Five famous viewpoints in Yosemite National Park, CA
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Yosemite National Park is the 3rd national park in USA with amazing granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoia groves, glaciers, mountains and lakes. **Yosemite National Park ** is located in Sierra Nevada, California, a mountain range that stretches over 400 miles.
These are the most famous view points in yosemite
Major attractions in the area:
- Glacier Point
- Yosemite Tunnel View
- Yosemite Falls
- El Capitan Meadow
- Yosemite Valley View
Glacier Point
Glacier Point is the most famous and unobstructed viewpoint, about an hour’s drive from the valley and you are practically right across from Half Dome itself. Located on the south wall of Yosemite Valley, the overlook rises to an elevation of 7, 214 feet with great views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Fall (a 317-foot waterfall) and Nevada Fall (594 feet). The valley that is between you provides an excellent foreground for photos as it is incredibly vast. From here you get an unforgettable vista of Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra crest , with the curved tooth of Half Dome prominently in the foreground. This is also one of the best spots for stargazing, as you can see the outline of Half Dome below the stars. It is also a trendy sunset spots to get great photos of the last light on top of Half Dome.
If you walk just a short distance down the Panorama Trail, you might have this epic view, which also includes Vernal and Nevada Falls, almost all to yourself. Historically this is where John Muir and US President Teddy Roosevelt once camped out.
Note Glacier Point Road is usually closed beyond the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area from November until late May or early June. You can take a stroll around and survey the Vernal and Nevada Falls and the Merced River canyon, as well as walk to the granite Geology Hut to get an amazing view of the Half Dome.
I am sure there are lot of people looking at best time to visit. There isn’t a best time, if its your time don’t bother about time, just enjoy this view on your first visit. During sunrise or sunset the Half Dome, its granite neighbors turn pink but it is as mesmerizing at any point in the day.
Yosemite Tunnel View
At the western entrance to Yosemite Valley, Tunnel View is a must-do stop, no matter which direction you approach the park from. You’ll find it on the east end of Wawona Tunnel along Wawona Road, which is also Hwy. 41. This viewpoint offers a breathtaking snapshot of Yosemite Valley and several of its attractions — El Capitan, Half Dome and the waterfall Bridalveil Fall (pictured, right).
Here you can take photos of the most famous panorama of Yosemite Valley, perfectly framed by a forest of pine trees and wide-open skies above. On your right is Bridalveil Fall, plunging off granite cliffs. To the left is the iconic granite rock formation of El Capitan, with Half Dome rising in the background. During peak waterfall season in May, you might spy several more short-lived lacy cascades dropping steeply off the sides of the lushly carpeted valley, too. You can also hike the Pohono Trail uphill for an even bigger view where you can enjoy the scenery in relative solitude.
The vista was made famous by an Ansel Adams photograph.
Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America and the sixth largest in the world. At 2,424 feet, the waterfall is a major attraction in the park and it is best viewed in late spring when snowmelt flows most vigorously.
Upper, Lower, and Middle Yosemite Falls combined make up the highest waterfall in North America, topping out at a prodigious 2,425 feet. A challenging trail accesses the upper fall’s crest, but the base of the lower falls can be visited with an easy stroll. From April to June, wear rain gear—an icy spray drenches all who come near.
El Capitan Meadow
El Capitan rises over 3,000 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley and is a favorite for experienced rock climbers and onlookers alike. El Capitan is best seen from El Capitan Meadow. At one time “El Cap,” which stretches roughly 3,000 feet from base to top, was considered impossible to climb. Today, the most popular route to tackle is The Nose, which follows the rock’s huge projecting front.
“Free Solo” is an award winning documentary about free soloist climber Alex Honnold, climbing the face of the El Capitan without a rope. Below movie is currently streaming free for Disney Plus customers, so in case you have it don’t forget to watch this.
Yosemite Valley View
As you leave Yosemite Valley to see the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Wawona near the South Entrance, stop at this roadside lookout along one-way Northside Drive right before you reach Pohono Bridge. You’ll see the Merced River (something missing from the earlier Tunnel View), flanked by El Capitan, and opposite it, the imposing Cathedral Rocks and Spires. The 145-mile-long Merced River has carved out the glacial valley known as Yosemite Valley. The valley is about eight miles long and a mile deep, with an amazing vantage point offered at Valley View.
Travel Tips
- Entry is free if you have an Interagency Pass
- Buy America the Beautiful Annual Pass, if you are planning to visit more than 4 national parks in a year
- Make sure your park pass is displayed clearly in your vehicle.
- Sometime based on conditions the park may enforce a separate reservation for entry, so make sure to check the latest updates
Top Activities
About Us
Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world. We love travel and exploring new places and culture. We started this blog to share our travel journeys, experiences and planning information and of course some pictures of the destinations. We hope to provide some insight about the destinations visited by us and to inspire other people to travel more. We have full time jobs but we make sure we use every opportunity to get out and explore the wonderful creation around us.
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