Glacier Point has some of the best hikes and viewpoints in Yosemite National Park! From lush forests to colorful meadows, this place has me coming back year after year and leaving me in awe each time.
Glacier Point Viewpoint is the best place in the park for sunrise, and Taft Point and Sentinel Dome have the most jaw-dropping views I’ve ever seen. This place is perfect for hikers of all abilities, with plenty of easy, intermediate, and strenuous hikes.
In this post, I will guide you on how best to spend your day in Glacier Point to make the most of your time in Yosemite!
Sign up for park updates, travel ideas, new guide releases, discounts, and stories of the West all in our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox once a week.
This area of Yosemite National Park is called Glacier Point, the road is Glacier Point Road, and the main viewpoint at the end of the road is called Glacier Point Viewpoint. They were very original when coming up with names here. All three are often just referred to as Glacier Point, so keep that in mind.
The area consists of a single long road with small parking lots for various trailheads along the way, as well as a large parking lot at Glacier Point Viewpoint. Besides the viewpoint, there are a variety of long hiking trails that start here. It is the main hub of Glacier Point.
It takes around 45 minutes to drive the entire road one way.
This area is open from May to November each year, although the exact dates fluctuate based on the amount of snowfall from the prior winter. You can hike up to it year-round via the 4 Mile Trail (which starts in the Valley), but it isn’t for the faint of heart.
There are limited facilities here, with no gas stations in the area. The closest is around 27 miles away in Wawona. The only flush toilets are located at the Glacier Point Viewpoint area, with pit toilets available at most other trailheads.
Cell phone service is slightly more reliable here than in most of the park, but that doesn’t mean you will always have four bars. I have found that Glacier Point Viewpoint has a good signal, as do the summits of many of the hikes mentioned below. The end of Taft Point and Sentinel Dome have had good service with T-Mobile.
DISCOVER: Best (and Worst) Times to Visit Yosemite National Park
From Arch Rock Entrance: Enter and continue on Highway 140 for around 30 minutes until you reach the junction near Bridalveil Falls. It will be labeled towards Wawona and Highway 41. Continue for around 9 miles, and the entrance will be on your left-hand side.
From South Entrance: Once you enter the park, continue straight on Wawona Road (continuation of Highway 41) for around 17 miles. Turn onto Glacier Point Road, which has lots of signage. You can also look for a big area with porta-potties and handwashing stations.
Both will take you around one hour from the entrance to Glacier Point.
CHECK OUT: What is the Best Entrance to Yosemite? Yosemite’s 5 Entrances
This really varies by what you want to accomplish with your Glacier Point day. This is often combined with another area of the park or activities located elsewhere, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
I recommend either coming early for an incredible sunrise at Glacier Point Overlook (or Sentinel Dome if you are feeling ambitious) or waiting until the afternoon to tackle this part of the park.
Sunrises are to die for here, but you will have to leave your hotel at least 1.5 – 2 hours before sunrise to make it on time (if you are not staying in the Valley).
DISCOVER: Where to Stay When Visiting Yosemite: The Complete Guide (Inside and Outside the Park)
If you’re not keen on waking up that early, consider checking out Mariposa Grove in the morning and then heading to Glacier Point in the afternoon. You can also check out activities like rock climbing, horseback riding, fishing, or just taking a morning to relax.
I have found that the hikes in Glacier Point are good afternoon or evening hikes because they are mostly flat and easy, with incredible views to sit and enjoy. That being said, they are great any time of day.
Parking at any trailhead at Glacier Point can be difficult at times. The main Glacier Point parking lot has roughly 200 parking spaces, while the Taft Point/Sentinel Dome and McGurk Meadows/Dewey Point lots have much less parking availability.
There are two main parking lots for Taft Point and Sentinel Dome, located a few minutes apart, both of which start from either trailhead. Parking on the side of the road where allowed is also accessible for all of the hikes I state below.
Patience is the key here. Put your hazards on and rock out to some music while you wait. These hikes are not exceptionally long, so people come and go fairly often.
I don’t recommend parking in a lot that doesn’t start at/near your trailhead because these hikes are spaced out so far from each other. Technically, you can start your hikes from Glacier Point to the endpoints of all the hikes below, but it will add hours that can be better spent doing something else.
DON’T MISS: Driving in Yosemite: 10 Things You Need to Know
This incredible hike goes through meadows and green forests to an absolutely breathtaking view you can’t find anywhere else in the park. This is by far my favorite hike on Glacier Point Road as the hike is fairly easy and scenic, while the endpoint is incredibly unique compared to anywhere else in the park. You can sit right on the edge with incredibly sheer drops below.
I cannot stress enough that this is NOT a hike for young kids or anyone who has trouble with balance. There are many incredibly steep drop-offs with no railings, which, although they make this hike unique and incredible, can also make it very, very dangerous.
CHECK OUT: 7 CAN’T-MISS Hikes in Yosemite National Park
At the same trailhead as Taft Point, this much more family-friendly hike has breathtaking 360-degree views of nearly everything Yosemite has to offer, including El Capitan and Half Dome. This hike has light scrambling required at the end to make it to the dome, but it is very doable for all ages.
This is also a fantastic place for a picnic breakfast or lunch. If thunderstorms or bad weather are in the forecast, avoid this hike for your safety.
This beautiful backcountry hike goes through multiple forests and meadows, with its most beautiful colors blooming in late May. Although it is a backcountry hike, it is very doable and feels like you are in a fairytale, especially with its incredible wildflower blooms. Turn back at the historic McGurk cabin as the rest of this hike continues for another 7 miles to Dewey Point.
This trail is unmaintained, which means you will be walking through the thick grass meadows. I recommend wearing pants due to the tall grasses and to begin your hike mid-morning to late afternoon, as mosquitoes can be an issue in the early mornings and evenings. This is a great alternative to Taft Point for those with young children.
