3-Day Yosemite Itinerary for First-Time Visitors Who Love to Hike

If you’re planning 3 days in Yosemite National Park, get ready for breathtaking views, bucket-list hikes, and iconic sights that truly live up to the hype.

After 3 fun-filled days in San Francisco, my boyfriend, Tim, and I made the 4-hour drive to Yosemite and spent 3 unforgettable days soaking in its magic before continuing on to Petaluma for our friends’ wedding weekend.

Whether you’re road-tripping through California (like we did!) or planning a dedicated Yosemite getaway, I’ve got you covered. I know how overwhelming it can feel to plan a trip here—between ticketed entry, parking challenges, and figuring out the best hikes and viewpoints.

That’s why I’m sharing our full 3-day Yosemite itinerary plus practical tips on ticketed entry, how to use the shuttle, what to pack, what to wear, and how to make the most of your visit in June (one of the most beautiful months in the park).

Now, let’s dive in and get you ready for your own Yosemite adventure! 

Yosemite Entry: What You Need to Know

First, let’s start with the basics for visiting Yosemite National Park, specifically the reservation system and entrance fees.

Yosemite Reservation

If you’re planning your Yosemite trip for Memorial Day weekend, between June 15 and August 15, or over Labor Day weekend, you’ll need to make a peak-hours reservation in advance to enter the park between 6:00 am and 2:00 pm.

This timed-entry system helps manage crowds during Yosemite’s busiest months, and the non-refundable reservation is just $2.

Reservations for all 2025 dates were released on recreation.gov on May 6, 2025 at 8:00 am PDT (this may vary year-to-year). Additional reservations will be made available 7 days before your arrival date at 8:00 am PDT, but I would advise booking as early as possible to secure your spot.

A Broad Recommendation: Be sure to download your reservation before getting to the park. We didn’t have cell service at the park entrance (or throughout the park for that matter), and we wouldn’t have been able to pull up our reservation if I hadn’t saved it to my Apple wallet prior to our visit.

Yosemite Entrance Fee

Regardless of if you have a reservation or not, Yosemite National Park has an entrance fee of $35 per vehicle, which is valid for 3 days.

If you plan to visit Yosemite for more than 3 days or to check out any other national parks within the next year, you may want to look into the America the Beautiful Pass, which costs $80 and provides access to more than 2,000 federal recreation sites across the United States, including national parks.

A Broad Recommendation: If you plan to arrive before 6:00 am or after 2:00 pm, you won’t need a peak-hours reservation, but you’ll still need to pay the entrance fee or have a valid pass. I recommend making a reservation either way, just in case. We planned on early starts but didn’t always hit the road as early as intended. Flexibility is key!

How to Get Around Yosemite

Sourced from: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/publictransportation.htm

The Yosemite Valley Shuttle runs from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm and connects the major trailheads, visitor centers, and lodges. Best of all, it’s free and easy to use!

If you start your day early (by 7:00 am if possible) and get a parking spot close to your first stop or hike, you can use the shuttle the rest of the day to avoid having to find parking again and again.

Our barista at Mountain Sage Coffee in Groveland mentioned that we’d gotten lucky and coincidentally visited during a “lull” in the summer season (between Juneteenth and the 4th of July). Yet, we still had to wait for parking at times, so using the shuttle is probably your best bet if you’re visiting in the summer.

Where to Stay Near Yosemite

For our 3-day Yosemite itinerary, we stayed at Yosemite Westgate Lodge in Buck Meadows—about a 35–40 minute drive from Yosemite Valley via the Big Oak Flat Entrance.

While it’s a bit of a trek each morning, we found the lodge to be clean, quiet, and comfortable (other than our rowdy neighbors the first couple nights). Overall, it was a nice place to crash after a long day of hiking.

The rooms are spacious, there’s a seasonal pool and hot tub for soaking sore muscles, and there’s even an on-site restaurant (the Lucky Buck Cafe, which we enjoyed!) if you don’t feel like cooking or driving far for dinner.

Plus, the lodge is only about 5 minutes from Groveland if you need gas, snacks, or anything you forgot to pack.

My only complaint was that the water in our shower didn’t get warm in the evenings when we got back each night (after sunset). I’m not sure if this only impacted our room, but it was frustrating, especially on those cooler evenings!

