20 Unique Things To Do In Yosemite National Park

One of the most exciting things in Yosemite National Park is taking the Half Dome Trail. One gets to see an incredible view and a successful climb. Starting from the Happy Isles trailhead and accessed by parking at Curry Village, this hike is quiet.

This particular hiking trail covers a trip of 16.5 miles, typically requiring 10 to 12 hours to complete, depending on factors. Hikers will climb a total of 4,800 feet to reach their destination, passing sights such as Vernal and Nevada Falls on the route.

Hiking on this trail is allowed from May through September with a permit.

The Yosemite Valley is one of the most visited places in the entire Yosemite Park. This is because the park is open year-round. People who have already visited the place advise that it is useful to carry a map when you start your journey from the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.

Some of the popular things to do at Yosemite Valley are hike the Mist Trail and the famous Yosemite Falls. Moreover, visitors can take plenty of beautiful pictures from locations such as Tunnel View, which provides views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls.

Besides hiking and taking pictures, one can rent a bike or even raft along the Merced River.

If you are an adventurous person, then visiting El Capitan is your go-to destination while visiting Yosemite National Park. The place spreads more than 2,999 feet, and it is one of the most well-known climbing places in the world.

Many climbers throng this place from around the globe. As a result of the fact that the tower is built vertically, every single move is a success for climbers and the spectators’ delight.

However, if you have little knowledge of climbing, you can always visit the Yosemite Mountaineering School. This school provides lessons for professional as well as fun climbers.

An appealing and well-known things to do Yosemite National Park is exploring Mariposa Grove to marvel at the sequoias. Mariposa Grove Park, within a few miles from the south entrance, has accommodation for more than five hundred large trees, probably some of the largest trees on earth. 

One of the tallest trees, known as the Grizzly Giant, was discovered to be around 1800 years old. Easier walks are centered at the entrance of the Mariposa Grove Trail, and several steep hikes are deep into the grove.

Along this route, there are distinguished trees that are vintage, like the California Tunnel Tree.

Tunnel View is one of the regulated zones for the scenic overlooks in the park since it gives a good view of some of the outstanding features in the park. Located before the entry to Wawona Tunnel on Wawona Road, it offers a spot view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall, among others, in Yosemite Valley.

The place is busy in the early morning, just around sunrise, and in the evening when the sun is setting, which has some stunning effects. One of the most entertaining things to do in Yosemite is to stop at the Tunnel View for excellent shots of the valley & nature.

The viewpoint was built in 1933 and later became an icon of the park's magnificence.

Another thrilling things to do Yosemite National Park is drive on Tioga Road. This highway, measuring 46 miles, also referred to as Highway 120, passes through the park from the western to the eastern side and provides visitors with great views of the park while also giving them a view of the high-altitude terrains of the park.

Tioga Road rises at the maximum point to the highest highway pass in California, which is called Tioga Pass, situated at an elevation of 9934 meters. On the way, there are several stops for interest, for example, Olmsted Point, from which you can see Tenaya Lake and Half Dome.

One of the most expected things to do at Yosemite National Park is to watch the cliffs around Mirror Lake, since this is one of the most picturesque experiences. Mirror Lake, lies in the Yosemite Valley, and provides the best view of the cliffs, such as the Half Dome and the Three Brothers, because of the reflection in the water.

During the time of spring and early summer, when the water level is high, is the best time for this given lake to have a calm water body that will reflect the beauty of the surrounding atmosphere nicely.

The Mirror Lake Trail is a paved trail, pretty flat, and approximately 2 miles round trip.

The largest waterfall in America is Yosemite Falls. Among many other sites and activities mentioned above, this one is also a must-see place in Yosemite National Park. This huge waterfall falls about 2,425 feet in three different levels. They are the upper, middle, and lower cascades.

The Upper Falls have a collective height of 1,430 feet; they are therefore classified as large waterfalls. Yosemite Falls draws its water from snowmelt located in the Sierra Nevada, and the hydrological cycle peaks in this waterfall during the early summer period.

The sight and sound of the falls, especially during the spring runoff, are awe-inspiring and must-see things to do Yosemite.

A guided bus tour lasting four hours takes visitors through Yosemite Valley, culminating at Glacier Point, which offers a view 3200 feet above the valley. Along the way, guests are treated to sights such as the Half Dome, majestic Yosemite Falls, and the rugged High Sierras.

It now runs two times a day and is a great way for people to get to this beautiful overlook without having to trudge up the massive trail. However, one-way tickets are available, allowing hikers to return via the scenic Four Mile or Panorama Trails.

If you want to learn about the cultural history of Native Americans and Yosemite, then a visit to this place would be best. The Yosemite Museum and the Indian Village also provide knowledge about the Miwuk and Paiute people. Just a few miles from Yosemite Falls, visiting this place is one of the many things to do in Yosemite Park.

Currently, it has Navajo antique instruments, costumes, and other important things, photos, and descriptions regarding their existence pattern. The Indian Village is located right beside the museum.

