Yosemite National Park is full of natural wonders that you can’t find anywhere else on this planet. Thankfully, you don’t have to hike an insane trail either to see the crown jewels such as Half Dome, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls.

There are countless beginner hikes in Yosemite that offer a spectacular view of the park like Lower Yosemite Falls, Taft Point, and Glacier Point.

If you’ve taken your time to plan a trip to one of the most beautiful national parks in North America, make sure you add these 10 easy hikes in Yosemite that are great family-friendly.

Hiking in Yosemite

The best time to hike in Yosemite is between the months of May to October when the ground is clear from snow in lower elevation areas like Yosemite Valley and Wawona.

View our must-do activities by month when visiting Yosemite.

Carry at least 1-2L of water per person when you plan to hike in Yosemite.

Always check the current weather and trail conditions before visiting Yosemite. Roads and trails can close and reopen daily.

Use the All Trails app to get directions to the trailhead, track yourself along the route, and read reviews for current conditions.

Easy Hikes in Yosemite National Park

While we’ve hiked to Half Dome and numerous backcountry routes, these are the best, easy trails we hike year after year in Yosemite.

1) Lower Yosemite Falls Hike

Hiking distance: 1 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 50 ft (15m)
Trailhead: Yosemite Valley - Yosemite Falls shuttle stop

You won’t want to miss an up close and personal viewing of America’s tallest waterfall - Yosemite Falls.

The entire Yosemite Falls cascades down 2,425 feet and is composed of three sections of waterfalls.

While this is probably the most popular of the easiest hikes in Yosemite, it is still a must-see!

This hiking trail will get you right in front of the base of Yosemite Falls. During peak waterfall season, from late April to June, you can expect to see the last 320 feet of water thunder down onto the giant boulders below it.

Keep in mind that Yosemite Falls tends to be dried up by August through October.

This easy mile loop should be walked counter-clockwise for the best views. Halfway through the trail, you will get to the footbridge and base of Lower Yosemite Falls. This is where you’ll want to get out your camera and take a vertical pano of the waterfall.

Dogs are allowed on this trail! The trail is also handicap accessible on the eastern part of the loop to the footbridge.

2) Vernal Falls - Yosemite

best hikes in Yosemite — *The base of Vernal Fall - Yosemite National Park*

Hiking distance: 1.7 mi round trip
Elevation Gain: 472 ft (144m)
Trailhead: Happy Isles - shuttle stop #16

The most beautiful hike in Yosemite is the Mist Trail as it cuts along the Merced River the entire way and showcases two of Yosemite’s most bountiful waterfalls year-round: Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls.

While the steep elevation makes this the most challenging easy hike on this list, the trail has a paved path up to Nevada Falls. Take your time and at least try to get to the footbridge of Vernal Falls for a rewarding view.

Unlike some waterfalls in Yosemite, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls flow year-round. In the Spring, these falls are incredibly large and powerful, splashing you from a hundred feet away.

While this is a paved trail, the incline is serious and you will definitely want to come prepared with comfortable walking shoes, 2L of water per person, and trekking poles can really help.

I think most people can make it to at least the footbridge if you give yourself time and take breaks along the way.

Once you've arrived at the Happy Isles shuttle stop, you will start on the John Muir Trail towards Vernal Falls Footbridge. If you find you have some energy left in you, cross the bridge and walk another half-mile onto the Mist Trail where you can get much closer to the base of the falls and possibly experience one of John Muir’s favorites - a lunar rainbow.

This is also the same trailhead for those that plan to hike all the way up to Half Dome so don’t be surprised when you see those with serious hiking gear and packs.

3) Bridalveil Falls - Yosemite Valley

yosemite easy hikes — *Bridalveil Falls from Hanging Valley Viewpoint*

Hiking distance: 0.5 mi round trip
Elevation Gain: 80 ft (24m)
Trailhead: Yosemite Valley - Bridalveil Fall Parking Area

The first waterfall you see when coming through the tunnel into Yosemite Valley is Bridalveil Falls. It plunges down 620ft (189m) year-round onto the valley floor. It is quite spectacular to witness, especially during Spring.

After being closed for the past 4 years for renovations, visitors can now get up close and personal to Bridalveil Falls!

This is a very short hike to the base of Bridalveil Falls and it is definitely worth stopping to explore.

There is parking right at the trailhead of Southside Drive but keep in mind it is a popular area during peak season so I’d advise going before 9am or after 5pm from late Spring to early Fall.

One of my favorite views of Bridalveil Falls is actually across the Merced River from Bridalveil Falls off Northside Drive. Be sure to make this quick stop on your way out of the park.

While this trail is paved it’s not handicap friendly due to the grade. The trail is dog-friendly though.

4) Taft Point

Hiking distance: 2.3 miles (out and back)
Elevation Gain: 367 ft (112m)
Trailhead: parking area on left 13.6 miles down Glacier Point Road

If you’re visiting Yosemite during the summer months, the hike has the best panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, and you’ll be viewing it from about 3500 feet above the valley floor!

The trail to Taft Point is only accessible from Glacier Point Road, which tends to be open from mid-June to late October. Once at the trailhead, make sure to keep on the correct trail towards Taft Point and not to Sentinel Dome.

The beginning of the trail winds through the lush forest on a dirt trail. Eventually, you will make it to the granite rock, but watch out for fissures (large, deep cracks in the ground) as you won’t want to fall down that bottomless hole.

This is actually one of the best places to view a sunset in Yosemite and words cannot describe the array of firey hues setting over the valley nor the magical silence as everyone watches in complete harmony.

