I have spent more time in Yosemite National Park than any other National Park. While I still haven’t seen everything, I have fallen in love with all that I have seen. Photographing Yosemite National Park is a favorite past time of mine. Because of that, I’ve created my top list of the best photo spots at Yosemite National Park, including pictures! Keep reading to find out the best photo spots at Yosemite National Park!
Lower Yosemite Fall
Elevation Gain: 50 ft. | Distance: 1 mile round trip | Best Time of Day: Any Time
Lower Yosemite Fall has got to be one of my favorite destinations. I highly recommend this easy hike. During the early spring, the mist from the falls sprays you even from the foot bridge. Although you can photograph this waterfall any time of the day, if you visit in the early spring just after sunrise, you may be able to capture a rainbow in the falls. Click here to see photos, directions, and to get more information on hiking Lower Yosemite Fall.
Vernal Falls
Elevation Gain: 1,000 ft. | Distance: 2.4 mile round trip | Best Time of Day: Sunrise
I’m not going to lie. Hiking the Mist Trail is intense, especially hauling camera equipment, but it is also entirely satisfying. I love the Mist Trail Hike. This strenuous hike allows you to climb to the top of two waterfalls, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. As this is an all day affair, make sure to bring extra water and extra batteries for your camera! Click here to see more photos, get directions, and learn more about hiking to Vernal Falls!
Horsetail Fall – Yosemite Firefall
Elevation: 3,966 ft. | Location: East face of El Capitan | Best Time of Day: Sunset
This phenomenon is only accessible a few weeks in February but is well worth the trip if you can manage it. Photographers from all over the world travel to Yosemite trying to capture the elusive firefall. If you are lucky, conditions will be just right so you too can photograph this wonder of nature. Click here to learn more about photographing the Yosemite Firefall.
Washburn Point
Elevation: 7,214 ft. | Location: Glacier Point Road | Best Time of Day: Sunset
On the way to Glacier Point, you will pass Washburn Point. From this location you can view Vernal Falls, Half Dome, and Nevada Falls. It makes for spectacular photography opportunities, especially at sunset. Be aware, however, that Glacier Point Road closes in the winter when conditions are icy or snowy.
Swinging Bridge
Elevation: 4,140 ft. | Distance: .75 miles round trip | Best Time of Day: Early morning, Evening, or on a cloudy day
Just past the Swinging Bridge Picnic area, there is a bridge that crosses over the Merced River known as Swinging Bridge. From this vantage point, you can get a beautiful reflection of upper Yosemite Falls in the Merced River. I think this makes for a beautiful photography location.
Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls Overlook
Location: Lower Yosemite Falls Trailhead | Best Time of Day: Early morning, Evening, or on a cloudy day
From the main hiking path to Yosemite falls, you can view both Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls stacked on top of each other. When you go in the early spring, the falls are magnificent! There will be large crowds here. To get this photo, I had to stand on a rock and tilt my camera upwards to clear the heads of the visitors. This is one of the most popular vistas at Yosemite National Park.
Upper Yosemite Falls
Elevation Gain: 2,000 ft. | Distance: 7.2 miles round trip (also visible from the valley floor) | Best Time of Day: Early morning, Evening, or on a cloudy day
Views of Upper Yosemite Falls are located all throughout the valley. There are several pullouts you can take or you can hike around the Yosemite Meadow until you find a location you are happy with. While I always prefer early morning or evening lighting, this waterfall is gorgeous any time of the day! To get an up close and personal view of Upper Yosemite Falls, you can venture on this strenuous hike. While not for the faint of heart, it provided breathtaking views of Upper Yosemite Falls and Half Dome. Click here to learn more about how to hike to the top of Upper Yosemite Falls!
Mirror Lake
Elevation Gain: 100 ft. | Distance: 2 mile round trip | Best Time of Day: Sunrise
Only visible in the early spring, Mirror Lake is definitely worth a visit! From here you can see Mount Watkins and Half Dome. On calm days, you will get a perfect mirror reflection in the standing water. Click here to get directions and learn more about the mirror lake hike!
Glacier Point
Elevation: 7,214 ft. | Location: Glacier Point Road | Best Time of Day: Sunset
Watching the sunset at Glacier Point took my breath away! This vista allows you to get an up close and eye level view of Half Dome. In addition to amazing daytime photography opportunities, the stargazing at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park is spectacular! Glacier Point is about an hour into the park, but is well worth the drive. If you go late in August, you will be able to see the Milky Way in all its grandeur! Click here to get directions, see photographs, and find out more about witnessing the Milky Way at Glacier Point!
Tunnel View
Elevation: 4,400 ft. | Distance: Visible from the parking lot | Best Time of Day: Before Sunrise or After Sunset
Tunnel View provides a stunning vista of the Yosemite Valley. You can see Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome from this vista. This viewpoint is located just off of Wawona Road next to a tunnel as you are exiting the Yosemite Valley.
Mariposa Grove
Elevation: 5,600 ft. | Distance: 2 miles round trip | Best Time of Day: Morning, Evening, Cloudy days
If you have the time, taking a trip down to Mariposa Grove is beautiful. Yosemite National Park is home to some ancient, giant sequoia trees. Mariposa Grove allows you to walk among these giants and completely transports you to another world.
El Capitan
Elevation: 3,966 ft. | Location: Visible from Northside and Southside Drive | Best Time of Day: Sunrise
El Capitan is a rock climber’s dream. This showpiece in Yosemite National Park is visible from several locations along Northside and Southside Drive and makes for stunning photographs.
Bridal Veil Fall
Elevation Gain: 80 ft. | Distance: .5 miles round trip | Best Time of Day: Morning, Evening, Cloudy days
Bridal Veil Fall is spectacular. Hiking to the base is worth it, though every time I have, I’ve gotten soaked. Taking a photograph of this waterfall is better taken from a slight distance along the Bridal Veil Fall trail.
The Cascades
Location: Located on 140 just outside of Yosemite | Best Time of Day: Morning, Evening, Cloudy days
The Cascades is a hidden gem just outside the western entrance to Yosemite National Park. There is a designated parking area and the view is close by!
The Merced River
Location: All throughout Yosemite Valley | Best Time of Day: Morning, Evening, Cloudy days
Several spots along the Merced River provide stunning backdrops for soft water photography. There are several access points all along Yosemite Valley. Photographing the Merced River allows you to get more intimate and unique photographs of Yosemite National Park.
It’s no wonder why Ansel Adams loved photographing Yosemite National Park so much! No matter where you go in Yosemite National Park, you will fall in love with it! I hope you have enjoyed learning about my best photo spots at Yosemite National Park and that you get to visit this beautiful National Park yourself. If not, at least you can see it through my photos! Thanks for reading and sharing my adventures with me!
Happy travels!
Juventa Vezzani
One of my bucket list items is to visit all 60 National Parks! For detailed posts about my adventures, click here!
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