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How many days in Yosemite? 4 days: the Valley, the Mist Trail, Glacier Point and the high country
By Tony Panopoulos · travel-agency planner in Greece · Updated
Yosemite National Park covers more than 3,000 square kilometres of the Sierra Nevada, but most visitors only see the Valley, a glacier-carved canyon about 11 km long between the granite walls of El Capitan and Half Dome. Give it four days: one for the Valley floor, one for the Mist Trail to two waterfalls, one for Glacier Point and the giant sequoias of the Mariposa Grove, and one for the high country along Tioga Road when it is open. Check the park's reservation rules for your dates before you book anything.
Short answer
Three days covers the Valley, the Mist Trail and Glacier Point with the Mariposa Grove. The fourth day adds Tuolumne Meadows in summer, or a quieter hike on the Valley rim.
The 4-day plan, day by day
Day 1: The Valley floor: Tunnel View, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls
Morning. Enter from the west on Highway 41 or 140 and stop first at Tunnel View, the classic viewpoint over the Valley with El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall and Half Dome in one frame. Walk the short paved path to the foot of Bridalveil Fall (about 15-20 minutes return), then drive to El Capitan Meadow and watch for climbers on the 900-metre wall with binoculars.
Afternoon. Park at Yosemite Village and walk the 1.6 km loop to Lower Yosemite Fall, at the base of one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, at its strongest from April to June. Visit the Yosemite Museum and the Ansel Adams Gallery nearby, then rent a bike at Curry Village or Yosemite Valley Lodge (around US$30-45 for a few hours) and ride the flat valley loop.
Evening. Walk to Sentinel Bridge over the Merced River for sunset light on Half Dome. Dinner at the Yosemite Valley Lodge food court or the Curry Village pizza deck costs US$15-30 per person.
Use the free Valley shuttle once you have parked: parking near the main trailheads fills by 9:00-10:00 in summer, and the shuttle stops at every major sight on the Valley floor.
Day 2: The Mist Trail: Vernal and Nevada Falls
Morning. Start by 7:00 from Happy Isles (shuttle stop 16) on the Mist Trail. It climbs about 1.3 km to the footbridge with the first view of Vernal Fall, then up granite steps through the spray to the top of the fall, about 5 km return and 300 metres of climbing. In spring you will be soaked; bring a rain jacket.
Afternoon. Fit hikers can continue to the top of Nevada Fall, a total of about 10-11 km return and 600 metres of climbing, returning on the gentler John Muir Trail for views back to the waterfall. Allow 5-7 hours in total, with a picnic at the top. If you have a permit, this is also the route to the Half Dome cables, a very long and demanding day.
Evening. Rest your legs at Mirror Lake in the late afternoon, an easy walk near Half Dome whose still water reflects the cliffs in spring, before it dries up in late summer. Eat a hearty dinner; you will need it.
The Half Dome cables require a permit, given by a lottery in spring and a daily lottery during the season. Never attempt the cables in rain or when thunderstorms threaten.
Day 3: Glacier Point and the Mariposa Grove
Morning. Drive about 1 hour from the Valley to Glacier Point, about 1,000 metres above the Valley floor, with one of the most famous views in the park: Half Dome face on, Vernal and Nevada Falls and the High Sierra behind. The road is usually open from about late May to October or November, depending on snow.
Afternoon. Drive about 1 hour south to the Mariposa Grove near the south entrance. Take the free shuttle from the Welcome Plaza and walk among about 500 mature giant sequoias, including the Grizzly Giant, estimated to be well over 2,000 years old, and the California Tunnel Tree (about 3 km on the Grizzly Giant Loop).
Evening. Stop at the historic Wawona Hotel for a drink on its veranda (when open) and dinner, or drive back to the Valley. Fit hikers can instead walk back down from Glacier Point on the Four Mile Trail, about 7.5 km and steep, with a shuttle or friend arranged at the top.
In winter, Glacier Point Road closes beyond the Badger Pass ski area, which becomes a cross-country skiing and snowshoe trail; the Mariposa Grove road also closes, and the grove can be reached on foot or skis.
Day 4: Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows
Morning. Drive east on Tioga Road (Highway 120), the highest road over the Sierra Nevada in California, usually open from about late May or June to November. Stop at Olmsted Point for the view of Half Dome from the back and the granite slabs of Tenaya Canyon, then at Tenaya Lake, a clear alpine lake with sandy shores.
Afternoon. Walk in Tuolumne Meadows, a large subalpine meadow at around 2,600 metres, along the Tuolumne River to Soda Springs and Parsons Lodge (about 2.5 km return), or climb Lembert Dome for views over the meadow (about 4.5 km return, with a steep slab finish).
Evening. Continue over Tioga Pass to Lee Vining and Mono Lake on the eastern side, or drive back to the Valley in about 1.5-2 hours. At altitude, the temperature drops quickly after sunset, even in July.
