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Best trails in Yosemite National Park

Best trails in Yosemite National Park

4.6(269,320 reviews)

·

United States
#5 of 60 national parks

With over 3.5 million yearly visitors from throughout the world, the iconic Yosemite National Park is known for some of the most beautiful hikes and landscapes in the United States. There are over 800 miles of trails to explore through Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows, and Wawona. Yosemite has so much to see including the sequoias, the flower-filled meadows and valleys left behind from the glaciers, the highest waterfall in the United States, and the spectacular Half Dome and El Capitan.

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Visitor info

Hours & contact
Passes & fees
Starting at $0
Accessibility
Yosemite National Park
Every day • Open 24 hours
Hetch Hetchy
Every day • Sunrise–Sunset
Phone
(209) 372-0200
Entrance pass
Education/Academic Groups

An educational fee waiver is available for educational and scientific groups that are accredited or tax-exempt for educational purposes planning a trip for educational or scientific purposes related to Yosemite that is not primarily recreational.

$0
Get details from the park
Motorcycle

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for a non-commercial motorcycle (cost is per motorcycle, not person).

$30
Non-commercial Groups

The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free.

$300
Per Person

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for people entering on foot, a bicycle, a horse, or a non-commercial bus or van. People 15 years and younger are free.

$20
Private Vehicle

This fee is valid for seven consecutive days for a non-commercial car, pickup truck, RV, or van with 15 or fewer passenger seats. This fee covers the vehicle and everyone inside of it.

$35
Annual pass
Park

Annual pass providing free entrance to Yosemite for 12 months from the date of purchase.

$70
All U.S. national parks

Join millions of people who enjoy our National Parks with the "America the Beautiful" National Park & Federal Recreational Lands Pass, otherwise known as the Interagency Annual Pass. The pass is valid for a year's worth of visits from the month of purchase at more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the country.

$80
Purchase pass
2025 Fee-free days

No entrance pass required on these days:

Monday, January 20 — Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
Saturday, April 19 — First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 — Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 — Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 — National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 — Veterans Day

Overview

The Interagency Access Pass is accepted here.

The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include closed captioning.

Loaner wheelchairs, electric scooters, a tandem bicycle, and a hand-cranked bicycle are available at Yosemite Valley Lodge. Assistive listening devices, telecoil neck loop couplers, audio descriptions, tactile exhibits, and Braille and text materials are available.

Many ranger-led programs have ASL interpreters available by reservation. To make a reservation, please call 209-379-5250 (voice/text) or email yose_deaf_services@nps.gov at least two weeks in advance.

Additional information about accessibility at Yosemite National Park can be found on their website: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/accessibility.htm.

Transportation

Reservations are required for all cars entering the park, including Access Pass holders.

All shuttle buses in the park are wheelchair accessible and can fit chairs under 46 inches long and 24 inches wide. The YARTS bus service from Merced or Mariposa is equipped with lifts, but advanced notice is required. Please call 1‐877‐989‐2787 at least 48 hours in advance to make a reservation for the YARTS bus.

Temporary disabled parking placards are available at the park entrance stations or visitor centers for those without a state-issued permit or who do not have one with them.

Other-Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMDs) such as Segways are allowed in the park only for those with a mobility disability.

Facilities

The Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is accessible to visitors using mobility equipment or strollers and has wheelchair accessible restrooms and drinking fountains. Orientation films include closed captioning.

Food service facilities in the park are wheelchair accessible except for partial accessibility in the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, which has stairs.

The Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, Curry Village, White Wolf Lodge, and Wawona Hotel have wheelchair accessible rooms.

The Lower Yosemite Fall, El Capitan, Sentinel Beach, Swinging Bridge, Church Bowl, the Cascades and Arch Rock, Yosemite History Center, and Soldier Flat Picnic Areas are wheelchair accessible with packed, level paths and surfaces and accessible restrooms or vault toilets.

There are accessible restrooms at the following trailheads: Yosemite Village Parking, Lower Yosemite Fall, Camp 4, Housekeeping Camp, Happy Isles, and Bridalveil Fall.

Camping

The Lower Pines, Upper Pines, and North Pines Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and accessible restrooms.

Service animals

Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.

Parks

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Yosemite National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Yosemite National Park is Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail, which has a 4.9 star rating from 23,946 reviews. This trail is 6.4 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,208 ft.

What is the longest trail in Yosemite National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Yosemite National Park is Hetch Hechy Reservoir to Sierra Crest Backpacking Loop. This trail is estimated to be 87.6 mi long.

How many trails are in Yosemite National Park?

There are 315 trails in Yosemite National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 269,320 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Yosemite National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Yosemite National Park has you covered. Hetch Hechy Reservoir to Sierra Crest Backpacking Loop boasts the most elevation gain with 18,353 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Big Oak Flat Road to Tuloumne Meadows, which will get you 15,908 ft of elevation gain.

Are there camping trails available in Yosemite National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 74 camping trails in Yosemite National Park and the most popular is Upper Yosemite Falls Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 17,589 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Yosemite National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 194 running trails in Yosemite National Park and the most popular is Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail with an average 4.9 star rating from 23,946 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Yosemite National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 3 biking trails in Yosemite National Park and the most popular is Mirror Lake Paved Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 5,493 community reviews.

What are the best summer hikes in Yosemite National Park?

What are the best fall hikes in Yosemite National Park?

What are the best winter hikes in Yosemite National Park?

What are the best spring hikes in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with waterfalls in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic mountain peak views in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with scenic viewpoints in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with cliffs in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with lakes in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with springs in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with rivers in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with huts in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with historical ruins in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with dams in Yosemite National Park?

Yes, there are 13 trails with dams in Yosemite National Park, including Wapama Falls Trail, Rancheria Falls Trail, Hetch Hetchy Loop, Lake Vernon, and Laurel Lake Trail.

Are there any trails with picnic areas in Yosemite National Park?

Yes, there are 5 trails with picnic areas in Yosemite National Park, including Middle Valley Loop Trail, Carlon Falls Trail, Badger Pass to Glacier Point Trail, Dewey Point Winter Loop, and Dewey Point Trail (Winter Route).

Are there any trails with caves in Yosemite National Park?

Are there any trails with glaciers in Yosemite National Park?

Yes, there are 7 trails with glaciers in Yosemite National Park, including Mount Lyell, Young Lakes and Mount Conness Summit, Koip Peak Trail, Koip and Kuna Peak, and Alger Lakes via Mono Pass and Parker Pass Trails.

Are there any trails with weather shelters in Yosemite National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a weather shelter in Yosemite National Park: Laurel Lake and Lake Vernon.

Are there any trails with beaches in Yosemite National Park?

Yes, there is one trail with a beach in Yosemite National Park: Benson Lake via Robinson Creek Trail.