The magic of Yosemite in the fall is unmatched – cool temperatures, stunning fall colors, and incredible outdoor activities combine to create the perfect time of year to visit Yosemite. Whether hiking is the main event or just one part of your getaway, these fall hikes for every level in Yosemite are the ideal addition to your Yosemite itinerary.
Hikes for Every Level
Easy Fall Hikes in Yosemite
Some of the easiest fall hikes in Yosemite offer the most beautiful payout.
Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is easily accessible, a one-mile loop that treats visitors to views of Lower Yosemite Fall. The final 320-foot drop of Yosemite Fall, this fall typically begins running again in late October. Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is paved and takes about 30 minutes to complete.
Mirror Lake Loop is an easy fall hike in Yosemite that is paved and takes about an hour to complete. Mirror Lake Loop is a paved service road that takes visitors directly to Mirror Lake, which is often called Mirror Meadow in the late summer and early fall due to the extremely low water levels and growth of tall grasses. The loop is a two-mile round trip hike.
Cook’s Meadow Loop showcases the open meadows and wide expanses of the park. Visitors are treated to views of Half Dome on this easy fall hike, in addition to Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, and Sentinel Rock. This easy fall hike is wheelchair accessible, except in the event of snow, with no elevation gain. Stay safe on this hike by remaining on the path – do not venture out into the meadow.
Visiting Yosemite in October? Locals and climbers affectionately refer to October as Rocktober, as an influx of rock climbers flock to the park to scale Half Dome. Keep an eye out for brave climbers dotting the giant structure in the distance!
Moderate Fall Hikes in Yosemite
The Vernal Fall & Nevada Fall hike via Mist Trail takes visitors up a steep granite stairway of over 600 steps, treating them to a jaw-dropping view straight down Vernal Fall from above. Continue on the Mist Trail for another mile and a half to reach Nevada Fall, enjoying the stunning fall foliage along the way. This moderate fall hike takes between 5 and 6 hours to complete, spanning about 5.4 miles.
Want a shorter Yosemite hike? Take just over an hour to hike to the Vernal Fall footbridge, and soak in the sights up the canyon to Vernal Fall.
Sentinel Dome Trail offers panoramic views from the summit that make the scramble up the granite slope worth it. You’ll see 360-degree views of the park that are hard to find elsewhere, letting you take in the park’s fall foliage all at once from above. Sentinel Dome Trail is about two hours round-trip and covers 1.8 miles, with 400 feet of elevation gain.
Many hikers combine Sentinel Dome and Taft Point for a loop, enjoying magnificent views of Yosemite Valley (including El Capitan and Yosemite Falls) on a moderate hike that takes most hikers between three and four hours to complete. With 1,000 feet of elevation gain, this is a hike that encourages pauses to enjoy the scenery and adjust.
Challenging Fall Hikes in Yosemite
One of the most challenging hikes in Yosemite is Half Dome, the site of the iconic cables that allow hikers to ascend the last 400 feet of the hike without rock climbing equipment. These cables come down during the winter (check the NPS website for exact dates) and you should not attempt the ascent without the cables. Most hikers take between 10 and 12 hours to hike to Half Dome and back. Hiking Half Dome requires advance preparation and experience, in addition to a permit and more considerations.
Clouds Rest Trail summits 1,000 feet higher Half Dome, with an elevation gain of 2,700 over the 12 mile trail. You’ll cross a river less than a mile into the trail, and begin a 1,000 foot ascent over the next mile – this trail isn’t for novices. The challenging ascent is worth the incredible panoramic views at the top, which many locals say rival the view from the top of Half Dome.
Another challenging fall hike, Upper Yosemite Falls Trail features a strenuous ascent that rewards hikers with unparalleled views of the park from the top of Yosemite Falls. Hikers gain 2,600 feet in elevation during this 7.6 mile round-trip hike, which takes most groups between 6 and 10 hours to complete. Sometimes referred to as Nature’s Stairmaster, this is the only place in the park where you can photograph Yosemite Falls and Half Dome in the same frame.
Tips for Fall Hiking in Yosemite
Weather Considerations
While fall typically brings mild weather that’s perfect for outdoor activities like hiking and climbing, this season can also be unpredictable with storms and unseasonably warm or cold days. Don’t assume you’ll be blessed with a perfect fall day for your hike – that’s the dream, but always check weather forecasts and radars before you head out for your adventure and bring along items like fresh/dry socks, gloves for climbing, rain gear, and other safety measures.
On more strenuous hikes, consider implementing a non-negotiable turnaround time that will get you back to the trailhead before dark. Even well-marked trails can be hard to navigate in the dark with a flashlight, and nightfall means dropping temperatures.
Fall Foliage Timing in Yosemite
Visiting Yosemite in the fall points to a desire to see the changing fall foliage in the park. Though many of the trees in the park are evergreen and don’t change with the seasons, some trees like Pacific dogwoods, black oaks, big-leaf maples, and other deciduous trees bring those bright autumnal colors to the park in mid-October. Locals say that “spring marches up, fall trickles down,” meaning that the fall color change starts at higher elevations and makes its way down into the valley, while spring wildflower blooms begin in the valley and sweep up into higher elevations.
Evergreen Lodge guests have the privilege of access to the lodge’s rec desk staff, locals who know the ins and outs of the park and can point guests in the right direction for the best fall foliage viewing in Yosemite on any given day. Stop by and let the experts guide you!
Crowds and Permits
Many explorers prefer the smaller crowds in the fall that contribute to a secluded feel in the park. Small crowds doesn’t mean free reign of the park, though – reservations are required to enter Yosemite National Park on some days from April 13 through October 27, 2024, and a permit is always required to hike Half Dome when the cables are up.
Leave No Trace Principles in Yosemite
Leave No Trace includes 7 main principles, all of which should be followed any time you’re exploring the wilderness:
- Plan Ahead and Prepare – know regulations and requirements, visit in small groups outside of peak times, bring a map and compass, repackage food items to minimize trash that you’ll need to pack back out
- Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces – obey all camping restrictions, keep sites small, and remember that good campsites are found not made
- Dispose of Waste Properly – pack your trash out (including toilet paper and hygiene products), and carry water at least 100 feet from all streams or lakes before using it to bathe or wash dishes
- Leave What You Find – do not touch any rocks, plants, historical artifacts, or structures, do not build furniture or dig trenches
- Minimize Campfire Impacts – consider using a camp stove rather than a campfire, only use established fire rings that are at least 100 feet from water, keep fires small, and use water to completely extinguish your campfires
- Respect Wildlife – only observe wildlife from a distance, do not approach or follow any wildlife, avoid them during sensitive times like mating and nesting, and store your food, trash, and toiletries in a bear-resistant container
- Be Considerate of Others – respect other visitors, step to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock, avoid loud voices and noises, and wear headphones (stay aware of your surroundings!) to avoid amplification of your music
Ready to hit the trail and experience some of Yosemite’s best fall hikes? With the right preparations, you can enjoy the best hiking that Yosemite National Park has to offer this fall. Start with booking your Yosemite accommodations at Evergreen Lodge for a great homebase to your fall adventure.