The best views in Yosemite National Park are Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan for their spectacular panoramas. Here’s what special about each of those places:
- Tunnel View is one of the most iconic views in Yosemite and easily accessible by car.
- Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America and we recommend seeing it from the Swinging Bridge or hiking to Upper Yosemite Falls.
- El Capitan Meadow in Yosemite Valley provides an up-close viewpoint of the famous El Capitan rock formation and climbing route
Yosemite National Park is a bucket-list destination for most folks, but if you’re anything like me, you might find this enormous park a little overwhelming at first!
There are so many iconic places to visit and the park is much bigger than most people realize, so getting from one place to another certainly requires planning.
If you’re visiting Yosemite and want to make the most of your trip with some stunning viewpoints, I’ve got you covered with this article on the best views in Yosemite.
I’ve picked all of my favorite spots for vistas, plus I’ve included where to park and the exact distance from the Valley for each viewpoint.
Note: this article contains affiliate links, which help run this site at no extra cost to you so I can keep providing free recommendations.
My Experience With Yosemite
I have spent a lot of time visiting Yosemite and I like to think I know the area pretty well.
I won’t lie, the first several times I visited, I was baffled trying to find trailheads. The road system in the Valley is very confusing, sometimes cell service isn’t great, and it can be super difficult to find parking.
I’ve tried to make your visit to Yosemite easier by providing all of the hot “parking goss” below, including which parking lots fill up quickly.
Get your FREE California Travel Planner – including printable checklists and my favorite two-week itinerary for the state.
Map of Viewpoints in Yosemite
Best Views in Yosemite by Car & Near the Road
Bridalveil Falls
Why it’s worth visiting: See a classic “hanging valley.”
Parking: There are newly renovated parking lanes on both sides of the road right across from Bridalveil.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley)
Bridalveil Falls is a big, beautiful waterfall that’s the most scenic in early June when the falls are fullest.
This is the same waterfall that can be seen from Tunnel View and is the first waterfall you’ll pass as you drive into the Valley.
Bridalveil is an example of a “hanging valley” in geology. This means a smaller glacier used to sit in the drainage on top of Bridalveil and it flowed into the bigger glacier that once occupied all of Yosemite Valley.
Be aware that Bridalveil, like all the waterfalls in Yosemite, is seasonal. Spring is the best time to go–visitors in late fall may not see much or any water flowing.
Yosemite Falls
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s the tallest waterfall in North America!
Parking: Park at the Yosemite Valley Lodge on Northside Drive. There’s usually sufficient parking for both guests and day-use visitors.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley)
Yosemite Falls is an astonishing sight. It’s the tallest waterfall in North America, divided into upper falls and a lower falls portion.
You’ll see it as you’re driving into the Valley and there are lots of great places to view it. However, the Yosemite Valley Lodge is the closest place to access the falls.
El Capitan from El Capitan Meadow
Why it’s worth visiting: See one of the most famous rock climbing routes up close!
Parking: One lane of parking on the left side of the road can usually accommodate most visitors.
Location on Google Maps (West end of Yosemite Valley)
El Capitan is one of Yosemite Valley’s iconic landmarks and one of the most well-known rock climbing routes in the world.
The rock formation has been made famous by various rock climbers over the years who have (miraculously) climbed the face without ropes.
You will see “El Cap” from various spots in the Valley but the best view of El Capitan is from El Capitan Meadow.
This meadow isn’t marked, but it’s on Northside Drive as you exit the Valley, just past the Devil’s Elbow parking area.
Valley View
Why it’s worth visiting: Another iconic view of the Valley that includes El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls.
Parking: Small parking lot right where the Google pin is below, on the left side of the road.
Location on Google Maps (unmarked parking lot on Northside Drive in Yosemite Valley).
Valley View is another highly iconic view of Yosemite Valley.
There’s a very small, unmarked parking lot on the left side of the road. Pull in and get great photos of El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls with the Merced River in the foreground.
