A Weekend in Yosemite National Park – Top Tips & 12 Things to Do
Yosemite National Park is located in California in the Sierra Nevada mountain range, and first became a protected space in 1864. It attracts heaps of visitors every year with its crystal clear lakes, sharp granite cliff faces and giant sequoia trees. Yosemite was the second stop on our San Francisco to Los Angeles road trip, and I was blown away by everything the park has to offer. Though our stay was short, we packed a lot in, and left wishing we had more time to spend here. I have comprised a list of my personal highlights from the trip, as well as some general advice on fuel, park fees and wildlife. So, here are my 12 incredible things not to miss on a weekend in Yosemite National Park!
General Tips:
- Park Fees – Entrance to the park in a regular non-commercial car costs $35 for a seven day pass.
- Fuel Stations – Fuel gets a lot more expensive the closer to the park you get, so don’t leave it until the last petrol station you pass by. Also, plan ahead and bear in mind you’ll probably have to drive at least an hour to get to a petrol station when you need one.
- Bears – Yosemite National Park is home to hundreds of American black bears. Proper storage of food and other scented items such as toiletries is essential to avoid attracting them near to humans. Before you arrive in Yosemite, familiarise yourself with the parks advice on what to do if you encounter a bear during your stay. It is important to abide by the park’s food storage and bear encounter rules. If not, then bears can become aggressive and may have to be killed as a result.
Things to See and Do:
1. Camp Comfortably at Half Dome Village
For our weekend in Yosemite we decided to stay in Half Dome Village, which has since changed its name to Curry Village. We wanted to be comfortable without spending a fortune on a hotel, and that’s exactly what we got. We stayed in a canvas tent which could sleep five people. It was more permanent than a regular camping tent – sort of like a cabin but with canvas walls. It was very roomy as there were only three of us, and had plenty of blankets and a heater.
Outside the tent was a metal box with a lock for storing any food and scented toiletries in, so as not to attract bears and other wildlife to the tent. This certainly added to the thrill of the experience – it’s not a problem you face when camping in the UK!
Half Dome Village has great facilities; a convenience store, dining hall, cafe/bar, outside eating area with fast food, and even a swimming pool. The location is also incredible – in the valley directly in front of Half Dome Peak. I would really recommend staying here if you love the excitement of camping like I do – with the added luxury of a proper bed!
2. Go Hiking
Going on a hike is one of the absolute best things to do when spending a weekend in Yosemite. Yes, even if you’re an amateur hiker. With trails of all lengths and difficulties, there really is something for everyone! We hiked to Lower Cathedral Lake and back, which was a beautiful, scenic trail and wasn’t too difficult. You can also continue on this trail to Upper Cathedral Lake, but we read that the second leg was a lot steeper so we chose to turn back.
3. Look Out Across Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows is a beautiful vast open space located at around 8000ft. It has a river, as well as beautiful views of the surrounding peaks. There are several hiking trailheads beginning in this area, including the Cathedral Lakes hike mentioned above.
4. Relax on the Merced River Bank
Just a short walk from Half Dome Village, there is a small sandy beach area on the bank of the Merced River. This is the perfect spot to relax in the sun, and cool off in the river on a weekend in Yosemite. Particularly after a long day of hiking! Better yet, this miniature beach has beautiful views of the surrounding mountains in every direction.
5. Visit El Capitan Meadow
El Capitan Meadow is a gorgeous green meadow stretched out beneath the 3000ft giant rock wall that is El Capitan. This meadow is very easily accessible from Half Dome Village, located just off the Northside Drive. El Capitan meadow is the perfect spot to stroll, have a picnic, or watch the sunset from on a weekend in Yosemite.
6. Cool Off in Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake is a beautiful high-elevation lake located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. It’s crustal clear blue water is perfect for swimming in, and it’s surrounded by a stunning mountain backdrop. We came across this lake by chance when driving down the Tioga Road, and were blown away by how beautiful it is. Tenaya Lake is a place you won’t want to miss on your weekend in Yosemite.
7. See Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in Yosemite, which drops over 2,400ft in total. The falls is made up of three sections, and can be seen from various places around Yosemite Valley, including Glacier Point. You can also reach its base with a short hike on a clearly-marked trail. Yosemite Falls is one of the most well-known and highly frequented sights of Yosemite. However, there are also many other waterfalls in Yosemite – even just in Yosemite Valley alone. Seeing a beautiful waterfall is another great activity to add to your weekend itinerary.
8. Pull Over at the Viewpoints
Stop at the all the viewpoints on the sides of the roads! There are many small car parks and viewpoints along the roads in Yosemite. From these you’ll get to see famous peaks from different angles, as well as beautiful views of the valleys from high up. Some of my personal favourite viewpoints were Olmsted Point and Tunnel View. Olmsted Point is located near to Tenaya Lake, and has views of the northern side of Half Dome. Tunnel View has views of Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall, and is a scene which was made famous by photographer Ansel Adams.
9. Half Dome Peak
Half Dome is one of the most well-known and iconic sights of Yosemite National Park. It is an enormous granite dome located at the eastern end of Yosemite Valley. Half Dome’s distinct shape – one sharp flat face, the rest smooth and rounded – makes it recognisable from all angles. This incredible peak can be seen from numerous points all over the park, such as Tunnel View and Olmsted Point scenic viewpoints, and Glacier Point, just to name a few. There is also a hike to the top of Half Dome, but it is famous for being extremely strenuous, and challenging for even experienced hikers. It’s best to leave the 17 mile trail to the experts, and instead enjoy stunning views of Half Dome from a safe distance.
10. Drive to Glacier Point
Glacier Point is a viewpoint on the southern wall of Yosemite Valley, and one of the best viewpoints from which to see Half Dome. It is located very close in distance to Yosemite Village, however the drive takes around 1 hour 15 minutes minimum, without traffic. The road is very narrow and winding, with steep drop-offs alongside for most of the journey, so it’s better to take your time. We were advised that Glacier Point is more of a sunrise activity, which I wish we also had had time to fit into our itinerary. However, we only had enough time to drive up to Glacier Point for sunset, and I couldn’t be more glad that we did this.
The view of Half Dome and the surrounding valley glowing pink was truly spectacular and something I will never forget. This was my personal highlight of the entire trip to Yosemite. Watching the sunset from Glacier Point is a spectacle not to be missed on a weekend in Yosemite National Park!
11. Walk Amongst the Giants at Mariposa Grove
Mariposa Grove is located in the south of the park, and is home to more than 500 mature giant sequoia trees. The Mariposa Grove is a really popular sight in Yosemite, so it’s better to arrive early in the day to ensure you get a parking space. There is then a free shuttle bus service to take you from the car park at the entrance to the grove itself. I loved visiting the grove, seeing these incredible giants for myself, and learning about how the park protects them. Pictures don’t do justice to how big they actually are in person! Pay attention to the rules displayed on the signs and stick to designated walking areas. Walking closer to the trees than permitted can cause damage to their roots.
12. Stop and Stargaze
Visiting somewhere as remote as Yosemite, you should definitely not miss the opportunity to stargaze at night. On the drive back from Glacier Point after sunset we pulled over into one of the viewpoints to look at the stars and were left speechless by how many you could see!
I hope you enjoyed this list of 12 things not to miss on a weekend in Yosemite National Park. If you’d like to find out what else we got up to on this trip, you can read my other posts:
- San Francisco to Los Angeles Road Trip – 10 Day California Itinerary
- How to Travel 4 Hawaiian Islands in 4 Weeks
Thanks for reading!
Abbey x
