A Non-Hiker's Guide to Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park. The name often calls to mind towering granite cliffs and thundering waterfalls, High Sierra alpine hikes, and daring rock climbers. But visiting Yosemite doesn’t mean having to cling to the side of a rock or huffing and puffing up tall mountains. From paved walking and bike paths to art classes inspired by nature, Yosemite offers so much for those looking for a more relaxed or non-strenuous national park visit and for those with mobility or health challenges. This “non-hiker’s” guide to Yosemite is made with those visitors in mind. It’s not completely “hike free” — I’ll throw in a few casual walks to viewpoints and other points of interest here and there that I think are worth the time if you don’t mind walking some, and will note which activities are wheelchair / stroller accessible. With that said, enjoy your trip planning!
Yosemite Valley Area
Marvel at the views from the Tunnel View Overlook
If you are entering the park from the south from the Fresno area along Hwy 41, you’ll drive through a long tunnel that opens up to one of the world’s most magical views with the most unmagical name: Tunnel View. This is the view that comes to mind when most people think of Yosemite. It looks down onto Yosemite Valley flanked by El Capitan to the left, Bridalveil Fall to the right, and Half Dome in the background. If you happen to go around mid-afternoon and get lucky, you may even see a rainbow in the waterfall. Take your time and enjoy the view! Note that there are no toilet facilities here.
Visit the base of Bridalveil Fall
One of the first stops once entering the valley is a pull off for the waterfall you just admired from Tunnel View. The park recently restored the trail to make it ADA-accessible, and while I have not done the new trail yet, I’ve heard it is really nice and a much needed improvement. While my favorite place to view Bridalveil Fall is from Tunnel View or the Valley View Overlook, I do think it’s worth going to the base of Bridalveil at least once if the water has good flow! The short walk is 0.5 mile round trip with minimal elevation gain. There are restrooms at the parking lot.
Watch climbers on El Capitan
If you’re in the park in the spring or fall then you have a good chance of seeing some brave souls climb the behemoth chunk of granite that is El Capitan. The best place to do this is at El Capitan Meadow, but you can also just find a parking spot along Northside Drive and see them from your car. Be sure to bring binoculars or make friends with someone with a spotting scope! If you’re interested in learning more about the rock climbing scene in Yosemite, there are several great documentaries you can check out: Free Solo, The Dawn Wall, Valley Uprising, and 22 Hours - The Yosemite Triple.
Bike Yosemite Valley’s bike trails
One of my favorite things to do in Yosemite is to rent a bike and explore the Valley. Yosemite Valley has designated and well-marked bike paths that make it easy to get around, although you are free to bike on the roads as well as long as you follow standard traffic laws. There is a free bike share program with stations located at the Yosemite Village day use parking area as well as the Yosemite Valley Lodge day use parking lot. These free rentals are available for a max of 2 hours and are typically available between May and October. You do need to download a mobile app to use them. If you want more time and freedom to explore on the bikes, I would recommend doing a half day or full day bike rental from Curry Village, Yosemite Valley Lodge (near the pool), or next to the Yosemite Village Store. There are some tag-a-long bikes and child trailers available as well as a limited number of accessible hand crank or tandem bikes (these may require reservations ahead of time so I would call Curry Village or the Yosemite Valley Lodge and check). Don’t worry, helmets are also available and recommended! Bike rentals are typically available from early April through late October. Popular spots to bike to include Mirror Lake, Lower Yosemite Fall trailhead, along Sentinel and Cook’s Meadow, and to Yosemite Village and Curry Village.
Float the Merced River
For a unique perspective on Yosemite Valley, float the Merced River in the summer! There are two ways you can do this: renting a raft from Curry Village (requires 2 people minimum) or bringing your own float/inner tube. You can rent a raft from the rental kiosk in Curry Village but be sure to go early as they do sell out quickly (people line up before 8 am when the kiosk opens!).
If you’re DIY-ing it, it’s typically easiest to put in at Stoneman Bridge near Curry Village and take out either at Sentinel Beach (requires walking about 100 yards up the road to the 4 Mile Trail shuttle stop #11) or Cathedral Beach (shuttle stop #10). It is not recommended to go further than Cathedral Beach. If you brought your own gear then simply deflate it, pack it up, and hop on one of the valley shuttles to get back to where you parked/are staying. You can also pay $8.50/person at the Curry Village paddle rental kiosk to take the Travel Yosemite raft shuttle back to Curry Village.
Relax or picnic at Sentinel or Cathedral Beach
Both Sentinel and Cathedral Beach are great places to sit and rest and just soak in the atmosphere. I usually pop by in the late afternoon to read a book, have a snack, and soak my feet in the cold water. If you’re relying on the shuttles, then Cathedral Beach is easiest to get to as it has a shuttle stop right next to it (#10).
