10 Spectacular Things to See in Yosemite in One Day

Yosemite National Park is a bucket list destination that everyone should experience, even if you can only spare one day to see it.

While I absolutely recommend spending several days in Yosemite National Park, I know that it’s not always possible. Luckily, one day is enough time to see all of the stunning views that Yosemite is famous for.

I’ve explored all over Yosemite National Park and narrowed down all of the park’s awesomeness to create this list of the best things to see if you’re short on time.

Here are 10 spectacular things to see in Yosemite in one day. If you follow this list, you’ll hit all of the must-see highlights in the park.

One Day in Yosemite: An Overview

In a nutshell, most of Yosemite’s iconic sights are in the Yosemite Valley area of the park so that’s where you’ll spend the bulk of your day. I also recommend driving along Glacier Point Road to take in some amazing views down in to the valley.

Some of these things to see are quick stops while others require taking a short hike to see them.

With that in mind, here is my recommended list of highlights that you can fit into a day trip to Yosemite National Park.

10 Spectacular Things to See in Yosemite in One Day

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful places I have ever been to. If you see these 10 things in Yosemite, you’re in for one magical day!

1. Tunnel View

Tunnel View is the classic view of Yosemite National Park that you see pretty much any time you see a photo of Yosemite.

This was the spot that I was most excited to see in Yosemite because I had seen this breathtaking view so many times in pictures!

Here you’ll get a magnificent view of Half Dome peeking over the Yosemite Valley framed by El Capitan to the left and Bridalveil Fall on the right.

Factor in plenty of time in your day to stay and soak in the scene. Tunnel View is not a spot where you should just snap a selfie and then drive away. It’s a magnificent sight that will leave you in awe marveling at how Mother Nature created this wonderful landscape.

I certainly felt lucky to be traveling through this place at this moment in earth’s tremendous history when I was looking out at Tunnel View.

Tunnel View is at the end of Wawona Tunnel (hence the name Tunnel View) along Wawona Road. This is on the west side of the Yosemite Valley.

If you enter Yosemite from the park’s southern entrance, you’ll drive through this tunnel. The parking for this viewpoint is right at the end of the tunnel. If you come into the park from a different entrance you will still find signs leading to Tunnel View.

2. Bridalveil Fall

Photo by Michael & Diane Weidner on Unsplash

One of the things that Yosemite National Park is famous for is its tall, dramatic waterfalls. Bridalveil Fall is one of the waterfalls that everyone should see on their visit to the park.

While there are taller waterfalls in Yosemite, Bridalveil Fall is a popular one for a few reasons.

It’s well-known because it’s the waterfall you’ll see on the right-hand side when you’re looking out at Tunnel View (as long as enough water is actually flowing at the time of year when you visit).

This is also one of the easier waterfalls to get to in Yosemite. It’s one of the first stops you’ll come to after leaving Tunnel View. To get up close to this waterfall, follow the paved path to the base of Bridalveil Fall for a short walk of half a mile roundtrip.

The best time to see Yosemite’s waterfalls is in the spring and early summer when they are gushing at their fullest flow. However, you’ll likely see some water descending from this 620-foot drop any time of year even if it’s just a trickle of water.

3. Sentinel Bridge

One of my favorite spots in Yosemite National Park is the Sentinel Bridge.

From this bridge you’ll get a perfect view of Half Dome framed by trees and reflecting off of the Merced River.

I mean, just look at that picture! You don’t even have to have to be a great photographer to get a stunning photo because nature does all of the work for you.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to try to snap a quick picture while you’re driving across the bridge. You can park at the end of the Sentinel Bridge and then walk along the sidewalk on the edge of the bridge.

The Sentinel Bridge is towards the eastern end of the valley and is where you’ll turn to avoid driving through all of the campgrounds at the very end of Yosemite Valley. Follow signs for Yosemite Village and stay left at the fork to drive over the bridge.

4. Cook’s Meadow Loop

While you’re parked at the Sentinel Bridge, I recommend taking the easy stroll through Cook’s Meadow.

This trail is a flat, mile-long loop that will guide you through a portion of the Yosemite Valley for some of the best views of the park’s famous features. Walking this trail will grant you with excellent vantage points to admire Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the massive granite walls that surround the valley.

The Cook’s Meadow Loop intersects with several other trails so it can be a little confusing to navigate efficiently if you’re short on time. Check the National Park Service’s web page for this trail for more specific directions. The map on that web page highlights the Cook’s Meadow Loop in yellow (the orange trail is Lower Yosemite Fall trail, which I describe next on this list!).

5. Yosemite Fall

Did you know that Yosemite National Park is home to the tallest waterfall in North America?

That’s right. Yosemite Fall is the tallest waterfall on the continent at 2,425 feet high.

