United States
›
California
›

Best Hikes in Yosemite National Park
link Copy Link
map Driving Directions

Overview

Yosemite is one of the most popular hiking parks in the US. The canonical hike for the park is hiking to Half Dome, but there are many less crowded and beautiful hikes through Yosemite.

Backpacking visits to Yosemite have been falling, while at the same time JMT hikes have been growing in demand, hence the paradox.

Getting Started

The National Park Service posts timely hazards/alerts/conditions. Check them before you go.

Permits

For backpacking, it's difficult to get the required permits for the John Muir Trail, but other trails are in much less demand.

Dog Info

Pets are allowed in Yosemite, but only on paved roads and paths. Pets can only go in some campgrounds. Pets must be leashed.

See the nps.gov page for more details.

Resources

Seasonal Popularity

Half Dome Loop via John Muir Trail
DIFFICULT 17.9 mi
Yosemite Falls Overlook via Upper Yosemite Fall Trail
DIFFICULT 5.9 mi
Clouds Rest
DIFFICULT 5.8 mi
Silver Apron via Mist Trail
DIFFICULT 6.9 mi
Glacier Point via Southside Drive
DIFFICULT 4.6 mi
Mount Dana
DIFFICULT 4.8 mi
Lower Cathedral Lake via John Muir Trail
EASY 3.8 mi
Sonora Pass via Pacific Crest Trail
DIFFICULT 70.6 mi
White Cascade via Pacific Crest Trail
DIFFICULT 5.4 mi
Viewpoint for Giant Sequoias via Old Big Oak Flat Road
EASY 2.4 mi
Taft Point Loop via Sentinel Dome Trail
DIFFICULT 5.1 mi
Ostrander Lake
DIFFICULT 6.0 mi
Indian Arch via North Dome Trail
EASY 4.3 mi
Little Yosemite Valley via Panorama Trail
DIFFICULT 7.2 mi
mirror lake trail via Panorama Trail
DIFFICULT 10.1 mi
Eichorn Pinnacle via Cathedral Peak Climber's Approach
DIFFICULT 2.6 mi
Upper Gaylor Lake via Gaylor Lakes Trail
EASY 1.8 mi
Wapama Falls via Hetch Hetchy Road
DIFFICULT 7.6 mi
Vogelsang High Sierra Camp via PCT Section H
DIFFICULT 6.9 mi
Sentinel Dome Trail
EASY 2.4 mi
Indian Arch via North Dome Trail
DIFFICULT 8.7 mi
Young Lakes via Dog Lake Trail
DIFFICULT 6.1 mi
Chilnualna Creek Cascades viewpoint via Chilnualna Falls Trail
DIFFICULT 7.9 mi
Lower Cathedral Lake Loop via John Muir Trail
DIFFICULT 9.3 mi
Falls View via Lower Yosemite Fall Trail
EASY 1.9 mi
Dewey Point
DIFFICULT 9.2 mi
Elizabeth Lake
DIFFICULT 6.1 mi
The Fissures Loop via Glacier Point Road
EASY 2.4 mi
mirror lake trail via John Muir Trail
DIFFICULT 24.1 mi
mirror lake trail via Clouds Rest Trail and John Muir Trail
DIFFICULT 21.7 mi