For all the lazy girls out there, this Yosemite day trip guide is for you. Think you’re not outdoorsy enough to see this breathtaking nature preserve? What if I told you an easy way to experience Yosemite in just one day?
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Let me elaborate. Yosemite National Park is part of the Sierra Nevada mountains. The area is packed with iconic national parks like Sequoia National Park and Kings Canyon. Yosemite borders the Sierra National Forest which is just south down the highway.
With all these nature preserves clustered together, you can enjoy multiple sights on your way to the park.
This Yosemite itinerary skips more popular destinations like the village and Half Dome. Those are harder to get to with a much longer drive.
Instead, you’ll see Wawona which still has waterfalls, a sparkling river and massive trees. It’s at the south edge of the park and a shorter drive. Parking is much less competitive than Yosemite Village.
On the way back from the park, there’s another short hike (about 40 minutes) you can catch at Lewis Creek Trail. That’s pretty much it for the hiking. I did say this was for lazy girls, right?
Sounds like a do-able plan to see Yosemite, right? Keep reading for details on this trip and why you should visit.
Where to Stay to See Yosemite
Now, let’s discuss different lodging options for your Yosemite trip. The park is a remote area far away from any large cities. There are lodging options available in various places around the park. You can also stay in a hotel or AirBnB in a bigger town as well.
In-Park Lodging (not recommended)
Availability for in-park accommodations are limited, competitive and over-priced. You can stay in a hotel room or a tent. Let me explain why I don’t recommend either one.
First, you’ll be driving at least a few hours from the airport to the park when you first arrive. This makes for an exhausting travel day.
Rooms can run up to $600 nightly with only a few hotels in the park. Options include The Majestic Yosemite Hotel, Wawona Hotel and Curry Village. Tent rentals are much cheaper but not very comfortable for a lazy girl.
Lodging near Yosemite (recommended)
As a result, you need to look at places to stay outside of Yosemite. I think Fresno is one of the best places to stay around Yosemite. There are plenty of AirBnB/VRBOs or hotels you can stay in.
I chose an AirBnB with a pool, gas grill, fireplace and a ton of rooms. It was also near the Old Fig Village, a nice place to shop and eat. You can book the same house, just click the card below.
Driving to the park took about 1 hour and 45 minutes, so keep that in mind. However, it was well worth it for me to have a safe, comfortable stay.
1-Day in Yosemite: Itinerary
Here’s the info you came for. Where should you go inside the park? There are many areas to choose from like Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows and Bridalveil Creek.
For this itinerary, you’ll see Wawona on the south side of the park. I chose these locations because they’re easiest to get to when visiting Yosemite from the south. There’s even a bonus stop at Lewis Creek Trail.
There are plenty of lakes, rivers, waterfalls and mountains to see in these spots. You’ll also see California’s famous cedar trees and sequoias.
Park Entry & Reservations
With up to 4 million visitors each year, Yosemite gets crowded in the summer. That means competition for parking, shuttles and trail space.
Here are some tips for the best experience:
- Reservations are sometimes required during peak months. Check Yosemite’s basic information page to confirm whether you need a reservation.
- You also need to buy a park entry pass for your vehicle. You can do that online in advance or at the entry gate. The pass costs $35 and covers you and everyone in your car.
- Beat the crowds by arriving early. I recommend arriving before 7:00am to get a parking spot.
To get there, type “Wawona Visitor Center” into your maps. This will navigate you to the areas with parking.
You will enter the park using the South Entrance on California Highway 41. There’s usually a line of cars waiting to enter, so be prepared to wait in line. It took about 20 minutes to get through the line on my visit.
Have your reservation ready (if needed) and be ready to show your park entrance pass. Once you get through, continue following your GPS/ map instructions to the first stop.
Yosemite Map Itinerary
1. Wawona Swinging Bridge
First stop is in Wawona for one of the best hikes in Yosemite. You’ll take Chilnualna Falls Trail up to see Wawona Swinging Bridge and Merced River.
Here’s the trail route I took to the Swinging Bridge.
There are three parking lots that offer easy access to the trailhead. These are outside the visitor center, general store and history center. Navigate to Chilnualna Falls Road and walk west until you reach the trailhead.
