Highlights of Yosemite Valley: Admiring California’s Highest Peaks

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One of California’s most stunning feats of nature. Mountains carved by thousands of years of shifting ice. Yosemite has a little something for everyone but it’s renowned as one of the most challenging climbing destinations in the world.

3000-foot granite peaks tower over the valley, glacial water cascading from every crevice. Hundreds of miles of scenic hiking trails lead you around the basin and up into the surrounding mountains. Even for those who simply drive through the park, the views are unparalleled.

& for everyone preparing for a summer filled with road trips, Yosemite is an absolute must-see.

But what parts of Yosemite can you not miss? Here’s your guide to planning the perfect Yosemite trip & hitting all the highlights of Yosemite.

When to Visit

Each season has its benefits and limitations. Spring, Summer, & Fall are the most popular times to visit. I’ve personally visited in May & September. Both were wonderful times to visit in very different ways.

Visiting Yosemite in Spring

Pros: Spring has the fullest waterfalls and the greenest hiking trails. It also has fewer tourists than the summer months and with that an increased likelihood of spotting some wildlife.

Cons: The only downside is that Glacier Point and the roadway leading up to it will still be snowed in. Tioga Pass will also be a no-go for this time of year.

Visiting Yosemite in Summer

Pros: You just can’t beat the weather in Yosemite in the summertime. Warm sunny days perfect for alpine hiking and crisp cool evenings make tent camping and backcountry camping a breeze. The waterfalls will be flowing and depending on how late in the summer you visit you might even have full access to Glacier Point and Tioga Pass.

Cons: This is without a doubt the busiest time of year. Hiking trails are packed and wildlife move further into the protected forests. Finding camping spots & reserving accommodation this time of year needs to be done months and months in advance.

Visiting Yosemite in Fall

Pros: A visit in September will give you full access to the park. Snow will have melted over the summer. This also dries up all the falls which drastically changes the scenery of the park. September will give you more opportunities for hiking as many of the trails dry out.

Cons: Although you’ll have more access to hiking– the waterfalls will have mostly dried up by fall. The nighttime temperatures will begin coming close to freezing as well, so if you plan on camping be sure to come prepared.

Where to Stay in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort

This hotel/hostel/glamping experience is far and away the best place to stay in the area.

I rarely endorse places to stay as we generally opt for the cheapest option. But we made an exception here. Although don’t worry it’s still very budget-friendly.

A hippy haven sitting in the hills just 30 minutes outside the park. It wasn’t the rooms here that made our stay exceptional. It was the food. The Bug Cafe had the cheapest food in the area and it was phenomenal. Home-cooked meals, vegan + gluten-free options, all organic and free-range, and absolutely delicious. All with a kind community atmosphere. Some nights there was live music. Other nights people just sat around the lodge drinking $5 pints and $20 bottles of wine enjoying one another’s company.

As an added bonus, they have a neat little rustic “spa” with tea and horse trough hot tubs for relaxing your sore muscles after a day of hiking.

Where to Eat at Yosemite National Park

Try not to eat in Yosemite National Park. It will be a massive dissappointment.

The food is overpriced and we had one of the saddest sandwiches we have ever tried to stomach.

Many of the hotels, however, offer bag lunches. & if you stay at The Bug they have delicious fresh cooked meals for breakfast & dinner and sell $8 bag lunches to take on your hike. (Which believe me, you will need)

If you do decide to eat in the park be sure to go to the Village Grill for burgers.

The average accommodation price in Yosemite National Park is $120 per night & camping spots fill up months in advance. If you’re looking for a last-minute trip or budget-friendly accommodation, I would look into Stealth Camping with your campervan or RV. You can also always rent a campervan or RV if you don’t have your own.

Highlights of Yosemite National Park

These are the must-see sights on your first trip to Yosemite National Park.

Tunnel View

Imagine driving through a carved mountain tunnel and then this view just erupts in front of your eyes.

Breathtaking. Half dome pitted across from El Capitan. Two of the most impressive rock formations of the park. It looks straight out of a painting. Visit here after sundown for an unobstructed view of the stars. The universe opens up above you and you’ll remember how small all our problems really are.

Half Dome

This is THE hike in Yosemite. Permits required. And trail conditions pending. On days that they put the cables up, hikers can lock in and climb the treacherous trails to the top.

