Route Overview
From Yosemite's waterfalls to Sequoia's giant trees to Death Valley's otherworldly landscapes. California's incredible park diversity in one week.
Itinerary
Scenic drive to Yosemite Valley. Afternoon Valley View and El Capitan Meadow. Sunset at Tunnel View.
Tunnel View
First iconic view of Yosemite Valley - El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome.
Stop here entering and leaving. Sunset light is magical.
Valley View
Classic view of El Capitan with Merced River reflection.
Best with calm water. Look for climbers on El Capitan with binoculars.
El Capitan Meadow
Watch climbers on the world's most famous big wall. Sunset alpenglow spectacular.
Bring binoculars to spot climbers. They're tiny dots on the wall!
Full day in the Valley: Yosemite Falls, Mirror Lake, Bridalveil Fall. Optional Mist Trail to Vernal Fall (strenuous).
Yosemite Falls Trail (Lower)
1-mile loop to base of tallest waterfall in North America (2,425 ft total).
Best flow April-June. In late summer, may be dry.
Mirror Lake
5-mile loop around seasonal lake with Half Dome reflections.
Lake is fullest in spring. By fall it becomes a meadow.
Mist Trail to Vernal Fall
Strenuous but rewarding. 5.4 miles RT, 1,000ft gain to Vernal Fall top.
You WILL get wet on the Mist Trail in spring. Bring rain jacket.
Bridalveil Fall
620-foot waterfall. Easy 0.5-mile walk to viewing area.
Often windy - the "bridal veil" effect. Best flow in spring.
Sunrise at Glacier Point, hike Sentinel Dome, afternoon among giant sequoias at Mariposa Grove.
Glacier Point Sunrise
3,200 feet above the Valley floor. Half Dome, waterfalls, High Sierra panorama.
Road opens late May (weather dependent). Bring layers - cold at dawn.
Sentinel Dome
2.2-mile RT hike to 360° panorama. Easy granite dome scramble.
Start from Glacier Point Road. Less crowded than Glacier Point.
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Over 500 mature giant sequoias. Grizzly Giant is 2,700 years old.
Take the free shuttle from South Entrance. 2-mile loop minimum, 7 miles for full grove.
Drive south through California's Central Valley. Afternoon in Kings Canyon - scenic byway to Road's End.
Kings Canyon Scenic Byway
One of the deepest canyons in North America. 30 miles to Roads End.
Multiple pullouts for photos. Road closes in winter.
Roaring River Falls
Short 0.3-mile walk to thundering waterfall in granite bowl.
Easy walk from parking lot. Great for families.
General Sherman Tree (largest living thing), Congress Trail loop, Moro Rock climb, drive through the Tunnel Log.
General Sherman Tree
Largest tree on Earth by volume. 2,200 years old, 275 feet tall.
0.5-mile walk down (uphill return). Early morning for fewer crowds.
Congress Trail Loop
2-mile loop through Giant Forest. See The President, House, Senate trees.
Paved, mostly flat trail. Many of the park's largest trees.
Moro Rock
400 steps carved into granite dome for 360° views into the Western Divide.
Strenuous stairs. Not for those afraid of heights. Amazing views.
Tunnel Log
Drive through a fallen sequoia! 21 feet diameter, 275 feet long.
Max vehicle clearance is 8 feet. Classic photo op.
Epic drive through Owens Valley with Sierra Nevada views. Enter Death Valley from the west. Sunset at Zabriskie Point.
Zabriskie Point Sunset
Golden badlands glow at sunset. Most iconic Death Valley viewpoint.
Arrive 30 min before sunset. Very crowded but worth it.
Sunrise at Dante's View, explore Badwater Basin (lowest point in North America), Artist's Palette. Drive to Las Vegas for flights.
Dante's View Sunrise
5,475 feet above Badwater. See both the lowest and highest points in lower 48.
Much cooler up here. Bring jacket. 25-mile drive from Furnace Creek.
Badwater Basin
Lowest point in North America: 282 feet below sea level. Walk on salt flats.
Go early before heat builds. Wear hat and sunscreen year-round.
Artist's Palette
9-mile one-way loop through colorful volcanic deposits.
Narrow road - no RVs or trailers. Colors best in afternoon light.
Creates a copy you can customize
7
Days
20
Stops
moderate
Difficulty
1
Times Used
Best Season
April-May or September-October. Avoid Death Valley in summer!
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