Planning a trip to California in USA? Yosemite Itinerary should be on it. It definitely was a part of our 2 weeks USA West Coast Itinerary. Stunning valleys resplendent with waterfalls, granite cliffs, and coniferous trees everywhere you look. This Yosemite 3 day itinerary makes for a great getaway for first-time visitors to this beautiful national park.
Due to the popularity of Yosemite national park and its sheer size, it requires a bit of planning. So here is my 3 days in Yosemite itinerary to help you do that.
We were a large group comprising 4 families – 8 adults and 6 kids of varying ages – and we decided to spend 3 days at the Yosemite National Park. The first thing that one needs to adjust at Yosemite park is the sheer size.
1200 sq miles, wow, that’s a large area of land!
Here, based on my personal account, I detail the best things to do at Yosemite with kids.
Disclaimer: This helpful post contains some Affiliate links. This means that if you click on any of the links in this post (AND make a purchase) I may receive a small commission at absolutely no cost to you. As such I thank you in advance should you decide to click & buy.
Page Contents
Best Time to visit Yosemite National Park
Yosemite is gorgeous year round. This national park is one of the Top 10 landmarks in California. Late summer months bring in huge crowds to Yosemite, so this is really not the best time to go. Though summer is Yosemite’s busiest season, it’s the best time of year to visit if you want to experience all of the park. Winter months have very less crowds, but there is snow in the area, many areas areas inaccessible, so it is not a great time to visit as well. But the crowds disappear and the park is transformed into a winter wonderland.
Spring (April, May) and fall (September and October) make for the best time to visit Yosemite national park. Tioga Road and Glacier Point Road remain closed until late May, so high elevation parts of the park like Tuolumne Meadows are not accessible in the spring. The weather begins to cool off in fall months. Snow usually begins to fall in October.
May and September are the best months when the park is accessible, roads are open, the weather is great to be outdoors, and there are fewer crowds. We visited in early June and the crowds weren’t crazy except for some parts of the village.
How many days to spend at Yosemite?
As I mentioned earlier, Yosemite national park is huge and there are many viewpoints, hiking trails to explore. You can spend more than a week here and have enough things to do at Yosemite. The key areas at Yosemite are:
- Glacier Point corridor (central)
- Yosemite Valley (central)
- Wawona and Mariposa Grove (south)
- Hetch Hetchy area (northwest)
- Toulomne Meadows (East)
- Tioga Road (east to west)
For a 3 day itinerary at Yosemite, you will commonly see Yosemite Valley, the Mariposa Grove and Glacier Point. Those who are staying longer can add Tuolumne and eventually Hetch Hetchy.
For a first-time visit, 2 to 3 days will be the right amount of time to spend in Yosemite, with focus on one or two areas of the park.
Do I need a reservation to enter Yosemite?
If you don’t have accommodation or campsite booked inside the park, you may need a reservation. Always check the Yosemite NPS site for latest information.
As per NPS, a reservation is required from 5 am to 4 pm on some dates from April 13 through October 27, 2024. Driving through the park will also require a reservation if entering between 5 am and 4 pm. Do note that in summer months, National Parks Service (NPS) recommends getting to the park entrances before 8 AM to avoid delays related to traffic and parking issues.
Yosemite National Park 3 Day Itinerary
We took it easy during this 3 day itinerary at Yosemite national park with kids. There was lots of chill to just hang out with friends. We drove down after spending 4 days in San Francisco to the park. The natural landscapes were a perfect getaway from the city.
Day 1 of Yosemite 3 day itinerary
It is best to have a car to get to Yosemite. The distances within the park are vast, so a car is useful. However, the best way to get around Yosemite Valley is via the free shuttle service, walking, or cycling. We had rented a van for our large group to drive from San Francisco. It takes about 4 hours from San Francisco or 6 hours from Los Angeles to drive to Yosemite national park.
So Day 1 of our Yosemite itinerary was just settling in the lovely mountain lodge we had booked after the drive. The itinerary detailed below can be easily covered within 2 days at Yosemite. We were taking it a bit easy, what with the 4 families catching up after long.
Day 2: Glacier point and the Sentinel Dome hike
Most people stay at Yosemite Valley and cover the main viewpoints / hikes there on their first day. But venturing outside of Yosemite Valley by car to get some outstanding views is a must-do. We were not staying in the popular Yosemite Valley and covered this on Day 2 at Yosemite itself.
