Taft point
Yosemite National Park holds a very special place in my heart. It was the first national park I ever camped in and I’ve made it a point to come back many times since, seemingly addicted to its grandeur. This Yosemite 2 day itinerary will include what I believe to be the best spots in the National Park including hiking trails, view points, and campgrounds.
Please note, that I will have a separate blog post for the Half Dome Trail and it will not be included in the itinerary below.
Start your first day in Yosemite Valley, the heart of Yosemite national park. The valley itself is a 7 mile canyon, encompassed by towering granite cliffs and cascading waterfalls. Many will spend the entirety of their Yosemite trip in this valley, as there is so much to see.
When exploring the valley, you have the option to drive, walk or bike, stopping off wherever you wish to spend a little more time. I’ve found that packing a picnic and eating in the meadows is a beautiful alternative to sitting in one of the restaurants for lunch.
El Capitan meadow
Some stops I would suggest include:
Bridalveil Falls
Trail length: 0.5 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 80 ft.
Approximate time needed: 30 minutes
Trail Difficulty: Very Easy
On your way out of Yosemite Valley, make a stop at 600 ft. Bridalveil Falls, famous for the mist it gives off when the wind blows. (Resembling a Bridal veil) This trail is a short 0.6 miles each way and is best seen in the late spring, when snowmelt is at its peak.
Trail length: 0.6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Approximate time needed: 30 minutes
Trail Difficulty: Very Easy, paved
Glacier Point is one of the most iconic view points in the National Park and is a must see on your Yosemite 2 day itinerary. To get there you will drive up above the valley along glacier point road and walk up a short paved trail to the overlook.
Glacier Point
Once arrived, you will be greeted with panoramic views of Half dome, Nevada falls, Vernal falls and the valley floor. My favorite time to visit Glacier Point is late afternoon, when the crowds and harsh light have dwindled.
Taft point at sunset
Trail length: 2.2 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: 200 ft descent from trail head to Taft Point.
Approximate time needed: 1-2 hours
Trail Difficulty: Easy
To end your first day, head back down the road to Taft point, my favorite place in the entire national park for sunset. This quick 2.2 mile trail (roundtrip) begins by wandering through a seemingly unremarkable forest. Then, before you know it, the trail opens up to a granite cliff’s edge towering above Yosemite Valley.
With no guard rails, you are free to get as close to the edge as you dare. [Note: be sure to bring a headlamp for the hike back out to your car.]
As darkness falls around you, head back down to your campground. The campgrounds in Yosemite Valley are definitely the most convenient as they are close to the village stores and showers.
Consequently, these campgrounds are the hardest to obtain permits for. Be sure to check recreation.gov a few months prior to reserve your spot.
Yosemite Falls
Trail length: 0.5 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: Minimal
Approximate time needed: 30 minutes
Trail Difficulty: Very Easy, paved
Start your 2nd day of your Yosemite 2 day Itinerary bright and early exploring Yosemite falls. At over 2400 ft. high, Yosemite falls is the tallest waterfall in North America and you can easily take a short quarter mile hike right to the base of the lower portion. The Yosemite falls trail is always packed but it’s one of those that are worth braving the crowds for.
Vernal Falls
Trail length: 7 miles to out and back to Nevada falls, 3 miles out and back to Vernal Falls
Elevation Gain: 1,900 ft to Nevada Falls, 1,000 ft to Vernal Falls
Approximate time needed: 4-5 hours
Trail Difficulty: Moderate
The mist trail is Yosemite National Park’s signature hike and a must see for anyone visiting Yosemite for the first time. Not only does the trail take you past two magnificent waterfalls, it’s also filled with unique scenery through its entirety.
Mist Trail
With bridge crossings, trail windings and granite staircase climbing, this 7 mile round trip hike is well worth the effort.
I would allow for at least 5 hours on this trail if you plan to go up to Nevada Falls. (It’s worth it!)
Once you’ve completed your hikes for the day, head over to the most iconic view point in Yosemite National Park, Tunnel View for sunset. On occasion, hues of pink will paint as the sun is setting. A view so picturesque, it will give your screensaver a run for its money.
Tunnel View at sunset
Note: You will want to arrive quite a bit early as the parking lot is almost always full and you will usually need to wait for someone to leave before getting a stall.
El Capitan under the moonlight
If you’re not too tired and happen to visit when there is a new moon, Tunnel view and the meadows in Yosemite Valley often provide an incredible view of the milky way.
Taken from Tunnel View
Grab a blanket, a jacket and your camera to see for yourself!
If possible, I would highly recommend staying within the national park. This will allow you to start earlier, end later and waste way less time driving in and out each day.
Upper Pines Campground
This is a great option for those who want a camping experience but do not own the gear or for those who do not want to sleep in a tent. It is also very close to many of the major attractions in the park.
No. Yosemite national park did implement a vehicle permit system between May 20 and September 30 2022 during peak hours due to a major construction project on glacier road. Glacier road is set to re-open in spring of 2023.
As most people will say, anytime is a great time to visit Yosemite. Personally, my favorite month to visit has been late May, once glacier point road opens. In late spring, you get the strongest waterfalls with cooler temperatures and moderate crowds. My least favorite month to visit is July and August due to the insane traffic and congestion in the valley. There has also been significantly more bugs when I’ve visited in the peak of summer.
Interesting fact: 75% of Yosemite’s 4 million visitors will come between the months of May and October. Majority of them will not venture out of Yosemite Valley.
El Capitan
I would say Yosemite National Park is most known for its granite monoliths, Half Dome and El Capitan. Half dome, a landmark in the park, is a massive granite dome with one sheer face, giving off the appearance of a dome cut in half. El Capitan is a vertical rock face on the west end of Yosemite Valley, popular amongst rock climbers.
Sentinel bridge
Ideally you would want to spend 2-3 full days exploring Yosemite National Park to see its most iconic viewpoints and hiking trails.
Must see viewpoints in Yosemite National Park include Valley Floor Loop, Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Taft Point.
Exploring Yosemite Valley
With towering peaks and vertigo inducing valleys, Yosemite National Park is the perfect weekend getaway for those looking to disconnect. If you have any other recommendations for a Yosemite 2 day itinerary let me know in the comments below!
Photos were taken in Collaboration with Matt Tonokawa
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