Cathedral Beach
Why it’s worth visiting: Great view of El Cap, plus a place to splash in the river.
Parking: There are maybe 20 parking spots available in the Cathedral Beach Picnic Area parking lot. These fill up quickly around lunchtime and on weekends.
Location on Google Maps (on Southside Drive in Yosemite Valley).
The Cathedral Beach Picnic Area is the first of several picnic areas you’ll pass as you enter Yosemite Valley.
Cathedral Picnic Area is particularly nice because you can see El Capitan from the sandy shore, and there are lots of shady places to eat.
Be aware that bears are very common here. Never leave your food out of reach for even a minute. Even with other people nearby in the middle of the day, bears will come through.
Read more about what to do if you see a bear here.
Merced River
Why it’s worth visiting: The Merced River is designated as a Wild and Scenic River!
Parking: There’s parking all over Yosemite Valley to access the Merced River.
Location on Google Maps: Two nice spots to view the river are from Pohono Bridge and the Happy Isles Nature Center (Yosemite Valley).
The Merced River is classified as a Wild and Scenic River, which is basically like calling the river a little national park unto itself.
It’s a lovely sight to behold, and there are essentially no bad views of the river. The Merced River runs the entire length of the Valley, so you can’t miss it.
Two of my favorite views of the river are from Pohono Bridge and Happy Isles Nature Center.
You can drive to Pohono Bridge–it’s on the western end of the Valley. However, you’ll have to walk to Happy Isles Nature Center or take the shuttle bus if it’s running.
The Happy Isles Nature Center is just across the bridge from the Mist Trail/John Muir Trail Trailhead, so it’s a very popular area.
The Merced is the most scenic in spring and early June. In fall, unfortunately, the river level gets quite low and a little stagnant in places.
Yosemite Falls from Yosemite Chapel
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s a dang cute little chapel next to a rip-roaring waterfall.
Parking: There’s parking right at the Chapel on the right side of the road.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
The Yosemite Valley Chapel is a historic chapel that was built in 1879 and is still open today for non-denominational services.
The outside of the chapel is very quaint and provides a nice spot to see Yosemite Falls, which is across the valley.
The parking lot is quite small, but many people don’t know they can park there, so it’s a good launching spot if you want to walk around.
Sentinel Bridge
Why it’s worth visiting: A historic stone bridge with a great view of Half Dome.
Parking: There’s a parking lot on the north side of the bridge (aka the waterfall side).
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Sentinel Bridge is one of Yosemite’s many historic stone bridges and the first one you’ll encounter as you drive past the Yosemite Valley Chapel.
The names of the bridges are inscribed on the bridge so you know which one you’re on. This bridge is close to Cook’s Meadow and provides an excellent view of Half Dome.
Stoneman Meadow
Why it’s worth visiting: Great views of Half Dome with a beautiful green meadow.
Parking: Curry Village.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Stoneman Meadow provides one of the best views of Half Dome in Yosemite Valley, in my humble opinion.
The meadow is lovely in itself. And while you’re not allowed to walk through the meadows in Yosemite Valley (except on wooden boardwalks), you can bring a camp chair and sit on the sidewalk near the meadow.
Royal Arches
Why it’s worth visiting: See the geologic feature known as “exfoliation.”
Parking: Curry Village.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
The Royal Arches are a feature on the north side of the Valley across from Curry Village.
They aren’t complete arches you can walk through, but arcs that have naturally fallen away from the cliff face in a geologic process called “exfoliation.”
The best view of Royal Aches is from Stoneman Meadow and another good place to see them is from the road or sidewalk on Ahwahnee Meadow.
If you’re driving through Curry Village, look across Stoneman Meadow (the meadow on the other side of the road from Curry Village) and the arches are etched into the wall there.
While you can walk up to the base of the cliff where the arches are, most people don’t unless they’re rock climbers.
Since Royal Arches is a popular climbing area–look for the headlamps of climbers rappelling down in the evening!
Cook’s Meadow
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s an easy walk with great views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls near Yosemite Village.
Parking: Sentinel Bridge, Yosemite Valley Lodge, or Visitor Parking.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Cook’s Meadow is an unmarked meadow right across from Yosemite Falls and the Valley Visitor Center.
It’s a beautiful spot to walk around and provides some of the best sunrise views in Yosemite.
Parking for Cook’s Meadow is tricky but the best place to park is the Yosemite Valley Lodge or Visitor Parking, which is near the Village Store.
Tunnel View
Why it’s worth visiting: The most famous viewpoint of Yosemite Valley.
Parking: There are two parking lots directly adjacent to the viewpoint. You can’t miss them!
Location on Google Maps (20-minute drive from Yosemite Valley).
Tunnel View is one of the best views in Yosemite Valley. The viewpoint is called “Tunnel View” because you’ll pass through a long tunnel first and then emerge into the splendor of the Valley.
It’s quite a dramatic entrance to the Valley.
Sentinel Dome from Superintendent’s Bridge
Why it’s worth visiting: Best sunset views in Yosemite.
Parking: Yosemite Chapel.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Superintendent’s Bridge is called “Berg Bridge” on Google, but it used to be called Superintendent’s because it was near the historic superintendent’s house.
This bridge is right across the street from the Yosemite Valley Chapel and is a beautiful location to watch the sunset light hit Sentinel Dome.
Sentinel Dome is the rock face across the valley from Yosemite Falls.
Yosemite Falls from Swinging Bridge
Why it’s worth visiting: Catch Yosemite Falls in the reflection of the Merced River.
Parking: There’s a small parking lot next to Swinging Bridge but it fills up fast. You can park past Swinging Bridge along the road and walk back.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Swinging Bridge is another one of the best views in Yosemite and an insanely popular place to picnic and see the falls.
It’s also the first place you’ll see with a bathroom on your drive into the Valley. The bridge doesn’t swing anymore, but it’s still a great spot to view the falls and have lunch.
Note that dogs are allowed at the established picnic tables only. They should not go on the beach or in the water.
This is another spot where bears are frequently seen, so it’s important to keep dogs and bears from mixing!
Olmsted Point
Why it’s worth visiting: Get a view of the backside of Half Dome.
Parking: A wide, marked pull-out will show you where to park.
Location on Google Maps (Tuolumne Meadows, just off Tioga Road – 1.15-hour drive, 45 miles from Yosemite Valley).
Olmsted Point is a popular viewpoint along Tioga Pass Road that showcases the backside of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.
The pull-out is marked and has informational signs about the geology of the area.
Tenaya Lake
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s a giant sub-alpine lake.
Parking: There’s parking along Tenaya Lake but it fills up quickly on weekends.
Location on Google Maps (Tuolumne Meadows – 1.15-hour drive, 47 miles from Yosemite Valley).
Tenaya Lake is a massive, freezing-cold lake nestled among the white granite of the Tuolumne area. This lake is popular for kayakers and stand-up paddleboarders, as well as for picnickers.
Tuolumne Meadows
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s quiet and cool in the summer.
Parking: There are marked parking lots all over Tuolumne Meadows.
Location on Google Maps (Tuolumne Meadows, near the east entrance – 1.5-hour drive, 54 miles from Yosemite Valley).
Tuolumne Meadows is a whole different world compared to Yosemite Valley but provides a good dose of the best views in Yosemite.
It’s cooler and much quieter than the Valley. Up there, you’ll be closer to jagged peaks and wide-open sub-alpine meadows and lakes.
Hetch Hetchy Reservoir & O’Shaugassey Dam
Why it’s worth visiting: A quieter area of the park with lots of history.
Parking: There’s limited parking near Hetch Hetchy, but since it’s not highly visited, you may not have too much of a problem.
Location on Google Maps (Hetch Hetchy – 1.15-hour drive, 40 miles from Yosemite Valley).