See Lower Yosemite Fall
While Bridalveil Fall is featured from the Tunnel View overlook, Yosemite’s most famous waterfall is the massive Yosemite Falls. Measuring at a whopping 2452 feet, the falls are actually broken into Upper, Middle, and Lower Falls, the last of which is easily accessible from the valley floor. The shuttle system will take you right to the start of the Lower Yosemite Fall loop trail at shuttle stop #6. The full loop is 1 mile with about 50 feet of elevation gain, with a wooden footbridge just below the Lower Fall. The eastern part of the loop is paved, flat, and fully wheelchair and stroller accessible, while the western part of the loop is also paved but has a short section where the grade is steep. If you don’t want to walk much at all, there is an amazing view of each level of the falls through the trees right after you get off the shuttle stop. There are bathrooms and water fountains at the trailhead as well.
Explore the Cook’s Meadow
Cook’s Meadow is one of the best ways to explore the Valley’s meadows if you are looking for a quick leg stretcher. Accessed best from the Sentinel Bridge parking area, the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center (shuttle stop #5), or the Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead (stop #6), the trail is approximately 1 mile and is wheelchair-accessible. This one meadow gives visitors amazing views of Yosemite Falls, the granite cliffs, and Half Dome, along with a more intimate look at the meadow itself with its grasses and wildflowers. Take a quick pit stop at Sentinel Bridge for an iconic view of Half Dome framed by trees and the river below.
Visit The Ahwahnee Hotel
I know it sounds silly to go see a hotel when you are standing amidst natural grandeur, but trust me, it’s worth going to see the iconic Ahwahnee Hotel at least once. The external architecture ("parkitecture") fits right into its surroundings while the interior showcases large fireplaces, ornate tapestries, and stained glass windows. The best part is that anyone can visit the first floor; you don’t have to shell out hundreds of dollars for a reservation to see it. Relax and read a book by the fireplace or enjoy a cocktail at the bar after a day of sightseeing. They occasionally have piano performances and storytelling in the evenings.
Watch the sunset or sunrise from the Valley View Overlook
The Valley View Overlook can be found on Northside Drive just before you reach the junction to either leave or re-enter Yosemite Valley. It is a little similar to the view from Tunnel View but instead of looking down on the valley you are standing next to the river and looking across a meadow at El Capital and Bridalveil Fall. If you go for sunrise, the sun will rise in front of you making for a gorgeous start to your day, whereas for sunset the sun will light up the granite peaks and may give you a colorful show if the clouds are just right.
Take the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
The Valley Floor Tour is a 2 hour open air tram tour that takes you to most of the iconic places within Yosemite Valley. It is narrated along the way by a park ranger and is a great way to learn about the history and geology of the area. Some of the highlights include Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and more. This tram tour is wheelchair accessible. For more information, check out the Travel Yosemite website.
Side note regarding the Mist Trail everyone talks about:
Many people will recommend hiking to the footbridge below Vernal Falls along the Mist Trail as a good hike to do as it is short. It may be short but it is definitely spicy as hikers climb about 500 feet in just under a mile which is quite steep. As such, I do not recommend it for non-hikers or for people with mobility issues despite the trail being relatively short and paved. I run and hike regularly and even I have to stop to catch my breath and shake out my burning calves on this trail. I don’t think hiking to the footbridge below Vernal Falls is worth the effort it takes unless you plan to go up above Vernal Falls itself which is a moderately difficult hike. But you do you!
Wawona / South Entrance Area
See the Giant Sequoias at Mariposa Grove
You don’t have to go all the way out to Sequoia National Park to see some amazing giant sequoias! Mariposa Grove near the south entrance of the park is home to an incredible collection of these massive trees. Most visitors will need to park at the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza and take a free shuttle to the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area from where you can embark on several trails. The easiest is the Big Trees Loop, which is a 0.3 mile loop trail that is wheelchair accessible and takes you among the giant trees alongside some interpretive exhibits. If you are feeling up for it, you can also hike the Grizzly Giant Loop which is 2 mile loop trail that gains about 300 feet in elevation and takes you to the Grizzly Giant, the largest sequoia in the park, and a tree with a tunnel in it called the California Tunnel Tree. One thing to note, if you have a disability placard and/or plate, you can drive the road to the Grizzly Giant Trailhead and do the wheelchair-accessible portion of the Grizzly Giant trail which is approximately a quarter mile long and takes you to the aforementioned features. You also have the option to drive to the Mariposa Grove Arrival Area and park there as well with the placard. Simply show your placard to the attendant at the gate. Check out this website for more information including a map of the grove.
