60 Things to do near Yosemite Valley, California
first prev 1 2 3 next lastShowing results within 50 miles Distance miles of Yosemite Valley, California, USA City, Zip, or Address
Valley Loop Trail
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
0.6 miles NAn 11.5-mile loop trail through the heart of Yosemite Valley following the Merced River past wildflower meadows, the Three Brothers, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls — with nearly no elevation gain.
Hike
Horsetail Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.0 miles WFor a few weeks in mid-to-late February, Horsetail Falls glows orange with reflected sunset light — a rare 'firefall' phenomenon requiring clear skies and a parking permit.
Hike 1.2 mi
Taft Point
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.1 miles SA 5-mile Yosemite loop pairing Sentinel Dome with Taft Point, offering El Capitan views, dramatic cliff fissures, and 3,000-foot valley vistas — no guard rails, so watch your footing.
Hike 4.6 mi
Four Mile Trail
Yosemite National Park
1.2 miles EA 4.7-mile one-way hike connecting Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point with views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, and the Royal Arches — best visited in spring when the falls run full.
Hike 0.8 mi
Lower Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.4 miles NEA short, flat walk to the base of a 3,967-foot waterfall — twice the height of the Empire State Building and one of North America's tallest, best visited in spring or early summer before it dries.
Hike 0.7 mi
Cook's Meadow Loop
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.4 miles NEA nearly 1-mile, nearly flat loop in Sentinel Meadow with close-up views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock — Yosemite's best easy walk.
Hike
Merced River
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.7 miles NEThe Merced River circles Yosemite Valley with whitewater, swimming holes, gold-panning spots, and unbeatable views of Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point at every bend.
Camp, Swim, Whitewater 0.2 mi
Ribbon Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
1.7 miles WThe longest single-drop waterfall in North America at 1,612 feet — seasonal and best seen in late morning when the sun hits it directly, visible from El Capitan Road as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Hike 0.3 mi
Glacier Point
Yosemite National Park
2.0 miles EPerched at 7,214 feet above Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point delivers bird's-eye views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and multiple waterfalls — accessible by car or a 4.7-mile hike.
Hike 0.2 mi
Bridalveil Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.2 miles SWA 620-foot waterfall that flows year-round and soaks onlookers with mist — Bridalveil Falls is just a quick half-mile paved walk from the trailhead, wheelchair accessible and pet friendly.
Hike 2.9 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
2.3 miles NEThe tallest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet — a 7.2-mile, 2,600-ft-gain hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls with stunning valley views along the way.
Hike
Devil's Bathtub
Yosemite Valley, California
2.4 miles NEA warm, off-the-beaten-path pool fed by the Royal Arches Cascade just above Yosemite's Ahwanhee Hotel — great for families or a picnic near world-class climbing walls.
Swim 1.9-2.9 mi
Mist Trail
Yosemite National Park
2.8 miles EA steep, mist-soaked Yosemite staircase hike climbing 639 stone steps past Vernal and Nevada Falls — with Half Dome, Whitecap, and Mt. Broderick views from the switchbacks above.
Backpack, Hike 0.4-2.1 mi
Illilouette Falls
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
2.9 miles EA 4-mile hike starting downhill from Glacier Point to a footbridge view of Illilouette Falls — with a side trip on the quieter Panorama Trail adding Half Dome and Nevada Falls views.
Hike 4.1 mi
North Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.3 miles NEA strenuous 10.4-mile hike through Yosemite forest to North Dome, rewarding hikers with the best straight-on view of Half Dome from 7,450 feet — plus a 0.6-mile detour to a 15-foot granite arch.
Backpack, Hike
Mirror Lake
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
3.5 miles EA paved, car-free trail winds to this seasonal lake at the base of Half Dome, offering a still mirror reflection and a popular summer swimming hole.
Backpack, Hike, Swim 0.5 mi
McGurk Meadow
Yosemite National Park
4.2 miles SA flat, 0.8-mile walk through one of Yosemite's most secluded wildflower meadows, complete with a brook and a historic 1800s cabin — few visitors, pure charm.
Hike 1.7 mi
Mono Meadow
Yosemite West, Yosemite National Park
4.2 miles SA short, lightly trafficked 3-mile round-trip hike through a wildflower meadow recovering from wildfire, offering simultaneous views of Mt. Starr King, Clarke Range, and Half Dome.
Hike 2.1 mi
Snow Creek Falls
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
4.8 miles NEA 2,140-foot, seven-drop cascade tucked deep in Tenaya Canyon — best spotted from the Mirror Lake Loop, where you can also take a swim before hunting for the falls from the Snow Creek Trail junction.
Backpack, Hike 1.9 mi
Half Dome
Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park
5.4 miles EA grueling 14-mile round-trip hike with 4,800 feet of gain to the summit of Half Dome, including a cable section in the final 400 feet — a permit is required and a sunrise start is essential.
Hike
