Trip to Yosemite Valley, the United States: how to get there, how many days and when to go

Yosemite Valley – Califórnia Destination Yosemite

How to get there

Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT) Fresno · 150 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

Confirm before purchasing. Arrive via one of the open road entrances; YARTS routes and internal circulation vary by season.

How many days

Two or three days for the valley, with additional days reserved for the sequoias and more remote sectors.

When to go

For a base in Yosemite Valley, May and June usually help with planning visits to the waterfalls; September and October offer a different seasonal phase. To leave Yosemite Valley toward high-elevation areas between November and April, check road conditions.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

Park and use the valley's walking routes and shuttle/transit when available; leave the car for moving between sectors.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in Yosemite Valley

Morning
Tunnel View
Dedicate the start of the itinerary to Tunnel View. Prioritize the main part of the visit and arrival time, leaving a break before continuing in Yosemite Valley.
Afternoon
El Capitan Meadow
After the break, head to El Capitan Meadow. Check access and explore the area without turning the afternoon in Yosemite Valley into a sequence of transfers.
Late afternoon
Return via the Tunnel View sector
Finish hikes in the sector already visited of Yosemite Valley and return to lodging before planning another transfer. Light and weather can change the duration of this stage.
Evening
Free evening in Yosemite Valley
Dine near the valley base in Yosemite Valley and keep the evening free to rest after the tour of Tunnel View and El Capitan Meadow.

2 days in Yosemite Valley

Day 1

Morning
Tunnel View
In this 2-day plan, on day 1 of the 2-day itinerary in Yosemite Valley, start at Tunnel View; in the 2-day plan, arrival at Tunnel View should observe the access reserved for that day 1 of the 2-day plan.
Afternoon
Tunnel View circuit
In this 2-day plan, continue the Tunnel View visit on day 1; if time and energy remain, Lower Yosemite Fall Trail can complete the shift, depending on available access.
Late afternoon
End of day 1
In this 2-day plan, conclude the Tunnel View session on day 1 and arrange the return to base in Yosemite Valley, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 2-day itinerary.
Evening
Break after Tunnel View
In this 2-day plan, keep night 1 near lodging in Yosemite Valley; the 2-day plan distributes effort so as not to compress the subsequent visits.

Day 2

Morning
El Capitan Meadow
In this 2-day plan, on day 2 of the 2-day itinerary in Yosemite Valley, start at El Capitan Meadow; in the 2-day plan, arrival at El Capitan Meadow should observe the access reserved for that day 2 of the 2-day plan.
Afternoon
El Capitan Meadow circuit
In this 2-day plan, continue the El Capitan Meadow visit on day 2; if time and energy remain, Glacier Point can complete the shift, depending on available access.
Late afternoon
End of day 2
In this 2-day plan, conclude the El Capitan Meadow session on day 2 and arrange the return to base in Yosemite Valley, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 2-day itinerary.
Evening
Break after El Capitan Meadow
In this 2-day plan, keep night 2 near lodging in Yosemite Valley; the 2-day plan distributes effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

3 days in Yosemite Valley

Day 1

Morning
Tunnel View
In this 3-day plan, on day 1 of the 3-day itinerary in Yosemite Valley, start at Tunnel View; in the 3-day plan, arrival at Tunnel View should observe the access reserved for that day 1 of the 3-day plan.
Afternoon
Tunnel View circuit
In this 3-day plan, continue the Tunnel View visit on day 1; if time and energy remain, Lower Yosemite Fall Trail can complete the shift, depending on available access.
Late afternoon
End of day 1
In this 3-day plan, conclude the Tunnel View session on day 1 and arrange the return to base in Yosemite Valley, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.
Evening
Break after Tunnel View
In this 3-day plan, keep night 1 near lodging in Yosemite Valley; the 3-day plan distributes effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 2

Morning
El Capitan Meadow
In this 3-day plan, on day 2 of the 3-day itinerary in Yosemite Valley, start at El Capitan Meadow; in the 3-day plan, arrival at El Capitan Meadow should observe the access reserved for that day 2 of the 3-day plan.
Afternoon
El Capitan Meadow circuit
In this 3-day plan, continue the El Capitan Meadow visit on day 2; if time and energy remain, Glacier Point can complete the shift, depending on available access.
Late afternoon
End of day 2
In this 3-day plan, conclude the El Capitan Meadow session on day 2 and arrange the return to base in Yosemite Valley, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.
Evening
Break after El Capitan Meadow
In this 3-day plan, keep night 2 near lodging in Yosemite Valley; the 3-day plan distributes effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Day 3

Morning
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
In this 3-day plan, on day 3 of the 3-day itinerary in Yosemite Valley, start at Lower Yosemite Fall Trail; in the 3-day plan, arrival at Lower Yosemite Fall Trail should observe the access reserved for that day 3 of the 3-day plan.
Afternoon
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail circuit
In this 3-day plan, continue the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail visit on day 3; if time and energy remain, the surrounding sector can complete the shift, depending on available access.
Late afternoon
End of day 3
In this 3-day plan, conclude the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail session on day 3 and arrange the return to base in Yosemite Valley, leaving leeway for the next stage of the 3-day itinerary.
Evening
Break after Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
In this 3-day plan, keep night 3 near lodging in Yosemite Valley; the 3-day plan distributes effort so as not to compress subsequent visits.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

How to get to Yosemite Valley and start the visit?

Use an open entrance and check the regional YARTS service.

How many days to set aside for Yosemite Valley?

Two or three days allow alternating viewpoints and routes.

How to get around during your stay in Yosemite Valley?

In the valley, park and review the internal circulation options.

Is Yosemite Valley a town outside the park?

No. It is a community inside the protected area, subject to the rules and access conditions of the national park.

Your trip to Yosemite Valley.