A 2-Day Itinerary in Yosemite National Park With Kids

Are you looking for a fun 2-day itinerary in Yosemite National Park with your kids? It takes more than 2 days to explore Yosemite fully, but it’s better than not going. 😉

Yosemite National Park is the perfect destination for families with young children. With its stunning views, breathtaking waterfalls, and plenty of outdoor activities, Yosemite will be a hit with your family.

In fact, it was voted one of the best national parks to visit with kids and one of the nine (9) national parks in California.

In this two-day itinerary, you’ll explore some of the best activities and attractions Yosemite offers. From short and easy hikes to scenic bike rides, this itinerary has something for everyone. We’ll also provide recommendations on places to stay and eat.

My 2-day itinerary in Yosemite below is based on an overnight stay in Curry Village, but it’s still a great starting point even if you stay somewhere else.

So, let’s get started!

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Recap of our 2-day itinerary in Yosemite National Park

On the first day, you can take a hike to the iconic overlooks of Glacier Point and Tunnel View. Then, explore beautiful waterfalls such as the Bridalveil Falls and the Lower Yosemite Falls.

On the second day, take a stroll around Yosemite Valley on the Sentinel Meadow and Cook’s Meadow Loop. Then, visit the Yosemite Museum and Indian Cultural Exhibit and hike in the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias area. Finally, ftake a train ride on the Yosemite Valley Railroad.

Day 1: Glacier Point, Tunnel View & Waterfall

Take a small hike at Glacier Point and Washburn Point

Start your first day in Yosemite National Park at Glacier Point. If your kids wake up early, try to be there for sunset; it’s breathtaking…. but we know it’s not always possible, and sometimes it’s better to let the kids sleep.

The easiest way to get to Glacier Point is to drive on Glacier Point Road, usually open from late May or early June to sometime in November. The road ends at Glacier Point, a short walk to the viewpoint.

You’ll be at 7,200 feet (2,200 meters) above sea level.

From this viewpoint, you can follow the short trail. It’s one of Yosemite’s easiest hikes and much of the trail is wheelchair and stroller accessible. It’s a 1.0-mile (1.6-km) out-and-back trail with amazing views.

On your way down Glacier Point Road, stop at Washburn Point. This viewpoint also offers beautiful views.

Admire the views at Tunnel View

The View from Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park

Then, drive to Tunnel View, one of the famous viewpoints of Yosemite National Park, where you’ll have a perfect view of Half Dome, El Capitan, and Bridalveil Falls.

Tunnel View is just outside the Wawona Tunnel on State Highway 41. You’ll find parking lots nearby. This spot can be very popular in summer, so you may have to wait a little for parking.

Chase some Yosemite waterfalls

There are more than 25 waterfalls in Yosemite National Park. The smallest fall is the 100-foot-tall Alder Creek Falls, and the latest one is the 2,425-foot-tall Yosemite Falls. Most of the famous waterfalls at Yosemite can be seen from viewpoints or short paved, wheelchair-accessible trails.

Start with Bridalveil Falls. Bridalveil Fall is a short waterfall that typically flows throughout the year. You can park at the Bridalveil Fall Parking Area off Wawonda Road. This 0.5-mile (0.8-km) round-trip trail will lead you close to the waterfall.

Then, drive to Lower Yosemite Falls. Lower Yosemite Falls is the final 320-foot (98-meter) drop of Yosemite Falls, the latest waterfall in North America. The trail to reach the Lower Falls is a 1.0-mile (1.6-km) loop.

Be careful when walking near the waterfalls. There are some stairs and it can be slippery and steep in some areas. Try to walk the loop in a clockwise direction for the best views of Yosemite Falls.

Note that the eastern portion of this loop trail is wheelchair accessible (when not covered in ice or snow).

Also, if you visit at the end of the summer or in the fall, the waterfall may be dry or really tiny.

Curry Village

When you’re ready, slowly head to Curry Village, where you’ll stay for the night. There are a few restaurant options, such as a pizza parlor, a coffee shop, the Meadow Grill, and the Curry Village Bar.

There is also a pool and some ranger programs. If you got the Junior Ranger booklet or our Yosemite activity book for your kids, you could take time with them to complete it.

