Best Day Hikes in Yosemite You Can’t Miss
Yosemite National Park is located in California’s Sierra Mountains and is known for it’s iconic granite domes, gushing waterfalls, and scenic alpine landscapes. This park is also home to a plethora of hiking trails. If you love a good day hike then Yosemite is the place for you! Keep reading for a list of the best day hikes in Yosemite that do not require an additional permit.
In June of 2021, Randy and I spent a month living and working remotely from the small town of Jamestown in the foothills of California’s Sierra’s. Located only an hours drive away from the park’s entrance, we were able to spend many days exploring the majestic granite landscapes of Yosemite. During our time in the park, we were able to find what we believe to be the 12 best hiking trails in Yosemite National Park.
Is your trip to Yosemite a part of a larger trip to California? You may also like these articles:
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When to Visit Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park is wonderful year-round. You can visit Yosemite 12 months out of the year and have an epic time.
However, I think the best time to visit is in the summer or early fall months (late May – October), this is when you’ll have the best chances of visiting when all areas of the park are open and accessible. During the summer months, the temperatures can be very high, especially at the lower elevations. But this is when the Tioga Road that leads to Tuolumne Meadows is most likely to be open to visitors.
If you’re interested in sticking primarily to the Yosemite Valley area (the most popular part of the park) then I highly recommend you visit in the spring before the crowds become too heavy and the waterfalls are at their peak. April and May would be the best months for this.
Fall and winter are also special in Yosemite. So you really can’t go wrong with any time of year.
What to Pack for Day Hiking in Yosemite
1. Good Hiking Shoes
Yosemite is the land of granite domes. But it also makes for some pretty rocky trails.
When hiking around Yosemite, it’s super important to wear sturdy hiking shoes or sandals on the trails. I wear brands like Merrell Moab 2 Mid Ventilator, Teva Universal Trail (trail sandal), and Timberland Mt. Maddsen Mid Waterproof. My husband, who is very prone to ankle injuries, wears Salomon X Ultra Low GTX and swears by them.
I love being able to switch between a solid hiking boot and a trail sandal with excellent traction on the easier hike. I’m very prone to blisters and having different shoes to change into makes a world of difference.
2. Water Bottle & Hydration pack
Yosemite gets HOT during the summer months, we experienced a few 90 + degree weather days. So it’s important to stay hydrated on hiking trails.
To keep your drink extra cold, go with a Hydroflask, which is vacuum-sealed and keeps your liquids cold for up to 24 hours. If you’re looking for something a bit more lightweight, go with the traditional Nalgene.
On longer hikes, fill up your Ospry Hydraulics Reservoir to keep your water easily accessible & hands free. My favorite day pack that accommodates a hydration bladder is the Osprey Mira 22 Hydration Pack.
3. Trail Snacks
A lot of the popular trails in Yosemite will take you a few hours so make sure you bring enough energy-boosting food to get you through the day.
Some of our favorite trail snacks are the traditional PB&J, grapes, trail mixes, Go Macro Bars, and RX Bars.
4. Sunscreen and Insect Protection
The sun in Yosemite is INTENSE. Protect yourself from the sun with sunscreen. This Sun Bum sunscreen is so light and easy to fit in your pack. Also, it’s super protective against the sun. It’s also reef friendly, so save it for your next trip to the beach!
In addition to sunscreen, make sure you protect your face with a sun hat. I really enjoy wearing this Vintage Style Cap from Amazon. It has tons of colors to choose from, I’ve been loving the yellow.
Sunglasses are never a bad idea, either.
Insect repellent is another essential item to pack, ESPECIALLY if you plan to hike at the higher elevations in early summer. As the snow melts, the areas near Tuolumne Meadows can become wet and marshy, thus attracting a horrid number of mosquitos and other insects. We made the unfortunate mistake of not bringing insect repellent to Elizabeth Lake and could not bare to sit at the lake for more than 30 seconds because of the mosquitos.
Don’t ruin your day hike by forgetting to pack bug spray! I now carry this Travel-Size Protector Insect Repellent in my backpack on every hike so I don’t get caught without it.
