Embarking on a journey to Yosemite National Park is a dream for adventure travelers seeking the ultimate hiking experience. Yosemite, renowned for its breathtaking landscapes, iconic granite cliffs, and cascading waterfalls, offers an array of exhilarating day hikes that cater to every adventurer's desire. Whether you find yourself in the iconic Yosemite Valley or the serene Tuolumne Meadows, this guide is tailored for those asking, "Which hikes should I do in Yosemite?" Let's lace up our boots and explore the best hikes this national treasure has to offer.

If you want to hike the entirety of Yosemite Valley, the Yosemite Valley Loop is your ideal trail. Fully paved, the Valley Loop Trail was created to allow visitors a path to explore the entire valley by foot, or bike. While on this hike, you will find hidden gems along the Merced River, wildlife, and be able to soak in the gorgeous granite views Yosemite offers.

The rock climb The Surprise (5.10a) is a stellar first Yosemite Valley 10 rock climb. Why? Well, if you are looking to break into the 5.10 climbing in Yosemite Valley as one of your “To-Do’s” while you visit, this crack climb is perfect because you get a few warm up pitches to get your head screwed on. Then, you start up the final finger crack all the way to the top.

The best time of day to hike Cook’s Meadow Loop is late morning into the afternoon. During sunrise and sunset, Yosemite Falls is in the shade, so to have the best view of Yosemite Falls in full light, hike the Cook’s Meadow Loop around 9 or 10am.

The natural beauty of Yosemite is so incredible that it inspired an entire 19th-century conservation movement, which resulted in the valley’s protection as a national park in 1890. Naturalists led by John Muir (1838–1914) and artists like photographer Ansel Adams (1902–1984) found inspiration for their life’s work here. When planning your trip to Yosemite National Park, checking out the best views of Yosemite Valley ahead of time are critical to the Yosemite experience.

Today is February 1st, which means it is time to flip your calendar :-) In addition to the video and calendar flip, I wanted to share some insights for your next visit to Yosemite National Park. If you are looking for a good day hike, iconic photographs to recreate, or just want to brainstorm ideas for your next trip to Yosemite, this is the blog for you.

Leaving behind my basecamp, I swung my boots out of the tent, buckled up my snow shoes, and shlepped my day pack over my shoulder. Filled with excitement and a good amount of fear—the winter and myself have not mixed well—I was on a photo mission. What was I trying to capture? A frozen Merced Lake reflection in the Yosemite wilderness.

Yosemite Falls can be seen throughout a large portion of Yosemite Valley including from the Yosemite Chapel, Merced River Bank Yosemite Valley Lodge and even high above the valley from Glacier Point. You might think it’s visibility is why this waterfall gets its namesake, however that is not the case. Yosemite Falls get’s it namesake because it is the tallest and strongest flowing waterfall in all of Yosemite Valley. This makes it the centerpiece of Yosemite.