View the stunning panorama at the Glacier Point
There are many points in Yosemite that offer spectacular views without any need for hiking. You can up to these points and take in the panorama on offer. But the best ‘easy’ view has to be the Glacier Point. Day 2 of our Yosemite itinerary started with this stunning view.
Standing at 3,214 feet above the valley floor, you truly get a chance to soak in this vista. The panoramic view from Glacier Point takes in Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and the 2 waterfalls. We had driven to Yosemite Park and loaded everyone in the van to drive to the Glacier Point. This is a popular point so we tried to have an early breakfast to reach the venue before tourist buses arrived.
If you want to avoid people making funny postures trying to outdo the Half Dome in photos, climb down a bit from the main road with the Half Dome in front of you.
Yes, this came with a bit of stress and shouting at 6 kids to keep following the trail and no, you cannot climb down any further! The short climb ensured we left all the people behind. And then I took a few steps further (with dire warnings to 2 frisky kids to NOT follow) and then it was just me and nature and nothing in between.
Glacier Point road is open from late spring until fall. You need to visit the official website to check exact dates depending on the snowfall that year. The distance from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point is about 32 miles long and normally takes an hour. Most visitors drive up to Glacier Point. There is a large parking area close to the point and the paved road should make it easy for a wheelchair-ridden person to access it. There are a small snack and souvenir store at the point but don’t expect a full meal.
Do the Sentinel Dome Hike
After enjoying the views from Glacier Point, our large group did the Sentinel Dome Hike. The Half Dome was to be seen at various viewpoints from the hike to Sentinel Dome. This hike is easy until the final stretch up to the dome itself, which is short but quite steep.
The adventurous should climb the top of the granite dome and you will understand what a true 360 view means. Valleys and granite cliffs and beautiful vistas wherever you look!
The kids were exhausted by the time we reached the top of Sentinel Dome, but the scenic vistas of the Half Dome and Yosemite Falls were so worth the climb. To the north, you’ll see Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan and Yosemite Falls. You get to see Nevada Fall, Half Dome and Clouds Rest, and an assortment of High Sierra peaks to the east. But to the south, the views are not that stunning as the north side.
You definitely need to carry a jacket for this trek. The winds were chilly once we reached the top of the Sentinel Dome. We also had to make sure the kids don’t wander off and were careful on the steep slopes.
Taft point: If you want to do something even more adventurous, you can continue to the Taft Point. The trail is easy although Taft Point itself gives you an edgy view of the mountains without any encumbrances. This looks down at El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.
You can also book a private guided Family Hike in Yosemite (4-6 hours) or even a full-day hiking tour.
Day 3 of Yosemite 3 day itinerary: Tunnel view, Mist Trail, and Yosemite Falls
Day 3 was dedicated to exploring the Yosemite Valley. This is the crowded part of the park during summer months so we all we mentally prepared.
See the famous Tunnel Viewpoint
Driving to Yosemite Valley through the Wawona Tunnel leads to one of the more popular viewpoints in the park. There’s no hiking required here, the iconic view can be seen directly from the parking lot. Yosemite Valley opens up ahead, with El Capitan to the right, Bridalveil Fall cascading over the cliff on the right. And you can see the Half Dome as a backdrop far behind. It is good to come to this viewpoint early inn the morning or late in the day for fewer crowds.
Hike the iconic Mist Trail
Our group split up after reaching Yosemite Valley and parking the van. I went with my friend to hike to Vernal Falls, while the remaining adults spent time with the kids doing various activities.
The Mist Trail to view Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls is one of the most popular hikes in Yosemite and for good reason. The Mist Trail hike gives you a close and personal experience of Vernal and Nevada Falls. My friend and I decided to walk to the trailhead from the Curry Village but you can easily take a shuttle to the trailhead.
The Mist Trail is moderately challenging especially climbing the short stretches that take you to the top of the 2 falls. The good part is that unlike one wow scene on some of the other trails, the scenic views are scattered all along the Vernal Falls trail at Yosemite.
