Plan Your Adventure
Trip Planner
Custom itineraries for every kind of Yosemite adventure — from a quick day trip to the ultimate week-long exploration
The Perfect Weekend
Two days to experience Yosemite Valley and the high country
Day 1 — Yosemite Valley Deep Dive
🌅Morning: Valley Floor
- •Early start from Groveland — grab coffee at Mountain Sage on the way out
- •Tunnel View for sunrise photos (arrive by 7:30 AM in summer)
- •Hike the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal Fall and continue to Nevada Fall
☀️Midday: Explore the Village
- •Lunch at Yosemite Valley Lodge or pack a picnic from Groveland
- •Visit the Yosemite Museum and Indian Village of Ahwahnee
- •Walk through the Ansel Adams Gallery
🌤️Afternoon: Waterfalls & Walls
- •Lower Yosemite Fall Trail (1 mi loop, easy) — powerful in spring
- •Bridalveil Fall Trail (0.5 mi round trip) — quick and gorgeous
- •El Capitan Meadow — watch climbers on the big wall with binoculars
🌙Evening: Groveland Dinner
- •Return to Groveland and dine at Charlotte Bistro for an upscale evening
- •Or grab tapas and cocktails at Gateway Tapas & Spirits
Pro Tip: Bring layers — the Valley floor can be 20°F cooler than Groveland, especially near waterfalls.
Day 2 — Glacier Point & Mariposa Grove
🌅Morning: Glacier Point
- •Drive to Glacier Point (1 hour from Valley, open late May–October)
- •Jaw-dropping 3,200-foot overlook of Half Dome, Vernal & Nevada Falls, and the high Sierra
- •Short walks along the rim — Taft Point trail (2.2 mi round trip) for thrill-seekers
☀️Midday: Sentinel Dome
- •Hike Sentinel Dome (2.2 mi round trip, moderate) for a full 360° panorama
- •Picnic lunch with views that go on forever
🌤️Afternoon: Mariposa Grove
- •Drive to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias (southern end of the park)
- •Walk among the ancient giants — the Grizzly Giant is 1,800+ years old
- •Grizzly Giant Loop (2 mi) or full grove hike (6.5 mi) depending on energy
🌙Evening: Celebrate
- •Dinner at Evergreen Lodge — rustic elegance surrounded by pines
- •Stargazing from the cabin deck — the Milky Way is spectacular here
Pro Tip: Glacier Point Road opens late May and closes with first snow (usually November). Check conditions before heading up.
When to Visit
Spring
Apr – May
Highlights
+ Peak waterfalls — Yosemite Falls at maximum thunder
+ Wildflowers carpeting meadows
+ Fewer crowds than summer
Good to Know
! Tioga Road usually still closed
! Some trails snow-covered at higher elevations
! River crossings can be dangerous
Summer
Jun – Aug
Highlights
+ Everything open — Tioga Road, Glacier Point, all trails
+ Warm swimming at Rainbow Pool & Tenaya Lake
+ Longest days for maximum trail time
Good to Know
! Peak crowds — arrive early
! Afternoon thunderstorms at higher elevations
! Waterfalls may slow to a trickle by August
Fall
Sep – Nov
Highlights
+ Golden light and fall foliage in the Valley
+ Dramatically fewer crowds
+ Cool, perfect hiking temperatures
Good to Know
! Tioga Road closes with first major snow (usually late Oct/Nov)
! Shorter days
! Some facilities close for season
Winter
Dec – Mar
Highlights
+ Yosemite Valley in snow — ethereal and uncrowded
+ Firefall in February (natural light phenomenon)
+ Cross-country skiing at Badger Pass
Good to Know
! Chains required on Highway 120 (check Caltrans)
! Tioga Road & Glacier Point Road closed
! Limited services in the Valley
Ready to Start Your Adventure?
Our Groveland cabin is the perfect base camp for exploring Yosemite, Hetch Hetchy, and the Sierra high country.