Yosemite National Park has more than 800 miles of trail across all fitness levels, from the flat Mirror Lake Loop (5 miles, minimal gain) to the demanding Half Dome route (17.7 miles, 4,800 ft elevation gain). In 2026, a day-use vehicle permit is required for the Yosemite Valley corridor between late May and mid-September — book through recreation.gov at least two weeks before your visit.
Best Day Hikes in Yosemite for Every Fitness Level
Yosemite rewards every fitness level, but choosing the right trail for your ability separates a great day from an exhausting one. The Mist Trail to Vernal Fall (3 miles return, 1,000 ft gain) is the single best first hike in the park — granite stairs alongside a 317-foot waterfall, accessible by late April when snowmelt is at its peak. Arrive before 8 am to beat the midday crowds.
Four Mile Trail climbs from the Valley to Glacier Point (9.2 miles return, 3,200 ft gain) for one of the most commanding panoramas in North American hiking. The trail is steep and south-facing — carry at least 2.5 litres of water and start no later than 7 am in summer to avoid the afternoon heat. Upper Yosemite Fall (7.2 miles return, 2,700 ft gain) offers a full-day workout alongside the longest waterfall in North America at 2,425 feet total drop.
| Trail | Distance | Elevation Gain | Difficulty | Season |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mirror Lake Loop | 5 mi | 100 ft | Easy | Year-round |
| Mist Trail to Vernal Fall | 3 mi | 1,000 ft | Moderate | Apr–Oct |
| Upper Yosemite Fall | 7.2 mi | 2,700 ft | Strenuous | May–Nov |
| Four Mile Trail | 9.2 mi | 3,200 ft | Strenuous | May–Nov |
| Half Dome | 17.7 mi | 4,800 ft | Very Strenuous | Late May–Oct |
How the Yosemite Permit System Works in 2026
Two separate permit systems catch most first-time visitors off guard. The Valley day-use vehicle permit applies from late May through mid-September, 5 am to 5 pm, covering private vehicle entry to the corridor. Permits are released on a rolling 7-day window on recreation.gov, with additional same-day permits going live at 7 am PT daily. Arriving before 5 am, or entering by foot, bike or park shuttle, does not require a day-use permit.
Half Dome requires a completely separate permit. The primary allocation — around 300 permits per day — is distributed via a pre-season lottery in March on recreation.gov. A secondary daily pool of 50 permits opens at 7 am PT the evening before the desired hike date. If Half Dome is your primary goal, apply in the March lottery; the daily release is competitive and cannot be relied on for planning.
Overnight backcountry wilderness permits are required for all camping outside established campgrounds, including John Muir Trail access through the park. Apply via the spring lottery (late January through mid-March on recreation.gov) or attempt the daily 11 am walk-up quota at the Yosemite Valley Wilderness Center.
What Is New in Yosemite for 2026
Glacier Point Road, which closed for rehabilitation following the 2023 Washburn Fire, reopened in spring 2025 with a new shuttle system operating from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point every 30 minutes. Tioga Road (Highway 120) — the only cross-park road, cresting at 9,945 feet — typically opens in late May or early June depending on snowpack. Check current conditions at nps.gov/yose before planning any high-country access.
Cell coverage remains limited above Tuolumne Meadows. Carry a dedicated navigation device — the Garmin eTrex SE handles offline topo maps and holds a charge for over 25 hours on two AA batteries, which are easy to resupply anywhere in the Valley. For trail navigation within the park, download the NPS Yosemite app map offline before leaving the Valley.
Gear Essentials for Yosemite Trails
Yosemite's granite is abrasive and demands real traction on steeper routes. The HOKA Speedgoat 7 (298 g per shoe) handles the mixed dirt-and-granite surface of Upper Yosemite Fall and Four Mile Trail with its 6 mm Vibram Megagrip lugs. For early-season hikes when Mist Trail stream crossings are guaranteed, the Merrell Moab 3 GTX keeps feet dry on wet granite steps. Our full breakdown of trail runners versus hiking boots explains which makes sense for Valley floor versus high-country terrain.
For backcountry water, the Katadyn BeFree 1.0L water filter (55 g) handles all creek sources throughout the park without chemical aftertaste and fills directly from moving water. Multi-day backcountry trips require a bear-approved canister — the park's approved list is on the NPS website. The Osprey Exos 58 (1.39 kg, 58 L) is sized correctly for 3–5-day Yosemite trips — large enough to carry a bear canister alongside 3 days of food while keeping base weight under 4 kg. See our ultralight backpack guide if you're targeting a sub-3 kg base weight on frameless alternatives. Before any big trail day, read our blister prevention guide — 17.7 miles on granite is hard on feet and hot spots develop fast on this terrain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need a permit to enter Yosemite in 2026?
A day-use vehicle permit is required to drive into Yosemite Valley from late May through mid-September, between 5 am and 5 pm. Book on recreation.gov up to 7 days in advance. Arriving before 5 am or after 5 pm, or entering by foot, bike or shuttle, does not require the day-use vehicle permit. Park entry fees still apply.
How do you get a Half Dome permit in 2026?
The primary Half Dome permit allocation (around 300 per day) is distributed via a pre-season lottery in March on recreation.gov. A secondary daily release of 50 permits goes live at 7 am PT the evening before the hike date. Apply in the March lottery — relying on the daily release is viable but very competitive, especially on weekends from June through September.
When does Tioga Road open in Yosemite in 2026?
Tioga Road (Highway 120) typically opens in late May or early June, depending on winter snowpack. In heavy snow years it can remain closed into July. Always check the NPS current conditions page at nps.gov/yose before travelling, as the opening date is confirmed only a few days in advance and changes without notice.
Is a bear canister required in Yosemite?
Yes — a certified bear canister is required for all overnight backcountry camping in Yosemite. The canister must be on the NPS-approved list, available on the park website. Bear boxes exist at some backcountry campsites but cannot substitute for a personal canister as they are not available on all routes.
What footwear is best for Half Dome?
Half Dome requires footwear with reliable grip on polished granite and durability for 17.7 miles. Trail runners with Vibram Megagrip soles perform well on the approach. Avoid regular sneakers — the steel cable section is at a 45-degree angle and wet cables have caused fatal falls. Light gloves or work gloves are strongly recommended for the cable section regardless of conditions.