My 7 Favorite Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is one of the most amazing national parks in America and is nestled in northern California. Yosemite is known for its epic hikes including Half Dome, which is a treacherous trail ranked one of the best in all of the USA. But you do not need to hike long or difficult hikes to see some of the best views and landmarks in the park. Here is my list of the best easy hikes in Yosemite National Park.

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How to Get to Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is not located near any large cities. If you are flying into California, you will need to drive from the airport to the park. The closest airport is in Fresno which is over an hour drive to the park. Sacramento, San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose are also other airport locations if you are flying in. But the drive from these airports to the Yosemite entrance is over 3.5 hours. Therefore, plan on spending quite a bit of time just traveling to and from this park.

When to Go to Yosemite

Like most national parks, the summer is the busiest time to visit. The weather is warm, the flowers are blooming, and the kids are on summer vacation. If you are visiting during the summer months, I would recommend making your reservations well in advance and starting your day early when you are here to avoid crowds at the major sights.

Spring and Fall are also great times to visit for fewer crowds. In the springtime, snow is melting which makes the waterfalls full and awe-inspiring. Also, bears are emerging from their dens with their cubs. In the fall, the weather is cooling off, some of the non-evergreen trees are changing colors. However, Yosemite Falls has probably dried up and other waterfalls are low compared to spring and summer.

Winter is likely the least crowded time to visit and most of the park remains open. However, Tioga Road and Mariposa Grove are likely closed in the winter due to heavy snowfall. The best part of coming in the winter, specifically mid to late February, is the Yosemite Firefall, a natural phenomenon when the sun hits Horsetail Falls at the perfect angle and makes the waterfall looks like its spewing red fire.

We visited in mid-October, and the fall foliage was astonishing. I was disappointed to learn many of the waterfalls were dry in the fall, but the colors of the autumn leaves more than made up for. I cannot imagine Yosemite being prettier any other time of year.

Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee

The entry pass into Yosemite is $35 and is good for 7 consecutive days. Depending on how often you visit this park or all U.S. National Parks, you may want to consider purchasing an annual pass for just Yosemite or an America the Beautiful park pass, which will allow you into all national parks for a year. Also, if you have a 4th grader in your household, you can get a family pass to the national parks that is good for a year. Find out more about that benefit here.

Do You Need a Reservation to Enter Yosemite National Park?

Yes. Beginning 2024, Yosemite Park will require reservations on some days between Spring and Fall. Visit the Yosemite website for more details on specific dates that require a reservation and instructions on how to obtain your reservation.

What to Pack When Visiting Yosemite

Water!! Whether you use a hydration backpack or carry bottled water, make sure to pack plenty of water when outdoors!
Sunscreen – Protect your skin from the sun, and do not forget to reapply.
Hat – More sun protection to block the sun from your face
Hiking shoes/boots – Some of the hikes are on steep, slick rock, and people wearing regular tennis shoes struggled to keep their footing. Here are the men‘s version of the hiking shoes I love.
Hiking socks – The best way to prevent blisters is by keeping your feet dry. Moisture-wicking socks are the best way to do that.
Backpack – A backpack is a necessity when hiking to carry your water, snacks, sunscreen, etc. that you may need on your longer hikes.
RTIC Soft-Sided Cooler – Keep your drinks and sandwich stuff cool in this cooler.
Jacket – Even in warmer months, the temps can be cool in the mornings and evening so pack a light men’s or women’s jacket.

The Best Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park

Trip map created with Wanderlog, the best trip planner app on iOS and Android

1. Lower Yosemite Falls Trail

Lower Yosemite Falls is one of the best easy hikes in Yosemite

One of the best easy hikes in Yosemite is the short 1.2-mile stroll to Lower Yosemite Falls. Park near the Yosemite Village to begin this walk. I recommend starting your time in Yosemite at this hike because you will get a taste of the valley and see the waterfall. Along your walk, you can stop at a visitor center, cafe, and souvenir shop. The perfect way to start your time in this national park. The only downside is that the waterfall can dry up by the fall as the snow has likely melted already.

2. Glacier Point Trail

Glacier Point is one of the best easy hikes in Yosemite

Glacier Point is another trail that is more like an easy stroll than a hike. This short 0.5-mile walk leads you to an area with the most wonderful birds-eye views of Yosemite Valley. Look to the northeast at the point to see the path the glacier carved out of the landscape on its way to develop Yosemite Valley. You can also see the highly-regarded Half Dome along the glacier’s path.

3. Grizzly Giant Loop Trail

Grizzly Giant Loop is one of the best easy hikes in Yosemite

Located in Mariposa Grove, Grizzly Giant Loop Trail is my favorite easy hikes in Yosemite for marveling at the enormous sequoia trees. Giant Sequoias are the world’s largest trees by volume. The 3,000-year old Grizzly Giant is the largest tree in this national park. This trail also leads you through the California Tunnel Tree.

4. Taft Point and The Fissures

Taft Point and The Fissures is another easy hikes in Yosemite that leads to the cliff’s edge that overlooks the valley. From the parking area, take the trail that leads to the left and walk 2.3 miles to get to Taft Point. The trail that leads to the right is to Sentinel Dome, which will add another 2.2 miles to your overall hike if you want to continue your adventures. At Taft point, you can look down on El Capitan and get views of Yosemite Falls. Along the way, you will come across gargantuan fissures which are vertical clefts in the rock formed by erosion.

5. Tenaya Lake Trail

Located along the Tioga Road, Tenaya Lake is a crystal clear and vibrant blue lake that sits between large granite rock formations. To fully explore the lake, walk 2.7 miles around the backside of this large lake. This lake is a popular spot for picnicking, swimming, and canoeing during the warmer months.

6. Olmsted Point Nature Tail

Olmsted Point is one of the best easy hikes in Yosemite

Another stop along Tioga Road is Olmsted Point Nature Trail, which is a very short 0.4-mile jaunt. This walk takes you to the northeast side of Yosemite Valley, so you can get views of Half Dome and other landmarks in the park from a different angle. You can explore the granite slopes of this area at your leisure.

7. Bridalveil Falls Trail

Like Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Falls is another waterfall that tends to dry up by the fall months. I was lucky enough to see the waterfall at a trickle when I visited during September. This easy 0.8- mile hike in Yosemite Valley leads to the 620-foot waterfall.