How To Spend One Day In Yosemite National Park – Itinerary & Tips!

Planning to spend one day in Yosemite? Yosemite National Park is huge, and choosing what to do with only one day can be challenging. But don’t worry, I’ve got you covered!

I recently spent 3 days in Yosemite and it’s definitely possible to see the best highlights in one day. I would recommend spending the night close-by so that you can make the most of your day.

This itinerary is intended for the summer months, which is when all roads and attractions will be open. But I have visited Yosemite in winter also, and the experience is completely different! You can amend this itinerary to any time of year, but keep in mind seasonal closures.

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One Day In Yosemite National Park Itinerary

This one day itinerary focuses on the Yosemite Valley area of Yosemite – it would be impossible to see the entire park in a day. This post includes the biggest attractions in Yosemite, and is designed so you can make the most of your time.

Yosemite Valley has a one-way road system that is easy to follow and designed as a “loop”. This itinerary is designed so that you can hit all the best spots in the order you come to them, this way you can maximize your time in the park.

I have followed this itinerary almost exactly, splitting my day up with time at the hotel pool, which I would recommend as the busiest time in the park is midday.

Sunrise at Tunnel View or Artist Point

Tunnel View is the most iconic viewpoint in Yosemite, in fact you’ve probably seen photo of this view all over social media. The viewpoint features an incredible panoramic view of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Fall.

The Tunnel View viewpoint is best at sunrise or sunset, but I would recommend sunrise for two reasons. Firstly, there will be fewer people which means you can take your photos without having to fight for the perfect spot. Secondly, the sun rising behind Half Dome and El Capitan is absolutely breathtaking.

Sunset is naturally busier, but since the sun sets in front of the view, it will illuminate the peaks creating a golden light. At sunrise the sun rises behind El Capitan.

Artist Point is a lesser-known alternative to Tunnel View, which offers a beautiful view of Yosemite Valley with fewer crowds. I decided to hike here for sunset to avoid the crowds that gather at Tunnel View, it is a short but steep hike.

You will need a headlamp or torch if choosing to hike for sunrise, I actually walked into a deer at 5am on the trail (I panicked thinking it was a cougar!) This is one of the quieter trails in Yosemite – I didn’t see another person on the trail the whole time we were there.

There are two parking lots at Tunnel View, these do fill up especially for sunset. You can access the trailhead for Artist Point from the second parking lot thats furthest away.

Walk Through Sentinel Meadow

The next stop on this one day in Yosemite itinerary is Sentinel Meadow. The boardwalks at Sentinel Meadow are some of the best in the park to see Yosemite Falls. If you come here early in the morning, it’s usually quiet and you can enjoy the area without crowds.

By the time we arrived at Sentinel Meadow from watching the sunrise at Artist Point, it was around 7:30am – after taking some photos here, we made our way to Yosemite Valley Lodge, where we got coffee at the only Starbucks in the park (I couldn’t resist the Yosemite “Been There” mug!)

Stop At The Visitor Centre & Valley Store

If you continue along the Yosemite Valley Road loop, you’ll eventually come to the Visitor Centre and Village Store. I recommend stopping in here for a few reasons – You can pick up a map and parks guide from the visitor centre (Yosemite Valley is easy to navigate but a map always helps!) and you can also purchase some souvenirs or snacks from the Valley Store. There’s also a place to grab lunch here.

Lower Yosemite Falls

After visiting the Visitor Centre, take a short walk through Cook’s Meadows to Lower Yosemite Falls. You’ll be able to see Upper Yosemite Falls on the short walk through Cook’s Meadows! Once you reach the Yosemite Falls area, it’s an easy 1km round trip trail that leads to a stunning view of the waterfall.

Lower Yosemite Falls was the busiest area I visited during my recent trip, so be prepared to encounter crowds here. If you want to avoid crowds, early morning and late evening at the best times to visit. I was here at approximately 11am and it was very busy. This is also the hottest part of the day – so we actually went back to our hotel, hung out at the pool, and decided to return in the evening.

Valley View

Valley View is another viewpoint in Yosemite that is very similar to Tunnel View. I actually think this viewpoint beats Tunnel View – it was a lot quieter with less crowds, and I think the river in the foreground is so beautiful. I came here for sunset on my second day in Yosemite, but you can visit at any time of day and it’s just as beautiful!

Glacier Point

Glacier Point offers one of the most spectacular views in Yosemite National Park. Sitting at an elevation of 7,214 feet, it showcases an unparalleled vantage point of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the High Sierra peaks.

To reach Glacier Point, you can drive up Glacier Point Road and the viewpoint is at the very end. Once you reach the parking lot, the walk to the main viewing area is short and flat. There are also restroom facilities here.

Sunset at Taft Point

Taft Point has easily become one of the absolute favourite sunset spots in the world! This is a popular trail on social media, and it’s no surprise why – this place looks even more beautiful in real life.

The best time to visit, in my opinion, is sunset – this spot is perfect for it. This does mean hiking back as it starts to get dark, but the trail is quite short and we only used our headlamps for the last 5-10 minutes of the hike.

Taft Point is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite, so you should expect to see crowds, especially on weekends. It’s also one of the easier trails in the park with minimal elevation, which means it does get busy.

Reaching the trailhead for Taft Point is easy – after visiting Glacier Point (end of the road) turn around and drive back in the direction you came. After 4.1km/2.6miles you’ll reach the parking lot for Taft Point, there are two separate lots for this trailhead.