We turned back after reaching the bridge to view Nevada falls and did not complete the Mist Trail due to paucity of time. If you go all the way to the top of Nevada Falls, you are rewarded with scenic views of the back of Half Dome and the Liberty Cap.
Enjoy the Yosemite Falls
Yosemite Falls in one of the tallest falls in the US, with a height of more than 2400 ft. It is made up of 3 parts – Upper Yosemite Falls, the middle cascades, and the Lower Yosemite Falls. Even if you don’t go specifically to see the falls, you will end up viewing it from different parts of the national park. The last full day of our Yosemite 3 day itinerary was spent exploring the area around Lower Yosemite Falls.
Hiking to the top of the Yosemite Falls is tricky and adventurous, and not something that can be done when you are at Yosemite with kids. But an easy walk gets you to the Lower Yosemite Falls. This is something to be enjoyed by everyone, large groups, families, couples, and solo travelers.
It is a hugely popular point, so expect crowds. but even with the crowds, we enjoyed the misty spray of the Falls. Be careful about kids jumping from one rock to another, though.
Another great experience with kids would be a visit to the Mariposa Grove. This has about 500 giant Sequoia Trees, perhaps the largest living things on Earth. Unfortunately, when we visited, the Mariposa Grove was closed for a massive restoration project.
We also did the easy walk to the Mirror Lake with kids. The scenery factor, in my opinion, was not that high on this trek. Mirror Lake is one of the popular swimming spots at Yosemite park though.
Stay and food options at Yosemite Park
We opted to rent a mountain lodge away from the valley. This mountain lodge was large and spacious for our group. If you are looking for lodge options inside the park, make sure you plan at least 5-6 months before the trip, especially for peak summer months. So glad we are staying at a beautiful mountain retreat at Yosemite and not in the valley. Here are some amazing Yosemite cabins to rent for a group.
There are many amenities available in Yosemite Valley, including the Village Store, restaurants, and free shuttle service. That makes the valley a popular destination to stay. Although camping is extremely popular in Yosemite Valley, it is not for us. Yosemite Valley gets crowded in summers especially on weekends and we saw the worst of it while driving up to it on a Saturday evening.
Do note that accommodation within Yosemite park gets booked many months in advance.
The amazing part for me was the stunning beauty on offer even in the over-crowded valley. All you have to do is look up! But the summer crowds also mean that you should plan your lodging, food options, and activities well in advance. The Valley has several restaurants, although the standard fare of burger – pizzas – pasta – meat options get boring after a couple of days at the Village Grill. The Loft at Degnan’s served tasty fare.
Sunday brunch at the Majestic Yosemite Hotel
Old world charm. High level of service. Grand common rooms. That’s the Majestic Yosemite Hotel for you. And if you can splurge on the rooms and book well in advance, the stay makes for a luxurious and memorable option.
We had booked Sunday brunch at this hotel on the last day of our Yosemite itinerary. The lavish spread and the attentive staff made it a worthy visit for an afternoon. The hotel has extensive grounds in the back, which we enjoyed post the brunch.
It may be worthwhile to buy a National Parks Annual Pass, if you are a US national park enthusiast and plan to explore many other parks, .
If you are short on time or don’t want to take the self-drive route to Yosemite, check out these tours:
Planning a trip to the US west coast? You may find these other blogs useful –
Itinerary: A Fabulous 2-week USA West Coast Itinerary for family vacation
Cities: 4 days in San Francisco and 5 unique activities in Vegas for families
You can add a visit to Napa Valley if you plan California.
National Parks: Yosemite National Park with kids and Grand Canyon South Rim
Do add Sedona in a day if you go to Grand Canyon and the detour to Lower Antelope Canyon is so worth the drive.
Disneyland Planning and itinerary: Disneyland Hacks and Disneyland California Itinerary
[This post was originally published in 2019, and last updated in Feb 2024.]
Pin it for later!
Which is your favorite national park in the US? Share with us in the comments below.
Subscribe to Zest In A Tote Digest, my monthly newsletter, for travel tips and inspiration.
Join me on Instagram, Pinterest and Facebook as I share my travel experiences.
Thanks for sharing your experience with this article. I hope you would be interested in planning a trip to the Pocono Mountains then visit Grand Leisure Travel to get the best Pocono hotels, cabins, and casa to make your stay comfortable and holidays memorable.