Spending three days in Yosemite National Park will allow you enough time to really enjoy and explore the park, its adventurous side as well of course all its beautiful sights. Here is my guide to make the most of your time in this stellar place.
Whether you are hiking, biking or shooting some of the most epic sights, this guide will ensure that your visit to Moab is unforgettable. The scope of Yosemite, from it’s monumental trees to it’s grand stone bluffs is a wonder that can only be completely understood with your own eyes.
Top things to do at Yosemite in 3 days A complete itinerary for spending a weekend: three full days at the top sites I can tell you from my firsthand experience visiting multiple times before, so start with this large overview of all your options here
With the exception of when we were in Yosemite, We took a whirlwind 9-day tour through Northern California with Globus Travel. It was easy and problem-free, allowing us to see all the highlights in just a few days.
Essential Information for Your Yosemite Visit
Your researching it is a plus! This is especially true, when planning a trip to Yosemite. The biggest thing to know may be having a reservation in order to get into the park. This is something that often needs to be booked a week or two ahead of time because you can not sign up at the last minute.
However, we had booked our through Globus so it was organized for us.
You will need to book a spot if you choose camp at the park. If you plan on backpacking, then what I described above is known as a wilderness pass. Permits are available online here.
There is one thing missing at the park and that are shuttles but wait for you, because YARTS regional transit services very well in fact this a type of transportation which requires reservations cancelations, no person will meet without reservation.
Once again, our booking with Globus took care of all this for us so we did not have to worry about the myriad rules and amendments that were happening throughout.
Note if you are there during fire season the air can be smoky occasionally.
Why Visit Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is not only the most amazing place but also plays a crucial role in the history of nature protection in the USA. It has been a protected area since 1864 and is famous for its waterfalls.
However, the 1,200 square miles park offers much more – deep valleys, vast meadows, ancient giant sequoias, rough wilderness, and remnants of glaciers. Wildlife is abundant, and while in the park, you will surely meet bears, coyotes, and various bird species. Located in the Sierra Nevada mountains range, you will be stunned by the tall redwood sequoias.
The story of this park began long before European settlers came to America. Inhabited by Native Americans, they lived here way before it was decided to be preserved. Later, in 1864, it was the first step made by President Lincoln to preserve wildlife, and the example was soon followed by creating a national park of Yellowstone.
A trip to Yosemite is not only an excellent adventure but a great example of how important it is to preserve the environment.
Yosemite’s Highlights
- 200+ miles of roads
- 20 miles of bike paths
- 849 buildings
- Two glaciers
- Countless waterfalls
Must-See Spots in Yosemite
- El Capitan
- Half Dome
- Mariposa Grove
- Yosemite Falls
- Hetch Hetchy Valley
Where to Stay in Yosemite
A few years ago, we finally visited Yosemite after my aunt planned a family trip to the area; accommodations ARE everything! Besides, the choices in the park usually are costly. Yosemite Valley Has lodges, campgrounds and cabins.
It is actually one of the most luxurious and, i must admit, also lavish which means expensive hotel If you prefer more rustic accommodations, the park has campgrounds and cabins available as well with reservations being required far in advance.
Best Time to Visit Yosemite National Park
Ideal time to Visit: Summer season but from June to September; weather in summer will include smokey days from wildfire. Summer days will be longer.
However, winter in Yosemite creates a serene environment coupled with fewer visitors, but the park can also close in some sections because of the snowy weather. Spring and fall is also a perfect time of the year when waterfalls are flowing, with fewer people visiting.
3-Day Yosemite National Park Itinerary
As you begin to think of your trip to Yosemite consider the amount of time that is realistic for this vacation. If you are visiting just for one or two days, modify the itinerary to fit your timeframe (though we found 3 was right amount of time.)
Yosemite can be challenging to get into the line of cars waiting at the entrance kiosk will give you an initial impression! Be sure to reserve in advance or if you are with a company such as Globus they will organize everything for you.
Day 1: Exploring Tioga Pass Road
Our day started on the breathtaking Tioga Pass Road, where we drove up to 10k feet! Take this 39-mile drive to experience some of the best Yosemite has to offer.
We stopped at Olmstead Point for these beautiful views, and a far away sighting of Half Dome. It is one of the signature landmarks on which Yosemite National Park depends, it’s distinct shape evident in other outdoor photograph. It has lots of parking and is a great place to stop with photos.
From there we drove on up into Tenaya Lakes via Tioga Pass. I found slivers of sandbank along the lake’s edge and could not help but walk into it, my feet blending in with those clean waters. If you want to make a journey on the water, then doing some boating across the lake is ideal.
You can rent a bike if you wish to explore further. There are rentals in Yosemite, a lot of them (Yosemite Lodge rental spots). The ride through the valley can be crowded, but is a great way to explore the park. Oh, and remember the helmet they are mandatory!
