A 3 Days in Yosemite Itinerary You’ll Want to Steal
Last Updated on 1st November 2023 by Sophie Nadeau
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Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a natural wonder that attracts millions of visitors every year. From its towering waterfalls to its massive granite cliffs, the park offers breathtaking scenery that is sure to leave an impression on anyone who visits. Here’s your perfect 3 days in Yosemite itinerary to help you plan your next trip!
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Introducing Yosemite
Yosemite presents something for everyone. There are tons of hikes ranging from strenuous to very easy. The views are stunning, enough to send any photographer to wonderland. It’s also a great place to bring the family or getaway for a weekend of adventure with your partner (check here for more of the best romantic getaways in the USA).
With so much to see and do in Yosemite, it can be difficult to know where to start, which is why planning an itinerary is essential. We recommend taking 3 days in this beautiful national park, though you can make it work if you have more or less time.
In this blog post, we’ll take you through a suggested itinerary for your trip to Yosemite National Park, but first let’s talk about some things to know before you visit.
Where is Yosemite?
Yosemite National Park is a 1,200 square mile protected area of wilderness located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It is approximately 140 miles southeast of San Francisco and can be easily accessed from both the Bay Area and the Central Valley of California.
It is one of the most popular places to visit in the USA. If you’re looking to go off the beaten path, then check out these hidden gems of California. For a National Park a little more off the radar, check out the Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks, which are a few hours south of Yosemite.
When to Visit Yosemite
You can visit this park year-round, but perhaps the best time to visit is in spring or summer. In spring and summer, the falls are flowing; however, in spring you may have to deal with shifting temperatures (it can be hot or cold), and in summer the park is very crowded.
In fall, most of the waterfalls are dry or barely flowing, but the fall colors are beautiful and there are less crowds. Winter is best suited for skiing and snowshoeing, perfect for those who don’t mind gearing up for the cold weather. There can be road closures in the winter, so plan accordingly.
Where to Stay in Yosemite
When visiting Yosemite National Park, there are several options depending on your budget and preferences. Here are some of the most popular choices:
- Campgrounds – Yosemite has 13 budget-friendly campgrounds. These are a great option for those who want to experience the great outdoors.
- Hotels in the park – Yosemite has several lodges located within the park, including the Ahwahnee, Yosemite Valley Lodge, and Wawona Hotel. These lodges offer comfortable rooms but can be expensive during peak season.
- El Portal – This town is just a ten-minute drive to the park and has a few great places to stay. One of these is the Yosemite View Lodge, which has an onsite restaurant and a nearby convenience store.
- Vacation rentals or Airbnbs – For those who want more space and privacy, there are a variety of vacation rentals and Airbnbs available in the park and the surrounding areas, including cabins, cottages, and homes.
Regardless of where you stay, book your accommodation well in advance, especially during peak season when the best places fill up fast.
Is 3 days enough time in Yosemite?
If you’re looking for a quick overview of the National Park and also want to go on a few hikes, then 72 hours is a sufficient amount of time to get an overview of Yosemite. However, if you’re the kind of traveller who prefers to see everything and do multiple hikes, then you’ll want to spend 4 or 5 days in the park.
Suggested itinerary for 3 days in Yosemite National Park
Day 1 – Yosemite Valley and El Capitan
Start your first day in Yosemite by waking up early to catch the sunrise at Yosemite Valley. Here you’ll find several of the sights that Yosemite is known for, including Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.
Tunnel View is a great place to watch from. As the sun rises, the valley is bathed in a warm golden light, making it the perfect time to take photos and soak in the natural beauty of the park. It’s also a great time to get your bearings for where everything is in the park.
While you’re here, this is a great time to see Yosemite Falls, the tallest waterfall in North America. This waterfall is an incredible 2,450 feet, making it the fifth highest in the world. You can see the falls as you make your way around the valley or take a short trek up to the base of the falls without any difficult hiking.
In the afternoon, get up close and personal with one of Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks: El Capitan. El Capitan is the largest granite monolith in the world (not to mention a popular climbing destination).
