a circumference of about 96 feet. The California Tunnel Tree is the only living tree left in the park with a tunnel cut through it.
If you have more time in the park, drive the scenic Tioga Road and visit the Tuolumne Meadows. Consider rock climbing, or some more adventurous hikes, such as the Half Dome Trail!
Have you been to Yosemite National Park? What was your favorite part?
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I really wish the States weren’t that far away. I want to visit every single national park there! And Yosemite is high on the list. I hope the drive isn’t as terrifying as what you describe, though! I’d rather hike otherwise. Thanks for this great article.
Glad you liked the article! The National Parks here really are incredible! I have a feeling the drive isn’t as bad as I’m remembering, and it’s probably just because it was one of the first times I experienced a drive in the mountains. I do specifically remember one sharp curve with a very steep drop off, but other than that, I think it’s not so bad! Either way, I think hiking up would be a great way to experience the views at Glacier Point and I hope to do this next time I’m there!
I went here at the end of last year – a really cool park. I only allowed one day which definitely wasn’t enough, even two days and you’d still miss lots. Shame I missed Mariposa Grove as your photos look great!
I agree – I still feel I need to go back, even after spending 2 days there. Missing Mariposa Grove just means that now you have a reason (or another reason) to go back! It’s opening back up in June this year! 🙂
Wow looks amazing! Thanks for sharing ❤️