Fuel and food are limited on Tioga Road. Fill up at Crane Flat or in Lee Vining, and bring water and layers: thunderstorms are common in the high country on summer afternoons.
Only have 3 days?
With 3 days, do the Valley floor on Day 1, the Mist Trail on Day 2 and Glacier Point with the Mariposa Grove on Day 3. You lose Tuolumne Meadows, which is only reachable in summer and autumn anyway.
Got extra days?
A 5th day can go to Hetch Hetchy, the dammed valley in the north-west of the park, quieter and with the Wapama Falls trail, or to Mono Lake and the eastern Sierra. Strong hikers can attempt Upper Yosemite Fall, about 11-12 km return with 800 metres of climbing, or a permitted climb of Half Dome.
Where to stay in Yosemite
| Budget | Area | Why | Typical double/night |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | Campgrounds and Curry Village tent cabins | Tents and canvas cabins in the Valley; book early on Recreation.gov or the park lodging site. | US$40-200 |
| Mid-range | Yosemite Valley Lodge | Rooms near Yosemite Falls, walking distance to the shuttle and the Valley trails. | US$300-450 |
| Mid-range | Gateway towns: El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland, Oakhurst | Motels and lodges outside the park, from 15 minutes to 1 hour from the Valley. | US$150-300 |
| Comfort | The Ahwahnee and lodges near the entrances | The historic 1927 hotel in the Valley, or upscale resorts near the south and west entrances. | US$500-900 |
Getting around
Yosemite Valley is about 4-5 hours by car from San Francisco and about 5-6 hours from Los Angeles. Without a car, take an Amtrak train or bus to Merced and the YARTS bus up Highway 140 to the Valley (about 2.5 hours). The park entrance fee is US$35 per car, valid for 7 days; in recent summers, the park has also required a timed entry reservation for peak days, so check the official NPS website for your dates. Inside the Valley, the free shuttle and bikes are the best way to move. Glacier Point, Mariposa Grove and Tuolumne need a car or a tour.
What to eat in Yosemite
Food in the park is simple and priced for its location. The Valley has a grocery store at Yosemite Village, a food court at Yosemite Valley Lodge, pizza and a buffet at Curry Village, and a formal dining room at The Ahwahnee, where a dinner costs US$60-120 per person. A sandwich or burger costs US$12-20. Many visitors save money by buying groceries in Mariposa, Oakhurst or Groveland and having picnics; every picnic area has bear-proof lockers. Food must always be stored in lockers, never left in cars, as black bears break into vehicles.
Best time to visit
May and June bring the waterfalls at their fullest and green meadows, but also crowds and snow on high trails. July to September is warm (highs around 30°C in the Valley), with all roads open, though some waterfalls dry up by August and wildfire smoke can affect views. October is quieter, with autumn colours on the Valley floor. In winter, Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road close, but the snowy Valley is beautiful and much quieter; in February, Horsetail Fall can glow orange at sunset for a few days, with special access rules.
What a day costs
| Budget | Mid-range | Comfort | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bed (per person, sharing a double) | US$40 | US$150 | US$350 |
| Food & drink | US$35 | US$65 | US$120 |
| Sights & tickets | US$10 | US$25 | US$80 |
| Local transport | US$20 | US$35 | US$60 |
| Total per person, per day | about US$105 | about US$275 | about US$610 |
Approximate 2026 prices, with transport based on a shared rental car and fuel and the US$35 car entrance fee spread over the stay; the park adds an occupancy tax to lodging bills, and guided climbs or Half Dome permits are extra.
Before you go
Common questions
Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite?
It depends on the year and the season. In recent summers, Yosemite has required a timed entry reservation for vehicles during peak hours on busy days, in addition to the entrance fee. Visitors with lodging or camping reservations inside the park usually do not need a separate one. The rules change, so check the official NPS Yosemite website before you travel.
When are the waterfalls at their best?
From about April to June, when the snow melts in the high country. Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall and Bridalveil Fall are then at full power, and the Mist Trail is very wet. By late summer, Yosemite Falls often dries up completely. After a winter with little snow, the waterfalls are smaller and stop flowing earlier.
Is it safe to hike with bears in Yosemite?
Yes, if you follow the rules. Yosemite's black bears are usually shy, but they are attracted by food. Store all food and scented items in the bear lockers, never in your car, and carry approved canisters on overnight hikes. If you see a bear, keep a distance of at least 50 metres and never feed or approach it.
Where should I stay: in the Valley or outside the park?
In the Valley if you can, because you avoid long drives and entry queues and can be on the trails at dawn. Lodging in the park sells out months ahead, especially in summer. Gateway towns such as El Portal, Mariposa, Groveland and Oakhurst are cheaper but 15 minutes to over an hour from the Valley.
How this guide was made
Compiled by TonyPlan from official tourism, transport and attraction sources and on-the-ground travel knowledge. Prices are approximate for 2026 and change with season; anything we could not confirm is marked as approximate.
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