Top 10 Yosemite Spots to Avoid Crowds
Yosemite National Park showcases some of the most incredible sights in all the world, yet overcrowded conditions have been a growing problem over the years, particularly in the valley where visitors seek out the iconic views of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls. It can be quite frustrating to plan a national park vacation to Yosemite, only to be bombarded by large crowds everywhere you go. However, this park has so much to offer, much of which can be enjoyed in solitude, even on the busiest of park days. Join me below as I share 10 of my top Yosemite spots to explore without the crowds.
Wapama Falls footbridges in Yosemite National Park’s Hetch Hetchy
O'Shaughnessy Dam & Hetch Hetchy Reservoir in Yosemite National Park
1. Hetch Hetchy & Wapama Falls Hike
Nestled in the northwest corner of Yosemite National Park, the Hetch Hetchy Valley & Reservoir are hidden gems...in fact, this section of the park has its very own entrance gate. It’s estimated that only 1% of park visitors venture on the 40-mile drive from Yosemite Valley to explore this beautiful yet controversial area. June offers an ideal time to visit, free from the bustling crowds of the valley, allowing one to revel in the incredible scenery and unique history. One of my favorite day treks, especially in late Spring and early Summer, is the trail leading to Wapama Falls, spanning 5.5 miles round trip with an elevation gain of under 300 feet.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Hetch Hetchy & Wapama Falls blog post.
El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks seen from Roosevelt Point along Pohono Loop Trail
Yosemite Falls seen from Pohono Loop Trail
2. Pohono Loop Trail
One of the great perks of visiting Yosemite during the Summer months is the opening of Glacier Point Road to vehicles. This area of the park is truly stunning, but park guests can encounter large crowds at popular viewpoints, such as Glacier Point, Taft Point, and Sentinel Dome. However, there is a section of the Pohono Trail that offers some of the most stunning views in the park. Taft Point and Sentinel Dome share the same trailhead off Glacier Point Road, and the trails to each head out in opposite directions, but most visitors are unaware of the trail that connects the two, forming the Pohono Loop. Along this section of the loop, you’ll rarely encounter other hikers while being treated to majestic clifftop views, including the lesser known Roosevelt Point.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Pohono Loop blog post.
Quaking Aspen Falls along Tioga Road in Yosemite
Half Dome seen from granite dome near Olmsted Point along Tioga Road
3. Tioga Road
In addition to the above-mentioned Glacier Point Road, Tioga Road is another incredible drive that opens during the Summer season. Although some of the spots along this mountain pass highway get crowded, this region of the park is far less visited than the Yosemite Valley. This is an incredibly scenic 46-mile drive connecting Crane Flat and the Tioga Pass Park Entrance, and it offers endless views of Yosemite’s magnificent “high country” with highlights like Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, Lembert Dome, and Tuolumne Meadows. Some lesser known spots along Tioga Road to enjoy are Pothole Dome, Siesta Lake, Quaking Aspen Falls, and the granite dome across the road from Olmsted Point.
For more information on this spot, check out my First-Timer’s Guide to Tioga Pass.
Lower Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite National Park
Cascades along Lower Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite
4. Chilnualna Falls
Chilnualna Falls is made up of five large drops over giant granite formations above the Wawona basin in the southern section of the park. With the exception of Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, this region of Yosemite is often overlooked by visitors. The Chilnualna Falls Trail is great for all skill levels and offers some magnificent up-close waterfall views. Experienced hikers can head up the 8-mile round trip hike to the upper section of the falls with 2,000 feet in elevation change. However, in just over 1/2 a mile round trip with 250 feet in elevation gain, visitors looking for a lighter hike can explore beautiful large waterfall drops and cascades along the Lower Chilnualna Falls section of the trail.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Lower Chilnualna Falls blog post.
Wawona Meadow Loop Trail in Yosemite National Park
Coyote spotted along Wawona Meadow Loop Trail in Yosemite
5. Wawona Meadow Loop
Another hidden gem in the southern section of Yosemite is the Wawona Meadow Loop Trail. Located right across Highway 41 from the historic Wawona Hotel, this relatively gentle 3.5-mile loop circles around a meadow with a historic golf course and through a magical woodland filled with all kinds of flora and fauna. Enjoy beautiful dogwoods, towering pine, ancient oak, and wildlife big & small along this quiet trail that is lovely year round.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Wawona Meadow Loop blog post.