Unfortunately, the cables were down while we visited and the route wasn’t safe enough to attempt.

El Capitan

My absolute favorite of the familiar Yosemite sights. 3,000 feet of sheer granite. Standing at its base, you can’t help but be awestruck.

Complete awe. And disbelief. How do climbers attempt to summit this behemoth? Sitting in the dirt, scarfing down sandwiches we spotted some yellow tents nailed into the wall about halfway up. Climbers in the middle of their journey. Depending on the route, still days to go.

Fun Facts About El Cap.

• Some routes can take climbers weeks to summit. Which means living, sleeping, and eating on the wall for weeks at a time.
• The Dawn Wall is the face that sees the sun first in the morning. It is also the “unclimbable route”. A completely smooth face that only a handful of climbers (starting in 2015) have conquered.

If you want to learn more about El Cap check out the documentaries The Dawn Wall & Free Solo. If that doesn’t inspire you to visit Yosemite National Park nothing will.

Bridalveil Falls

The falls nearest El Cap. During the months of May, they will be bursting at the seams. The parking lot was its own little river. The trail leading to the falls left us soaked. We battled against sprays while surrounded by rainbows to try and get a shot of the falls. And we sure got it.

Yosemite Falls

One of the most iconic and easily accessible Yosemite sights in the park. 2,400 ft of falls with a powerful spray. The large meadow nearby is perfect for a midday picnic.

Nevada + Vernal Falls

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This was the most challenging and most rewarding of our hikes. & not one of the Yosemite sights you commonly see photographs of. Around 8 miles long, 10 if you accidentally double back, and somehow mostly uphill.

The first part of the hike you won’t be alone. It’s a very popular midday hike. It’s also very wet in Spring. Climbing the soaking rock stairs along the waterfall you’ll be breathing more water than air.

But once you’re above the falls looking down at the roaring waters it will all be worth it.

Getting to Nevada falls you’ll need lots of water and lunch. You gain another 1,000 feet of elevation and it will add around 3 hours to your loop. Endless mountain peaks and views of the valleys far below will keep you entertained the whole way.

Snow Creek + Mirror Lake

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This is a day-two hike. A peaceful hike. For when your muscles are jello, but you still have to get out and explore. Little elevation gain but lots to look at.

First stop is Mirror Lake. Aptly named for its still reflective surface. The trail gets more challenging further in as you follow the river. You’ll climb up into the hills crossing over fallen white granite slabs and felled trees. A bridge crossing over Snow Creek will take you back along the opposite side of the river.

The loop is only a few miles and heavily forested. We spotted several friendly deer as well as a large brown bear crossing the meadow below.

Tioga Pass + Glacier Point

Glacier Point is best known for it’s spectacular sunsets and stargazing. Unfortunately, both the point and Tioga Pass will be closed if you visit before the snow melt–typically around late June.

The drive through Tioga Pass will take you up to 10,000 ft, winding through some of the most scenic mountain roads in California. It takes several hours but it’s the perfect drive to end your time in Yosemite National Park.

Things to Know Before You Go

1. Always pack a lunch. We are notorious for packing too light on hikes. We plan to hike the small loop and always talk ourselves into “just going a little further up”. Next thing you know you’re still five miles from home and want some easy food.
2. Water refilling stations are available and clearly marked on the park maps. Vernal Falls has restrooms and a water refill right before the final push to the summit. Take advantage of these water refill opportunities.
3. I always recommend hiking with a Lifestraw water bottle. That way you can safely refill with stream water in a pinch.
4. Bring a map. There will likely be other hikers nearby to guide you but you shouldn’t just rely on GPS as service is spotty.
5. Food in the park is limited + expensive. If you have to eat in the park get a cheap burger and fries at the grill attached to the mountaineering school in Half-Dome Village.
6. Much of the park is drivable! Many of the iconic Yosemite sights can be seen right from your car window. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do some hiking.
7. You’re likely on a road-trip if you made it here in the first place. So you might as well check out Big Sur, Lake Tahoe, or Sequoia National Park while you’re at it.

Yosemite National Park is my favorite National Park in the United States. & we’ve been to over 25 in our campervan! Hit all these Yosemite highlights and I’m sure it will be your new favorite too.

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