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Best trails in Yosemite National Park

Best trails in Yosemite National Park

4.6(246,806 reviews)

·

United States
#5 of 60 national parks

Want to find the best trails in Yosemite National Park for an adventurous hike or a family trip? AllTrails has 314 great trails for hiking, backpacking, and camping and more. Enjoy hand-curated trail maps, along with reviews and photos from nature lovers like you. Ready for your next hike or bike ride? Explore one of 38 easy hiking trails in Yosemite National Park that are great for the whole family. Looking for a more strenuous hike? We've got you covered, with trails ranging from 0 to 18,353 feet in elevation gain. Whatever you have planned for the day, you can find the perfect trail for your next trip to Yosemite National Park.

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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 • 7 am–9 pm
Phone
(209) 372-0200
Timed entry reservation
Park (May 24–May 26)

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park Saturday, May 24, through Monday, May 26, from 6 am to 2 pm.

$2
Make reservation
Park (Jun 15–Aug 15)

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park every day from 6 am to 2 pm from June 15 through August 15.

$2
Make reservation
Park (Aug 30–Sep 1)

A reservation will be required to drive into or through Yosemite National Park Saturday, August 30, through Monday, September 1, from 6 am to 2 pm.

$2
Make reservation
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 three 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 three 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 three 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.

Trail reviews for Yosemite National Park

230,604 trailgoers Busiest in June
Jun 23, 2025Hiking
Great views

It is a hard trail, which requires much arm strength to climb the half dome. Yosemite National Park always rewarding.

Half Dome via the John Muir Trail (JMT)
Jun 30, 2025Hiking
Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditionsGreat views

Spectacular views. Well-maintained and marked trail. A few downed trees easily navigable being worked on by Yosemite crew. Not too crowded once you get a little ways away from the drive up spots.

Parking: Free, Large lot
Four Mile Trail, Panorama Trail, Mist Trail
Jun 30, 2025
Great views

Arrive the earlier the better to avoid crowds. Take the purple shuttle. We started around 7:30 AM and that is about the latest I recommend. Mist Trail was beautiful, even got to see a big rainbow in the mist. The Mist felt glorious on hot day. . I used my hiking stick on way down for some confidence down the wet granite steps. I made it to Vernal Falls and my daughter went in to Nevada. I think the steps got a bit more difficult to Nevada. I can see why this is one of the most popular trails in Yosemite! Don’t miss!

Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail
Jun 30, 2025
Great views

We reserved the 8:30 AM tour bus up to Glacier Point and then hiked down 4 mile trail. Views were awesome, at the Point and throughout the switchbacks down. So many beautiful scenes. Yosemite Falls was my reference point throughout the trail and there were so many wonderful views of it. It is a difficult downhill hike but so worth it. I’m 64 and my daughter definitely had an easier time of it. Hiking sticks helped.

Four Mile Trail
Jun 30, 2025

Amazing hike. Started and finished at housekeeping camp. I would recommend hiking poles for the way back down, specifically from Yosemite falls to preserve your knees.

El Capitan from Yosemite Valley
Jun 28, 2025Hiking
Great conditionsGreat views

Great moderate hike that is beginner friendly, definitely more so than Mist Trail. Very worth the long car trip for such amazing views of Yosemite

Difficulty: Moderate
Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
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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 21,833 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 314 trails in Yosemite National Park. These trails have an average 4.6-star rating from 246,806 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 73 camping trails in Yosemite National Park and the most popular is Upper Yosemite Falls Trail with an average 4.8 star rating from 16,788 community reviews.

Are there running trails available in Yosemite National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 195 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 21,833 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Yosemite National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 2 biking trails in Yosemite National Park and the most popular is Mirror Lake Paved Trail with an average 4.5 star rating from 5,183 community reviews.