A Broad Recommendation: If you’re looking to stay close to the park but want to avoid the high price tags of staying inside Yosemite, this is a great mid-range option. We paid just under $1K for 4 nights here.

Where to Stock Up On Essentials

Before heading to our hotel the night before our 3 days in Yosemite, we made a quick stop at Mar-Val grocery store in Groveland. This small-town store had everything we needed—from trail snacks and water to deli items and picnic-friendly meals.

We packed sandwiches for lunch each day, which worked perfectly for hikes, where there were no food options nearby. Trust me, you’ll want to be fully stocked—there aren’t many places to grab food once you’re deep in the park.

A Broad Recommendation: Consider packing a soft-sided cooler or insulated lunch bag if you have one. Though we didn’t really need it for this trip, we kept our RTIC Ultra-Tough Soft Cooler in the car throughout our Nevada, Utah, and Arizona road trip, and it definitely came in handy, especially during those longer drives between parks!

Weather in Yosemite in June

Mid-June is one of the best times to visit Yosemite National Park—waterfalls are still flowing at their most powerful, wildflowers are blooming at higher elevations, and most roads and trails are open.

If you’re visiting Yosemite Valley and Wawona (this is where we spent most of our time), daytime highs range from between 75 to 90°F in June, with morning and evening lows between 45 to 55°F.

Expect higher elevations like Glacier Point, Tuolumne, and Tioga Road to be about 10 to 20°F cooler, especially in the early morning and evening.

What to Pack for Yosemite in June

June has some of Yosemite’s best hiking (and exploring) conditions. But, with chilly mornings, warm afternoons, and the occasional waterfall spray (hello, Mist Trail!), packing smart is key—especially if you’re hitting the trails hard like we did.

Here’s what I recommend bringing for a comfortable and well-prepared experience:

Clothing & Layers

• Moisture-wicking base layers: Great for managing sweat during long hikes
• Insulating mid-layer: Fleece or light jacket for chilly mornings
• Lightweight outer shell: Rain jacket or poncho for waterfall trails (you will get misted!). I wore something similar to this insulated North Face jacket (unfortunately, the exact one is no longer available, since I’ve had it for so many years now—it’s really withstood the test of time!)
• Quick-dry hiking pants/shorts: Avoid jeans or anything that stays wet. I wore leggings or workout shorts each day (both of which have pockets for storing my phone!). I also like these water-resistant pants, which I wore throughout Iceland
• Hat & polarized sunglasses: Essential for sunny, exposed trails
• Bathing suit: Though we didn’t swim this time around, Yosemite has lots of fun swimming spots and water activities, and our hotel also had a pool and hot tub

Footwear & Trail Gear

• Hiking boots or trail shoes: Trails range from dusty to rocky, so good grip is a must
• Wool or moisture-wicking socks: Keep your feet dry and blister-free
• Trekking poles: Helpful for elevation gain and longer hikes like the Four Mile Trail. We’ve never tried these but were definitely jealous of those who had them at times!

Daypack Essentials

• Daypack or hydration pack: Big enough to carry layers, food, and water (and lots of pockets to keep everything organized!)
• 3+ liters of water per person: Plus electrolytes for those strenuous climbs (Tim and I like LMNT)
• Snacks or trail lunches: Think energy bars, nuts, jerky, fruit, and sandwiches
• Bug spray or mosquito repellent bracelets: Mosquitoes can be annoying in higher elevations and at sunset (I was getting bit up at our first sunset spot until I put on one of these bracelets)
• Sunscreen & lip balm with SPF: Even on cooler days, that mountain sun is strong
• Reusable water bottle or hydration bladder: You’ll be drinking a lot, and some trailheads have water refill stations
• Small first-aid kit: Blister bandages, ibuprofen, and any personal meds

Miscellaneous Items

• Apple Watch: You’ll want a way to track your trail mileage
• Portable charger or power bank: Your phone will likely run out of battery when using trail apps or taking lots of photos. My Apple Watch also almost ran out of battery the first day during our epic hike in Yosemite, and I was able to charge it when we stopped for lunch and at Glacier Point
• Selfie stick tripod: If you’re traveling alone or want some couple/group shots
• Waterproof cell phone case: Perfect for all of that waterfall spray and to secure your phone on some of the rougher terrain
• Trail map or downloaded AllTrails maps: Cell service is limited throughout the park. I always download offline Google Maps when hiking or exploring new places, and Tim did a 7-day free trial of the AllTrails app for this trip
• Quick-dry towel: For drying off after waterfall spray or river lounging
• Headlamp or flashlight: Just in case you’re out later than planned or decide to hike at sunset
• Female urination device: For those longer hikes with no restrooms and limited coverage

Check out my full Hiking Packing List on Amazon for all of the products I recommend for your next hiking adventure!