The bridge isn’t far from the trailhead, so this hike is short. You’ll pass a peaceful meadow of massive fallen cedar trees. It’s amazing to see such gigantic trees lying in the pasture.
Keep along the trail until you reach the river and bridge. If the water is calm and warm, you should jump in for a swim. Otherwise, you can dip your feet in, enjoy the tranquil surroundings and meditate.
You can (and should) walk across the bridge. It’s a bit rickety, but was fun to try. You can make the bridge swing from side to side if you’re brave.
Back at the main area, you can also visit the following before you move on to Mariposa Grove:
- Wawona General Store is an adorable shop where you can buy snacks, drinks and other supplies. It also has a merch shop that sells Yosemite t-shirts, hats and more.
- At Yosemite History Center, you can learn about the human side of the park. See cabins, barns and other structures that were moved there from other places in the park. I enjoyed learning about the brave pioneers who settled there.
- Go to Wawona Visitors Center for support and helpful info like maps and guides. A park ranger is stationed there to help you. Keep this in mind in case of emergency.
2. Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Now it’s time to drive down to Mariposa Grove where there’s a huge concentration of giant sequoia trees.
Many of them are famous, especially the Grizzly Giant and California Tunnel Tree. You can actually walk through the tunnel tree and capture some killer photos.
To get there by car, type “Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza” into your GPS/maps. This will take you the parking lot. It can fill up my mid-morning, so I recommend leaving Wawona around 9:30am.
3. Lewis Creek Trail to Red Rock Falls
Ready to see a gushing waterfall? Let’s head to the last stop, Lewis Creek Trail National Recreation Trail (NRT) which is outside of Yosemite park. The trail is home to both Red Rock Falls and Corlieu Falls.
I only visited Red Rock Falls, which was a short hike from the trailhead. I followed this Lewis Creek Trail route on AllTrails to get to the waterfall.
To get to the trailhead, type “Lewis Creek Trailhead” into your GPS. It should bring you to a small dirt parking lot just off Highway 41.
Once you get there, hop out and start walking the trail until you reach a fork. Go left to access Red Rock Falls, and right if you want to see Corlieu Falls. Follow the signage and you’ll find whichever waterfall you chose.
My visit was in late July, so the waterfalls weren’t exactly gushing. If you visit in the spring months, you’ll have better luck. I still enjoyed the hike which was through a forest area. Highlights include colossal boulders, cliffside views and wild flowers along the trail.
Things to do Near Yosemite Park
Now that you’ve done all the hiking and sightseeing, it’s time to wind down. Let’s head out for beers, food and shopping on the way back to Fresno.
The first two stops are in Oakhurst, CA, a few miles south of the park. Then, a short detour to Sierra Cider in Mariposa, CA.
Shopping at Alpenglow Gear Co.
Address: 40680 Hwy 41 Oakhurst, CA 93644
Stop at Alpenglow, an outdoor gear shop that also sells Yosemite souvenirs and gifts. I found a cute hat and t-shirt that I wear all the time. You can also grab water, snacks, medicine and other supplies.
Lunch at Mountain Oaks Cafe
Address: 40282 CA-41 Unit 9 Oakhurst, CA 93644
You’ll be hungry after hours of hiking. I recommend lunch at Mountain Oaks Cafe. Offering classic American food, this is one of the best restaurants around Yosemite.
The calm vibe and friendly service will help recharge your energy. Sit out on the patio so you can continue enjoy the outdoors.
Beers at Sierra Cider
Address: 5611 Sierra Meadows Ln Mariposa, CA 95338
It’s time for a drink at Sierra Cider which crafts cider beer from its own apple farm. Explore the orchard and get a close look at the apple trees.
Visit the tasting room to sample different ciders they produce. There’s seating and an upper deck where you can see the entire orchard. Don’t miss this amazing stop!
Conclusion
I hope this article helps you plan a successful trip to Yosemite. It’s such a beautiful, peaceful place that I think everyone should have on their travel bucket list.
Want to visit another National Park? Learn about my trip to Zion National Park in Utah here.