Day 1 Continued: Iconic Views and Hidden Gems
The Ahwahnee Lodge was one of the more memorable stops we made. Its exterior is impressive, but the real showstopper are it’s massive dining halls inside. We road to Swinging Bridge after strolling around and took in some views of Half Dome one last time before heading back.
Be sure to stop by the charming and sweet Yosemite Valley Chapel that makes for great picture taking! Another favorite photo spot, Valley View, (below) offers a spectacular view including Bridalveil Falls which was just a trickle during my summer visit.
We ended the day at Tunnel View, Its massive size provides a commanding view of the valley, El Capitan, Half Dome and Bridalveil Falls all visible at once. It’s a must see stop.
Hiking enthusiasts, don’t miss out on the Mist Trail. Take the shorter hike to Vernal Fall Footbridge for great views, or go a bit further up 5.5-miles round-trip to the top of Nevada Fall (it’s much more difficult).
Tenaya Lodge — a charming lodge about 45 minutes outside of Yosemite Valley. After a long day, this is the perfect hangout spot with all top notch restaurants, pool and well equipped rooms to soother your tired muscles from being active in Yosemite.
Day 2: Ansel Adams Photography Tour and El Capitan at Sunset
And after we seen some of Yosemite’s best parts, We had such a fantastic time doing the unforgettable Ansel Adams photo tour. This was one of the trips we could have taken through globus, a yosemite wuksachi lodge and photography trip that really made me see Yosemite in another light. If you get a chance, I would highly recommend it!
If you are heading through this park, I cannot recommend the tour enough for a highlight of Yosemite. The world-renowned photographs of Ansel Adams made an important contribution to the elevation of Yosemite’s stature as a national park. During the brief but informative stroll, our guide told tales of Adams’s life and work as well as imparting tips on some methods he employed to get certain shots from his best-known photos. We did not lose the chance to click a couple ourselves and had so much fun taking pictures in a new neighbourhood as beautiful.
If you want to learn more about him, the Ansel Adams Gallery in Yosemite is there for those looking into his deeper work and contribution.
We later watched fearless climbers scale El Capitan’s sheer granite face as the day waned. One of the most unmistakable natural features in Yosemite, this iconic formation is a stony sentinel that guards over its surroundings. It can be seen for miles, and the size is breathtaking. El CapitanThis is one of the most cliche photos in Yosemite, but also to be expected; at sunset El Cap frequently gets a beautiful golden light that sets it aglow, surrounded by patches where only rock reach out for miles (besides Muir atop Powell Dome).
The biggest granite monolith in California, El Capitan seems to increase and likewise end up being progressively stronger the closer you get till it strikes you that anybody might climber this thing somehow. Yet, that has not stopped climbers from scaling its mean-looking facade. We had binoculars, and we marveled as they climbed up into the sky. The first aid climb of El Capitan’s Nose was made in 1958 by Warren J Harding, Wayne Merry and George Whitmore using ropes fixed with pitons.
Recommendation: Spend at least a few days in Yosemite, since the weather can be somewhat unpredictable. Things like fog, clouds or even smoke during wildfire season can affect visibility so having extra days scheduled means being more flexible.
Day 3: Exploring the Sequoia Giants at Tuolumne Grove
I set off today to hike around Tuolumne Grove and be awed by the enormous sequoia trees. The oldest of these behemoths can be over 3,000 years old and are the tallest trees on Earth. Sequoias have been symbols of strength and resilience for centuries. Indeed, the significance of these towering trees holds spiritual metaphors for many Native American cultures. Throughout their long lives, the sequoias have endured countless forms of adversity: changing climates, flooding rivers and fire—all while sustaining repeated generations of harvests by humans hoping to clear-cut them.
The hiking trail in the grove gives you access to these majestic trees up close and personal. You can also stand and walk inside the skeleton of one! The trail is around 3 miles with a relatively steep incline on the way back up, so be sure to get some exercise!
Sequoia groves are scattered about Yosemite, the three most famous being Tuolumne Grove, Mariposa Grove and Merced Grove. Mariposa Grove, with its approximately 500 trees (many of which are amongst the largest in all three groves) and famous Big Trees Loop hiking trail that takes you up close-and-personal to these GIANT giants.
Make sure to find time whilst sightseeing, for these remarkable trees they are truly amazing.
Planning Your Yosemite National Park Adventure
If you are gearing up for a trip to Yosemite National Park and searching for ways on how best you can use your time there, we recommend that begin with some of the breathtaking waterfalls and enter straight into the heart of iconic rock formations. But make sure to pause at Glacier Point, or Half Dome Village for some unencumbered views of the grand landscape Yosemite is.
For those staying longer than three days, less popular areas like Tuolumne Grove are worth a visit. These more serene areas of the park provide another contrast to developing an understanding about the extent this magnificent country contains.
I also trust this guide will enlighten you with the countless opportunities that one of America’s best national parks offers.
