The Most Exciting Yosemite 2-Day Itinerary → by a Local

It’s no secret that California is dwelling to a few of the most lovely nationwide parks within the nation. From the tallest and most majestic timber on the planet in Northern California to the world’s hottest deserts in Southern California, there’s one thing someplace for everybody.

One nationwide park that you just’ll completely need to cross off your bucket listing is Yosemite National Park. Yosemite is some of the well-liked nationwide parks within the nation, probably the most lovely UNESCO World Heritage Site, with thousands and thousands of holiday makers admiring the surroundings and wildlife every year. And, fortunate for you, I’m right here to provide the whole breakdown of what it’s best to do the following time you spend 2 days in Yosemite National Park.

I’ve lived in California my complete life and have gotten fairly good at mapping out my journeys to nationwide parks and totally different cities so as to take advantage of out of my time and have the most effective journey potential.

In this submit, I’ll be sharing an entire Yosemite 2-day itinerary for the following time you intend your journey. Follow alongside and let me know when you have any questions within the remark part beneath!

Let’s get began!

If you’re in a rush

2 days in Yosemite requires a number of excursions of the highlights across the park. Here are a pair I recommend reserving upfront to avoid wasting your spot in your brief keep:

And listed here are the most effective leases: Family Farmhouse (luxurious), Sierra Meadows (mid-range), Jackass Hostel (funds)

Explore all of your choices in our detailed information on the place to remain in Yosemite!

Everything you must know

Before you begin planning your journey to Yosemite National Park, it’s necessary to maintain a number of issues in thoughts.

Yosemite National Park isn’t close to an enormous metropolis the place it’s straightforward to land and drive over everytime you need. It’s so necessary to plan the place you’re touchdown, the way you’re attending to the park, and all of the logistics forward of time to make sure your journey goes easily. Here’s an inventory of the closest airports:

Merced – 2 hours to Yosemite

Fresno – 2 hours and quarter-hour to Yosemite

Sacramento – 3.5 hours to Yosemite

Oakland – 3 hours and 45 minutes to Yosemite

San Francisco – 4 hours to Yosemite

Reno – 4.5 hours to Yosemite

How to get across the park

If you’re flying, I recommend touchdown in Merced or Fresno and renting a automotive to get to the park and/or navigate the realm. If you’re utilizing your automotive across the park, spend money on a self-guided auto tour and keep away from getting misplaced and/or losing any time.

If you like to take a seat again and loosen up, take the public transportation going from Merced Highway 140 to Yosemite National Park. It takes about 2 hours and 40 minutes to get there, which is a bit longer than simply driving there. Because you solely have 2 days in Yosemite National Park and it’s simpler to get round, I recommend driving!

Once you lastly arrive, you’ll be able to park your automotive and use the free shuttle system in Yosemite National Park that permits you to get round conveniently! There are 2 shuttles:

• The Valleywide Shuttle serves all stops all through your entire Yosemite Valley, together with lodges, meals service, campgrounds, and trailheads. The buses will come and go each 12 to 22 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM.
• East Valley Shuttle is proscribed to Yosemite Village, Curry Village, Pines Campgrounds, and trailheads on the japanese facet of Yosemite Valley. The buses come and go each 8 to 12 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM. There are restricted routes ONLY accessible later in the summertime.

Where to remain

The most inexpensive lodging are going to be in Merced or Fresno, as effectively! I recommend reserving a trip dwelling like this one and utilizing your automotive rental to get to the park, a few hours away. If you need to keep within the park itself, I recommend staying at Ahwahnee Hotel, situated straight subsequent to the customer heart, or the Yosemite View Lodge, situated minutes away from the park entrance.

What to convey

When you pack on your journey, there are some things you completely have to convey.

• Comfortable mountain climbing sneakers
• Sunglasses
• Sun hat
• 50+ SPF sunscreen
• Reusable water bottle
• Trail snacks and meals
• First-aid package
• Compass
• Your most comfy mountain climbing backpack to hold the whole lot!

The objects you pack will differ relying on the time of 12 months you go to Yosemite and the kind of actions you select to discover from this Yosemite 2-day itinerary, so you should definitely cater your packing listing accordingly.

When to go to

Speaking of the time of 12 months…. My favourite time to go to Yosemite National Park is throughout the later fall and early winter. I recommend going throughout that point as a result of it’s not as sizzling exterior, and also you get a glimpse on the gorgeous fall foliage, crisp air, really feel a bit of little bit of snow coming in, and also you’ll see the magical flowing waterfalls.

