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Yosemite National Park
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Yosemite National Park

El Capitan, Half Dome and Giant Sequoias

Plan this trip
2 daysIdeal stay₹17,120From / night₹4,760Food / day₹11,410Entry

Yosemite Valley's granite walls, El Capitan and Half Dome, with Yosemite Falls and Bridalveil Fall at their fullest from April to June; Tunnel View, the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias, and Glacier Point's view over the valley (its road closes from about November to May). Tioga Road across the high country opens only from late May or June until the first big snow in November. No entry reservation in 2026, but non-US residents pay the US$100 surcharge on top of the entrance fee. Rooms in the valley sell out a year ahead; Mariposa, Oakhurst and El Portal are the nearest towns. About four hours' drive from San Francisco.

Highlights

  • Tunnel View at sunset
  • Lower Yosemite Fall walk
  • Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
  • Glacier Point (summer and autumn)
  • Mariposa Grove of giant sequoias
  • El Capitan Meadow
  • Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows (summer)

Things to do

  • Yosemite Valley loop: Tunnel View, El Capitan, Bridalveil FallMorning · 4h
  • Mist Trail to Vernal FallMorning · 4h
  • Lower Yosemite Fall and Cook's MeadowAfternoon · 1h 30m
  • Mariposa Grove of giant sequoiasAfternoon · 3h
  • Glacier Point sunsetJun–OctEvening · 2h 30m

Tours & tickets

Tours & tickets in Yosemite National Parkvia GetYourGuideTours & tickets in Yosemite National Parkvia Klook

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When to go

Best time: May – October

Worth knowing

Wildfire Season

Late summer and autumn are California's wildfire season: fires and smoke can close parks, roads and wineries at short notice, and dry autumn winds (Santa Ana, Diablo) bring power shut-offs. Check the CAL FIRE incident map and air quality (AirNow) each morning, and keep plans flexible.

Worth knowing

Tioga and Glacier Point Roads Closed

Tioga Road (Highway 120 across the high country to Tuolumne Meadows and Mono Lake) and Glacier Point Road close with the first heavy snow, usually in November, and reopen from late May to June. Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove stay open all year; carry tyre chains from November to March, as rangers can require them.

Heads up

Summer Crowds in Yosemite Valley

There is no entry reservation in 2026, so on summer days rangers hold traffic at the entrances when the valley's car parks fill. Enter before 9 am and use the free valley shuttle.