5. Lightweight & Moisture-Wicking Clothes
Make sure to choose moisture-wicking clothing (aka NOT cotton), to pull the sweat away from your body and stay cool and dry while hiking.
These Icebreaker T-Shirts have been a favorite of mine recently, they’re excellent at keeping you dry. And the best part is that they don’t stink even after a long sweaty day on the trail!
6. Lots of Layers
Depending on when you visit Yosemite, you may encounter cooler than expected temperatures. Especially during an early morning or late evening hike. Don’t forget to pack a jacket for your trip to Yosemite.
Best Hiking Trails in Yosemite
You’ll find that I’ve separated these hiking trails by easy, moderate, and strenuous. Each of the easy hikes have very little elevation gain and a couple of them are even paved trails. The moderate hikes are a bit longer but have less than 1000 feet in elevation change. And the strenuous hikes are the longest trails with over 1000 feet in elevation gain.
Best Easy Hikes in Yosemite
Lower Yosemite Falls
- Trail Length: 1.2 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 59 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Yosemite Valley
The trail to Lower Yosemite Falls is a loop and is nicely paved, an easy walk, and is perfect for all ages and abilities. The trail is conveniently located on the Yosemite Valley floor but that can also lead to lots of crowds. Try to visit around sunrise or sunset for the best chances of visiting with fewer crowds.
Although this trail can become easily overcrowded, the views of Lower Yosemite Falls up close are simply incredible and shouldn’t be missed on your visit to Yosemite.
After hiking the Lower Yosemite Falls trail, consider adding on the Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail.
Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail
- Trail Length: 1.1 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: negligible
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Yosemite Valley
Located across the street from Yosemite Falls, this easy and paved hike pairs well with the Lower Yosemite Falls trail but it is significantly less crowded. The break in the trees in Cook’s Meadow provides amazing views of the valley, Yosemite Falls, and Half Dome.
I believe Cook’s Meadow has some of the best scenic and photography opportunities out of everywhere else in Yosemite Valley. This easy trail would be the perfect place to watch a sunrise or sunset.
Keep your eyes out for wildlife as it’s a popular place for deer and other creatures!
Mirror Lake
- Trail Length: 2.3 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 147 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Yosemite Valley
Another easy trail option in Yosemite Valley is Mirror Lake. Although the name can be a bit deceptive, Mirror Lake isn’t much of a lake. It’s more of a creek that will swell after rain or when the snow at higher elevations is melting.
Mirror Lake is another great spot for views of Half Dome and it’s neighbor North Dome.
On hot summer days, Mirror Lake becomes very crowded with families who are trying to escape the heat by swimming or wading the in the waters of Mirror Lake. So if you’re also looking for a refreshing break from the heat, Mirror Lake may be the place for you. But if you’re looking to escape the crowds, visiting on a cool evening may be more your style. Either way, Mirror Lake is absolutely beautiful and is very easy to access from the valley floor.
Taft Point
- Trail Length: 2.3 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 374 feet
- Difficulty: Easy
- Trailhead Location: Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Trailhead, Glacier Point Road
One of the most iconic photo locations in Yosemite National Park is Taft Point and it’s actually pretty easy to get to. The trailhead is located off of Glacier Point Road so I’d recommend stopping here on your way to or from Glacier Point (which can’t be missed on your visit to Yosemite, trust me).
The trail is fairly easy and flat for the majority of the hike before descending over 300 feet to an incredible lookout of Taft Point. You’ll have to regain the 374 feet on your way back to the trailhead but it’s worth it.
On your way to Taft Point, look out for the Fissures, very deep but narrow chasms that can be seen from the trail.
If you get lucky, you may even get to watch a few slackliners daring to walk a rope across a chasm with a more than 1,000 foot drop below them. This area is a popular recreation area for slackliners, who have got to be some of the most fearless people out there.
The ledge at Taft Point is one of the most photographed spots in Yosemite National Park. And yes, I made my husband walk out on the ledge for a photo because I could not. So, enjoy the above picture of Randy who was much more brave than I was.