The O’Shaugassey Dam was put in place to reserve a water source for San Francisco after the 1906 devastating fire.
The flooded Hetch Hetchy Valley was said to be as beautiful as Yosemite Valley and the public outcry after the installation of the dam is partly what inspired the creation of the National Park Service.
Today you can visit the dam and hike around it to appreciate the good views, but you cannot recreate in the water.
El Portal View (Closed in 2022)
Why it’s worth visiting: Great night skies.
Parking: A small road pull-out overlooking the Merced River Canyon.
Location on Google Maps: Glacier Point Road, two miles after the Chinquapin turnoff – 45-minute drive, ~20 miles from Yosemite Valley.
El Portal View is an unmarked pullout along Glacier Point Road. The pullout (there are three of them) overlooks the Merced River Canyon as it heads toward the small town of El Portal.
This is also a fun spot to watch the stars, but it’s currently closed along with the rest of Glacier Point Road for 2022.
Washburn Point and Glacier Point (Closed in 2022)
Why it’s worth visiting: Stunning views of the entire valley plus a side-view of Half Dome.
Parking: There’s parking at Glacier Point and Washburn Point.
Location on Google Maps (Glacier Point – 1.5-hour drive from Yosemite Valley).
Glacier Point is probably the next most popular Yosemite viewpoint next to Tunnel View and for good reason! Glacier Point (and Washburn Point) both showcase the side of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley.
Note Glacier Point Road is closed to all traffic through 2022, even foot and bike traffic.
Best Yosemite Views Further From the Road (Hike-in Viewpoints)
Vernal and Nevada Falls
Why it’s worth visiting: One of the top views of Yosemite, plus you’ll get misted by the waterfall!
Parking: Wilderness Lot or Curry Village–both of these fill up fast!
Hiking distance: 1.6-mile hike (1-1.5 hours) and 5.4-mile hike (5-6 hours) from the Mist Trail Trailhead, respectively. Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley, Mist Trail, and John Muir Trail Trailhead).
Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls are two of the most popular and best hikes in Yosemite.
These strenuous hikes take you up the Merced River Corridor past two enormous waterfalls. You’ll first pass Vernal Falls and, if you’re feeling strong, you can continue to Nevada Falls.
This hike is one of the most popular in the park, so expect parking to fill up by 8 am on weekends and most summer weekdays.
Yosemite Valley from the Top of Half Dome
Why it’s worth visiting: To say you did it!
Parking: Wilderness Parking Lot or Curry Village–both of these fill up fast!
Hiking distance: 16-mile hike (~10-12 hours). Trail Guide.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
The view of Yosemite Valley from Half Dome’s summit is something not everyone gets to enjoy, but if you have the energy, it’s well worth the journey.
I’ve done the hike and, I’ll be honest, this is an extremely tough hike and not for people with a fear of heights.
The best recommendation is to start between 4-6 am and even still this hike will take you all day.
On your way to Half Dome, you’ll pass Vernal and Nevada Falls, so it’s quite a scenic hike that lets you fit in a few of the best views in Yosemite!
You do need a permit to get to the top of Half Dome on the cables for one of the most epic views in the park. You can read more about the permit system here.
Mirror Lake
Why it’s worth visiting: The closest you can get to Half Dome without being on top of it.
Parking: Curry Village, North Pines Campground overflow lot (not the campground itself), or the Ahwahnee Hotel.
Hiking distance: 2-mile out-and-back hike to the lake (1 hour) or 5-mile loop around the lake (2-3 hours). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Mirror Lake is another popular hiking destination in the Valley, but there’s a bit of a misnomer going on: there isn’t much of a lake here anymore.
A few decades ago, there was a dam here that created a lake, but the dam has since eroded and now the stream flows free again.
Spring and early summer are the best chance to find water here and to appreciate those one-of-a-kind reflections.
But even if you’re not hiking when there’s water, the trailhead for the hike offers an awesome view of Half Dome.
