Best things to do in Yosemite National Park

In Yosemite park there are lots of things to do, from visiting galleries and museums, to climbing, swimming, biking and of course hiking : Whatever the activity you choose to  pursue, the beautiful scenery will definitely amaze you! So if you’re planning to rent a campervan in LA, you should definitely take a trip to Yosemite National Park. Have a look at the best things to do in Yosemite.

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite falls is one of the tallest waterfalls in the world. The water is falling 2,425 feet down. The view of the Yosemite falls is impressive from every angle. In the spring, the water is so powerful that it echoes throughout the valley, and the rainbow that surrounds it on bright days is one of the park’s most stunning vistas. To reach the summit, you’ll need to take an all-day, extremely tough walk: March is usually when you’ll see the most water.

El capitan

El Capitan is a favorite among rock climbers and a must-see for all Yosemite visitors. This granite monolith, which rises to a height of 3,000 feet  from the base to the peak, is the king of rock formations. It’s a beautiful portrayal of the park’s natural splendor, sitting to the left of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley. Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and El Capitan Meadow are the greatest places to observe it.

The valley

Tunnel Vista offers the most iconic view of Yosemite Valley. From the valley you can see multiple of the other known sightings like the Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan and Half Dome.

Glacier point

Glacier Point is a viewpoint at an elevation of more than 7,200 feet, from which you can admire the entire valley, as well as many other sights beyond. This is one of Yosemite National Park’s most spectacular vistas and a must-see attraction.

Bridalveil falls

Bridalveil Falls is one of Yosemite’s most popular waterfalls. You can see it from various places such as Tunnel View. Unlike other waterfalls in the park, Bridal Veil Falls has water that flows all year round. However, spring is the most impressive season to discover this waterfall.

Taft point

Taft point is a beautiful place to see the sunset. The hike to Taft Point is not hard and starts along Glacier Point road. The view extends out over Yosemite Valley and has a 2.000 foot drop to the valley floor. From Taft Point you can see El capitan and the stretching valley. Make sure to go there sometime before sunset because you are not the only one wanting to enjoy this beautiful viewpoint.

Sentinel Dome

Sentinel Dome gives you a 360-degree view of the Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and El Capitan. You can take beautiful photographs around golden hour, it gives the park a glowy and dreamy light. Most people combine this trail with the Taft Point sunset. We recommend you to first visit the Sentinel Dome at golden hour and then head over toTaft Point to watch the sunset.

Tenaya Lake

Formed by the same glacier that created Half Dome, Lake Tenaya is a glass alpine lake surrounded by granite mountains and is probably the park’s most beautiful body of water (hence its nickname “High Country Jewels”). Lake Tenaya is located between Yosemite Valley and Tuolmi Meadows and is only accessible when Tioga Road is open (usually from June to October). Facing the road, it’s easy to reach. Once there, you can enjoy the picnic tables, easy walks, shallow beaches for playing in the water, and the unforgettable views.

All these beautiful spots have multiple angless that you can see them from. You can either take your campervan to make it easier to cover more ground and to see more in less time. However, the hiking trails are beautiful and it is easy to say that the experience is very different from driving.

If you’re planning on visiting various locations during your journey, we have some itinerary suggestions for you, such as our North California road trip. 

Pro Tip : It is a good idea to make a map of places you would like to visit since the park is around 750 thousand acres.