Best Moderate Hikes in Yosemite
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
- Trail Length: 3.0 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 1000 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Happy Isles
If you only do one hike in Yosemite National Park, this should be it. The Mist Trail completely blew me away with it’s beauty and grandeur. In the spring and early summer when the snow is melting at higher elevations, the water from Vernal Falls is cascading so forcefully that the entire area is blanketed in a cool and refreshing mist.
If your hiking in the cooler Spring months, consider bringing a rain jacket to stay dry and warm. But if you’re visiting in Yosemite during the hot summer months, forget the rain jacket and fully embrace the misty conditions. Either way, you will be getting wet.
The foliage in this area is some of the greenest in the entire park. The Mist Trail really gives incredible rain forest vibes that will blow you away.
Although the climb up to Vernal Falls is roughly 1,000 feet and the majority of the trail is a steep climb, it is all paved. After climbing 500 feet of elevation on the Mist Trail, as you reach the bottom of Vernal Fall you’ll be greeted with 500 stairs to the top of the waterfall. And while the view from the top of Vernal Fall is great, don’t rush to the top because the section of trail near the bottom of Vernal Fall is definitely the most impressive.
Sentinel Dome
- Trail Length: 2.2 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 250 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead, Glacier Point Road
On my list of trails to hike next time we visit Yosemite is Sentinel Dome! Sentinel Dome shares a trailhead with Taft Point and we were very much looking forward to completing this hike with Taft Point but after one really long day in the sun, we were too tired to do both trails. So we decided to save Sentinel Dome for next time!
But you should definitely hike to Sentinel Dome on your trip to Yosemite! While standing in line to use the pit toilet at the trailhead, I chatted with a couple of ladies that said the views from the top of the dome were simply amazing. So, take their word for it and add Sentinel Dome to your list!
By combining Taft Point and Sentinel Dome trails into one hike, you can make a very nice 4.4 mile hike. Both of these trails would be a fantastic option for watching the sunset.
Dog Lake
- Trail Length: 3.2 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 600 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Tuolumne Meadows
The Tuolumne Meadows area of Yosemite National Park has so many amazing alpine lakes and Dog Lake is one of the most popular. Despite its name, you can’t actually bring your furry friend on this hike. Dogs are still only allowed on paved trails in the park.
Dog Lake is the perfect spot for an afternoon swim to cool off from the hot summer weather in Yosemite. Although the water is a bit chilly, many people still jump in anyway. It’s also the PERFECT spot to cool off after a hike up Lembert Dome (the next trail on this list) because of their proximity to each other.
The climb up to Dog Lake can be rather steep in sections but the lake at the end is 100% worth it.
This hike can be started from either the Dog Lake Trailhead or the Lembert Dome Trailhead. We started from the Lembert Dome Trailhead and from here keep your eyes peeled to spot climbers on the super prominent granite dome.
Lembert Dome
- Trail Length: 3.7 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 850 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Tuolumne Meadows
If views are what you’re after, you will not be disappointed with the views from the summit of Lembert Dome. The views from the top of this prominent feature are of Tuolumne Meadows below. You’ll be able to see for miles and miles with granite mountain peaks in every direction.
You’ll start your hike from the Dog Lake Trailhead in Tuolumne Meadows. From there, the trail climbs swiftly through an alpine forest. Follow the signs towards Lembert Dome at the Dog Lake split off (if you choose, head to Dog Lake next for a refreshing swim in an alpine lake). From the split off, it’s about another mile to the summit of Lembert Dome. The last roughly quarter mile is spent walking and then scrambling over the massive granite dome to the top.
Lembert Dome is a fantastic option if you’re looking to escape the crowds in Yosemite. We saw three other hikers the entire time we were on this trail and felt like we had the dome to ourselves. Lembert Dome is also a great option if you were unable to obtain the super-competitive Half Dome permits and are craving a Yosemite granite dome experience. The trail is a lot shorter and easier than the iconic Half Dome but the views from Lembert Dome don’t disappoint.
