My Complete Yosemite 2-Day Itinerary

The fam and I will be staying at North Pines Campground in Yosemite soon. So, after a ton of research online and talking to those who have stayed there before, here’s our two-day itinerary! So excited!

Day 1

Morning

• Yosemite Valley Visitor Center: Visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center. Gather maps, ask rangers for tips, and learn about the park’s history, etc.
• Ansel Adams Gallery: Adjacent to the Visitor Center

Afternoon

• Yosemite Falls: Head to Yosemite Falls, one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. It’s an easy walk from the Visitor Center and offers breathtaking views.
• Lunch: Pack a picnic or grab a meal at one of the park’s dining facilities, such as the nearby Base Camp Eatery.

• El Capitan Meadow: After lunch, drive or take the park shuttle to El Capitan Meadow. This is a prime spot to view El Capitan.

Late Afternoon

• Hike to Mirror Lake: Enjoy a hike to Mirror Lake. It’s about 2 miles round trip.

Evening

• Return to Campground, eat dinner, spend the evening around a campfire.

Day 2

Morning

• Drive to Glacier Point: Wake up early and drive to Glacier Point. I’ve heard this viewpoint offers some of the most breathtaking vistas in Yosemite, including views of Half Dome, Vernal Fall, and Nevada Fall. Consider a short hike from Glacier Point, such as the easy Sentinel Dome and Taft Point trails, which offer panoramic views of the park.

Late Morning

• Drive to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias: Head to the southern part of the park to visit Mariposa Grove. Park your RV at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and take the shuttle (if operational) to the grove. Walk among the giant sequoias, including famous trees like the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree.

Afternoon

• Lunch: Enjoy a packed lunch in the Mariposa Grove area.
• Tunnel View: On the way back to Yosemite Valley, stop at Tunnel View for a view of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall.

Late Afternoon

• Bridalveil Fall: On our way back to the campground, stop at Bridalveil Fall. The short walk to the base of the waterfall is supposedly worth it for the view and the mist.
• Return to campsite

Here’s a summary of our stops:

Day 1:

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center
Ansel Adams Gallery
Yosemite Falls
El Capitan Meadow
Mirror Lake

Day 2:

Glacier Point
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Tunnel View
Bridalveil Fall

This is our first time going to Yosemite, so if you have any tips let me know! It might be ambitious, but its the plan. Even if we can’t make everything, I’m just excited to be there.