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👉 Best Time to visit Yosemite National Park

The best time to visit Yosemite National Park is during the summer months from June to September when all the roads within the park are open. This is peak visitor season however, and you should expect to share the park with others. Some areas, as mentioned already, will be busier than others.

Despite summer being peak tourist season, I found with the new reservation system, that exploring the park was much more enjoyable than I’d expected. I visited over the course of 4 days on a weekend in August, and found the crowds to be very manageable. It never felt over-crowded while I was in Yosemite.

If you plan to visit during the height of the summer season, I would highly recommend booking your accommodation as early as possible. There’s limited places to stay close to Yosemite, and the hotels close to the park entrances will be charging a lot.

Spring (April-May) and fall (October-November) also offer great weather, but with fewer crowds. But remember, the park can experience snowfall during these months. I have visited in March, when the park was still covered in snow, and it was seriously beautiful!

If I were to return to Yosemite, I think I would go around mid to late September. This is when temperatures drop, but the snow has yet to begin. The park also looks stunning at this time of year!

👉 Yosemite National Park Reservations

Now you know how to spend an amazing day in Yosemite, let’s talk reservations!

Due to the high demand for visits to Yosemite, you now need a reservation to enter the park during peak season. You can make reservations online in advance, and they are good for three consecutive days. If you show up without a reservation, you will be required to turn around by the park rangers.

Here are the times and dates when you need to book a reservation:

*** You will still be required to purchase an entrance pass, on top of the timed reservation, regardless of where you are staying.

👉 Where to stay in Yosemite National Park

If you can afford it, staying inside Yosemite National Park is the most convenient way to explore the park. The Ahwahnee is the most expensive, but I recommend the Yosemite Valley Lodge, which is right in the middle of Yosemite Valley. If you are on a cheaper budget, consider staying at one of the main entrances.

• Yosemite View Lodge: I’ve stayed here twice now, and this hotel is the cheapest option I could find (outside of camping) that is within 5 minutes of the park entrance. I’ve enjoyed both stays here, the rooms are super big, and I’ve had a great patio on the Merced River both times.
• Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite: The other hotel I would recommend that is just outside of the park is the Rush Creek Lodge at Yosemite. This is actually one of the newer properties to have been built near Yosemite in over 25 years! (Yes inventory is limited) This hotel is beautiful inside and out, and features a pool, hot tub, and s’mores in the evening!

👉 How To Get To Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is located in the western Sierra Nevada of Central California and is accessible by several major highways. Here are some common routes to reach the park:

• From San Francisco: This is the most popular route for the majority of visitors, unless you live in California and plan to drive. The drive takes approximately 3 to 4 hours without stopping. You can rent a car and pick up from SFO, or book transfer from San Francisco to Yosemite.
• From Los Angeles: Expect a 6 to 7-hour drive, predominantly via Interstate 5 North, which will take you through the South Entrance of the park.
• From Fresno: A 2-hour drive via Highway 41 North will lead you right to the South Entrance, making it one of the quickest routes from a major city.
• Public Transportation: Amtrak offers train rides to nearby cities combined with YARTS (Yosemite Area Regional Transportation System) buses that provide transport into the park from several gateways, including Fresno and Merced.
• Air Travel: The closest major airports are Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) and San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Both offer car rentals.

📌 Related Read: Yosemite or Banff – Which National Park Should You Visit?

👉 Entrances to Yosemite National Park

1. Big Oak Flat Entrance (Highway 120 West): West of the park near Groveland, CA. A good option if you’re coming from the San Francisco Bay Area.
2. Arch Rock Entrance (Highway 140): Located near El Portal, CA. Leads directly to Yosemite Valley, offering a scenic drive along the Merced River. Considered one of the more conveniently located entrances if staying along Highway 140. Besides Big Oak Flat, this is the entrance I recommend coming in through if you are coming from San Francisco. I have done the trip from San Francisco twice now, and entered through Arch Rock both times.
3. South Entrance (Highway 41): Near Fish Camp, CA, coming north from Fresno. Close to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and Wawona. Ideal for visiting the southern sections of the park and Mariposa Grove.
4. Hetch Hetchy Entrance: Northwest of the park, accessed via Evergreen Road. Leads to the Hetch Hetchy Valley and its spectacular reservoir and hiking trails.
5. Tioga Pass Entrance (Highway 120 East): Eastern entrance near Lee Vining, CA. Best route for those traveling from the eastern Sierra Nevada; note that this entrance is typically open only from late spring to early fall due to snow conditions.

👉 Commonly Asked Questions

Is one day in Yosemite enough?

No, I don’t think one day in Yosemite is enough – but if you are staying nearby for at least two nights, and spend an entire day in the park, you can still see lots! I think you need at least 2 days in Yosemite to really enjoy the park. I have seen the major areas of the park, including Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove, Tuolumne Grove, and Glacier Point Road – to see all of these areas would take around 3 days to fully enjoy it. And this is just scratching the surface of the park!

Can you see Yosemite without hiking?

Yes! The great thing about Yosemite National Park is that a lot of it can be seen without hiking. There are also some smaller hikes in the park that are great for beginners.

Is Yosemite really worth it?

Is Yosemite worth it? Yes! Yosemite is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. It’s popular for a reason, but I think everyone needs to see it at least once in their life.