Here, visitors can witness native architecture reconstructions of home-like structures as well as watch native craftwork and manufacturing demonstrations.

Tuolumne Meadows is a high-altitude subalpine meadow that lies at 2641 meters above sea level and is one of the biggest meadows in Yosemite National Park. It is renowned for its numerous lakes and beautiful surroundings.

It is more relaxed for the tourists, and it also has less human traffic compared to other famous ravel tourist spots. Thus, the region is among the most appropriate areas to engage in a variety of things to do Yosemite Park.

Favorite activities include hiking the various trails, including the one that leads to the Tuolumne River, which is a 7-mile round trip, as well as visiting the Soda Springs and the Parson’s Lodge.

If you are exploring fun things to do in Yosemite Park, then trekking on the Mist Trail gets you to some of the most popular waterfall sites in Yosemite.

The trail begins in Yosemite Valley, and it spans a distance of 3 miles each way. Famous attractions of this place include the beautiful views and the cool spray of water, especially from the waterfall, which makes it a favorite spot for those hiking, especially during the hot weather.

The Mist Trail is a moderately strenuous hike, with a steep ascent that includes a series of stone steps.

This rafting company ensures an exciting rafting tour along with a fantastic view of the Yosemite region. Founded in 1969, OARS focuses on whitewater rafting through the Merced and Tuolumne Rivers.

The tour provides options for extreme rafting, either gentle or rough rapids, and comparatively peaceful floats through beautiful canyons. It is well-known for how it prides itself on safety, the environment, and a competitive edge in customer relations.

From a historical perspective, OARS has been at the forefront of ensuring sustainable rafting, which has seen the company protect the environments it uses to hold the activities.

E-bikes offer a boost in pedaling and thus can be convenient when biking around the park, with features of plains as well as steep inclines. Earlier, Yosemite National Park promoted eco-tourism, and e-biking falls within the policy of ensuring people have a worthwhile experience while at the same time keeping the environment safe from harm.

Some of the bicycle routes that exist in the park include Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows. They give the riders views of the park while not doing as much physical work as is seen in normal biking.

This adventure company operates from near Mariposa, California, and offers horseback tours through some of the beautiful trails in Yosemite with a view of the park through the back of a horse.

There are many different routes—short recreational ones and long-lasting ones—that go through meadows, forests, and rocks. It can be rated for different levels of difficulty and everyone, starting from the ‘newbie’ and up to experienced riders.

Yosemite Park’s climate does change, and you should dress appropriately by layering your clothes and wearing sturdy shoes.

Yosemite K9 Kennels is based at the park’s entrance to accommodate the needs of pet dogs and offer several services. Created to make sure the pet left at home is not neglected while the owner takes on the park, kennels provide the pet’s relaxation and exercise area, as well as quality care.

Dogs can enjoy supervised playtime, socialization with other dogs, and outdoor activities tailored to their needs. The evolution of Yosemite K9 Kennels reveals conformity to market needs since most people want their dogs with them on trips; however, sometimes they require pet care services in Yosemite.

Jackalopes Bar & Grill located at Tenaya Lodge, in Fish Camp Yosemite National Park, provides a dining experience for guests looking to savor meals amidst their exploration. The restaurant boasts a menu featuring an array of dishes with a focus on items like burgers, sandwiches, and other prepared meals.

They prioritize using sourced ingredients and cater to various dietary preferences, such as gluten-free and vegan options. In addition, the bar section has a variety of beers, for example, unfiltered red ale from Tenaya Lodge and other various drinks.

In winter, Yosemite becomes a wonderland of snow, where many trails are available for many activities. The cross-country skiing at the park’s primary winter-use area, Badger Pass Ski Area, includes circuit ski trails up to and including expert, double-track machine groomed trails.

These trails pass through the snow fields and forest tracks, giving the most beautiful view of the park and landmarks such as El Capitan or Half Dome.

Another is snowshoeing, with an array of trails for the beginner to the professional. Apart from this, snowshoes enable visitors to move where there is deeper snow and an area that could not be reached by skis.

Situated near Mariposa, just a stone's throw from Yosemite National Park, this museum provides knowledge and ideas about the mineral resources of California. Housed in a building dating back to the 1800s, this museum showcases an extensive collection of rocks, minerals, and mining artifacts.

Visitors can marvel at a range of specimens, including minerals like gold and quartz. It also features a specimen exclusive to the museum in the form of the Mariposa Sapphire. The artifacts discovered at this museum demonstrate the stages of the development of mining in California, such as the gold rush.

This hotel has been renowned for its exquisite architecture, charming amenities, and top-notch services since its opening, in 1927. The hotel provides guest rooms and suites characterized by comfort and luxurious size.

The majority of them have excellent views of the picturesque nature of the region, such as the extraordinary granite spires or oriental gardens. Guests can expect dishes in the fine dining category, a spa, and a pool that is available during the warmer season only.

The look and feel of the Ahwahnee are an original melding of Native Americans's arts and crafts and somewhat out-of-place Art Deco influences.