5) Glacier Point

Hiking distance: 0.5 mile loop
Trailhead: parking lot at end of Glacier Point Road

If you are going up Glacier Point Road, you must drive to the end of Glacier Point Road to see Glacier Point View of Half Dome.

It’s actually where I got married and think it’s the best sunrise view in all of Yosemite!

Glacier Point is probably the easiest day hike in Yosemite as it is on a flat, paved trail and a very short hike at only 0.5 miles total. Additionally, the views are breathtaking whether you’re visiting for sunrise, mid-day, or at sunset.

Up here you not only get a stunning view of Half Dome, you can also see Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls in the distance, giving you a beautiful oversight of the Mist Trail.

6) Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias

Hiking distance: 2-6 mile loop (various options)
Elevation Gain: 300 ft
Trailhead: shuttle to the trailhead from Mariposa Grove Plaza parking

No living thing seems to be as great or grand as the giant Sequoia trees. The Grizzly Giant Loop Trail is one of the best easy hikes in Yosemite that everyone needs to experience!

There are various trails you can wander through once you’ve made it to Mariposa Grove, but I highly suggest starting clockwise and walking straight to Grizzly Giant and the California Tunnel Tree (about 0.8 miles out).

Grizzly Giant is nearly 3000 years old and the second largest tree in Yosemite National Park standing at 209 feet tall and 25.4 feet wide.

If you have time, continue walking another 2 miles to see the Faithful Couple, Clothespin Tree, and finally the Mariposa Grove Cabin. This will make the hike a total of 4 miles out and back.

From April 1 to November 30, you will need to take the shuttle bus from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Plaza to the trailhead. From December 1 to March 31st, there is no shuttle service but you can snowshoe the 2 miles from the South entrance to the trailhead and throughout Mariposa Grove for an epic winter experience!

Dogs are not allowed on this trail at any time of year.

7) Mirror Lake - Yosemite Valley

Hiking distance: 5 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 301 ft
Trailhead: Shuttle Stop 17

During late Spring and early summer, Mirror Lake is full of water and offers a stunning reflection of Half Dome when the water is calm. If you can catch this view on a full moon, you’re really in for a masterpiece.

Mirror Lake Loop is located at the end of Yosemite Valley, next to North Pines Campground. If you brought your bicycle, this is a great place to ride your bike to and then walk the loop around the lake.

If you’re visiting during late summer or after, I’d probably skip over this hiking trail as Mirror Lake turns into Meadow Lake and isn’t quite as enchanting as when the lake is full.

8) Cook's Meadow - Yosemite Valley

Hiking distance: 2 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 78 ft
Trailhead parking: Yosemite Lodge

One of the most popular walking trails in Yosemite Valley is the Cook’s Meadow Loop Trail. If you can time it where you can early in the morning or just before sunset, the park seems to slow down and you won’t be amidst all the chaos.

Along this trail, you’ll cross the stunning Merced River and have breathtaking views from the valley floor of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Yosemite Valley Chapel. This is a great trail to combine with hiking to the base of Yosemite Falls.

While there are various places to park along this trail, the most abundant parking is at Yosemite Lodge. The best parking spot is at Sentinel Bridge parking lot (but it is small).

Dogs are allowed on this trail too!

9) Tenaya Lake Trail

*Tenaya Lake - Easy Hike in Yosemite National Park*

Hiking distance: 2.7 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 183 ft
Trailhead: Tenaya Lake Parking
All Trails Hiking Route

Once Tioga Road has opened for the summer (typically by late June), don't miss seeing this incredible and far-less visited part of Yosemite National Park.

An hour and fifteen-minute drive out of Yosemite Valley will lead you to a parking lot just off Tioga Road at Tenaya Lake for one of the best hikes in the area.

This is a fairly easy hike that provides gorgeous views of the entire trail from the lush forest, blue waters, and surrounding peaks.

Tenaya Lake is also a great place to go swimming or paddle board as the water tends to be a little warmer than the Merced River.

10) Tuolumne Meadows

Hiking distance: 3.6 mile loop
Elevation Gain: 187 ft
Trailhead parking: Tioga Road

Another stunning and easy hike that will get you away from the massive crowds in the valley is the Tuolumne River Loop Trail.

While you’re up on Tioga Pass Road and hiking around Tenaya Lake, make one last pit stop at the Tuolumne Meadows area.

This easy hike will take you along the serene Tuolumne River and out through the gorgeous Tuolumne Meadows. You’ll probably encounter a few PCT hikers along this trail too as this is a common resting area for those thru-hiking.

Easy Hikes in Yosemite Map

Click on the map to view any of these easy hikes in Yosemite and save them to your Google Maps for your next visit!

Hiking Essentials for Yosemite

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Hiking shoes: the men’s and women’s Altra Lone Peaks are our favorites and the most comfortable hiking socks with a lifetime guarantee.
Hydration Pack: a 20-25L backpack is ideal for day hikes. His Gregory 24L and her Osprey 20L are comfortable for all-day hiking and have a lifetime warranty.
Electrolytes: we swear by this no-sugar electrolyte mix to help prevent dehydration from high altitude or long hiking days. Pink Lemonade is the best!
Trekking Poles: bring poles to save your knees on this steep, rocky terrain. These poles are incredible for the price.
Packable jacket: the weather can change quickly in the Sierras. A packable, water-proof, wind-proof jacket like the women’s REI GTX and men’s OR Foray are great to have.
Sunscreen: Coola sunscreen is incredibly lightweight, stays on during sweaty hikes, and never feels greasy.
Sun Hat: this is the perfect hiking sunhat.
Bug Spray: you don’t want to be without this heavy-duty repellent.