Day 2: Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove & Museum

Explore Yosemite Valley

Start your day with a leisure stroll in Yosemite Valley with the Sentinel Meadow and Cook’s Meadow Loop. The Sentinel Meadow and Cook’s Meadow loop is a 2.25-mile (3.6-km) round-trip trail. On this trail, you’ll see green meadows, wildflowers and Yosemite Falls.

The trail is accessible year-round, and leashed pets are allowed on paved portions.

Yosemite Museum and Indian Cultural Exhibit

Then, visit the Yosemite Museum and Indian Cultural Exhibit.

The Yosemite Museum and Indian Cultural Exhibit is a great place for families. It was the first museum built in the national park system and offers various educational initiatives for visitors.

The Yosemite Museum displays the cultural history of Yosemite’s native Miwok and Paiute people. It showcases tools and items such as tone tool-making, basket weaving, beadwork, and traditional games.

In front of the museum, you’ll find a cross-section of a giant sequoia tree that visitors can touch and a re-creation of an Omaha (a Miwok and Paiute cedar bark house). Behind the museum, you can also do a self-guided accessible trail through the reconstructed Indian Village of Ahwahnee. You’ll learn about plants and structures.

Explore the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias area

Mariposa Grove in Yosemite National Park

Once you’re done with the museum visit, head back in the car and drive to Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. From the Yosemite Museum, it takes about an hour to reach the south side of Yosemite to Mariposa Grove.

The Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias is popular in Yosemite National Park. It’s the largest sequoia grove in Yosemite and is home to over 500 mature giant sequoias.

There are a few different trails to take with the kids to admire the sequoia trees. Some trails are even wheelchair and stroller accessible.

Big Trees Loop Trail: It’s an easy 0.3-mile (0.5-km) loop from the trailhead. This trail is wheelchair accessible and features the Fallen Monarch and interpretive panels on the life and ecology of giant sequoias.
Grizzly Giant Loop Trail: It’s a moderate 2.0-miles (3.2-km) loop from the trailhead. It features notable trees such as the Bachelor and Three Graces, the 3,000-year-old Grizzly Giant, and California Tunnel Tree.

You can also opt for one of the several guided tours. The National Park Service offers a Big Trees Loop Trail, a two-hour hike.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad

If time allows, visit the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad. It’s a great family-friendly excursion if your kids love trains. The railroad is located only 10 minutes from the southern entrance of Yosemite National Park off Highway 41, a little pass at Fish Camp. It’s a great alternative to the Sacramento Railroad museum.

At the Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad, you can take a scenic train ride through the Sierra National Forest. The “The Logger” train ride is an hour. You’ll earn the area’s amazing history.

The historic railroad offers train rides, gold panning, an on-site rail museum, and a fun gifts and collectibles store.

Beautiful View in Yosemite National Park

THINGS TO KNOW WHEN PLANNING A TRIP TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Yosemite National Park receives almost 4 million visitors per year, with 75% of them visiting during the summertime.

📍 Where is Yosemite in California? Yosemite National Park is about 140 miles (225 km) east of the city of San Francisco, 100 miles (160 km) southeast of Sacramento and 280 miles (450 km) northeast of Los Angeles.

📅 What is the Most Popular Time to Visit Yosemite? Yosemite gets really crowded in the summer. The best time to visit in the early spring when the park’s waterfalls, such as the Bridalveil Fall, are at their peak flow.

🛏️ Where to stay in Yosemite National Park? Accommodation can be booked up 12 to 18 months in advance. For national campgrounds, the reservations usually opens 6 months in advance. Curry Village is the largest lodging facility in Yosemite Valley, and it’s a great home base when visiting. If you wish to stay outside the park, there are a few towns nearby, but plan on adding a few hours of driving each day. You can look at: Mariposa (Best Western Plus Yosemite Way Station Motel or AutoCamp Yosemite), Fish Camp (Narrow Gauge Inn), Oakhurst (Best Western Plus Yosemite Gateway Inn)

🚗 Do you need a car to get around Yosemite National Park? It’s best to have a car, but you can use the free public transportation across the park and get to most sights using the summertime shuttle. If you need to rent a car, compare prices on DiscoverCars.Com. You can also rent a campervan, such as Escape Campervans.

📚 Download the audio guide from GuideAlong to learn all about Yosemite while you’re driving.

Final thoughts

Yosemite National Park is one of the nine (9) national parks in California. It’s a beautiful park to visit with kids. While staying for at least 3 to 4 days would be ideal, you can still get a good overview of the national park and its beauty in 2 days.