3-Day Yosemite Itinerary

Now that we have all the basics covered, let’s dive into our 3-day, adventure-packed Yosemite itinerary designed for June.

If you’re looking to make the most of three full days in the park, this guide will help you plan it all—down to the trailhead parking and picnic breaks.

Note that we tried to hit the trails early each day to soak in the views before the crowds rolled in (emphasis on tried). We unfortunately had to modify our itinerary for day 2 when I was dealing with some pretty painful hiker’s rash from day 1—ugh! 

I’ve still included our original plans for day 2, along with our modified plans, in case you’re feeling up for some more intense hiking.

Day 1:

• 7:00 am: Park at Yosemite Valley Trailhead Lot
• 7:30 am: Mist Trail, Panorama Trail, & Four Mile Trail with a stop at Glacier Point (8-9 hours minimum)
• 7:30 pm: Dinner at Taqueria @ Meadow Grill
• Optional sunset at Sentinel Bridge (we sadly ran out of time for this)

Day 2:

• 10:00 am: Scenic overlooks/pull-offs
• 11:00 am: Bridalveil Fall Trail
• 1:00 pm: Lunch at Swinging Bridge
• 2:00 pm: Yosemite Village (Ansel Adams Gallery, Yosemite Museum, Yosemite Cemetery, etc.)
• Optional add-on: Mirror Lake Trail (we skipped this, since my legs were still hurting)
• 4:00 pm: Lower Yosemite Falls Viewpoint
• 4:30 pm: Early dinner at Degnan’s Kitchen
• 7:00 pm: Sunset at Valley View

*Our original plan was to start closer to 6:45 am, park at the Yosemite Falls Trailhead, and hike the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail (about 5-6 hours), followed by the day 2 itinerary above.

Day 3:

• 9:30 am: Taft Point Trail
• 12:00 pm: Picnic lunch in between trails
• 12:30 pm: Sentinel Dome Trail
• Optional add-ons: McGurk Meadow Trail or Mono Meadow Trail
• 4:00 pm: Early dinner at the Village Grill
• 5:00 pm: Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (we saw a bear on this one!)
• 6:30 pm: Final sunset at Tunnel View

The rest of this post focuses on the details about each of these spots to help you curate your own perfect 3-day Yosemite itinerary.

A Broad Recommendation: Start early, dress in layers, and always bring more water than you think you’ll need. Mornings are chilly (especially if you’re starting hikes before 7:00 am), but you’ll warm up quickly once the sun hits. Yosemite in June is a dream—but only if you’re prepared to keep up with the terrain and the weather!

Day 1 in Yosemite National Park

We started our morning bright and early, making the hour-long drive from our hotel to the park. We arrived at the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Lot around 7:00 am and were grateful to find parking, after passing a sign that said Curry Village parking was already full!

A Broad Recommendation: I’m going to emphasize this time and time again, but I highly recommend getting to the park early each day to find parking and to beat the crowds, especially if you’re visiting in the summer.

If the Yosemite Valley Trailhead Lot is already full, try to park at Curry Village (if you don’t see a sign indicating this one is already full too!), Swinging Bridge, or Yosemite Village and take the shuttle to Happy Isles (shuttle stop #16), where you’ll start the Mist Trail.

Another alternative is parking at the Four Mile Trail Trailhead (where you’ll be ending your hike) and taking the shuttle to Happy Isles.

Mist Trail → Panorama Trail → Four Mile Trail

By 7:30 am, we were well on our way to kick off our 3-day Yosemite itinerary with the most epic hike in Yosemite!

The Mist Trail → Panorama Trail → Four Mile Trail combination route is an unforgettable all-day hike, packed with postcard-worthy scenery, waterfall spray, and serious mileage.

It covers around 16 miles with more than 4,500 feet of elevation gain, but it also offers some of the most iconic views in the entire park!

