Yosemite is open and busy 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. The park is massive, but drivable and has recreation year-round, so it stays busy, regardless of the season. However, some areas close during the winter months due to heavy snowfall and unsafe roads, so be sure to check the park’s website ahead of your trip to verify that the spots on your itinerary are open.

There are five entrances to the park, and you can purchase a pass at each one. Passes are $20 per person or $35 per vehicle. If you’re visiting during peak season (June through August), you’ll need to reserve a timed entry slot.

It’s also important to note that you’ll drive a lot throughout your visit. Yosemite is such a big park that you can drive anywhere from 45 minutes to two hours between viewpoints. The good news is the views along the road are almost as incredible as the viewpoints!

There’s no better introduction to Yosemite than  Tunnel View  at sunrise. This classic overlook frames El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall in a single, breathtaking panorama. If you go early enough, you’ll beat the crowds, and it will be just you, the crisp mountain air, and one of nature’s finest works of art.

To get to Tunnel View, enter the park at the South Entrance and drive north toward Yosemite Valley on Wawona Road (Highway 41). You’ll pass through the historic Wawona Tunnel before arriving at Tunnel View. There are parking lots on both sides of the road, but they fill up quickly. We recommend arriving thirty minutes before sunrise so you’re sure to get a spot. The viewpoint is a short walk from the parking lot and the perfect place to unpack a thermos of coffee and some cozy camping blankets as you wait for the sunrise.

From Tunnel View, drive 15 minutes through Yosemite Valley to Mist Trail, one of Yosemite’s most beloved trails. The hike begins at Happy Isles Trailhead and follows the river before a steep ascent to a footbridge, where the hiking really begins.

This moderately difficult hike usually takes four to five hours to complete and has a 2,000-foot elevation gain. That’s why we recommend packing a picnic and spending most of the day on the trail. The views are spectacular and, if you take the alternate descent route along the John Muir Trail, you’ll get to experience another famous Yosemite trail.

For this hike, we highly recommend trekking poles. While not absolutely necessary, they will make the ascent much easier, especially in slippery areas wet from the falls. We also recommend bringing a poncho or waterproof jacket in your daypack if you’re hiking in the summer. In the summer, the falls are at peak flow and drench hikers. (But it’s worth it for the waterfall views!)

The most popular and convenient area to stay is Yosemite Valley due to its central location and many lodging options. However, campsites and hotels in the valley book up quickly and require advanced planning (sometimes up to a year ahead of your trip!)

If you can’t find lodging in the park, check out the park's list of local lodging in neighboring communities or consider glamping in canvas-tent cabins at the Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, fifty miles from Yosemite Valley.

Half Dome is arguably the most famous hike in the park, but Yosemite has multiple domes with views that rival Half Dome and don’t require a permit or technical experience. If you're looking for one of the best views in the park without an all-day trek, Sentinel Dome is the ideal hike.

This two-mile out-and-back trail has a moderate ascent that winds through forest on a granite floor, gradually revealing glimpses of Yosemite Valley and the surrounding peaks. The final push involves a brief scramble up the smooth granite dome itself—but it’s worth it for the 360-degree view. From the top of Sentinel Dome, you can see Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and even the distant Clark Range.

To reach the trailhead, follow Glacier Point Road as it branches off from Wawona Road (Highway 41) just south of Yosemite Valley. From the valley floor, it’s about an hour drive to the Sentinel Dome/Taft Point parking area and trailhead. When you go, pack plenty of water, snacks, and warm layers (even in the summer). There are no restrooms or water stations at the trailhead, and you’ll be a long drive from the Valley.

If you’re up for a longer hike, you can continue to iconic Taft Point and complete the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop . This combined hike usually takes three hours and has steep drop-offs, but it is worth the extra effort. If you pack a lunch, this hike can round out your second day with a picnic and spectacular views!

Watching the sunset at Glacier Point is one of the most unforgettable experiences in Yosemite. To make the most of your trip to the viewpoint, plan to arrive at Glacier Point at least 30 to 60 minutes before sunset. This gives you time to find parking, settle in, and watch the light slowly shift across the granite landscape.

If you’re coming from nearby Sentinel Dome, it’s a short drive to Glacier Point. But if you’re driving from Yosemite Valley, give yourself an hour to get to the viewpoint. When you arrive, you’ll see a paved path from the parking lot to the overlook.

As the sun drops behind the western peaks, the light washes over Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the vast Sierra Nevada in warm gold tones. It’s a beautiful way to close out two days at Yosemite.

Two days in Yosemite goes by fast, but the trip will leave you planning your return. If this iconic park is on your bucket list, but seems way too big to explore, don't wait. There’s a reason it’s one of the most visited parks in the country. At Yosemite, there's always another trail to wander and another view to take your breath away!