Iconic view of El Capitan, Half Dome & Bridalveil Fall from Inspiration Point
Inspiration Point in Yosemite National Park
6. Inspiration Point
One of the most popular spots in all of Yosemite National Park is Tunnel View. The iconic views of Half Dome framed by El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall have been drawing park visitors to this viewpoint for over a hundred years. Due to the famous and highly photo-friendly backdrop, you can pretty much expect to share this spot with dozens, if not hundreds, of visitors vying for picture along the large viewing platform. However, if you’re up for a hike, the trailhead for the Pohono Trail is located on the backside of the parking lot, and in a little over a mile & 1,000 feet up the path you can find Inspiration Point. This viewpoint shares almost the same scene as Tunnel View, but from a higher elevation and without the crowds. It’s a fantastic spot for a picnic as you soak in the majesty of Yosemite. Nearby Artist Point also provides similar views and can be combined with this hike for a total of 3.5 miles round trip and 1,300 feet in elevation gain.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Inspiration Point blog post.
The Cascades final drop in Yosemite National Park
The base of Wildcat Falls in Yosemite National Park
7. Wildcat Falls & The Cascades
If you’re heading into the park via the Arch Rock Entrance near El Portal, you’ll enjoy the sights and sounds of the Merced Gorge before heading into the Yosemite Valley. Along this drive you can enjoy two waterfalls right next to each other that are often overlooked by guests eager to see the more iconic and well-known waterfalls, like Bridalveil Fall and Yosemite Falls. A short quarter mile easy hike to the base of Wildcat Falls provides a magical wooded scene that most visitors have never heard of...and just a stone’s throw away a small parking lot with a viewing platform reveals a great view of the final drop of The Cascades crashing down. For more scenes of The Cascades, head up the nearby Big Oak Flat Road to see more sections of this waterfall roar under your feet as you stand on a bridge.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Wildcat Falls & Cascades blog post.
Wawona Swinging Bridge over South Fork Merced River in Yosemite
Wawona Swinging Bridge in Yosemite National Park
8. Wawona Swinging Bridge
Decades ago, park visitors could enjoy a swinging bridge in the Yosemite Valley...however in the 1960s it was replaced by a fixed solid bridge due to damage from the Merced River flooding. Most visitors are unaware, though, that there is still an actual swinging bridge suspended over the south fork of the Merced River that flows through the small town of Wawona near Yosemite’s south entrance. An easy flat hike in under a mile round trip provides a wonderful family-friendly activity without the crowds, even in the busy Summer season.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Wawona Swinging Bridge blog post.
Forest Falls seen from burned out bridge in Yosemite
Foresta Falls cascades along Crane Creek in Yosemite
9. Foresta Falls
Located near the small town of Foresta (still within park boundaries) off Big Oak Flat Road, you can find an impressive Yosemite waterfall that you will likely enjoy all to yourself, even on the most busy of days. Found along the historic dirt Foresta Road, several drops along Crane Creek culminating with a large 40 foot drop underneath an old burned out bridge makes up the impressive Foresta Falls.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Foresta Falls blog post.
Covered Bridge at the Yosemite History Center in Wawona, CA
Historic structure at the Yosemite History Center
10. Yosemite History Center
While millions of people visit Yosemite every year, few know the history and the pioneers who helped form the idea of what this place would eventually become. At the Yosemite History Center in the small town of Wawona, the National Park Service remembers the people who had the vision for and helped establish this amazing park. Nearly a dozen structures stand here, each representing a different time and chapter in Yosemite’s history. It’s interesting to note that all of the structures located here were originally built in different areas across Yosemite, but in the 1950s and 60s they were brought here to be a part of this educational center.
For more information on this spot, check out my full Yosemite History Center blog post.
Wapama Falls in Yoesemite’s Hetch Hetchy
Know Before You Go
• Always check the official NPS website for the most up-to-date road conditions, air quality, and possible closures prior to your visit, as well as information on park reservations requirements.
• Wildlife is abundant in Yosemite. Never leave food unattended, especially in your vehicle, as this is black bear territory.
• Don’t rely on phone service here for GPS or to reach anyone. Cell coverage is nearly non-existent and very spotty at best, no matter what carrier you use.
• Please be considerate of the Leave no Trace Principles to help keep this place wild and beautiful.
Cascades along Chilnualna Falls in Yosemite National Park
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining this me this week inside Yosemite National Park to explore the lesser visited spots on crowded days. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Base of Yosemite’s Wildcat Falls in Spring 2024
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About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
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