Like I mentioned already, Lembert Dome and Dog Lake are very close together and make a fabulous trail pair.
Elizabeth Lake
- Trail Length: 4.8 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 900 feet
- Difficulty: Moderate
- Trailhead Location: Tuolumne Meadows Campground
If you’ve been following our adventures for any amount of time, you know that I’m a real sucker for alpine lakes. What’s better than a clear fresh water lake up in the mountains? I’ll wait…
Elizabeth Lake is absolutely no exception. This lake is gorgeous!
The only downside? The mosquitos. If you caught it earlier in our Yosemite day hiking packing recommendations, I mentioned how horrid the mosquitos were when we visited Elizabeth Lake. So horrid that we were there long enough to take this one picture and no longer. I’m not kidding, I don’t think we were there longer than 30 seconds. So pack insect repellent and don’t make the same mistake that we did.
Mosquitos are very common in this section of the park in early summer because of all of the snow melt and wet conditions. You’ll find a lot of standing water this time of year. So don’t forget the bug spray.
But regardless, Elizabeth Lake is definitely worth the trip.
The trail starts from the Tuolumne Meadows Campground. The 900 foot climb is a workout but there are also a few flatter sections of the trail that are very enjoyable and scenic. At the top, there is a river crossing so if it’s early summer you may get wet.
Best Strenuous Hikes in Yosemite
Nevada Fall via Mist Trail
- Trail Length: 7 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,900 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Yosemite Valley
First things first, the above picture of Nevada Falls is taken from the Glacier Point Lookout and not from the Nevada Falls Trail. But I felt like it still shows how massive and powerful Nevada Falls is. Although I really wanted to hike to Nevada Falls, we didn’t have the time (or energy) after hiking all of Yosemite’s other amazing trail but this one is #1 on my list for next time and I’m already looking forward to it!
Nevada Fall can be added on to the Mist Trail and should. After reaching the top of Vernal Fall, hikers will climb another 900+ feet to reach Nevada Fall. This hike is categorized as strenuous but has amazing payoff at the end.
If you’re looking to do some waterfall chasing in Yosemite National Park, you have to hike this two-for-one hike and see both Vernal and Nevada Falls.
Upper Yosemite Falls
- Trail Length: 7 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 2,700 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Yosemite Valley
Another incredible waterfall trail that I so desperately wish that we had time to hike. From this trail you’ll see phenomenal views of Yosemite Valley from above and get views of Middle Yosemite Falls and Upper Yosemite Falls.
Upper Yosemite Falls trail is probably the most strenuous hike on this list with the greatest elevation gain. The trail climbs over 2,700 feet to the very top of Yosemite Falls. Parts of this trail are known for being very sheer and narrow with very dangerous drop-offs more than 1,000 feet. The combination of how strenuous this trail is along with the steep drop-offs makes this trail not fit for the faint of heart. But if you’re willing to take on the challenge, you won’t be disappointed!
An alternative trail option for reaching the top of Yosemite Falls is the Yosemite Creek Trail located off of Tioga Road. This 12 mile trail option is much longer but only climbs 700 feet. Making it a longer but easier alternative to reaching the top of the fall. If you take this route, you also will not have to contend with the sheer and steep conditions on the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail. So it’s a better option if you’ve got a fear of heights. But if you like to live on the wild side, maybe take the spicier option and stick with the original route.
Cathedral Lakes
- Trail Length: 7 miles round-trip
- Elevation Gain: 1,000 feet
- Difficulty: Strenuous
- Trailhead Location: Tuolumne Meadows
Cathedral Lakes is your typical alpine lake hike. You’ll spend the first 3-miles in a heavily wooded forest only to ascend out into a lovely alpine meadow for the last small stretch of trail. The climb is tough but definitely do-able for most hikers.
This hike can either be done as a day hike or an overnight backpacking trip. We obviously did it as a day hike but saw many backpackers on the trail who were planning to stay overnight up at the lake.
Cathedral Lakes is one of the more popular hikes in the Tuolumne Meadows area but there was still plenty of room to spread out and feel like you have the place to yourself.
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