How to make the most of your time hiking, fishing, dining, and sightseeing in the famed Yosemite Valley, with a 3 day itinerary for all the best things to do in the park.
By Maggie Slepian
No one forgets their first time in Yosemite National Park. It’s hard not to feel your breath catch in your throat as you come around a turn in the road and see the pale granite walls rising thousands of feet from the valley floor, or from the corner of your eye catch a mule deer and fawn stepping lightly through grass at Tuolumne Meadows. From Tioga Road’s high country views to the once-in-a-lifetime experience of climbing Half Dome, Yosemite proves from all angles that there’s nowhere else like it.
Brand new for fall 2026, Outbound Yosemite provides basecamp-style lodging just 25 minutes from Yosemite’s South Entrance. Staying just outside the boundaries offers the best of both worlds: easy access to the park’s main attractions, but in a quieter, less crowded space. It also provides the respite of a 17-acre property outfitted with a variety of large-windowed cabins that encourage visitors to unplug, plus a lounge space, pool, event center, and plenty of space to relax and unwind after a day packed with activities inside and outside of the park.
This season, hit the park trails, wander through the groves of thousand-year-old trees, and book a guided climb on the famous walls. Here’s how to make the most of your three days in Yosemite.
Day 1: Mariposa Grove and Chilnualna Falls Hike
Morning — Coffee Buzz & Big Trees
Drive five minutes south to Oakhurst and grab coffee, pastries, or a ciabatta breakfast sandwich at Bee’s Bakery Cafe, which opened in 2023 and has since become a beloved fixture for their hearty breakfasts and charming atmosphere. Fueled up on carbs and caffeine, spin back around and head into the park to the Mariposa Grove, home to some of the oldest and largest trees on the entire planet. There are several hiking options for different time commitments, including the Big Trees Loop Trail, (less than one mile) with interpretive panels, and the two-mile Grizzly Giant Loop Trail, which includes the world-famous California Tunnel Tree.
Afternoon — To the Falls
Your next stop is the Chilnualna Falls Trail, an 8.4-mile hike that will likely take you right to the late afternoon. While it’s not the most famous hike in Yosemite—that award is reserved for Half Dome, which requires a lottery-based permit (apply in March)—the Chilnualna Falls Trail winds past multiple waterfalls and has fewer crowds than more popular routes like the Mist Trail. Before setting off, though, stop in at the nearby Wawona General Store or Pine Tree Market for no-fuss grab-and-go lunch items or sandwich fixings. Since this trail is an out-and-back, you can shorten your trip by turning back after reaching the first two waterfalls; if you do, you’ll still get to see multiple pools and a 100-foot cascade. Like many other trails in the park, the Chilnualna Falls Trail is fairly steep and unrelenting, so bring hiking poles and plenty of water.
Evening — Home for Dinner
The full Chilnualna Falls hike will likely take you to the end of the day, so cruise the 45 minutes back to Outbound Yosemite for dinner at Juniper, Outbound’s on-site restaurant serving pizza options and craft cocktails—with or without booze—that highlight local ingredients. Finish the evening with a dip in the hot tub to help the legs recover for tomorrow, and a card game in the common area before a well-earned full night’s sleep.
Day 2: Glacier Point Views and Fly Fishing on the Merced
Morning — Up to the National Park’s Best View
Swing back through Juniper for a grab-and-go breakfast sandwich and latte before hitting the road early to beat park traffic on your way to Yosemite Valley. Head north from South Gate and drive toward Badger Pass and Bridal Veil Falls before parking at the famous Glacier Point for some of the most spectacular views in any national park in the US. The overlook is no secret, so we recommend arriving before 9:30 AM during the peak season to ensure you can nab a parking spot. You can also stop south of Glacier Point at Washburn Point for excellent views of Nevada and Vernal Falls.
Afternoon — Casting on the Merced
From Glacier Point, drive back along Glacier Point Road to Wawona Road, taking a 10-minute detour to Basecamp Eatery for a variety of quick lunch options before heading to the Swinging Bridge picnic area on the Merced River. Here, the trail heads a mile along the river into the South Fork Canyon, where you’ll find a healthy trout population prime for fly fishing. Temperatures cool off in the late afternoon and evening, making this a perfect time to cast. Just be sure to get a California fishing license and familiarize yourself with all park fishing policies.
Evening — Valley History & Traditional Mexican
The drive back in the evening should be quieter, and we recommend stopping at the Yosemite History Center to stretch your legs and learn about the park’s origins. Then grab dinner at Plazuelas Mexican Restaurant in Oakhurst for handmade tortillas and traditional mole alongside excellent cocktails and Mexican wines in an inviting atmosphere. If you’re visiting during the high season from late May to September, you’ll want to make a reservation ahead of time.
Day 3: Climbing and Sunset Drinks Back at Outbound
Morning into Afternoon — Scale the Walls
Wake up before 7 AM and snag another grab-and-go breakfast and complimentary coffee from Juniper, then drive an hour from the South Entrance to Curry Village and a day of climbing lessons with Yosemite Mountaineering School. This institution has been operating for more than 50 years, offering everything from gear rentals to climbing lessons to guided multi-day expeditions up El Capitan and Half Dome. Even if you’ve never tied a figure-eight knot, the school’s guides and instructors will help you get comfortable on the rock faces in beginner lessons, while more experienced climbers can tackle a day of single-pitch climbing or a half-day of crack-climbing instruction on some of the most iconic rock faces in the world.
The seven-hour course will take you right into the afternoon, so it’s not a bad idea to grab to-go food or snacks at Curry Village Gift & Grocery before heading out. This is another one where advance booking is required.
Evening — Back to Base Camp
After a full day scaling Yosemite’s famed granite, you’ve earned a relaxing evening back at Outbound, where the pool and hot tub await. For an elevated European dining experience to cap off your trip, reserve a table at Chateau du Sureau’s Elderberry House down the road in Oakhurst. Or keep it casual and head to Smokehouse 41 for the California-style barbecue you didn’t know you needed. After dinner, head to Outbound’s Gear Garage for marshmallows and outdoor snacks, and enjoy the sunset around one of the communal firepits while watching the stars come out.
