Glacier Point is an unbelievably captivating viewpoint at Yosemite National Park that gives you a panoramic view that includes Half Dome, Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls, Yosemite Valley and Yosemite’s high country. It’s one of my favorite views of the park and is a popular one for park visitors.
This viewpoint is located 30 miles from Yosemite Valley and sits at the end of Glacier Point Road. It takes about an hour or so to get there from the Valley – depending on where you are – and is an absolutely worthwhile drive.
The views of Yosemite are stunning from up here. One of the highlights for me was seeing Yosemite Falls because I’d hiked upper Yosemite Falls a couple of years ago. Seeing it from this viewpoint gave me a whole new perspective and appreciation for how my friends and I hiked to the top. It was also nice to see Lower Yosemite Falls, which I had been to during this recent trip.
I spent most of my time just soaking in the view from the top and walking around. It’s also a good idea to bring some food and picnic while you’re already in the area. (Just make sure you don’t leave any waste behind!)
If you’re up for a bigger adventure, you can do a 4-mile or 8.5-mile day hike from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. The trails are said to provide incredible views of the Valley, and you can find more information about them here.
Be sure to carve out time to drive up Glacier Point Road, all the way to Glacier Point. Along the way, there are a couple of other day hikes you can take if you’re up for it.
Another great viewpoint with a similar view is Washburn Point, which is located on the way up to Glacier Point.
For more information on Glacier Point, click here.