Travel Guide: Yosemite National Park

If you are considering visiting Yosemite National Park with kids, I can't recommend it highly enough. However, I would say that a trip to Yosemite requires some careful planning and attention to logistics. Yosemite's popularity has made it a destination you can't really visit on a whim, particularly with kids. 

Because the park is so remote and takes a long time to get to, I recommend two days/nights. Two full days will give you a good taste of the park without having to rush, but of course, you can still have a great time if you only have a day. 

In terms of kids' ages and visiting Yosemite, I think there are two golden windows: 

  • If you have a little one who is happy in a carrier (i.e. not super heavy to carry for long periods) or stroller, I'd say go for it and just plan to take things slower and maybe not see as much as you'd like just given the logistics. I would definitely avoid peak summer if you plan to take a baby as the heat can be extreme. 

  • I would personally skip the 18mo - ~4yr range because stamina, listening, basic things like eating and restrooms are just a bit harder. But of course, you know your kids and what they are game for best! 

  • If you have kids 4+, I'd say definitely go - they will love it. Possibly even more than you! 

*All of the hikes recommended below are either noted as stroller-friendly or can be tackled with kids as young as ~4. 

When to visit Yosemite:

Most of Yosemite is open year-round, but summer is the most popular and crowded. It can also be incredibly hot in the summer. For a slightly less-packed and overall more enjoyable experience, I would consider shoulder season (early spring / late fall). You might not be able to see everything on your list as roads to farther afield parts of the park do close due to weather conditions, but not having to wait forever for a parking spot, food, or a bathroom break when traveling with kids is worth it in my book. Also, I highly recommend planning your trip during the week. 

Unless you have a National Parks pass, you have to pay the $35 park fee to enter. This gives you entrance for three days. 

However, if you want to enter on a Saturday or Sunday during peak season, you ALSO need a reservation. Most weekend passes are allotted at the beginning of the year, but some Saturday/Sunday reservations are made available a week in advance. Check out this site for all the details. If you do not have a Saturday/Sunday reservation on a weekend when it is required, you cannot drive into the park at any entrance aside from Hetch Hetchy. More on that below. 

Also, if you have a 4th grader, he/she gets a free annual pass, so he/she can take your entire family for free!  Get your 4th grader's free pass here. 

How to get there: 

Yosemite is a phenomenal experience, but I'll start by saying it is NOT the easiest place to get to, and no matter how you do it, be prepared for quite a bit of driving and very twisty roads. 

There are five entrances to Yosemite Valley. The direction you are coming from and where you plan to stay will probably determine which entrance you enter/exit from. Arch Rock and Big Oak Flat are two of the more popular entrances. Regardless of which entrance you choose, my number one tip is to get there early. There are markers placed along the road that tell you how long a wait it is until the gate, and let me tell you, the thought of rolling up to the 90-minute wait marker with kids in the car does not fill me with enthusiasm! 

  • Arch Rock Entrance: 

    • This is the closest entrance to Yosemite Valley, on Highway 140, driving through El Portal. If you'll be doing a lot of stuff in or near Yosemite Valley, this is a great spot to base yourself in – but that proximity can also mean crowds and traffic.

    • Outside the El Portal/Arch Rock entrance are several small towns. The largest town on this side is Mariposa (about an hour from the park). It has a small "western town" downtown area with some souvenir shops as well as a few restaurants and bars, though most close by 9 or 10 pm. 

    • Head to Sugar Pine Cafe for breakfast or brunch. 

  • Big Oak Flat Entrance: 

    • Less visited and less crowded, this entrance on Highway 120 is about an hour from Yosemite Valley. We never waited longer than one car when entering this gate. If you are coming from San Francisco or the Bay Area, this entrance is a great option. 

    • Five minutes from the Big Oak Flat Entrance is the Rush Creek Lodge which is a fantastic place to stay. It is incredibly family-friendly but is also lovely for solo travelers, couples, friend groups, etc. 

    • Groveland is the next closest town to Big Oak Flat and has other lodging options, restaurants, and services. 

    • Groveland is also home to the Iron Door Saloon, the oldest continuously operating saloon in the state. The legendary saloon opened its doors in 1852. 

    • If you are heading to this entrance you will also pass through Oakdale. Stop at Bloomingcamp Ranch for delicious treats, a play area for the kids and bathrooms, Oakdale Cheese & Specialties, and grab fresh cut flowers from Backroad Blooms.

