A cloud-veiled dome in Yosemite Valley
Looking for the best hikes in Yosemite National Park? You've come to the right place. Beloved for its natural beauty and stunning trails, Yosemite ranks among the top hiking destinations in the United States. The park is America's second oldest, and its many miles of trails, spread over one thousand miles of California wild, makes backpacking Yosemite a treat for hikers of every stripe.
Millions of tourists flock to Yosemite every year, eager to discover the spectacular Sierra Nevada mountains' natural beauty for themselves. But most Yosemite hikers venture no further than Yosemite Valley, home to iconic sites like El Capitan, Sentinel Dome and Half Dome. Beyond the valley floor lies a wilderness wonderland jam-packed with hundreds of lesser-known trails perfect for more adventurous backpackers. Even so, if you're looking to hike the world-famous Yosemite Valley, plan your trip for the off-season to avoid long lines and packed trails.
For more than 100 years, our national parks have provided life-list experiences, adventures, and stop-in-your-tracks views. But not all parks—or hikes—are equal. Start with these 25 trips, the new classics of the system.
Mother was fifth bear killed by a car in the park this year.
When the Americans with Disabilities Act required better trail access for all, Yosemite saw an opportunity.
In the early days of Yosemite, a woman could be anything—including herself
Some people fall for the parks so hard, they can’t bring themselves to leave.
Yosemite National Park, California
Don't blame the selfie sticks: Tourists have been making poor choices in our wild spaces since long before smartphones.
For backpackers, there’s nothing better in the entire park system. How much of it can one hiker see in a week?
If you want a predictable family trip, go to Disneyland. Who knows what'll happen on a National Park adventure?
These 21 miles of Yosemite highlights are among the best 100 miles of trail in the whole national park system.
Why visit iconic Glacier Point with the rest of the tourists when you can ski there—and have it all to yourself?
One great thing about being out on the trail is allowing your schedule to be ruled by the rising and setting sun. Here are the best sunrises and sunsets you photographed and submitted to our photo contest this year.
Camp under sharp peaks and sharper stars on this 4-day, 20-mile tour along the eastern edge of Yosemite National Park. Summits, swimming holes, and trout abound.
Enjoy the quiet trails and scenic views of Yosemite Valley's less-traveled twin on this 28.7-mile overnighter. Early season is marked by waterfalls surging with spring meltoff.
Hike 5.5 miles into Ansel Adams country to the top of Sentinel Dome and around to Taft Point for fisheye panoramas of Yosemite Valley.
Escape Yosemite Valley crowds on this 21.2-mile, multiday trek to glacial cirques and turquoise lakes deep in the wilds of the Ansel Adams Wilderness.
Welcome to the map portion of Steve Howe's solo thru-hike of the Sierra High Route. Steve is BACKPACKER's Rocky Mountain editor, and he started this 37-day, 280-mile route on Saturday, August 26, 2006. He's podcasting once a day from his evening camp, and we'll be updating this map daily with a new waypoint showing where he's pitching his tent.
This 6.2-mile loop leads into a land of rainbows and big waterfalls among the granite faces of Yosemite Valley.
TUOLUMNE MEADOWS to SONORA PASS: This 65.8-mile section travels the remote regions of Yosemite. Our advice: Pack a good camera (the scenery is five stars), extra sunscreen (it's the High Sierra), and water shoes (swift rivers).
KENNEDY MEADOWS to TUOLUMNE MEADOWS: The highlight reel of this 209-mile section includes three national parks, several high passes with heavenly views, two stunning wilderness areas, and not a single road. Option: Detour up Mt. Whitney, the tallest peak in the Lower 48.
Every hiker's life list should include the 270 miles between Mt. Whitney and Sonora Pass. It may take a month, but it's a trivial sacrifice to make for the most unrelenting wilderness eye-candy you'll ever feast on.
Climb 4,800 feet on this classic 15.7-mile route to the top of the park’s most-iconic peak towering above the Valley floor.
