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Like most incredible destinations, you could spend forever in Yosemite. However, if you are a weekend warrior like myself, you may be visiting with more limited time. This post will cover a fairly aggressive, 2 day Yosemite Itinerary and you will leave the park feeling seriously accomplished.

Note: Due to COVID-19, Yosemite requires a reservation to enter the park in addition to the entrance fee. The reservation costs $2. For up to date information and to make your reservation, check here.

2 Day Yosemite Itinerary

Where to Stay

One important part of your 2 day Yosemite itinerary is where you plan to stay. It will be significantly more challenging to see Yosemite in 2 days if you are not staying in the park. We stayed at the Yosemite Valley Lodge. The location of this hotel cannot be beat as it is right across from Yosemite Falls. However, because of the location, this hotel is not cheap. It also has limited amenities (including no A/C)! For us, it was worth the price to see what we did in Yosemite since we only had 2 days in the park. You may want to consider camping in Yosemite or a nicer hotel option – The Ahwahnee.

2 Day Yosemite Itinerary – Day 1

Day 1 starts with a sunrise at Tunnel View. While the lighting is technically better during the day, it’s the perfect spot to watch the sun rise and light up the entire valley. It can also allow you time to munch on some breakfast and drink your coffee (or in my case Diet Coke) while taking in the views before starting your full day.

If you skip Tunnel View, you will have a chance to visit it later. However, you should still set your alarm early and kick off your day with the first trail.

Another option is to start your day at Valley View. This spot is great if you don’t want to do any hiking since this viewpoint is located right next to a parking lot.

While you’re here, enjoy sweeping views of the area’s many granite cliffs as well as El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and the Cathedral Rocks.

First Hike of the Day – Mist Trail

Visiting Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and potentially Half Dome via the Mist Trail should be your first trail of the day. How far you go will depend on your skill level, and if you are able to obtain a Half Dome permit. Going all the way to Half Dome is approximately 15 miles round trip and includes a section of cables that can be intimidating for those afraid of heights.

Going to Nevada Falls is approximately 9 miles round trip, but the trail is still classified as hard because of the elevation gain. Vernal Falls is 3.5 miles round trip and the hike is rated as moderate. We ended up hiking to Vernal and Nevada Falls and I will be saving a Half Dome hike for another trip to Yosemite.

Mist Trail gets its name from how you get wet from the waterfalls when hiking. Be prepared to get wet, especially in the spring. This also means it is important to have appropriate hiking shoes to avoid slipping on the trail. When we visited in July, there wasn’t much mist – but still be prepared in case.

Lunchtime

After your hike, take some time to rest with lunch in the Yosemite Valley. There aren’t a ton of food options, but when we were there, they had a food truck open as well as the Grill.

Once you have refueled, it’s time to consider your choices for the rest of the day. You can rent bikes and ride around the valley, bring a floatie and hang out in the river or head to another hike. Not even going to lie, we all decided it was time for a quick nap so we took one right after lunch then geared up for the rest of the day.

Afternoon – Hikes 2 (Mirror Lake) & 3 (Lower Yosemite Falls)

If you have a tight timeline for Day 2 and will be unable to catch the sunset, I would recommend skipping to the Day 2 itinerary for your afternoon. Our first hike of the afternoon was to Mirror Lake. The hike as listed is 5.6 miles roundtrip but that includes going around the lake. To go to the lake and back is really around 2-2.5 miles if you don’t want to go all the way around.

Although pictures online look incredible, I won’t lie there were a LOT of kids playing in the lake. If you are with your family or you want to get in the water in the middle of the summer this would be really fun. The water is the fullest during the spring and early summer so this is something to keep in mind as well. You can read more about the seasonality of this lake here.

Next up was a visit to Lower Yosemite Falls and Vista Point. The total trail is about 1 mile round trip so it is another easy option and handicap accessible. The peak waterfall runoff occurs sometime in May or June and there often aren’t visible falls after August. An additional option would be to go all the way to Upper Yosemite Falls, but we checkout reviews and it appeared that between the Mist Trail and Upper Yosemite that the Mist Trail was the better option. With a longer time available in Yosemite, you could do both.

Evening – Hike 4 (Cook’s Meadow)

As you will notice our hikes throughout the day were less and less ambitious. Hike 4 (and really hike #3 as well) could likely be more classified as a walk. On this hike we visited Cook’s Meadow for sunset. If you want to connect this with the Lower Yosemite Falls trail the link on AllTrails is here.

The goal for sunset in Yosemite is a view of Half Dome and from Cook’s Meadow you can see it well. On Day 2 you will also see Half Dome for sunset but from a different angle.

Another option for sunset is Tunnel View. It sits right near a parking lot so you don’t need to do any hiking. It also offers visitors an iconic view of Half Dome framed by El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall. However, this spot can get very crowded. So, if you would like to enjoy sweeping views without the crowds then hike to Artist Point or Inspiration Point from here.

Finally, if you’re tired and don’t feel like doing any more hikes then you can always skip some of the hikes outlined here and head to Yosemite Village instead. You can stop by the welcome center to learn more about the history of the area. You can also explore cool museums like the Yosemite Museum, and the Ansel Adams Gallery. You can even grab a meal at Degan’s Kitchen. The food is your basic deli fare but the turkey sandwich was pretty good.