Hike to Lower Chilnuaha Falls
Lower Chilnuaha Falls is a relatively unknown waterfall in Yosemite, which is surprising because it is absolutely gorgeous, but its location 45 minutes south of Yosemite Valley in the Wawona area is likely why it doesn’t see much visitation. Of the walks/hikes I mention in this post, this is the one of the more “hike-y” ones so this is best for those who don’t want to do any strenuous hikes but don’t mind getting their heart rate up a little for a good payoff. The hike to and from the base of Lower Chilnuaha is only about a half mile round trip, but does have a steady incline up to it for about 140 feet of elevation gain with some rock steps to navigate. There is a lovely swimming hole at the base if you’re comfortable navigating down potentially slippery rocks. This is best done in late spring and early summer. There is a vault toilet at the trailhead.
Take a guided horseback or mule trail ride
Did you know you can ride horses a la Teddy Roosevelt in Yosemite? There are two main operators for horse or mule trail rides: Wawona Stable in Wawona (mostly mules) and Yosemite Trails in Fish Creek (American Quarter Horses). They both offer various options in terms of length and difficulty so check out their websites to see which is a good fit. If you want to bring your own horse, you can board them at Wawona Stable.
Glacier Point Area
Visit Glacier Point
Typically open from May to November, Glacier Point is one of the most incredible overlooks in the park. Located just a short walk from the parking lot, Glacier Point offers panoramic views of Half Dome, Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the High Sierra. I personally love watching the sunset here as the setting sun turns the mountains a light pink, but any time in the afternoon will make for some good photos without sun glare. It’s also a great place for stargazing.
Hike to Taft Point
Besides the hike to Lower Chilnuaha Falls, this is the other more involved hike that I’ll mention in this post. Again, this is for people who don’t mind hitting the dirt a bit but don’t want anything overly strenuous. Taft Point starts from a trailhead along the road to Glacier Point; it is incredibly popular but rarely feels overcrowded. The hike itself is 2.2 miles roundtrip with about 200 feet of elevation that is mostly gained on the way back. The hike takes you to a very dramatic overlook over the valley floor below and is a great spot for sunset if you’re up for walking back after dusk. There are steep drop offs at Taft Point so mind the edges and closely watch kids.
Tioga Road / Tuolumne Meadows Area
Drive Tioga Road
Simply driving Tioga Road as it climbs into the High Sierra is a delight in itself. You’ll pass highlights such as Olmsted Point with its unique view of Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, Tuolumne Meadows, views of granite mountain peaks, and roadside alpine meadows with bubbling creeks and grazing wildlife. If you continue all the way down the road and out of that park you’ll hit the town of Lee Vining which has some dining and lodging options as well as the famous Mono Lake. It’s worth visiting the partially wheelchair-accessible South Tufa trail at Mono Lake to learn about its unique geology and high saline content.
Relax on the beach at Tenaya Lake
Not many people expect to see a beach in the High Sierra, but Tenaya Lake has a lovely sandy beach on its eastern shore. I love to hang up my hammock between some of the trees by the beach and take a nap or read a book, or if I’m feeling brave, take a dip in the chilly water.
Walk through Tuolumne Meadows
Just across the street and to the east from the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center is a flat, wide gravel trail that takes you through the gorgeous sub-alpine meadow and along the winding Lyell Fork stream. If you’re up for a light walk (it is not ADA-accessible), I would highly recommend taking a gentle stroll; any time is great but I especially love going in the evening just before sunset where the meadow fills with deer and birds. I typically walk until the larger bridge that crosses Tuolumne River, about 0.4 mile from the trailhead. The water just below is a great spot to take a dip in warmer weather; you’re likely to see PCT and JMT thru-hikers relaxing here if you go midday. If you continue about a ¼ mile past the bridge, you’ll reach Soda Springs, a natural, carbonated cold spring. If you don’t want to walk but want to enjoy the meadows, there are several roadside pull-offs that are great for sitting and enjoying the views or watching for deer and birds. These spots are usually full during the morning and early afternoon but are almost always empty in the evenings as hikers leave.
To cap off this guide, a general recommendation:
Take an art or photography class or attend a ranger/guided program
If art or photography is your thing then you’ll be delighted to know that there are multiple opportunities to hone your craft or learn new things through the Yosemite Conservancy and the Ansel Adams Galley! The offerings will vary based on what’s available but I’ve seen art classes for pastel drawings, print making workshops, and nature writing/drawing; they even have paint-and-sip events! The Ansel Adams Gallery offers photography classes including a smartphone photography class as well as free photography walks among the valley meadows. From my understanding the free photography walk is along ADA-accessible trails but you may want to call and confirm beforehand if needed. If science, history, geology, or flora and fauna are more your vibe, then check out the programs offered by both the park rangers or Yosemite Hospitality or Conservancy. From guided naturalist walks to bird watching to stargazing to campfire chats, there are tons of options for a variety of interests. The park does a great job listing all the activities on their calendar, including the activities put on by the Conservancy and Gallery.
So that about does it! Whether you’re unable to hike, just plain hate hiking, or simply looking to try something new in Yosemite, I hope this guide has given you some good ideas for your upcoming trip!
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