Best trails in Yosemite National Park
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.
Top trails
Visitor info
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.
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.
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.
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.
This fee is valid for three consecutive days for a non-commercial motorcycle (cost is per motorcycle, not person).
The per-person fee is $20 to a maximum of $300 per vehicle. People 15 years and younger are free
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.
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.
Annual pass providing free entrance to Yosemite for 12 months from the date of purchase.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
The Lower Pines, Upper Pines, and North Pines Campgrounds have individual wheelchair accessible camping sites and accessible restrooms.
Service animals must be on-leash throughout the park.
Trail reviews for Yosemite National Park
A moderately difficult trail with awesome views of Yosemite National Park. Probably one of most spectacular views of any trails in America! Be aware that parts of the Mist trail are closed Monday through Thursday for repairs.
Beautiful, easy, simple trail! Great views of the valley, half dome AND Yosemite falls. Great hike to do if you’re short on time and want to be able to see all the things, plus grab a bite to eat beforehand! Most of it is paved or boardwalk. We didn’t see wildlife but looks like it would be a great spot to see some with the beautiful meadow. Pro tip if you want to see the waterfall and river flowing, go in spring/early summer! Not much water flowing at all but still gorgeous.
Awesome! Just go! You won't regret it. A little crowded, but I think that's expected at Yosemite, near the valley anyway. Good climb right from the beginning.
We did the trail over 5 days from Sept 6-10, 2025. We parked our car at Tuolumne Meadows and took YARTS shuttle from Tuolumne Meadows visitor center to white Wolfe. Note: YARTS shuttle doesn't run as advertised times so don't worry if it doesn't come at the scheduled time. Drivers are very friendly. Since we started late, first day was only to Morisson Creek. Next day we went to Pate Valley. From here, we faced lot of gnats. Luckily we had head net. I strongly recommend this. We reached Pate valley by 1pm. It was wonderful. We were the only ones. We got into water, enjoyed lunch at the beach. Sunset was amazing. I wish I could have stayed up for moon rise as it was full moon but we were really tired. Next day morning we had an early start to Muir Gorge. Lots of swimming pools. Got into all of them fun days. There is a mile stretch where you go up the final part of Mountain. It was tough as climb was hard and it got hot. After that descend to Muir creek was easy. Beautiful campsite and easy access to water. Out of the world sunset. There was a small rock right after campsite, I wish we had gone there. We could have gotten 360 views of sunset. We found out next morning while going up further. Next day we went to Glen Aulin High Sierra camp. Again quite a few swim holes and beautiful gorge. Lots of waterfalls. lovely views. Night at Glen Aulin High Sierra camp was cold. When hiking, you come to an intersection where you see building on your left and straight sign says going to Tuolumne meadows. Go left and past the bldg is backpackers campsite. I saw quite a few people do this in 2 or 3 nights. We feel 4 nights was great as we had time to stop at swim holes, get in water, take lots of pics and enjoy our time. We still got to campsite by 5:30pm latest. We weren't tired at all. My recommendation is to assume 1hr/mile if you want to enjoy. so don't keep your day beyond 6-8 miles. From Pate Valley to Glen Aulin, we didn't eat breakfast at the campsite, we started our hike early and ate breakfast by the river or on rocks with views. If this is not on your bucket list and you just want gorgeous view, I would avoid section from Pate Valley to White Wolfe. It's also possible to camp few nights at Glen Aulin and do day hike down to Pate Valley. But camping at Pate Valley is really fun. We have done Panorama Trail to Half Dome and camped at Backpacker's camp before summiting half dome at sunrise. It' another beauty. This trail is another beauty. Next is sunrise to Cloudsrest. Yosemite is so beautiful, valley is just a small part of its beauty. There are other parts which are equally beautiful. These are my opinion and not meant to offend anyone. If I did, I apologize.
This was fantastic trail from the top of Glacier Point to the Yosemite Vally! It was over 10 miles total and we hit the top of Nevada and Vernal Falls. While a challenging distance the views and trail was outstanding!
Beautiful trail, especially going through the wooded area. We did it clockwise which added some elevation, but it wasn’t bad. At the end, we were rewarded with a beautiful 360° view of the entire Yosemite Valley and half dome and beyond.. we were blessed to see a beautiful sunset in the west, followed by an amazing full moon sunrise in the east shortly after