Important issues to recollect

Lastly, keep in mind to remember the fact that Yosemite National Park is protected by the National Park Service, so it’s important you respect the setting by not abandoning any trash and/or something that might hurt the park and its animals. Don’t feed the wildlife (not even the squirrels!), and test the web site forward of time for sure closures and up-to-date info!

Alright, now you’re able to go! 🥾

Day 1

On your 1st day in Yosemite, you’ll be exploring your entire valley! Put in your mountain climbing boots and prepare for an eventful day.

Here’s a map of your 1st day of the Yosemite 2-day itinerary and all of the locations it’s best to go to:

1. Start your day on the customer heart

First issues first… espresso! If you’re staying in a close-by metropolis, go to your native Starbucks earlier than heading out to the park and seize a cup of joe to arrange for the remainder of your day.

I additionally recommend heading to your native grocery retailer and stocking up on snacks and a fast meal you’ll be able to pack in a lunchbox. The eating choices on the park aren’t the most effective and are usually overpriced and crowded. Avoid that by packing a lunch upfront!

Once you embark in your journey through automotive or bus to the park, cease on the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center to assemble all the data you’ll want for the following 2 days in Yosemite. Grab a bodily park map (and obtain the NPS app beforehand for an interactive map, and straightforward offline use), and rise up to hurry with the present path situations.

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center can also be an awesome start line as a result of there are many rangers there glad to reply any questions you might need beforehand, many reveals and shows of Yosemite National Park’s ecosystems and human historical past, and even a theater the place you’ll be able to watch an introductory movie concerning the park’s pure and cultural historical past.

You may get all of your permits (if you happen to want them) right here, and store for Yosemite National Park memorabilia on the bookstore and reward store. Hold off on shopping for something but because you simply received right here – however you’ll be able to maintain it in thoughts and are available again!

2. Head over to Lower Yosemite Falls and Cook’s Meadow Loop

Once you’re all outfitted and able to depart the customer heart, take a stroll over to Lower Yosemite Falls and start your 1.2-mile (1.6 km) hike to the long-lasting waterfall. The hike is mostly a brief stroll with a really slight incline to start with after which flattens out midway via.

Once you get to your vacation spot, you’ll discover a waterfall surrounded by lush vegetation (or snow relying on the time of 12 months you go to!) falling from about 320 ft (98 km).

Note that Lower Yosemite Falls is without doubt one of the hottest and iconic pure sights within the park! That means you’ll discover many guests making their technique to the waterfall and snapping their pictures on the backside of the cascade.

Snap a photograph or two and head as much as Upper Yosemite Falls, Middle Cascades and Lower Yosemite Falls to finish the whole lot of Yosemite Falls when you have the time. However, because you’re solely staying for two days in Yosemite, you would possibly need to skip it for now and are available again one other time to finish the journey!

If you do have time and/or resolve to go to once more, listed here are a few waterfalls you would possibly need to cease at:

• Vernal Fall is a part of the Merced River Canyon, dropping 317 ft (97 m) to the bottom. Mist Trail takes you to the autumn so I recommend sporting the right mountain climbing gear if you go to, and put together to be sprayed by mist alongside the way in which!
• Nevada Fall is neighboring Vernal Fall! It can also be situated alongside the Merced River, dropping about 594 ft (181 m) to the bottom.

After you snap your pictures by Lower Yosemite Falls, make your means again down and a straightforward 5 minute strolling distance detour to Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail for one more lovely viewpoint of a few of the park’s most iconic sights: Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Half Dome and Sentinel Rock!

It’s one other brief hike (about 2 mi or 3 km) round, taking about 40 minutes from begin to end. Stop and benefit from the view alongside the way in which and breathe within the crisp, recent air when you get to the tip. The scenic views are thoughts blowing and effectively well worth the stroll!

TIP: need to guide a tenting journey and actually immerse your self in the great thing about Yosemite’s pure wonders? You can plan upfront right here. Otherwise, I recommend reserving an superior group tenting journey when you have an additional day to spare and need to have all 3 days deliberate out beforehand for you!

GROUP CAMPING PRICE: from US$630 per particular person

Join a tenting journey

3. Have a picnic in Yosemite Valley & watch a waterfall cascade

Remember that lunch you packed? It’s going to come in useful now that you just’re most likely hungry! There are a number of nice picnic lunch areas I recommend stopping at:

• Sentinel Beach Picnic Area: this picnic space is situated alongside the Merced River, the Sentinel Dome Trail and a 24-minute stroll from Cook’s Meadow Loop. There are additionally grills accessible for public use! It’s a first-come, first-served space and it will get fairly busy so maintain that in thoughts!
• Yosemite Village Picnic Area: it is a 15-minute stroll from Cook’s Meadow Loop with probably the most lovely surroundings and loads of picnic tables to select from. I recommend strolling over to this space because it’s a shorter stroll away and gives views simply as lovely as the primary choice.

I recommend bringing a cooler. I’ve been utilizing it a ton currently and I completely like it. It has a lot room and retains the whole lot good and funky, which is wonderful, particularly throughout the summer season.

After you end your lunch, take your free shuttle to the Bridal Veil Falls Trail for a brief stroll in the direction of the gorgeous Bridal Veil Falls. You get an up-close and private view of the waterfall at 620 ft (189 m tall) and take a peek on the humongous El Capitan and snap a photograph by Yosemite Valley View close by!

Again, it’s necessary to test for closures forward of time to make sure you’re not losing any time, as you’re crunching a ton of actions for two days in Yosemite and also you need to be sensible.

NOTE: if any trailheads are closed, take a go to to Tunnel View for a preferred roadside overlook of the valley and mountains! Tunnel View doesn’t require any mountain climbing so it’s a simple spot that’s nice and simply accessible to everybody.

4. Watch the sundown on the well-known Glacier Point

My private favourite viewpoint in all of Yosemite National Park must be Glacier Point. You get panoramic views of the mesmerizing Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, High Sierra Peaks, and the Yosemite Falls if you happen to come throughout the wintertime! Visiting Glacier Point is the cherry on high to an ideal 1st day in Yosemite.

You’ll need to drive or take the shuttle over right here because it’s a bit distant from the opposite spots you’re visiting in your 1st day. If you do drive, remember the fact that visitors will get SUPER busy and congested on this space and it’s troublesome to search out parking.

I do suggest taking the shuttle from the place you’re and solely utilizing the automotive to get out of the park on the finish of the day. It’ll make your parking state of affairs means much less irritating and also you gained’t be losing a second worrying about the place to park.

I recommend pulling out your path combine and having fun with the view along with your family members, snapping some pictures that may final you a lifetime, and taking within the second. Yosemite is surreal and you actually really feel that if you’re at Glacier Point!

If you have got 1 hour to spare, take a hike to the well-known Mirror Lake in Tenaya Creek through the Mirror Lake Trailhead. It’s a wonderful 2-mile (3 km) stroll ranging from the valley flooring and also you’ll get tremendous near the bottom of Half Dome.

You gained’t have time to hike Half Dome on this brief Yosemite itinerary, however I do recommend it if you happen to’re an avid hiker and are available again one other time. It actually is a must-do factor in Yosemite!

Here are a few different issues to see close by when you have extra time to spare earlier than the tip of your day:

• Taft Point gives panoramic views of El Capitan, Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and the peaks of the Sierra Nevada Mountains straight forward.
• The iconic granite Sentinel Dome overlooks the valley at about 8,120 ft (2,475 m)!

And identical to that – your 1st day in Yosemite National Park is over! Head again to your automotive or bus cease, make your means again to your rental, and get some relaxation as a result of we’re heading to the countryside for day 2!

NOTE: if all of this seems like an absolute blast however you’ll be able to’t plan all of it by your self, I recommend reserving a full-day group tour! The tour information will decide you up out of your Oakhurst or Fresno lodging and take you to all the most effective spots I discussed (plus, others too).

I’ve personally achieved this tour and couldn’t suggest it sufficient. It can get so overwhelming being in Yosemite Valley and not using a clue of the place you’re so reserving a tour will assist relieve that stress!

TOUR PRICE: beginning at US$190 per particular person

Book your handy day tour

Day 2

Ready on your 2nd and closing day in Yosemite Valley? The 2nd day will probably be a bit of extra relaxed with a extra quiet countryside really feel. Grab your digital camera and let’s get began!

Here’s a map of the locations you’ll go to on day 2.

1. Make your technique to the south entrance and go to the sequoias

Grab some protein bars out of your rental’s nearest grocery retailer and make your technique to the south park entrance and head to Mariposa Grove for the world-famous large sequoia timber. The large sequoias are the world’s largest timber by quantity so it’s undoubtedly one thing to tick off your bucket listing!