With an easy hike from a nearby parking lot, you can walk right up to the base of this mountain of rock to get a real idea of its size. It’s a great spot for pictures!
A day spent in Yosemite Valley will give you a great base for your trip to Yosemite and help you prepare for the next 2 days!
Day 2 – Hiking in Yosemite
Day 2 is all about hiking. You have several options for hikes, but we’d recommend either Mist/John Muir Trail, Sentinel Dome/Taft Point, or—for serious hikers—the Half Dome Hike.
The Half Dome is only for very experienced hikers, and it requires a permit to hike. These permits aren’t easy to get as they involve entering into a lottery. Only 300 people are allowed to summit Half Dome per day.
If you think you’ve got what it takes, and you manage to get a permit, the Half Dome Hike is said to be one of the best in the world. Find more information about getting a permit here.
If that hike sounds a little daunting, don’t fret. Yosemite has so many other options. Mist Trail is one of the most popular, and it will take you to two spectacular waterfalls: Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. You can either go up and back on the Mist Trail or you can take the John Muir trail down, which makes the hike a little more than a mile longer.
This hike is considered moderate to difficult and can take up to 5 hours depending on your experience. If you choose this hike, you can spend the rest of the day relaxing. For dinner you can head to the Pizza Deck at Half Dome Village for some delicious food. Then watch the sunset from pretty much anywhere in Yosemite.
Sentinel Dome is a 2.2-mile, moderate hike where you can get 360-degree views. To the north is Yosemite Valley, and to the east are Nevada Falls, Half Dome, and some gorgeous peaks. South, you’ll find more views that are perhaps a little less stunning, but the west has the Merced River Canyon.
From here you can either do a loop that combines this trail with Taft Point, or you can head back down and do Taft Point separately. It takes less time to do them separately, so do that if you want to squeeze more into your day.
At Taft Point, those brave enough can sit on the edge of a cliff with their feet hanging above Yosemite Valley. Slackliners have been seen at this spot, attempting to cross a slackline thousands of feet in the air.
When you’re done with these, you can stop by Washburn Point to see more amazing views. Depending on what time it is and how tired you are, you can drive up to Glacier Point, but we’ve scheduled that for tomorrow if you’d rather head somewhere for a relaxing meal.
Day 3 – Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point
On the last day of your trip, head to Mariposa Grove to see the giant sequoias, some of the largest and oldest trees in the world. On average these trees are between 164 and 279 feet tall and many of the trees are over 3,000 years old.
Take a stroll through the grove, and don’t forget to snap a photo of the famous Tunnel Tree. This tree was cut in 1895 for people to be able to move through, and it’s still alive! The grove is also home to the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest sequoias in the world.
After visiting Mariposa Grove, make your way to Glacier Point for some incredible views of the park. From here you’ll be able to see Yosemite Valley—which you’ve thoroughly explored by now—from a new perspective. This is by far the best lookout point to see the valley.
Glacier Point is either the start or the end of three popular Yosemite hikes: the Four Mile Trail, Panorama Trail, and Pohono Trail. So, you can either start here or end here, or you can simply enjoy the view and save the hiking for another time.
These hikes to and from Glacier Point can be challenging but well worth it for the stunning panoramic views of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding mountains, and it’s a great way to top off your trip.
A final note on planning a trip to Yosemite
There it is! There’s plenty that we couldn’t include in the itinerary, so extend your trip or head back another time if you can. By following this 3-day itinerary, you’ll get a taste of the best that Yosemite has to offer and create memories that will last a lifetime.
Yosemite National Park is a natural wonder that will take your breath away. With its soaring waterfalls, enormous granite cliffs, and spectacular panoramic views, there’s no shortage of things to see and do in the park. Enjoy your trip and happy hiking!
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About the author: Lexi Cooper is a freelance editor and writer. Her parents taught her a love for traveling, seeing new sights, and learning about the world. Along with her passion for travel, she loves stories and dreams of spending her days reading and writing books and wandering the globe.