From misty moments at the base of the falls to sweeping panoramas of Half Dome, Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls, and El Capitan, this hike was challenging but so worth every step.

And, don’t worry, each of these trails can be done separately if you’re looking for a more relaxing experience—go with whatever feels right for you and your crew!

👉 I have an entire blog post with detailed tips, trail breakdowns, and honest reflections on this hike. If you’re planning to tackle it, check my full guide to the Mist, Panorama & Four Mile Combination Trail.

Note: we hiked this combination route clockwise, starting with the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls to avoid the slippery granite steps during the busiest part of the day, then connected to the Panorama Trail, took a break at Glacier Point, and finished by descending the Four Mile Trail into Yosemite Valley.

I’ll be honest though—going downhill for more than 4 miles on tired legs wasn’t exactly a breeze either (yep, despite its name, the Four Mile Trail is actually more than 4 miles!).

A Broad Recommendation: Start early (by 7:00 am) for cooler temps and fewer crowds. Pack 3+ liters of water per person, electrolytes, snacks, lunch, and all your hiking daypack essentials, including a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, power bank and charging cords, first aid kit, napkins, hand sanitizer, etc. Wear sturdy hiking boots and moisture-wicking socks. You may also want to bring trekking poles if you have some (we will be getting some for next time!).

A Broad Recommendation: Portions of the Mist Trail are steep and wet—especially in June, when the waterfalls are at full force (for this reason, June is one of the best times to do this epic hike). That being said, a waterproof layer is a must (trust me, you will get wet!). I wore my insulated North Face jacket for our chilly morning start, and I was glad I did!

Taqueria @ Meadow Grill

After nearly 12 hours on the trails, we were more than ready for a hearty meal! We caught the shuttle from the Four Mile Trail trailhead to Curry Village, where we stumbled upon Taqueria @ Meadow Grill, a casual spot serving up some surprisingly tasty Mexican food.

Tim and I both ordered the three-taco plate—one with pork carnitas, the other with carne asada—and they totally hit the spot. The tacos were simple but flavorful, with tender meat, fresh toppings, and just the right amount of spice.

The atmosphere was relaxed, service was much quicker than expected (despite a pretty long line), and the open-air seating made it a great way to wind down and soak in the mountain air one last time before heading back on the hour-long drive to our hotel.

A Broad Recommendation: If you’re an avid hiker like us, you may also be interested in the incredible, 2-week road trip Tim and I took through Nevada, Utah, and Arizona, where we visited all of the Utah national parks (hello, Mighty 5!), Monument Valley, Horseshoe Bend, Antelope Canyon, and the Valley of Fire.

Day 2 in Yosemite National Park

Originally, we’d hoped to hike the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, another strenuous 7.6-mile, round-trip trek with nearly 3,000 feet of elevation gain.

It’s one of the most iconic hikes in the park (Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall in North America!) and offers panoramic views of the falls, Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and beyond.

But unfortunately, I was struggling with the all-too-familiar signs of hiker’s rash—something I’ve dealt with on other trips with long walking/hiking days like in Arches National Park, Rome, and Greece.

So, we decided to give my legs a break and opt for a lower-impact day instead (yes, if you know me, you know that I was super bummed about this!).

If you’re up for the challenge though, I’ve heard that this trail is absolutely worth it. Just be sure to bring plenty of water, snacks, sun protection, and sturdy hiking shoes like on day one.

Scenic Pull-Offs

Instead, we started our second day in Yosemite with a slow, scenic drive along Big Oak Flat Road, stopping at several pull-offs along the way.

This stretch of road is picturesque, with sweeping views of the valley, granite cliffs, and lush forest below, and these early morning pull-offs offered a great way to ease into our second day in the park—even if it wasn’t exactly what we’d initially planned.

Bridalveil Fall Trail

Our first official stop of the day was Bridalveil Fall, which is one of the most popular waterfalls in the park, as it’s accessible for all types of visitors.

The trail is an easy, 0.5-mile round trip and recently underwent a restoration project, so the new paths and viewing areas are more enjoyable and less crowded than before.

While the water flow can vary depending on the time of year, in June, it was flowing beautifully and misting everyone standing too close to the overlook!

Bridalveil Fall is a quick stop just off Wawona Road (Highway 41) near the entrance to Yosemite Valley, making it an easy addition to your Yosemite itinerary.