2 Day Yosemite Itinerary – Day 2

Day 2 starts early again. This time with a drive on Tioga Pass to visit a new section of the park. On our way, the first stop was essentially Tenaya Lake because it was beautiful. Although it wasn’t the original plan, we couldn’t help but stop (twice) to take in the views.

Hike 5 – Elizabeth Lake

From Tenaya Lake, we made our way to Tolumne Meadows. Near the meadows is where we began our hike to Elizabeth Lake. This 5.6 mile trail is rated as moderate with the majority of the elevation change in the first mile on the trail. There were few people on this trail making it incredibly enjoyable. At the conclusion of the hike, we returned to Tenaya Lake for a picnic lunch and then headed back to Yosemite Valley.

Glacier Point

Glacier Point is one of the most amazing views in Yosemite. This title isn’t earned easily but you will see why when you make it there yourself. Glacier Point is about an hour drive from Yosemite Valley. Conveniently, it’s also a view you can get from parking your car and walking to the overlook. The road is open seasonally, however it will be closed the entire 2021 season. You can learn more about this here.

Since you are at Glacier Point, stop by Washburn Point. It’s only a mile away from Glacier Point and offers amazing views of the Mist Trail and Illiluoette Falls. You’ll also get a nice view of Half Dome standing high above the valley.

Hike 6 – Taft Point

Taft Point is one of those spots where it gets a little nerve-wracking if you are scared of heights. This trail is 2.3 miles round trip and you can get right next to the edge for pictures. You can link this trail directly to Sentinel Dome but it takes longer to join the two rather than returning to the trailhead and starting the hike to Sentinel Dome separately.

Hike 7 – Sentinel Dome

At sunset we hiked to Sentinel Dome. This trail is 2.3 miles and rated as moderate, But in all honesty it’s not handicap accessible or the easiest of trails. It’s certainly more of a easy/moderate combo. The panorama view at the top of Sentinel Dome was totally worth it. And you were able to see Half Dome light up as well. Make sure to start downhill while there is still some light to make sure you don’t get stuck in the dark.

From this hike in Sentinel Dome we headed to our hotel outside the park and we concluded our 2 Day Yosemite itinerary.

Hike 8 (Optional) – Washburn Point trail

If you have time, end your two-day Yosemite itinerary with a trek from Sentinel Dome to Washburn Point trail. This 3.7-mile out-and-back trail is rated as moderately difficult and features panoramic views of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the High Sierras. Washburn Point also offers a serene escape from the crowds, especially during sunset. So, embrace the diverse wonders Yosemite has to offer. Just monitor trail conditions and weather before you set out on your adventure.

Tips for visiting Yosemite

• Water, electrolytes and snacks are critical to enjoy your day in Yosemite. When hiking, I like to use a hiking pack with a water bladder like this one. Regardless of a water bladder or bottles, consider factors like the shade available on trails, how cloudy/sunny the weather is, and how hot it is outside. A trail with no shade on a sunny day would require about double the water than if it was a cloudy, cool day.
• Wear solid, sturdy hiking shoes. I use some similar to these, but find something that works for you. If you are doing more intense hikes, you definitely will want more grip/traction than regular tennis shoes.
• Insect repellent is a must. I was so glad I had some in Yosemite.
• Sunscreen is also really important when hiking is there is often not much shade.
• Layers of clothing help ensure that you stay both warm when it’s cool and cool when it’s warm – consider hiking in wool clothing
• Always remember to stay on designated paths and leave no trace. So, anything that you bring into the park, bring it back out with you.
• There are many black bears in this park. Do not leave your food lying around since it could attract local wildlife.
• Before you visit, check the official park website for the most up-to-date information on road conditions, air quality, and park closures. This website also has great information on park reservation requirements, which vary based on the time of year.
• Glacier Point Road closes in the winter and is not open to vehicles. The exact dates depend on the weather, but this is usually from late November to June.
• Do not rely on cell phone service in the park. It is spotty at best. Instead, always have an offline map downloaded on your phone to help you navigate along the trails.

2 Day Yosemite Itinerary FAQs

1. Is 2 days enough to see Yosemite?

Two days will allow you to enjoy an incredible Yosemite itinerary. It is just enough time to experience this 1,200 sq-mile UNESCO World Heritage site and its natural wonders. Just hop on a hiking trail and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime.

2. How Many Days Is Ideal in Yosemite?

Ideally, you’ll want to spend between two and five days exploring Yosemite National Park. This way you can relax and fully enjoy landmarks like Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and Half Dome.

3. Is It Better to Stay Inside or Outside Yosemite?

It’s better to stay inside the park. This way you can get up early and stay out late. This will allow you to maximize your time here and see amazing creatures like, bighorn sheep, mule deer, bears, and grey foxes.

4. Which Two Trails in Yosemite are Most Popular?

The two most popular trails in Yosemite are Yosemite Falls Trail the Mist Trail to Vernal Falls.

Have you visited Yosemite?

Have you planned a 2 day Yosemite itinerary? What did you include on your trip? What was your favorite part? Let me know in the comments.

You might also enjoy the following posts:

• Sequoia National Park Itinerary
• Best Things to do in Kings Canyon in One Day

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