If you’re wondering how many days to spend in Yosemite National Park, you’ve come to the right spot. I’m here to help you determine the amount of time to budget for this national park, taking into account the adventures you’re hoping to have during your time in Yosemite.
How many days should you spend in Yosemite? I recommend 4 full days to see the highlights of the park without feeling like you missed out on anything! This park is large and complex, and it takes hours to drive between the points of interest.
My name is Ash, and I’m a former park ranger. I’ve spent a lot of time in Yosemite, and I can’t wait to help you plan your trip to this phenomenal national park.
Let’s get deeper into the things you’ll want to consider when deciding how many days you should spend in Yosemite.
Can I See Yosemite in One Day?
You can see a few areas of Yosemite in one day, but you won’t even come close to seeing all of the best spots in the park!
If you only have one day, you’ll have time to make it to Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point, the two most popular areas of the park. Get excited to see the massive waterfalls of the valley and enjoy spectacular views of Half Dome from Glacier Point.
With one day in Yosemite, you won’t have time to see the smaller and off-the-beaten-path stops, which will also limit your wildlife sightings. You’ll be traveling to the most popular areas of the park during some of the busiest times of the day, so expect a lot of crowding and traffic.
Traffic and crowding in Yosemite can be terrible.
Did you know that it’s common to wait an hour or more to enter the park or catch the shuttle?
Are you hoping to see the best sights without getting stuck in traffic, circling parking lots, or being surrounded by people?
Stay ahead of the crowds with this Yosemite Itinerary. You will see all of the can’t-miss spots, plus get lodging and dining guides, driving directions, and insider tips!
Yosemite in Two Days
I suggest two full sightseeing days in Yosemite at the very least. With two days, you’ll have time to fully explore the Yosemite Valley and Glacier Point areas of the park, but you won’t have to rush, and it will be easier to avoid the crowds in both of these areas.
You’ll also have time to add in some other exciting points of interest, such as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias at the south end of the park!
Yosemite in Three Days
Spending three days in Yosemite is when things really start getting good! With three days in the park, you’ll have time to drive all of the park roads. You can easily get to Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, and the Mariposa Grove.
You’ll also be able to add in some time exploring the stunning Tioga Road. This road travels through Yosemite’s high alpine landscape to about 10,000 feet above sea level, and it provides amazing views of lakes, rivers, mountains, and wildlife! You’ll have time to enjoy this area if you have three full days in the park.
If you’re hoping to participate in a special activity like horseback riding, rafting, biking, or hiking a longer trail, then I would plan at least three full sightseeing days in Yosemite.
Yosemite in Four Days
You can explore a good portion of Yosemite in three days, but it’s amazing the difference an extra day can make. If you can spend four full days in Yosemite, you will have time to see some of the most spectacular parts of the park that many people never see.
With four full days, you’ll have time to see all of the park’s main can’t-miss sights, hike several trails, enjoy wildlife viewing, and find solitude. You can see the very best of the park without the fear of missing out on anything!
A four-day visit will open up more options for capturing stunning photographs in the park in various lighting and weather conditions. It’s nice to have multiple evenings for enjoying a few nice dinners, joining in on ranger programs, or returning to your favorite spots after the crowds have gone.
One other fabulous thing about giving yourself four full days in the park is that it will be much easier to get to the busy spots when the crowds are the smallest. That will save you a lot of time and provide opportunities for solitude!
Do you need help with your daily schedule for Yosemite?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Other Things to Consider
Before you solidify your travel dates or book your lodging for Yosemite, you’ll want to think about a few things, such as:
How much time will it take to travel to and from Yosemite (not including your sightseeing days)?
Many people forget to factor in the time it will take for them to drive to the park, which can cut into your sightseeing and leave you wishing for more time. For example, if you plan on spending one day in Yosemite but you don’t get to the park until 10 a.m., you’ll severely limit the things you’ll have time to see. This is especially true if you visit during the summer — parking lots will be completely full by then.
Are there any major holidays/fee-free days/festivals you’d like to be in the park for or avoid?
If you’re visiting over a holiday or fee-free day, the crowds will be higher, and parking lots will be packed. You may have a harder time getting around to all the can’t-miss spots, so some extra time could be beneficial.
Are there other national parks and points of interest you’re hoping to see on the same trip?
Yosemite is close to several other national parks, including Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Even if you are hoping to visit other parks while you’re in the area, you’ll need to plan a good amount of time in Yosemite. Most people underestimate the number of days they’ll need to fully enjoy the park!
Should I Spend More Time in Yosemite or Sequoia-Kings?
Chances are if you’re heading to Yosemite, you’re probably also wanting to visit Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks during the same trip. These parks are only separated by a 2.5-hour drive, making it easy to see all three!
Yosemite typically needs more time than Sequoia-Kings, especially if you’re hoping to get to all of the park’s most famous hikes and epic views. Sequoia-Kings has a ton of cool stuff to do as well, but it’s just not as popular as Yosemite, so it’s a little easier to navigate with fewer days.
That being said, if you’re looking for some truly epic hiking trails in the mountains with lots of solitude, you may want some extra time in Sequoia-Kings!
The ideal number of days for each park is at least 4 full days in Yosemite and 3 full days in Sequoia-Kings.
Yosemite Itinerary Options
I’m here to help you determine how many days to spend in Yosemite, so here are a few sample trip itineraries for the area that can help you decide how to split your time between parks!
After you decide how to split your time, these detailed itineraries will provide you with a ton of extra information on things to do, driving directions, lodging and dining options, and insider tips for your trip.