Here are some additional details about the Bridalveil Fall Trail:

• Distance: 0.5 miles round-trip
• Time: ~15–30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Direction: Out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: ~80 feet
• Highlights: Dramatic views of Bridalveil Fall, which plunges 620 feet from a hanging valley

A Broad Recommendation: We arrived around 11:00 am, but I’d recommend getting here earlier, as the trail was already busy, we had to wait a few minutes for parking (not too big of a deal, since people are constantly coming and going), and the lighting was harsh behind the falls, making it difficult to capture quality photos.

Lunch at Swinging Bridge

After Bridalveil Fall, we made our way to the Swinging Bridge Picnic Area, which is just a few minutes from Yosemite Valley Lodge. This turned out to be one of our favorite chill spots of the day, though we did have to wait around 15 minutes to find parking.

We set up a casual picnic with sandwiches and snacks from the car, dipped our feet in the cool Merced River, and relaxed with gorgeous views of Upper Yosemite Falls in the distance. It’s a great place to take a longer break, especially if you’re skipping the more strenuous hikes.

This is also one of the best places to swim in Yosemite, have a beach day, or go kayaking or rafting. We saw lots of people in the water, and they looked like they were having a great time!

Yosemite Village

Next, we headed into Yosemite Village, where we quickly found parking (luckily!), checked out the Yosemite Visitor Center, browsed through the Ansel Adams Gallery, visited the Yosemite Museum, and walked through the Yosemite Cemetery.

This area is a great place to learn more about the park’s history, stock up on last-minute trail essentials, or simply stretch your legs in a more developed part of the valley.

If you’re someone who loves mixing in a little culture with nature, Yosemite Village is definitely worth adding to your 3-day Yosemite itinerary.

A Broad Recommendation: After exploring Yosemite Village, consider walking to Mirror Lake. It’s a mostly flat, easy trail that offers beautiful reflections of Half Dome in the water, especially in the morning or late afternoon. While the “lake” often dries up by late summer, in early summer it’s a peaceful, scenic spot. Just note that mosquitoes can be out in full force here, so don’t forget your bug spray.

Degnan’s Kitchen

Since we were planning to stay in the park for sunset, we grabbed an early dinner from Degnan’s Kitchen, a casual cafeteria-style spot near Yosemite Village with yummy sandwiches, soups, salads, and more.

Degnan’s is a convenient option if you’re looking for something quick, filling, and low-key without leaving the park. We appreciated the quick and friendly service and the relaxed atmosphere, and there was plenty of outdoor seating.

Lower Yosemite Fall Viewpoint

Even though we had to skip the Upper Yosemite Falls Trail, we still wanted to see the falls up close.

So, we walked part of the paved Lower Yosemite Fall Trail—more on the full trail on day 3 of our Yosemite itinerary—and made our way to the Lower Yosemite Fall Viewpoint.

After a short, easy walk, we were rewarded with a stunning view of both the upper and lower cascade of the tallest waterfall in the park—and all of North America!

Sunset at Valley View

We wrapped up our better-than-expected day at one of the most picturesque spots in the park: Valley View. This pull-off is often overlooked compared to Tunnel View, but in my opinion, it’s one of the best places to watch the sunset in Yosemite and should be on your Yosemite itinerary.

The light hits the river just right here, with El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall perfectly framed in the background. It was quiet, peaceful, and the perfect way to wind down after a slower-paced but beautiful day in the valley.

Day 3 in Yosemite National Park

By the last day of our 3-day Yosemite itinerary, we were back on track, and I was ready to test out my hiking boots again! We left our hotel around 8:00 am and made the 1.5-hour drive to Glacier Point Road, where we would be starting our morning.

Taft Point Trail

We kicked off our last day with the relatively short hike to Taft Point, which offers one of the most dramatic views in all of Yosemite and should definitely be on your Yosemite itinerary.

The Taft Point Trail winds through a quiet forest before opening up to jaw-dropping views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls from a sheer cliff edge—no guardrails here, so watch your step!

The fissures near the edge are wild to see up close, and though we didn’t linger too long near the edge, the views were absolutely unforgettable.

