1 Day in Yosemite National Park: The Perfect Itinerary

My first trip to Yosemite as an adult was a whirlwind. I was trying to see as much as possible in a single day. And I was completely overwhelmed by the endless options – stunning waterfalls, iconic viewpoints, and miles of hiking trails – while traveling with my family who preferred more leisurely sightseeing.

Since then, I’ve been to Yosemite in every season, with trips ranging from 2 to 7 days. I’ve hiked in every main region of the park, spent 30+ nights camping, backpacking, and staying in hotels, and yet… I still haven’t seen it all.

But I have figured out what’s worth prioritizing. And in this post, I’ll share the perfect 1-day itinerary for Yosemite National Park so you can experience its most spectacular spots without the stress of planning it all yourself.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or just short on time, this guide will help you see the absolute best of Yosemite in one unforgettable day.

Yosemite Day Trip Itinerary – Quick Reference

• 6:00 am: Sunrise at Valley View (30 mins – 1 hour)
• 7:30 am: Hike the Mist Trail (2.5 – 3.5 hours)
• 11:30 am: Cook’s Meadow & Sentinel Bridge (30 mins)
• 12:00 pm: Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (30 mins)
• 12:45 pm: Yosemite Museum (1 hour)
• 1:45 pm: Lunch in El Capitan Meadow (1.5 hours)
• 3:15 pm: Bridalveil Fall (15 mins)
• 3:45 pm: Tunnel View (15 mins)
• 4:30 pm: Hike to Taft Point (1.5 hours)
• 6:30 pm: Sunset at Glacier Point

Best Time to Visit Yosemite For a One Day Trip

You could visit Yosemite in any season and have an amazing time. But, if you want to really make the most of your trip, I’d recommend visiting in the late spring – summer.

This itinerary does include places on Glacier Point Road, which is a seasonal road. It usually opens sometime between late-April and mid-May (depending on the snow year and road repairs), and closes sometime between mid-October – November, depending on the first major snowfall.

Personally, late April – June are my favorite months to be in Yosemite Valley. The days are longer, not too hot yet, and the waterfalls are flowing strong! It’s also not as crowded as mid-summer.

If you’re planning to visit in the winter months (which I also highly recommend), I also have a Yosemite winter itinerary for you.

One Day in Yosemite Itinerary – Hour by Hour

I’m assuming you have one full day in Yosemite, meaning you arrived in the evening on day zero, or pre-sunrise on the day you are exploring. There’s so much to see, so I am stuffing your day full of the best Yosemite activities!

Note that I’m basing sunrise & sunset times based on mid-summer – you may have to adjust this based on when your trip is.

1. Sunrise at Valley View Viewpoint

Approx. time: 6:00 – 7:00 am

Valley View is one of my favorite viewpoints on the valley floor.

While everyone runs to Tunnel View for sunrise, head over to Valley View for a quieter experience. You’ll have a great view of El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall.

Be aware, the parking lot is very small here, so try to get here early!

Photography tip: This viewpoint is right on the Merced River, and the river is slower and quieter in the morning, so a better chance at a reflection photo. This area is also shaded, photographers may want to bring a graduated ND filter to handle the lighting situation.

2. Best Yosemite Day Hike: The Mist Trail

Approx time: 7:30 – 11:00 am

From Valley View, drive on Southside Drive. I’m going to recommend parking in the main village parking lot vs. the trailhead parking lot for the Mist Trail because you’re more likely to find parking here now vs. later in the day after your hike on the Mist Trail.

From the village parking lot, you’ll take the free park shuttle to stop #16 – Happy Isles. Make sure you get on the East Valley Shuttle vs. the Valleywide Shuttle or you’ll be on the shuttle for a while.

Hiking the Mist Trail in the early morning hours ensures a less crowded hike, and I highly recommend doing it this way because I think it can be a little frustrating later in the day with everyone going both directions on the steep Mist Trail steps.

You have a few options with the Mist Trail. I would highly recommend doing the full loop up to Nevada Fall on the Mist Trail, and then descend on the John Muir Trail back to the trailhead. This is 6.5 miles with 2,200 feet of elevation gain.

If you want something a bit shorter, do the Vernal Fall – Clark Point Loop. I highly recommend doing this at the very least because the view of the fall from Clark Point is amazing! This hike is 4.5 miles with 1,600 feet of elevation gain.

Please stay safe on this hike. Always stick to the main trail, and never enter the water at Emerald Pool or Silver Apron above Vernal Fall. The river is sneakily swift and strong here and there have been multiple deaths in this area.

Pro Tip: you might want to wear a rain jacket on this hike in the late spring – early summer when Vernal Fall is raging!

3. Short Hike: Cooks Meadow Loop

Approx time: 11:30 am – 12:00 pm

After hiking the Mist Trail, it’s time to enjoy the views from the boardwalks at Cook’s Meadow. You’ll take the Valleywide Shuttle to stop #6 – Lower Yosemite Falls.

Here you’ll have the chance to wander the meadow, and take in views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Sentinel Rock.

Hike to Sentinel Bridge to admire Half Dome and the Merced River, then use the boardwalks to get back to Lower Yosemite Falls.

4. Short Hike: Lower Yosemite Falls

Approx. time: 12:00 – 12:30 pm

The trail to Lower Yosemite Falls is short and paved, and just across the road from Cook’s Meadow.

This is your chance to get up close to the falls. But be careful – you may see people climbing the big boulders beneath the falls and I would not recommend doing this. There have been numerous search & rescue missions due to people falling here on the slick rocks and seriously injuring themselves. Stay safe and stay on trail.

5. Visit the Yosemite Museum & Village

Approx. time: 12:45 – 1:30 pm

From Lower Yosemite Falls, you’ll walk on the paved sidewalk to the Yosemite Village area. You can swing by the Museum to learn about Yosemite’s geologic and native history, stop by the bookstore to pick up some souvenirs, and visit the Ansel Adams Gallery.

Then grab some food at the Village Store or Degnan’s Deli to go and hop back in your car.

6. Picnic Lunch in El Capitan Meadow

Approx time: 1:30 – 3:00 pm

Drive over to El Capitan Meadow with your lunch. There’s lots of parking along the road.

Here is the perfect place to take a breather and relax while eating your lunch after a busy morning of hiking and walking! Make sure you stick to the designated paths and open areas within the meadow and avoid trampling live plants.

Pro tip: bring binoculars if you have some! It’s always fun to try to find climbers working their way up the routes on El Capitan.

7. Bridalveil Fall

Approx time: 3:15 – 3:30 pm

After lunch, drive over to Bridalveil Fall. It’s a short walk from the parking lot to the base of the fall. You really feel like you’re right underneath this waterfall when you get to the end viewing point!

Like Lower Yosemite Fall, stay on trail and don’t climb the slick rocks.

8. Tunnel View: A Must-See Viewpoint

Approx time: 3:45 – 4:00 pm

After your short hike to Bridalveil, venture up the road to Tunnel View. I think the late afternoon is one of the best times to enjoy this view.

Give yourself a few minutes here to really take it in and enjoy!

Pro tip: Parking can be difficult here, but most people are only staying for a few minutes to look at the view. Hang tight and circle around a bit – you’ll get a spot eventually!

9. Hike Taft Point & The Fissures

Approx time: 4:30 – 6:00 pm

From Tunnel View, you’ll drive ~30-40 minutes up Glacier Point Road to hike to Taft Point. The Taft Point hike is 2.3 miles with 350 feet of elevation gain.

This is one of the most beautiful and easiest hikes in the park! And is best done in the early morning or evening for the most beautiful lighting over Yosemite Valley.

If you’re running short on time though, with a heavy heart I say skip Taft Point and go straight to Glacier Point for sunset. And then start planning a slightly longer trip to Yosemite for even more fun next time! 😉

10. Sunset at Glacier Point

Approx time: 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Sunset at Glacier Point is one of the best ways to experience Yosemite. Sure, you could stay at Taft Point too, but watching the face of Half Dome glow in the sunset is truly magical.

If you’re up for an even longer day, you can hang out at Glacier Point after sunset and watch the stars come out and the Milky Way take over the sky.

Adjustments to the Itinerary

Sunrise & Sunset

I used mid-summer sunrise and sunset times for timing on this itinerary. So if seeing sunrise or sunset is important to you, make sure you check the times when you are visiting!

There is a lot of buffer time in this itinerary around the Yosemite Village – lunch time, so if you have to shorten time at all, I’d recommend doing it here.

Hike Alternates

There are so many hikes in Yosemite! I chose the Mist Trail because I think it has the highest bang for your buck. But here are some other options in case you’ve already hiked the Mist Trail.

• Easier hike: Mirror Lake Loop or Columbia Rock Trail
• Harder hike: Upper Yosemite Falls

What to Know Before You Go: Beginner Tips

Entry Fees

It costs $35 to enter Yosemite in a car. This entry fee is good for three consecutive days in the park.

I usually recommend everyone get an America the Beautiful Pass if you plan to visit more than one National Park site per year. It’s $80 and valid for an entire year. You an buy one at the park or in advance at REI.

Day Use Reservations

Day use reservations are required during certain times of the year. They work by allowing you to reserve entry into the park for a three-day time period, and you can freely come and go from the park in those days. You can’t enter the park between 6:00 am – 2:00 pm without a reservation.

• You can reserve entry reservations beginning May 6, 2025 on recreation.gov.
• More reservations will be available 7 days in advance of your entry date.
• Reservations are needed for 2025 on these dates:
• May 24 – 26, 2025: Between 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
• June 15 – August 15, 2025: Every day between 6:00 am – 2:00 pm
• August 30 – September 1, 2025: Between 6:00 am – 2:00 pm

If you have a lodging, camping, backpacking, or hiking permit reservation within the boundaries of Yosemite, you do not need a separate day use entry reservation.

If you take the public transportation, YARTS, or a guided tour, you do not need an entry reservation.

Parking

I mentioned it above, but it’s worth mentioning again. Parking in Yosemite Valley can be a nightmare. I recommend parking in the main visitor center parking lot and taking the free shuttle around the valley.

But if that parking lot is full, or not where you want to park, there are a couple other larger day use lots by the Yosemite Valley Lodge and Curry Village.

Weather

In general, Yosemite is warm to hot in the spring and summer!

However, rain is always a possibility in the mountains, and Yosemite is known for afternoon summer thunderstorms.

I recommend dressing in layers for your trip to be best prepared for the elements!

Hiking Tips & Permits

Because Yosemite can get deceivingly hot, make sure you bring enough water on all of your hikes. I recommend having at least 2 liters in your pack to hike the Mist Trail, but your water needs might be different than mine.

It’s always better to overpack water to be safe rather than sorry! And honestly, there isn’t a ton of easily accessible running water on many of the Yosemite Valley hikes, so you can bring a water filter along, but it’ll probably be easier to just carry all of your water.

The only day hike that requires permits in Yosemite is Half Dome. But if you’re reading this one day itinerary, I’m sure you don’t have time for Half Dome anyways since it’s a 16 mile hike that takes all day!

Admire Half Dome from afar and make a promise to yourself that one day you’ll get permits to hike to the top of this amazing formation!

Leave No Trace

It is so important for us to Leave No Trace when we visit beautiful places like Yosemite.

Leave No Trace means you:

• Don’t litter (even orange peels or apple cores)
• Stick to designated trails
• Do not interact with or feed wildlife
• Plan ahead and prepare for trips
• Be courteous to other visitors.

Learn more about Leave No Trace here.

Tips For Visiting Yosemite With Limited Time

Use the Shuttle System

The free shuttle is such a valuable service in Yosemite! I always recommend you use it because otherwise, parking can be a nightmare! Plus, I love the shuttle because the drivers are a wealth of information about the park.

Note that there are two shuttle lines. The Valleywide shuttle goes to all of the stops, and the East Valley shuttle only circles the eastern side of the valley – between the visitor center area and hiking trails and campgrounds at the end of the valley.

The free shuttle only operates in Yosemite Valley between the El Capitan crossover junction and the Mist Trail area.

Avoid Backtracking in the Valley

As you’ll see, the valley roads are nearly 100% one-way. There are a few places you can cross over to avoid driving the entire loop: the El Capitan crossover and Sentinel Bridge.

While the valley may not look that big on a map, it’s actually pretty long and takes a while to drive from one end to the other, so if you are jumping all around the valley, your drive time is going to go way up, which means spending less time enjoying being outside.

The itinerary I’ve planned here does not involve backtracking with your car because I’ve been there and had my fair share of jumping all over the place – backtracking is no fun.

Beat the Crowds

Yosemite is one of the most popular National Parks – for good reason! I think the best way to experience Yosemite is getting an early start to the day, which is why I’ve recommended a sunrise activity in this itinerary.

I will admit though, most of my recommendations on this list will be incredibly popular and crowded – especially in the summer! But the earlier you can get out and start hiking, and the later in the evening you stay out, the less people you’ll see.

What to Pack For a Yosemite Day Trip

Luckily, you don’t need too many things if you’re just visiting Yosemite for the day! But I will recommend a few items because you will be hiking!

• The Ten Essentials for your day hiking pack
• Hiking sun shirt: I love a good sun hoodie for wicking sweat and sun protection! >This one is my go-to.
• Hiking bottoms: Whatever you feel best in! Shorts, pants, leggings. Just make sure they’re sweat wicking and quick-drying. >I love these shorts.
• Hiking shoes: I’m a big fan of trail runners since they’re comfortable to wear all day, super breathable, and still have excellent grip for granite trails in Yosemite. >These are my favorites.
• Fleece jacket: I love a fleece jacket to wear when it’s cooler in the morning and evening. Plus, it’s more breathable than a puffy jacket, which I appreciate for all-day adventures! >This is my favorite active fleece.
• Rain jacket: Rain is always possible in the mountains – even in the summer! Don’t let a little rain ruin your trip to Yosemite. Make sure you’ve got a decent rain jacket to keep you dry & hiking. >I recommend this one.
• Backpack: Gotta have a pack to keep all your gear and essentials in! >This is one of my most tried-and-true day packs.
• Hydration Bladder: This is key for staying hydrated while out hiking all day! >This is a great option.
• Trekking poles: These are so helpful on steep hiking trails – like the ones in Yosemite! >These are my top picks.
• SOS device: I always recommend everyone carry a satellite SOS device when they’re hiking and backpacking. They are so useful and can really help you if you injure yourself out on a hike and don’t have cell service or your phone dies. >I use the Garmin inReach mini 2.

Apps to download:

• AllTrails+ – use code “backcountryemily30” to get access to offline maps for 30% off!
• National Park Service App – download Yosemite National Park for offline access!

Where to Stay in Yosemite

While it’s possible to visit Yosemite as a day trip from the SF Bay Area or Central Valley, I highly recommend staying at least one night near Yosemite to maximize your time in the park. Because this itinerary focuses on Yosemite Valley & Glacier Point Road recommendations, I don’t recommend the Tuolumne Meadows area or Lee Vining/ Mammoth Lakes as those are much further away.

I usually plan to get to my accommodations the night before, then have the entire next day to explore. I’d try to stay the night again just so you don’t have a long drive home at night.

My top lodging recommendations are always the hotels inside the park so you don’t need to worry about getting day use reservations or driving long distances into the park. You can also car camp overnight in the park at multiple campgrounds, but these need to be reserved well in advance.

• Curry Village
• Yosemite Valley Lodge
• The Ahwahnee

If all the park lodging is booked, I’d recommend looking in the gateway towns of Groveland, El Portal, and Fish Camp. See the map below to search for lodging that works best for your budget and needs.

FAQs For A First Time Day Trip

Think a Guided Tour Might Be Better For Your One Day in Yosemite?

If you don’t want to worry about driving yourself to and around Yosemite, a guided tour might be what you’re looking for! I have never done a tour of Yosemite, but these are some reputable options bookable through GetYourGuide.

Plan Your Epic Yosemite Day Trip

I hope this itinerary helps you make the most of your 1 day in Yosemite National Park! Bookmark this post so you can easily access it during your trip, and share it with fellow adventurers who are planning their own Yosemite day trips. And let me know in the comments below if you found this guide helpful! Happy hiking and sightseeing!

Want More Curated Advice For Your Trip to Yosemite?

Book a 25-minute call with me on Outdoorable! We can talk about your unique needs and preferences and you’ll get a printable & shareable post-call summary with an included map. Use code “schrick10” for $10 off!

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