Top 10 Things to Do in Yosemite National Park

At 1,169 square miles, Yosemite is a big park—so big that it can be daunting for first-time visitors. Here are the top places to go and things to do in the park.

Alpine Lakes

Tioga Pass Road offers access to Cathedral, Gaylor, Sunrise, May, and Elizabeth Lakes. The Eastern Sierra features Virginia Lakes and the June Lake Loop.

view of tenaya lake from above
Tenaya Lake. Photo © Tom Grundy/123rf.

Bicycling

Ride the Yosemite Valley bike paths. In the Eastern Sierra, mountain bike the Panorama Mountain Trail near June Lake or head to Mammoth Mountain Bike Park.

Backpacking

From Tuolumne Meadows, hike to Ten Lakes and Grant Lakes or the Vogelsang Loop. In Hetch Hetchy, backpack to Rancheria Falls. In Wawona, follow the Chiquito Pass Trail.

Fishing

Try the South Fork Merced River in Wawona, or the South Fork of the Tuolumne River along Tioga Pass Road. In the Eastern Sierra, fish at Saddlebag Lake or Conway Ranch.

Giant Sequoias

Wawona’s Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is king. Along Highway 120 are the quieter Merced Grove (near Big Oak Flat) and Tuolumne Grove (near Crane Flat).

hiker surrounded by giant sequoias in yosemite
Congress Trail. Photo © Ann Marie Brown.

Hiking

Yosemite Valley’s Yosemite Falls, Mist, and Half Dome trails are crowded and popular. In summer, hike Tuolumne Meadows’ Lembert Dome or Dog Lake trails.

Horseback Riding

Yosemite Valley Stables, Wawona Stables, and Tuolumne Meadows Stables offer guided horse and/or mule rides.

Rock Climbing

Take a lesson from Yosemite Mountaineering School and Guide Service.

Scenic Drive-To Overlooks

Glacier Point (at the east end of Glacier Point Road), Inspiration Point (at Wawona Tunnel), and Olmsted Point (on Tioga Pass Road) offer jaw-dropping views.

forest and lake under hills and mountains in yosemite
The view from Olmsted Point wows drivers on Tioga Road. Photo © Ann Marie Brown.

Waterfalls

Bridalveil Fall and Lower Yosemite Fall are easily accessible via short walks, or take a longer hike to Vernal and Nevada Falls.

yosemite map with markers for top things to do
Highlights in Yosemite National Park.