Here are some additional details about the Taft Point Trail:

• Distance: 2.2 miles round-trip
• Time: ~1–1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy to Moderate
• Direction: Out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: ~250 feet
• Highlights: Cliffside views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and the Merced River; dramatic fissures in the granite; this is also a popular sunset hike

A Broad Recommendation: Again, you should start your day early, as the Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Trailhead parking lot fills up quickly. We arrived before 9:30 am and had no problem finding parking, though the main lot was almost full.

Sentinel Dome Trail

Sharing the same parking lot as Taft Point, the Sentinel Dome Trail gives you another incredible perspective of the park—this time from high above.

After hiking to Taft Point, we started briefly on the Sentinel Dome Trail, where we found a log to sit on, to give our legs a break, and to have our picnic lunch.

After lunch, we continued on along the Sentinel Dome Trail, which is short and steady until the final ascent. The last bit requires a short scramble up a granite dome and is well worth it for the 360-degree views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and the High Sierra peaks from the top!

This is one of the best effort-to-reward hikes in the park and one of my favorite hikes of our 3 days in Yosemite! Naturally, I had to do my signature handstand pose at the top—but don’t worry, I was nowhere near the edge here.

Here are some additional details about the Sentinel Dome Trail:

• Distance: 2.2 miles round-trip
• Time: ~1–1.5 hours
• Difficulty: Moderate (short but steep at the end)
• Direction: Out-and-back
• Elevation Gain: ~450 feet
• Highlights: Panoramic views of Half Dome, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, the High Sierra, and more from the summit; this is another popular sunset hike

A Broad Recommendation: If you find yourself with extra time (or want to swap in something more low-key), consider adding the McGurk Meadow or Mono Meadow trails to day 3 of your Yosemite itinerary. Both are quieter, more peaceful, and less crowded alternatives and are especially lovely in early summer when everything is green and wildflowers are in full bloom—just don’t forget to wear bug spray! Mosquitoes are especially bad in this area of the park.

Village Grill

After wrapping up our morning and early afternoon hikes, we made our way back to Yosemite Village for a casual dinner at Village Grill.

This spot offers classic grill fare—think burgers, fries, veggie options, and cold drinks—and it was exactly what we needed after another day on the trails.

The outdoor seating is simple, but comfortable, and everything was quick and convenient.

Lower Yosemite Falls Trail

Next, we revisited the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, since it’s such a quick and scenic walk, and we hadn’t done the entire loop the day before—and we sure are glad we did because this time, we had a wild surprise.

As we were crossing the bridge, a black bear casually walked right up toward us, just feet away! Luckily, it wasn’t aggressive, just curious, and wandered off after a moment, but it definitely got our hearts racing.

A Broad Recommendation: Though we felt comfortable, since we were above the bear on a bridge, we definitely got nervous when we saw some tourists following the bear into the woods—this is a huge no, no! Not only can bears be extremely dangerous, but you also don’t want to disturb any of the animals you encounter in their natural habitats here.

Beyond the bear encounter, the falls were roaring in June, and the mist felt amazing in the warm afternoon sun. However, the main viewpoint was flooded with tourists, so we only stuck around for a few minutes (thanks again to the random woman who captured this photo of us without anyone in the background!).

Here are some additional details about the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail:

• Distance: 1 mile round-trip
• Time: ~30 minutes
• Difficulty: Easy
• Direction: Loop
• Elevation Gain: ~50 feet
• Highlights: Views of the lower cascade of Yosemite Falls; family-friendly; bear sightings (if you’re lucky—and cautious!); powerful mist and photo ops in spring/early summer

This easy, paved hike should definitely be on your Yosemite itinerary—maybe even twice like ours!

Sunset at Tunnel View

We capped off our evening with sunset at Tunnel View, one of the most iconic and breathtaking viewpoints in the park.

From here, you get a classic panoramic shot of El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome in the distance—all glowing under the golden hour light.

It’s easily accessible, with a large parking area (we had no issues finding parking around 6:30 pm, but I still recommend getting here early!), making it the perfect stop even if you’re short on time.

Watching the sun dip behind the cliffs was a peaceful and picture-perfect way to end our Yosemite adventure, and we couldn’t have asked for a better last day in the park!

Conclusion

Ready to plan your own 3 days in Yosemite? Save this 3-day Yosemite itinerary for future reference, pack smart, and start your adventure early each day to beat the crowds and to soak in all the magic that Yosemite National Park has to offer.

Feel free to comment below with any questions, and safe travels!

XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads