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Things To Do in Yosemite National Park

Why it’s worth at least 5 nights in the valley

Yosemite National Park with kids and teenagers makes for one epic outdoor adventure. Waterfalls, mountains, fresh air, wildlife, and 800 miles of hiking trails will help you get back to nature.

There are so many things to do in Yosemite: hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, rafting, swimming, and more.

When we took our four kids ages 8 through 15, we based ourselves in Yosemite Valley for five nights and days. We camped at the historic Camp 4, and happily went in search of the park’s many waterfalls.

We also carefully hiked the Mist Trail to see Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall — one of the biggest highlights of Yosemite.

The easy hike to Mirror Lake is a must-do and be sure to learn about the famous campfire talk between John Muir and Teddy Roosevelt at the Visitor Center. Watch climbers on El Capitan and Half Dome (bring your binoculars), raft down the Merced, go biking, and more.

First things first. Make sure you have reservations well ahead of time for Yosemite. Then, we’ll dive into all the fun things to do with kids in Yosemite national park, particularly in the valley.

Reservations Required to Enter Yosemite during Summer 2021

As California continues to experience the COVID-19 pandemic, Yosemite National Park will temporarily be requiring reservations to enter the park beginning on May 21, 2021 through September 30.

According to the nps.gov website, in order to visit the park, you need to pay the park entrance fee AND have one of the following reservations or permits, even if you have an annual or lifetime national park pass:

Day-use reservation, available only through recreation.gov
Reservations through recreation.gov at these campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, or Tuolumne Meadows
Reservations at Curry Village, Housekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley Lodge, The historic Ahwahnee, or the Wawona Hotel.
Yosemite wilderness or Half Dome permit
Commercial use authorization

PRO TIP: If you enter Yosemite National Park on a YART bus or by bicycle, on foot, on horseback, then you will NOT need a reservation. But you will still need to pay the park entrance fee. Shuttles and tours will not be operating in Yosemite in 2021.

Yosemite Valley Visitor Center

For first-time visitors to Yosemite, the Visitor Center is a must to get your bearings and learn the human history of one of the very first national parks.

Watch the film Spirit of Yosemite, grab your Junior Ranger booklets so your kids can earn their badges, ask Rangers any questions you have about exploring the park, and then get out there.

Now, here’s what to do in Yosemite Valley with kids and teens…

Camping and Hotels

In our unabashed opinion, one of the best things to do in Yosemite National Park is to to camp here. Show up on a Sunday evening and leave Friday morning so as to miss the super busy weekends.

Ideally, camp or stay in a hotel inside Yosemite so you can walk or bike to see things in the park. Remember, shuttles and tours will not be operating inside the park in 2021.

Camping in Yosemite Valley, away from the crowds, is a premiere experience.

Early mornings, evening campfires, and the sound of rushing waterfalls. Muir said it best:

"Oh, these vast, calm, measureless mountain days, days in whose light everything seems equally divine, opening a thousand windows to show us God." - John Muir

Camping Gear Essentials Checklist PDF download

Yosemite National Park Camping

Camp inside Yosemite for several nights, and your family can easily take off on different day hikes to Yosemite's divine waterfalls. We camped five nights in Camp 4.

You can make reservations through recreation.gov at these campgrounds: Upper Pines, Lower Pines, North Pines, Camp 4, Wawona, Bridalveil Creek, or Tuolumne Meadows

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Yosemite Valley HotelS and Glamping

If you’re not into camping, stay at the Yosemite Lodge at the Falls, Wawona Hotel or splurge at the historic Ahwahnee Hotel.

If you’re looking for inexpensive lodging, consider a cabin in Curry Village or glamping in Housekeeping Camp.

There are also many lodges or campgrounds to stay in outside the park as well.

Yosemite Valley Vacation Rentals

Book a Hotel in or near Yosemite Valley

Hiking in yosemite with Kids

One of our favorite things to do in Yosemite was hiking to see jaw-dropping waterfalls.

Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

Easily accessible, reaching the base of Yosemite Upper and Lower Falls is an easy short loop walk. We walked over from our campsite at nearby Camp 4.

For a more strenuous hike, take the 3 1/2 mile Yosemite Fall Trail rising 2,700 feet above the falls (trailhead off Camp 4, north of Northside Drive). I mention more hikes in Yosemite Valley further down in this post.

Above is a view of both the Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls. Below shows the Lower Falls exploding into Yosemite Creek, which leads to the nearby Merced River.

The waterfalls throughout the Valley were in full force when we visited in June 2017, thanks to heavy snowfall and rains in winter and spring. In fact, there were new waterfalls in the Valley this summer, pointed out to us by visitors who had come there every year the past 30 years!