Where to stay: 

  • Stay in the valley: 

    • Within the valley, there are lodges, campgrounds, tent cabins, and cabins available for rent. I have never personally stayed in Yosemite valley, but Curry Village and Housekeeping Camp both looked like they had great vibes and have semi-permanent cabin/tent structures and lots of amenities. 

    • Tip: Book your lodging a year in advance! Reservations open 366 days in advance, and that is when you should book your stay.

  • Outside the park: 

Exploring Yosemite Valley:

  • On your way into the valley, try and pull off at a view point (Tunnel View is on the road in from the Arch Rock entrance or a short detour from Big Oak Flat and well worth the extra few minutes in the car. There are turn offs on both sides of the road and spots turn over quickly.) to get that jaw dropping view and a family photo to kick off your trip. 

  • I would then make your way to the Yosemite Village or Curry Village parking lot. I do not recommend moving your car once you are parked for the day!

  • Once you have parked, there are three ways to get around the valley: 

    • Walk. 

    • Take the free shuttle within the valley. You can see the shuttle map here (scroll down).   

    • Rent bikes. There are designated bike trails throughout the valley, and you can leave your bike at the various trailheads. Bikes with trailers for young kinds are available to rent as well. 

  • If you park at Yosemite Village, head to the Valley Visitor Center and pick up free Yosemite Junior Ranger handbook for kids. This is a fun and interactive booklet that kids can complete during their visit. 

    • Tip: pop a pencil or crayon in your backpack so they can work on it during breaks. 

    • I also recommend printing a few nature scavenger hunt sheets that they can complete. You can find these online or make your own. 

  • If you want to make another kid-friendly indoor stop, check out the Yosemite Conservation Heritage Center. 

    • Run by the Sierra Club, this little stop along the way has a little bit of something for everyone including a little kids corner to allow kids to play, draw, and read.

  • Restrooms and potable water are available at most of the hikes recommended below. 

  • Pack snacks and/or a picnic lunch. 

    • Food services are available at Yosemite Village and several of the camp grounds: Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, etc. 

  • Leave some unstructured time for kids to play in the Merced River. 

    • Bring a pair of water shoes, a small towel, and a change of socks, and they'll be happy as clams. 

    • The current can be quite swift, so look for shallow beachy areas. A few good spots are near Happy Isles, Sentinel Beach, Housekeeping Camp, Stoneman Bridge, Superintendents Bridge, or El Capitan Meadow.

Kid-Friendly Hikes:

I. Park and access from Yosemite Valley: 

  • Cook's Meadow Loop 

    • Distance: 3.7km on a boardwalk

    • Park: Yosemite Village, Curry Village, and Yosemite Falls parking lots 

    • Start at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center; shuttle stop #11

      • The Swinging Bridge picnic area is a great place to stop for lunch! 

      • Additional picnic spots here. 

    • Stroller: OK

    • Restrooms:  Yes.

    • Allow: 1 hour

  • Lower Yosemite Falls 

    • Distance: 1-mile round trip, minimal gain, easy

      • You can also continue on the trail to the upper falls, though this is a more difficult hike best suited for older kids and more experienced hikers. 

    • Park: There is no parking at the trailhead. Park in Yosemite Village and walk to or ride the free Valley Visitor shuttle to shuttle stop #6.

    • Stroller: OK

    • Restrooms:  Yes

    • Pets:  Allowed when leashed.

    • Allow:  1-1.5 hours.

  • Mirror Lake Hike 

    • Distance: 2.4 miles round trip, 100 ft gain, easy

      • You can extend to the Valley Loop.

    • Park: No parking at the trailhead; take the shuttle to stop #17 (green shuttle) 

      • Can walk from Curry Village (parking is available there) 

    • Start at the Mirror Lake Trailhead

      • Note that you need to stay on the paved road to access the loop. Do not veer into the woods on the hiking path, as this takes you up the side of the valley, and you cannot cut over to loop the lake. 

    • Stroller: OK

    • Restrooms: Yes

    • Allow: 2-3 hours 

  • Happy Isles

    • Distance: .5 miles round trip from the trailhead or 2.5 miles round trip from Curry Village. 

    • Park: At the trailhead or take the shuttle to stop #16

    • Stroller: OK

    • Restrooms: Yes

    • Allow: 30 min 

II. Additional driving required: 

  • Bridalveil Falls Hike 

    • Distance: 1.2 miles round trip, 200 ft. gain, easy)

    • Park: Bridalveil Falls trailhead lot; there is also another parking area past the lot / on the road. 

      • This is located in the valley and can be accessed by foot or bike from the valley loop trail. 

      • The lot is small, but as it is a quick visit, spots do turn over frequently.  

    • Stroller: OK 

    • Restrooms: Yes

    • Allow: 45 minutes 

  • Glacier Point Short Hike 

    • Distance: 1-mile round trip, minimal gain, easy

    • Park: Glacier Point Parking Lot. This is about a 45-minute drive from the valley. 

    • Stroller: OK

    • Restrooms: Yes

  • Olmstead Point

    • Park: at the Olmstead Point Lot

    • Allow: 30 mins 

    • Restrooms: none 

  • Taft Point

    • Distance: 2.2 miles round trip, 200 ft. gain, easy

    • Park: at the trailhead, there is an additional lot to the west 

    • Stroller: 

    • Restrooms: Yes

  • Tuolumne Meadows

    • Distance: 2 miles

    • Park: Lot to the east of the central trailhead 

    • Start: Access from Tioga Road which is typically closed from Nov. to May. 

      • There are multiple sites along the Tioga Road that are exceptional. You could easily spend an entire day hiking in this area of the park if the road is open. 

    • Restrooms: at the info center 

  • Mariposa Grove

    • This is most easily accessible from the southern entrance but if you have a bit of time it is worth getting back in your car and driving to the Mariposa grove. 

    • Park at the Welcome Plaza/Mariposa Grove Arrival Area and take the free shuttle to the Grove.

    • The lower loop to the California Tunnel Tree is 2.2 miles roundtrip.

    • The Grizzly Giant Loop trail is 3km (passes CA Tunnel Tree) 

  • Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias 

    • Distance: 2 miles round trip. Note that the first portion is all downhill but the return is a 500 ft climb. 

    • Park: At the trailhead 

    • Start: Tuolumne Grove parking lot. 

      • If the Mariposa Grove is too far out of the way for you and/or you are entering/exiting via Big Oak Flat, this Mariposa Grove, while smaller, is a fantastic way to marvel at some really big trees. 

    • Stroller: OK, but not ideal 

    • Restrooms: Yes (note there is no water at this site) 

    • Allow: 1.5 hours 

  • Hetch Hetchy 

    • If you can't make a reservation to enter the park on a Saturday/Sunday, you can still enter the Hatch Hetchy entrance, which is in the upper northwestern corner of the park. Hetch Hetchy Dam and reservoir provide water to a large portion of the San Francisco Bay Area, and it is truly a marvel. There are many challenging hikes you can take from this entrance into other parts of the park, but with kids, you can take a very flat walk across the dam bridge, through a tunnel, and around as much of the reservoir as you'd like. The end of this hike is at Wapama Falls. 

    • It is quite a long/twisty drive off of 120 to the entrance gate and then another 8 miles to the parking areas. Parking is limited, so get there early. 

    • Water and restrooms are available by the parking area.

      • Wapama Falls

        • 5 mi (8 km) roundtrip

        • Elevation gain/loss: 507 ft (155 m)

        • This trail follows the shoreline of the reservoir with moderate up and downhill hiking. The trail includes spectacular views of both Tueeulala and Wapama Falls. To access the trail, cross the dam and pass through the tunnel. 

Tips: 

  1. Book early and arrive EARLY!

    • This not only helps with the crowds, waiting at entrance gates, searching for a parking place, etc., but it also helps beat the heat in the warmer months. 

    • Don't forget to book your accommodations and get your weekend reservations well in advance of your trip. 

    • Prepare your kids in advance for the early mornings, pack breakfast or pre-breakfast snacks for the car, and hit the road into the park early. 

  2. There is very limited cell service inside the park.

    • Download an offline Google map before you go AND download the NPS app.

    • If your kiddos do screen time in the car, download plenty of videos in advance as you will lose service. 

    • Bring backup batteries for your phone.

  3. Hike smart. 

    • Yosemite is incredibly popular and well-visited, but it is also still the wilderness so be extra prepared with your packing and what you bring with you. 

    • Make sure you have plenty of water, and food with you when you hike. Wear sturdy shoes and hats, bring extra sunscreen, socks, bandaids, the works. 

    • Additional notes below under "What to pack."

    • Bears are no joke. 

      • Take all the proper precautions with your food. 

      • Signs are posted in all the parking lots and more info here. 

    • Respect wildlife. 

      • Don't pick flowers, leaves, etc.; stay on the trails, and stay well away from wild animals. 

What to pack: 

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