3 day itinerary

Some of the best sights of the entire National Park System are found surrounding Yosemite Valley! For most, three days is the perfect amount of time to spend here to tick off all the crucial bits on your bucket list!

Day 1

Drive through much of Yosemite today as you stop off at the major viewpoints of the park. The iconic tunnel view is one of the first points of interest when arriving along El Portal Road, and from here you can start the hikes off early in the trip, with a choice of short trails. Inspiration Point hosts a slightly elevated view of Yosemite Valley, whilst Bridalveil Fall Trail gets you closer to the waterfall that sits to the right of Tunnel View.

From here, drive to Happy Isles on the eastern edge of Yosemite Valley, where you are greeted by the trailhead for the Mist Trail. One of the most popular in the park, the trail passes Vernal Fall. Spray often lingers in the air near this fall, creating rainbows, but also 600 slippery stone steps, so tread carefully!

This trail then offers choices for those looking for a further challenge. Carry on to Nevada Fall, which is around 1.5 miles further up, with views of one of Yosemite's famous granite domes, the Liberty Cap. Hikers can then head back down the Mist trial, or loop back on the slightly longer John Muir Trail, experiencing a section of the 211 miles of one of the country's most famous trails and see the falls from a stunning new perspective.

Depending on how far you hike, you may have time to explore some more of Yosemite Valley. Meandering through is the Merced river, where you can enjoy a dip during summer! Nearby is Mirror Lake, with reflections of the crown of Half Dome. The small lake is largely seasonal, but is another popular swimming spot of Yosemite. Perfect if the river proves a little too chilly! El Capitan looms over you whilst exploring many parts of Yosemite Valley, a giant granite monolith carved by glaciers. It's always worth stopping off at a visitor centre in each national park to learn more about the amazing landscapes which host you. This is especially true for Yosemite, with such an extensive geological history!

Day 2

On the southern edge of the park lies Mariposa Grove, filled with one of California's most famous trees - Giant Sequoias. Some of these legendary trees are over 3,000 years old! About 500 live here, and is well worth stopping off for a couple of hours or so, especially if you aren't planning on visiting nearby Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks this trip! A shuttle takes you from the parking lot into the grove, so start your day here to make sure you get a space. The Grizzly Giant Loop Trail is a moderate length hike of 2 miles that winds along the edge of the grove, and is one of the best ways to explore Mariposa.

For the afternoon, head to Glacier Point, one of the most famous locations in the park with one of the most famous vistas in the entire USA. Nearby is Taft Point, a photogenic location which gives a great view of El Capitan while testing your fear of heights.

Or take an entirely different approach to the day and test yourself with some rock climbing, starting at 8:30am and lasting most the day! Yosemite is a rock climbers paradise, with it not uncommon to see climbers on El Capitan's sheer rock face. Don't worry, you won't be attempting that climb just yet!

Day 3

An awesome day to end your time in Yosemite starts early, with a sunrise appointment at Glacier Point. Around mid-summer, the sun rises directly behind this icon, scattering the suns rays across the broad slopes of Yosemite National Park before it peeks out above Half Dome's peak. On a clear day, you can even see the warm glow behind the Sierra Nevada as the sun begins to rise - a truly special sight. Keep your eyes open for wildlif, as chipmunks and deer start their day too!

Once the colours of the horizon have finished changing, drive down to Camp 4, where the trailhead to Yosemite Falls lies. A challenging hike suitable for those relatively fit and experienced, pace yourself as you climb to the top of the 3rd tallest waterfall of in the Lower 48! The NPS recommends 4 quarts/litres of water each for the 7.6 mile trip to the summit of the falls and back. The relentless switchbacks at both the start and end of the ascending hike really work up a sweat, and from experience, it is not an enjoyable descent with no water left...

Half way along the hike the trees open up to reveal a stunning view of Upper Yosemite Fall. If the hike has been overly challenging, this acts as a good turnaround point. But if not, then kick on for the reward of getting up close to the water as it breaks over the edge of the magnificent rock face.

At the summit, you can head a further mile east to Yosemite Point for a different viewpoint, or 3 miles west to Eagle Peak, part of the Three Brothers Rock formation. Enjoy a cooler forested section to reach the highest point in the entire national park! The view from up here is stunning, and will actually make the enormous Yosemite Falls look quite small!

As always, make sure to 'leave no trace' - taking everything out the trail that you came with, including trash, and not dropping any food which may attract and endanger wildlife.

Take your time on the descent, which can be treacherous and gruelling, especially on the knees. The afternoon will offer a little free time to sit around in Yosemite Valley to rest your weary legs in the sunshine. And if you get a chance to pop back to your accommodation to dress up in relatively smart attire, then you can return to one of the restaurants of the valley, such as at The Ahwahnee or Mountain Room. No doubt the hike to the summit of Yosemite Falls will work up an enormous appetite!

If you've enjoyed reading this 3 day Yosemite itinerary, check out our longer 5 day suggestion, to enjoy even more of this amazing national park. Or incorporate your visit to Yosemite into a three week adventure along the Pacific Coast!