Take the Grizzly Giant Loop Trail and also you’ll discover the well-known Grizzly Giant (believed to be wherever between 1,800 and a pair of,700 years previous) and the California Tunnel Tree about 328 yards or 300 m away. If you’ll be able to’t get sufficient of the sequoia timber, go to Tuolumne Grove and Merced Grove for extra of those wonderful timber.

The large sequoias are fairly removed from the excessive nation of Yosemite, so I solely suggest doing this when you have a number of hours to spare and/or need to skip anything on this listing. The final time I used to be in Yosemite, I didn’t get an opportunity to go to the timber because it’s fairly a drive away.

2. Head to the northeastern excessive countryside of Yosemite

After you get a second with the world’s oldest timber return up north in the direction of Tuolumne Meadows for the excessive countryside of Yosemite. The 2-hour drive is an expertise in itself – make certain to cease and snap pictures alongside the way in which. I recommend beginning your 2nd day early to make it in time for a picnic lunch on the Tuolumne Meadows.

Once you make your means via the Tioga Pass and arrive, head to the Tuolumne Meadows customer heart to get all the data you want on your 2nd day. Grab one other map, learn up on all of the close by path situations, and ask all of the questions you have got for the on-site rangers earlier than embarking in your journey as soon as once more!

Then, you’ll be able to lastly get pleasure from your picnic on the lovely Tuolumne Meadows. You’ll have gorgeous views of the alpine greenery and rivers as you loosen up at their picnic space and prepare for a extra chill day in Yosemite National Park.

For the last word picnic expertise, listed here are a number of areas I recommend testing:

• Tuolumne Meadows Picnic Area is supplied with picnic tables and restrooms so that you can eat and loosen up!
• Tioga Pass Entrance Area you’ll discover if you enter the Tuolumne Meadows from the Tioga Pass entrance. There are nice spots there the place you’ll be able to cease for a picnic. It’s not fairly as well-liked and also you’ll want a blanket nevertheless it’s nice for {couples} to have a quiet lunch out within the countryside.
• Lyell Fork on the Tuolumne River with a variety of peaceable resting factors alongside the way in which the place you’ll be able to sit by the water and have a picnic with none interruptions!

3. Spend the afternoon at Lembert Dome and the encompassing space

After lunch, I recommend stress-free for a bit on the meadows earlier than heading on over to the Lembert Dome Trail for a 3.7-miles (6.1 km) climb up the mountain. The hike often takes wherever between 1.5 – 3 hours so put together and don’t go too exhausting on your self after simply having your lunch!

The path begins close to the Tuolumne Meadows customer heart and follows a path surrounded by wildflowers throughout the blooming season! Once you make it to the highest, you’ll discover panoramic views of the encompassing excessive nation and Tuolumne Meadows and Sierra Nevada Mountains, vistas which might be fantastic for pictures and simply soaking in Yosemite’s pure magnificence.

The path is made from a granite floor so watch out if you’re mountain climbing up the mountain as it will possibly get slippery and harmful. I recommend packing mountain climbing boots with a robust traction sole. I’ve been utilizing these Zamberlan mountain climbing boots – they’re SO gorgeous, made with real leather-based and final you a lifetime. It’s an actual funding in your self if you happen to’re out there for brand spanking new mountain climbing boots!

Once you make your means down, your 2nd day is coming to an finish so it’s time to unwind on the shores of Tenaya Lake. If you’re not prepared to relax out simply but, head over to the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead beforehand and take a stroll up the path to admire the lake’s panoramic views and greenery in all places you flip. End your hike with a leisurely stroll alongside the lake or perhaps a swim!

The largest distinction between this lake and Mirror Lake is that Tenaya Lake is situated within the countryside with a bit of bit much less vacationers and guests surrounding the realm. Oh and don’t overlook to convey your mosquito spray whilst you’re right here!

Watch the solar set behind the mountains close to Tenaya Lake, make your means again to your trip rental, and know that you just simply had the final 2 day weekend in Yosemite! Well achieved!

FAQs about your Yosemite 2-day itinerary

Conclusion

Phew! That was rather a lot! Now that you’ve your Yosemite 2-day itinerary prepared, you’re prepared on your Yosemite weekend journey.

I hope you loved studying this two-day-in-Yosemite itinerary as a lot as I loved writing it! I’m right here when you have any questions or feedback the following time you go to Yosemite, so simply depart me a remark or questions beneath.

And don’t overlook to guide all of your reservations and excursions upfront to avoid wasting you from the headache of planning or getting misplaced. (You’ll thank me later!)

Safe travels!

Xoxo,

Esabel S.

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