Continuing from the McGurk Meadows Trail, this is a much longer hike that comes with a rewarding view at the end, known as Dewey Point. After hiking through many more fairytale forests and meadows, a 500-foot climb awaits the last two miles to breathtaking views of El Capitan and Yosemite Valley. Pants and extra water are recommended for this hike. See our recommended gear for more.
This is one of the best views in the park, only rivaled by Tunnel View. With a stunning 270-degree view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley, this is an absolutely beautiful sunrise spot that doesn’t have the crowds that it should.
If you have the opportunity, come here for sunrise – you will not be disappointed. Although I recommend coming early, it is also beautiful any time of the day, with 10-20 minutes being sufficient to take it all in.
Glacier Point Gift Shop and Snack Stand is located here as well, but keep in mind that it will not be open anytime soon if you arrive for sunrise, so be sure to pack your own breakfast.
The only real ‘food’ option here is Glacier Point Gift Shop & Snack Stand. Here you will find light snacks, souvenirs, and hikers restocking their bags. Many longer trails down to the Valley start at Glacier Point. Unless you run out of food or water, I recommend skipping this place as it has a limited, overpriced selection of snacks and light lunches, such as sandwiches and salads.
This is located at Glacier Point Overlook, which is at the very end of the road and will require backtracking to get to (except if you are at Panorama).
As I mentioned earlier, Glacier Point can be properly seen in around half a day, unless you want to attempt most of the hikes. There are many ways to mix and match your trip, but I will highlight some of the best ways to see Glacier Point.
If you start in Mariposa Grove, take a light hike in the morning and make your way up to Glacier Point for a hike to Taft Point or Sentinel Dome and watch the sunset from there. Grab dinner in Yosemite Valley on the way back.
If you start in Glacier Point, attempt to watch sunrise at Glacier Point Viewpoint and choose either Taft Point or Sentinel Dome for a morning hike. Avoid McGurk Meadows as there are often lots of mosquitoes in the early morning. Grab some ice cream at Wawona General Store on your way to Mariposa Grove and do an activity of your choosing there.
If you have read my other posts, every other day in Yosemite is action-packed and starts early. If you need a relaxation day to catch up on some zzz or want to hang out by the pool, this would be a great day to do so.
If you plan on summiting Half Dome during your trip, checking out Glacier Point the day before is a fantastic idea. You have incredible views of Half Dome from Glacier Point Viewpoint as well as Sentinel Dome, and you can end your day a little early to prepare to get up before dawn.
–When to Start Your Day: This really depends on how you want to spend your day. Either wake up around 2 hours before sunrise to watch it from one of the best spots in the park
(Glacier Point Viewpoint) or take it easy and start your day by 8:30 am.
–What to Wear: Comfy athletic tops and pants. Most of the hikes are relatively easy, and you should factor in that you will be in the car for 2+ hours total. Pants are necessary for
McGurk Meadows and Dewey Point, as the tall grass may irritate your skin.
–What to Bring: A hat, a full water bottle, a camera, and snacks are my go-tos.
Bring blankets or comfy jackets if you come for sunrise.
–For Your Safety: Be aware of your surroundings and make sure to keep a safe distance from steep ledges and drop-offs. Many of Glacier Point’s stunning viewpoints have no railing, which, although it gives you incredible uninterrupted views, means you must be more aware of where you are stepping.
–Road Conditions: The single road to Glacier Point is paved and is accessible via any vehicle, including RVs. It is open from May to November, with exact dates fluctuating every year.
–Cell Phone Service: As with anywhere in the park, service can be spotty. I have found that service is a bit more prevalent here compared to the rest of the park. I use T-Mobile,
but I am not sure how well it works for other carriers. Don’t expect it 24/7, though.
–Where to Stay: Keep one location throughout your trip to Yosemite. Staying near the Yosemite Valley or outside the Arch Rock Entrance is ideal, although Glacier Point is about
equal distance from both the Arch Rock and South Entrances.
–Don’t Bring Your Doggo: Dogs are not allowed anywhere in Yosemite National Park. As always, service animals are allowed anywhere in the park.
–Services Within Glacier Point: There are plenty of pit toilets at every trailhead and viewpoint in Glacier Point. There is only one food and drink option here, which is a snack shack at Glacier Point Viewpoint. Make sure to have at least a half-full gas tank before visiting,
as there are no gas stations here, with the closest being in Wawona (45+ minutes away).
–Elevation factors: Glacier Point sits at 7,214 feet above sea level. Everyone adjusts differently,
so take that into account when planning your day.
Bear spray is banned in Yosemite National Park and should not be used. If you encounter a bear, stay calm and keep a safe distance. Consider turning back if you cannot avoid it.
I have encountered more than a handful of bears just outside Yosemite, and they have no interest in attacking you. If the bear approaches you, get loud, shout, and throw small rocks NEAR the bear, not at the bear.
Crowds are not nearly as bad here as they are in Yosemite Valley. That being said, you may have to wait a little bit for parking spots. Don’t expect to be alone, but it isn’t too much of an issue in this area.
YOSEMITE TRIP PLANNER: To read or watch all of our content about Yosemite National Park, check out our Yosemite Homepage.
THINGS TO DO: Don’t miss all that Yosemite has to offer, including hiking, things to do in Yosemite Valley, and floating the Merced River.
WHERE TO EAT: Don’t miss the best places to eat in Yosemite National Park
WHERE TO STAY: Learn all you need to know about where to stay inside and outside the park
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO: Find out how to get there, the best time to visit, which is the best entrance, and all about driving around Yosemite.
This site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. We are compensated for referring traffic and business to Amazon and other companies linked to on this site.