As if that statistic wasn’t enough to entice you to see Yosemite Fall, it’s telling that this waterfall was given the same name as the national park. It is THE preeminent waterfall in Yosemite National Park.

This enormous force of nature can be spotted from several places in the Yosemite Valley. I recommend getting up close to it so you can better experience its power and energy (from a safe distance, of course).

Take the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail to get to the base of Yosemite Fall. This easy 1-mile loop trail will guide you to the lowest section of Yosemite Fall, but you will still have an opportunity to see the fall’s entire height at the beginning of the trail.

This trail is located between Yosemite Valley Lodge and and Yosemite Village on the park map, but keep in mind that you will have to park at the Yosemite Falls parking area a little bit down the road (closer to Camp 4).

6. El Capitan

El Capitan is one of Yosemite’s iconic rock formations.

Over 3,000 feet high, the sheer face of El Capitan lures both sightseers and rock climbers to the park.

It’s hard to miss this distinctive feature of the Yosemite Valley towering above you so you will definitely see it on your tour of the valley. It’s located on the western end of the valley so you will pass it towards the beginning and the end of your loop through the area.

For an unobstructed view of El Capitan, head to El Capitan Meadow.

7. Valley View

At first glance, Valley View looks similar to what you see at Tunnel View. But this viewpoint showcases the Yosemite Valley from down at the level of the Merced River.

It’s a stop that you should not miss to experience Yosemite’s jaw-dropping beauty!

The Valley View pullout is at the western end of of the road that loops through the Yosemite Valley. It will be your last stop before heading out of the valley.

Although Valley View is labeled on the national park’s map, note that there is not a sign labeling this turnoff along the park’s road. When you start seeing signs for the highways, keep an eye out for the parking area on the left side of the road. There is enough parking for about 10 cars here.

8. Washburn Point

Once you’ve finished touring the Yosemite Valley, head down to Glacier Point Road to see some of the most astounding views you’ll ever see in your life.

Driving from the Yosemite Valley to the views along this road will take about an hour.

The first viewpoint you should stop at along Glacier Point Road is Washburn Point. It will be on your right when you’re driving up the road so it’s easiest to stop here on the way in to Glacier Point.

Washburn Point offers a preview of the spectacular sight that awaits you up at Glacier Point. However, Washburn Point is the better location to see Vernal and Nevada waterfalls which lie behind Half Dome.

If you can’t get enough of this sweeping view, don’t worry – there is more ahead!

9. Glacier Point

Glacier Point is a viewpoint from up on top of Yosemite Valley’s southern wall.

At this viewpoint you’ll be up at over 7,000 feet above sea level. From up at this vantage point you’ll get epic panoramic views of about a quarter of Yosemite National Park! It’s a vast, awe-inspiring scene that should not be missed on any visit to Yosemite.

There are signs labeling all of the features in the Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra that are visible from Glacier Point so you know exactly what you’re seeing in this expansive landscape.

You’ll see features like Half Dome, North and Basket Domes, Mirror Lake, and the valley you just spent the morning in from a different perspective.

There are also signs and exhibits describing the geologic processes that formed the Yosemite Valley.

Between reading all of the educational signage and walking around to soak in the numerous viewpoints, you’ll want to set aside plenty of time to take in Glacier Point.

10. Taft Point

The last viewpoint that you can’t miss along Glacier Point Road is Taft Point.

Getting to Taft Point requires taking an easy hike of 2.2 miles roundtrip with 360 feet of elevation gain. Just make sure to allot enough time for this hike in your itinerary so you don’t miss out!

At Taft Point you will get breathtaking views of the Yosemite Valley. This is an iconic spot for photos of elopements. So if you’ve ever seen a picture of a wedding in Yosemite, it was probably here, and you know how magnificent of a place I’m talking about!

The trailhead for Taft Point will be on the right side of the road when you’re leaving Glacier Point. Several trails begin at this trailhead so be sure to follow signs for Taft Point while you’re hiking.

Tips for Seeing Yosemite in One Day

Now that you know what things you should see during your day in Yosemite, here are a few tips to help plan your trip to this awesome national park.

The road through Yosemite Valley is a one-way loop. This can make it really frustrating if you miss a stop on your itinerary since you’ll have to drive around the whole loop again to access your stop.
Check out the National Park Service’s official map of Yosemite National Park and the detailed map of Yosemite Valley to find where each of these highlights are within the park.
Head to the National Park Service website for information on current conditions, road closures, and more. Several trails and roads were closed when I visited the park so knowing this ahead of time helped me plan accordingly.
If you’re visiting the nearby Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks too, check out my lists of things to do in Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon National Park.

Need more help planning your trip to Yosemite National Park? Check out these related articles:

As always, enjoy the outdoors responsibly. Leave no trace on all of your adventures.