Upper Yosemite Falls
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s the tallest waterfall in North America!
Parking: Camp 4 Campground or Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Hiking distance: 7.6-mile hike (4-6 hours). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
One of the best views of Yosemite Falls is from the Upper Falls Trail. This is different than the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail, which is a short, ½ mile loop.
The Upper Falls Trail is very difficult but the view from the top as the water plummets over the edge is unforgettable.
Columbia Rock
Why it’s worth visiting: Amazing views of the valley with less work than Upper Yosemite Falls.
Parking: Camp 4 Campground or Yosemite Valley Lodge.
Hiking distance: 1.9-mile hike (1-2 hours). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
Columbia Rock is about a third of the way up the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail and features an overlook with a metal railing.
This is a great spot to stop and see the Valley and is much less strenuous than the Upper Falls Trail if you don’t want to go all the way to the top.
Valley Loop Trail
Why it’s worth visiting: One of the easiest hiking trails around the Yosemite Valley floor with *tons* of great views.
Parking: Anywhere in Yosemite Valley.
Hiking distance: 7.2-mile hike (2.5-3.5 hours) for the half-loop or 11.5-mile hike for the full loop (4-6 hours). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
The Valley Loop Trail offers some of the greatest variety of views in Yosemite because the trail takes you across the whole Valley, from Half Dome to El Capitan.
The best part is that it allows you to take in the sights without the crazy elevation gain, and you can pick up the trail almost anywhere in the Valley.
The whole loop trail is upwards of 11 miles, but you certainly don’t have to do all of it to enjoy the vistas.
Panorama Trail
Why it’s worth visiting: Amazing views of Illouette Creek, plus Vernal and Nevada Falls.
Parking: Wilderness Parking Lot or Curry Village.
Hiking distance: 17-mile hike (10-12 hours). Trail guide (starting from Glacier Point once it reopens).
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
The Panorama Trail would be a good hike to save for after 2023 when Glacier Point Road construction is over.
The trail goes from Glacier Point to Happy Isles and takes you by Illouette Falls, Nevada Falls, and Vernal Falls.
Since Glacier Point is closed, you’d have to do this as an out-and-back hike, which is a very long day, but still do-able if you’re up for it!
East Valley from Four Mile Trail
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s less crowded than Vernal or Nevada Falls but still has amazing views of magnificent Yosemite Valley.
Parking: Along the road next to the trailhead at Swinging Bridge or just past Swinging Bridge at Chapel Meadow.
Hiking distance: 8-mile hike (4-6 hours). Trail guide (just take off the Glacier Point section until it reopens).
Location on Google Maps (Yosemite Valley).
The Four Mile Trail goes from Glacier Point to the Valley Floor. In 2022 and 2023, you can only start the trail from the Valley floor, but the views near the top are awesome!
And they’re the closest to the “Glacier Point” view that you’ll get this year. It looks eastward towards the side of Half Dome.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Why it’s worth visiting: You get to see some of the tallest, oldest trees in the world!
Parking: Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza, just outside the south entrance. There are 300 spaces here but they are often filled by mid-morning.
Hiking distance: 6.2-mile hike (3-5 hours). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Wawona – 1-hour drive, 34-miles from Yosemite Valley).
The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is the biggest grove of giants in the park. It was originally designated as a national park by itself before it was folded in with greater Yosemite.
There are lots of scenic viewpoints in the grove, but I’d recommend doing as much of the trail (the linked “Trail guide”) as possible for the most bang for your buck.
As of 2022, the shuttle from the Welcome Plaza to the grove should be operational, but it’s *always* a good idea to check the park website for the most updated information.
If the shuttle isn’t running, you’ll need to add a total of four miles (two additional miles each way) to the hike.
Clouds Rest
Why it’s worth visiting: Some people like the view from here better than the view from Half Dome.
Parking: Tenaya Lake or Sunrise Lakes Trailhead.
Hiking distance: 14-mile hike (7-9 hours). Trail guide.
