10 Can't Miss Yosemite Valley Stops Summer & Winter

Today we're exploring my top 10 spots to visit in the Yosemite Valley during both Summer and Winter. Whether in snow or sunshine, these locations are easily accessible year round.

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone & Yellowstone Falls

Today we're exploring all the different viewpoints around the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone in Yellowstone National Park. We'll be hiking the trails to the many waterfall overlooks of the Upper and Lower Yellowstone Falls.

Cottonwood Spring - Joshua Tree National Park

Today we're enjoying Southern California Fall colors in Joshua Tree National Park as we take the short hike to Cottonwood Spring Oasis. We'll be enjoying ancient palm trees and huge cottonwood trees as we hike up to Mastodon Peak.

Wawona Swinging Bridge - Yosemite National Park

Today we're taking the short hike to a hidden suspension bridge in the Wawona area of Yosemite National Park. North of Mariposa Grove and just east of Chilnualna Falls, the Wawona Swinging Bridge is a great place to picnic, rock hop, and swim in the Merced River during the Summer and Fall months. Read this travel blog and learn about one of my top things to do in Yosemite to avoid the crowds.

Fountain Paint Pot Trail - Yellowstone National Park

Today we're taking a short hike along the Fountain Paint Pot Trail boardwalk in Yellowstone National Park. This attraction is along Grand Loop Road and showcases all kinds of hydrothermal features, including Clepsydra Geyser, Red Spouter, Celestine Pool, Fountain Geyser, and Silex Spring.

Pohono Loop Trail - Yosemite National Park

Today we're hiking a section of the Pohono Trail in Yosemite National Park called the Pohono Loop Trail. We'll be soaking in views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls from cliff top edges and panoramic overlooks from Sentinel Dome, Roosevelt Point, and Taft Point.

Lady Bird Johnson Grove - Redwood National Park

This week we're hiking among the giant redwoods of Lady Bird Johnson Grove in Redwood National Park in Northern California. This trail weaves through an old growth redwood forest, and is a great hike for all ages.

Prewett Point Trail - Pinnacles National Park

Today we're hiking just inside the West Entrance of Pinnacles National Park in California. Prewett Point Trail is a gentle and accessible hike with beautiful views of the Pinnacles ragged peaks and rolling meadows.

Sulphur Works - Lassen Volcanic National Park

Today we're exploring the remnants of an ancient California volcano at Sulphur Works in Lassen Volcanic National Park. Right off the highway we'll see and smell the hydrothermal activity with the many boiling mudpots, steam vents, and the unique colorful landscape.

Foresta Falls - Yosemite National Park

Today we're hiking to a less visited waterfall in Yosemite National Park in the small town of Foresta, California. The trail to Foresta Falls takes you down the old Foresta dirt Road along Crane Creek through a pine forest that has been badly burned from recent wildfires.

Big Stump Trail - Kings Canyon National Park

Today we're exploring Big Stump Trail, the remnants of giant sequoia trees in Kings Canyon National Park in California near General Grant Grove. These massive tree trunks, like the Mark Twain Tree stump, were sadly cut down over a century ago by loggers and to prove to the rest of the world that these massive sequoia trees existed.

Mist Trail to Vernal & Nevada Falls - Yosemite National Park

Today we're in Yosemite National Park hiking up the Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls. This is a popular and classic Yosemite waterfall hike along the Merced River. We'll also enjoy views of Yosemite Falls, Illilouette Falls, Emerald Pool, Half Dome, Liberty Cap, and the Silver Apron as we hike up the Mist Trail and back down the John Muir Trail.

Wall Street Mill Trail - Joshua Tree National Park

Today we're hiking along the trail to the historic Wall Street Stamp Mill in Joshua Tree National Park in Southern California. Bill Keys processed ore on this site after there was a second gold rush in the 1930s, and many of the old structures are still intact. We'll explore rusted out cars, an old wind mill, the gold stamp mill, and the ruins of the Wonderland Ranch.

Moro Rock & Hanging Rock - Sequoia National Park

Sequoia National Park is our country's second oldest National Park, established in 1890. Today we’re hiking to Moro Rock and Hanging Rock along Crescent Meadow Road, two trails that lead to spectacular views of San Joaquin Valley, Generals Highway, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains. We'll also hike to the nearby Roosevelt Tree, named after Theodore Roosevelt.

Lower Yosemite Falls - Yosemite National Park

Today we're taking the easy hike along the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail in the Yosemite Valley during the Winter season. This Yosemite National Park highlight is a must see, and easy to access year round. Not only will we see a rainbow at the base of the falls, but we'll go to the spot where John Muir built a sugar pine cabin.

A Weekend in Lassen Volcanic National Park

Today we're exploring Lassen Volcanic National Park in Northern California. This underrated National Park has so much to offer, including ancient and dormant volcanoes, hydrothermal activity, prestine lakes, and abundant wildlife. Sign up for a FREE Travel Guide for a perfect weekend adventure.

Tunnel View Visitor's Guide - Yosemite National Park

Today we're enjoying some of the best views in Yosemite National Park at Tunnel View, made famous by Ansel Adams. Read the complete travel guide to plan for your next Yosemite family vacation, and see what it looks like in Spring, Summer, Fall & Winter, as well as for sunrise & sunset. This is a perfect photography location for picturing El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Fall & Yosemite Valley.

Complete Firefall Visitors Guide - Yosemite National Park (2024 Update)

Read this Flying Dawn Marie travel guide for the 2024 Firefall in Yosemite National Park. This natural phenomenon occurs every February when light from the setting sun hits Horsetail Fall just right, giving the illusion that the waterfall is flowing with flames on the side of El Capitan. This visitor guide covers park reservations, parking information, and restrictions for the 2024 season.

Taft Point - Epic Clifftop Views in Yosemite National Park

What are the best views in Yosemite? Taft Point is one of the best places to visit in Yosemite National Park, and it provides the best clifftop overlooks in the park with panoramic views of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, Cathedral Rocks & the Merced River meandering through the Yosemite Valley below. Accessed from Glacier Point Road, Taft Point is also a top spot for sunset and wildlife viewing.

Arch Rock & Heart Rock - Joshua Tree NP

Arch Rock and Heart Rock are two instagrammable rock formations you won't want to miss on your next trip Joshua Tree National Park near Palm Springs in Southern California. Located just behind the popular White Tank Campground, you can hike to these boulders in under two miles round trip. This is a great spot for astro photography as well as enjoying a sunrise.