Yosemite National Park attractions

Hiking the Mist Trail to the top of Vernal and Nevada Falls is one of the most popular day hikes in Yosemite National Park. As you climb to the top of Vernal Fall, you’ll quickly find out how the Mist Trail got its name. The path hugs the cliff along the river and the spray coming off the falls drenches hikers.

This towering curtain of water flowing from the Merced River is one of Yosemite National Park’s best-known waterfalls. Located in Yosemite Valley, it’s accessible via the Mist Trail, a popular short hike leading to Nevada Falls farther up the river. While the water runs virtually year-round, the flow peaks in the heart of spring.

Most visitors are drawn to Yosemite Valley's famous cliffs and waterfalls, but fewer know of the park’s pioneer history and how they shaped the future of Yosemite National Park. In the town of Wawona, the Pioneer Yosemite History Center is dedicated to these pioneers and showcases historic buildings and stories from Yosemite’s past.

Located in Yosemite Valley, Mirror Lake is famous for its reflections of Half Dome and Mount Watkins (when the water level is high enough). Mirror Lake draws photographers, hikers, and swimmers looking to cool down, particularly in the summer months.

Taft Point stands out among panoramic viewpoints in Yosemite National Park—where there are limitless soul-shattering views—for its line of sight to the Fissures, narrow breaks in the mile-high granite rock face that drop up to 2,000 feet (610 meters) into Yosemite Valley. It's also a great place to catch views of Yosemite Falls and El Capitan and to connect with the Sentinel Dome Trail.

Originating in the southeastern corner of Yosemite National Park, the Merced River flows 145 miles (233 kilometers) westward and through Yosemite Valley. The river and its tributaries are home to some of the most popular recreational activities in the park, including boating, fishing, whitewater rafting, and swimming off of its sandy beaches.