Location: Tuolumne Meadows – 1.15-hour drive, 46 miles from Yosemite Valley).
I haven’t done the Cloud’s Rest Trail myself yet but it’s on my list! This is a 14-mile hike to an overlook of the Yosemite Valley from the east end of the Valley (the opposite view from Tunnel View).
The trailhead for this hike is the Sunrise Lakes Trailhead, but you can also park anywhere along Tenaya Lake off Tioga Pass Road. The view from the top of Clouds Rest is reportedly amazing.
Tuolumne Meadows from Lembert Dome
Why it’s worth visiting: You’re getting to the high point of the high country!
Parking: Dog Lake Parking Area or Lembert Dome Picnic Area.
Hiking distance: 3.7-mile hike (1.5-3 hours). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Tuolumne Meadows – 1.5-hour drive, 55 miles from Yosemite Valley).
Lembert Dome is right off the road in Tuolumne Meadows and is a fairly easy hike with a big payoff. You get to overlook all of Tuolumne Meadows including the Cathedral Range of mountains.
This is an easy 3.6-mile hike that takes you to the top of a sloped granite dome. There are lots of places to park all around the dome too.
Taft Point (Closed in 2022)
Why it’s worth visiting: It’s an awesome overlook into the Valley with a stunning cliff drop-off.
Parking: Taft Point Parking Area.
Hiking distance: 2.3-mile hike (1 hour). Trail guide.
Location on Google Maps (Glacier Point Road – 1.15-hour drive from Yosemite Valley).
Taft Point is along Glacier Point Road, so it isn’t accessible this year, but when the road reopens this is definitely worth the hike.
It’s a short ~2-mile hike that’s relatively flat and takes you out to the canyon rim and a vista point overlooking El Capitan.
FAQs About Yosemite Viewpoints
Where is the best view in Yosemite?
The best, most iconic view of Yosemite National Park is Tunnel View, just 20 minutes outside Yosemite Valley along Highway 41.
What is the biggest attraction in Yosemite National Park?
The biggest attraction in Yosemite National Park is Yosemite Valley.
Some of the best viewpoints in Yosemite can be found in the Valley, including El Capitan, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Bridalveil Falls.
Many popular hiking routes like Vernal and Nevada Falls start from Yosemite Valley as well. Plus, there are lots of historic areas in the Valley, like Curry Village and the Yosemite Museum.
Can you see Half Dome from the Road?
Yes, there are lots of places to see Half Dome from the road. These places include Tunnel View, Sentinel Bridge, Curry Village, Stoneman Meadow, Mirror Lake Trail, and more.
Where is the best view of Half Dome?
The best view of Half Dome is from Curry Village and Stoneman Meadow, which are right next to each other.
Can you visit Yosemite without hiking? Can you just see Yosemite by car?
Yes! You can see Yosemite without hiking. Yosemite National Park is huge. In fact, it’s about the size of Rhode Island, so you’ll do lots of driving on your trip regardless of your destination.
Note that parking in Yosemite Valley is notoriously confusing and hard to get to, so if you’re planning to only see the park by car, have a good map of the Valley with you.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Mimi McFadden
Founder & Editor-In-Chief
Mimi McFadden initially started The Atlas Heart in 2013 to write about her adventures abroad. But since 2019, The Atlas Heart has become a love letter to the Golden State. Mimi enjoys sharing her first-hand knowledge and expertise with the places she knows so well and making the most comprehensive travel guides possible. When she’s not hiking and exploring new places in California, she loves to travel abroad, read in her cozy chaise lounge, play basketball, and connect with friends and family over board games. Over her 28 years in California, she has lived in Santa Cruz (18 years), San Diego (5 years), and the San Francisco Bay Area (5 years), where she currently resides.
Looking for more Yosemite travel inspiration? Read our related articles below!
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A Guide to Experiencing Yosemite Firefall
How to get from San Francisco to Yosemite National Park
9 Closest Airports to Yosemite National Park
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