If you have:
A Weekend
I recommend spending your whole weekend in Yosemite if that’s the time you have — you’ll need all of that time to get through the park. If it’s a long weekend, either add another day to Yosemite or try to spend 1-1.5 days in Sequoia-Kings.
One Week
Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Fresno and drive to Yosemite Valley (2.5 hours)
Day 2 — Yosemite
Day 3 — Yosemite
Day 4 — Yosemite all day, then drive to Kings Canyon (2.5 hours)
Day 5 — Kings Canyon
Day 6 — Sequoia
Day 7 — Drive back to Fresno to catch your flight (2 hours)
10 Days
Yosemite and Sequoia-Kings National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into Fresno and drive to Yosemite Valley (2.5 hours)
Day 2 — Yosemite
Day 3 — Yosemite
Day 4 — Yosemite
Day 5 — Yosemite
Day 6 — Drive to Kings Canyon (2.5 hours)
Day 7 — Kings Canyon
Day 8 — Kings Canyon or Sequoia
Day 9 — Sequoia
Day 10 — Drive back to Fresno to catch your flight (2 hours)
Yosemite, Sequoia-Kings, and San Francisco
Day 1 — Fly into San Francisco and drive to Yosemite Valley (4 hours)
Day 2 — Yosemite
Day 3 — Yosemite
Day 4 — Yosemite all day, then drive to Kings Canyon (2.5 hours)
Day 5 — Kings Canyon
Day 6 — Sequoia
Day 7 — Drive to San Francisco (4.5 hours)
Day 8 — San Francisco
Day 9 — Muir Woods National Monument
Day 10 — Catch your flight out of San Francisco
2 Weeks
Yosemite, Sequoia-Kings, and Pinnacles National Parks
Day 1 — Fly into San Francisco and drive to Yosemite Valley (4 hours)
Day 2 — Yosemite
Day 3 — Yosemite
Day 4 — Yosemite
Day 5 — Yosemite all day, then drive to Kings Canyon (2.5 hours)
Day 5 — Kings Canyon
Day 6 — Kings Canyon or Sequoia
Day 7 — Sequoia
Day 8 — Drive to Pinnacles (3.5 hours)
Day 9 — Pinnacles East all day, then drive to Pinnacles West (2 hours)
Day 10 — Pinnacles West or Big Sur
Day 11 — Drive to San Francisco (2 hours)
Day 12 — San Francisco
Day 13 — Muir Woods National Monument
Day 14 — Catch your flight out of San Francisco
Do you love to have a plan?
Get the inside scoop for your upcoming vacation —> this itinerary is the most detailed, epic, and easy-to-follow guide to the park!
Enjoy your trip to Yosemite National Park. Happy trails!
More Yosemite Trip Planning Information
Yosemite Itinerary — a detailed hour-by-hour sightseeing schedule.
How to Get to Yosemite — the best airports and roads in the area.
The Best Time to Visit — what to expect during each month of the year.
Weather, Hours, and Closures — important weather info and common closures.
Where Should I Stay? — the best options in and around the park.
The Best Things to Do — activities for your whole group.
All About Camping — learn about the park’s campgrounds and how to get a site.
12 Things You Can’t Miss on Your First Visit to Yosemite — the top 12 spots.
The Best Easy Hikes — the perfect trails for kids, wheelchairs, and beginners.
The Ultimate Yosemite Trip Planning Guide — everything you need to know.
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Hi Ash! Thank you so much for your itineraries! Purchasing them has saved me so much time, and we’ve had amazing trips thus far! I will be following your 1 week Fresno, Yosemite, Kings-Sequoia itinerary. Is there a reason why you recommend Yosemite to start the trip and Kings-Sequoia to end? I haven’t been to any of these parks and want to save the best for last. Thanks!
Thanks so much! No, the order doesn’t matter :) There are areas of Yosemite that are more seasonal than in Sequoia, so if you plan on going in May or June, I would go to Sequoia first to give Yosemite a little more time to get the roads open. But otherwise, it doesn’t really matter.
Hi Ash!
My family is planning a 2-week central California road trip. Do you have any thoughts on swapping city time for a day or maybe even overnighter at Channel Islands?
Thanks so much, we found your videos a few weeks ago and they’ve been incredibly helpful!
-Jessica
Absolutely! I love Channel Islands! I personally would choose Santa Cruz Island for your first time out there!
HI Thanks for the info — with Glacier point being off limits this season, have you adjusted your itineraries? Is 4 days still recommended given this?
Thanks,
Krista
Yes! I am providing an alternative schedule this year to account for the Glacier Point closure.
Hi Ashley,
I have used your itineraries for all of our National Park Trips. I am planning a trip to Yosemite next summer and plan to follow your suggested Yosemite, Sequoia-Kings, and San Francisco itinerary. I am wondering about lodging for the two nights in Sequoia-Kings Canyon. I see you have suggested staying in different places each night. Several others have recommended the Stony Creek Lodge. Do you have a specific suggestion for where to stay those nights (location and/or name of lodging establishment)?
I am attempting to plan lodging, as I know these reservations need to be made a year in advance.
Thank you for your valued insight!
Rebecca Sewacki
Hey Rebecca! Stony Creek Lodge is in a great location if you’re looking to stay in the same place each night. The Montecito Sequoia Lodge is in that area as well. We also haven’t had any problems staying in Grant Grove Village and then driving to General Sherman or down to the Zumwalt Meadows area from there. Lots of good options in Sequoia-Kings!