Good to know: Upon entry to the park, ask for the hiking map as well. Learn your park map, including shuttle stops. Park shuttles also make many valley floor trailheads easy to reach, allowing you to leave your car parked in one place during your stay if you like. Ask rangers questions; they are happy to help!

Hiking the Mist Trail

This hike is every bit worth the shirt-yanking, hand-grabbing, yelling-at-your-kids-to-stay-close view of the 317 foot Vernal Fall. This moderately challenging, dynamite 3-4 mile hike (depending on your return route) is one for the books!

You can also catch fantastic views of Nevada Fall, even if you decide not to hike all the way further up to her top. Crashing down 597 feet, she's a beaut.

Be smart. Your children must obey your verbal directions. Make sure you are all up for the challenge of hiking slick, steep, mist-covered stairs. You will get soaked.

The Mist Trail hike ranks as one of the most unforgettable adventures with our kids!

Picnic lunch at Mirror Lake

An easy one mile jaunt along a paved service road leads you to Mirror Lake where there is a loop hiking trail around the lake, adding another hour or two to your adventure.

Half Dome's reflection in Mirror Lake will snare you and your camera for quite a while. Perch on a boulder with your picnic lunch and enjoy the view.

As summer lengthens, the lake dries up and becomes dubbed Mirror Meadow.

Riding the park shuttle? Jump off at stop #17 to take this easy-going, gorgeous hike.

More great hikes in Yosemite Valley

Glacier Point Loop
Panorama Trail
Bridalveil Fall Trail
Yosemite Floor Loop Trail
Cook’s Meadow Loop

Snap pictures of Half Dome

We couldn't get enough of Half Dome. We snatched photos of her from every angle, every day we were in the Valley. We could hardly resist.

When the kids are all teenagers, we plan to hike the John Muir trail to Half Dome, then scale Half Dome from the backside as a family (tricky climb, permits required) to snatch an elevated view of the Valley.

rafting along the Merced River

Rafting along the Merced River is a super fun thing to do in June or July. You can bring your own or rent one at Curry Village. A shuttle will bring your back after you float down the river for 3 miles. The trip takes 2-4 hours. Kayaks are also allowed.

You can put in along the Merced River at Stoneman Bridge, right by Curry Village, and take out at Sentinel Beach Picnic Area, when the river is open. These are the only places allowed for put in and take out.

NOTE: The Merced River is open for boating and rafting when he gage height at Pohono Bridge is below 7 feet at 8 am.

YOU MUST WEAR A PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE when the water level is above 4 feet at 8 am. It is required. If the water level is below 4 feet, ages 13 and below must wear one at all times, and older folks must have one within reach on the raft or boat.

Biking in Yosemite Valley

Biking along the paved bike paths in Yosemite National Park with your kids is a great way to experience the valley.

If you don’t bring your own bikes, you can rent some in Yosemite Valley by Yosemite Valley Lodge, at the Curry Village kiosk, or in Yosemite Village at the bike rental stand next to the Village Store.

There are over 12 miles of paved paths, plus you can ride on the roads, so long as you wear your bike helmets. Ebikes are allowed too.

NOTE: Off-trail riding and mountain biking, and use of motorized scooters on bike paths are not permitted in Yosemite National Park.

Breakfast buffet at the Ahwahnee

The Ahwahnee, known for its elegance and history, is an architectural wonder worth a visit no matter where you lay your head in the park.

Following our day on the Mist Trail, we first set foot at the hotel in desperate search of ice cream treats. We devoured those frozen gems on the lawn in front of the Majestic and met a family who'd been coming to the Valley for 30 summers running.

Peaking inside, we soon understood its place as a National Historic Landmark. Queens and presidents have stayed at the Majestic, a luxurious hotel full of history, hospitality and grace.

Breakfast buffet the morning we parted was a must and a scrumptious birthday treat. Even if you're not staying there, consider a dining splurge in the Majestic Hotel Restaurant (reservations recommended) or play cards in the Great Lounge.

Don’t miss Bridalveil Falls

Bridalveil is typically the first waterfall you'll see when you enter Yosemite Valley.

Bridalveil Falls flows all summer long, but expect to get soaked in spring and early summer when you hike to her base. While the trail is open all year, expect a very slick, icy walk in winter. It's only a quarter mile walk up to see her in all her glory.

Watch climbers take on El Capitan

Rising more than 350 stories tall above the valley floor, El Capitan is the largest exposed granite monolith on face of the planet. People have been climbing its face and more specifically, its "nose," for nearly 60 years.

Best way to see El Capitan? Inspiration Point by foot and Tunnel View or from El Capitan Meadow by car. Bring your binoculars for spying serous rock climbers.