One Day in Awe-Inspiring Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park very easily surpassed any of our original expectations when we visited in early May of 2024. Located in California, we knew that Yosemite was beautiful from all the scenes we had seen others post over the years, but we quickly learned just how beautiful the park actually is. When not visiting in the summer months, areas of Yosemite outside of the valley are closed due to wintry road conditions so we were unable to explore Glacier Point Road or Tioga Road unfortunately. As a result, this is the perfect itinerary for your Yosemite National Park trip that you can essentially follow any time of year! We highly recommend visiting during the springtime when the waterfalls are overflowing making the views all the more spectacular.
Sunrise at Tunnel View
Set your alarm early and head to the breathtaking tunnel view to be rewarded with breathtaking Yosemite views in the early morning light.
Bridalveil Falls
An easy half mile walk will lead you to and from the beautiful Bridalveil Falls. This is your first taste of Yosemite’s incredible waterfalls up close and it only gets better from here!
Admire El Capitan near Hanging Valley Viewpoint
As it was still early morning, Southside Drive was deserted and the morning light on El Capitan was absolutely breathtaking. We stopped along the road and it was amazing how the sunshine made the leaves appear yellow in color. This was honestly an unexpected but beautiful stop nevertheless!
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
Another quick stop will bring you to a viewpoint of Lower Yosemite Falls with pretty reflections. It was gorgeous in the spring with the vibrant green trees reflecting in the water.
Cook’s Meadow Loop
Cook’s Meadow Loop is a true classic walk that cannot be missed. The wooden boardwalk is so aesthetic and can create beautiful leading lines right to Lower Yosemite Falls.
Lower Yosemite Falls
You cannot go to Yosemite National Park without going on the easy 1.2 mile Lower Yosemite Falls Trail. The trail is readily accessible for all and provides views of the multiple cascades of the waterfall from afar. As you approach the base of the lower falls, be prepared to get wet! If you visit earlier in the morning, your experience will be much more pleasant and peaceful than if you wait until later in the day. We had so much exploring these falls before they got too crowded.
Next, take some time to eat lunch, visit the Visitor Center, and relax in the views of Yosemite National Park.
Mist Trail to Vernal Falls
In the late afternoon, head to the mist trail and make the 3.1 mile hike to Vernal Falls. We went during golden hour and the way the sun hit the waterfall created the most beautiful rainbow we’ve ever seen. It was pure magic. Waterproof wear and hiking shoes are a must because you will get soaked. The hike is definitely not easy to the top of the falls, but we found the entire experience extremely rewarding.
These are our recommendations for how to make the most of your time with one day in Yosemite National Park. We plan to head back to Yosemite someday in order to see more of the park in the summertime without as many road limitations. The afternoon was a little overwhelming with how crazy busy it is everywhere, but if you plan out your time well in the morning and the late afternoon/early evening, it makes the experience so much more enjoyable. Even though we only had a short amount of time here, we honestly can say that Yosemite took our breath away multiple times. The combination of giant rock faces and incredible waterfalls make for an absolutely stunning national park.
