Things To Do
Evergreen Guided Activities
Evergreen lodge offers numerous paid activities as well as private tours into the park. Recommend booking tours ASAP as they may sell out.
Must Do's
Tunnel View: The most iconic view in Yosemite (maybe any national park). No hiking required. You’ll see the entire Yosemite valley in all its grandeur, with views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall all in one breathtaking snapshot! Approximately a 1 hour scenic drive from Evergreen. Valley Floor Loop: A leisurely drive through Yosemite Valley with stunning views at every turn. Perfect if you prefer to explore from the car, with plenty of pullouts to stop, take photos, and enjoy the scenery at your own pace. Recommend doing this after going to Tunnel View.
Something Chill
Bridalveil Falls (Yosemite Valley Loop): An easily accessible 0.5mi paved walk to a waterfall. Lower Yosemite Falls (Yosemite Valley Loop): Easy 1.2mi paved walk. Hetch Hetchy: A peaceful alternative to the main valley, featuring a stunning reservoir surrounded by granite cliffs. Entrance is 5min from Evergreen. Glacier Point: One of our favorite places and where we will be taking sunrise photos on the Wednesday before the wedding! Sweeping panorama of Half Dome, Yosemite Valley, and the High Sierra. You can drive right up to the viewpoint, making it an easily accessible. Approximately a 2hr drive from Evergreen, but worth it if you have the time. Tuolumne Meadows: A stunning, high elevation meadow. Offers wide-open alpine scenery, river views, and a more peaceful, laid-back vibe than the main valley. Wildflowers may be in bloom! Tuolumne Grove: A small, peaceful grove of giant sequoias reached by a short hike (2.5mi roundtrip). Trail is located 15min from Evergreen.
Something Fun
Mist Trail: 7mi climb alongside the Vernal and Nevada falls with stone steps and scenic misty sections. Sentinel Dome + Taft Point Loop: 5mi hike near Glacier Point. Offers dramatic cliffside views and a summit panorama of Yosemite Valley and Half Dome. Wapama Falls Trail (Hetch Hetchy): 5mi trail that follows the reservoir shoreline and crosses a dam, leading to a waterfall. Recommend checking waterfall flow prior to visiting.
Something Adventurous
Clouds Rest: 12mi round trip ending with beautiful views of the valley floor. Challenging but rewarding hike. Often considered one of the best hikes in Yosemite. Upper Yosemite Falls: 7.5mi steep hike that takes you to the top of the tallest waterfall in North America. Four Mile Trail: A steep 4.8mi climb from Yosemite Valley up to Glacier Point. North Dome Hike: 8.8mi hike that offers one of the best close-up views of Half Dome without the crowds. Cathedral Lakes Trail: 7mi high-country hike near Tuolumne Meadows that leads to two alpine lakes.
Something Dangerous
Half Dome: One of the most famous hikes in the US. Strenuous 14–16mi round trip with a major elevation gain, typically taking 10–14 hours. Make sure you bring gloves (and working boots) for the cables at the end. Start (and maybe end) in the dark. Requires permit (closes March 31st) or enter the daily lottery. Don't tell Jeff you have a permit as he may want to join in :) Permit: https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/hdpermits.htm