Visiting Glacier Point, Yosemite

Fact checked by

Erin Medlicott

Don’t get all excited when you read Glacier Point, thinking there’s a glacier in Yosemite National Park. There used to be one, but that was millions of years ago.

Today, the name Glacier Point refers to the point you’ll be standing on and the glacier-carved valley below it.

Why Visit Glacier Point

To get a better view of the Yosemite Valley than the one from Glacier Point, you’d have to learn how to fly or how to suspend yourself in mid-air.

Standing at 3,214 feet above the valley floor (and 7,214 feet above sea level), you truly get a chance to soak in all the valley has to offer. The panoramic view from Glacier Point takes in Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and three spectacular waterfalls. If you visit at night, you can marvel at the Milky Way spread across the sky like a diamond necklace.

What to Expect

It’s highly worthwhile to visit Glacier Point whenever it’s open, as you’ll enjoy both the panoramic views and the opportunity to see the valley from a stunning vantage point.

Anticipate spending about half an hour enjoying the views and taking photographs. You’re not alone in wanting to capture a moment here; people have flocked to this location for over a century. In fact, President Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir posed for a portrait at Glacier Point in 1903, almost a decade before Yosemite became one of America’s first National Parks.

Since you’ll be spending considerable time soaking in the sights and snapping photos, bringing an extra layer of clothing is advisable. It’s always cooler at Glacier Point compared to the Valley, and if you’re feeling peckish, there’s a snack area next to the gift shop where you can grab a bite while enjoying nature’s beauty.

If you’re concerned about navigating the area, the short, paved trail to the overlook is wheelchair-accessible.

Hiking to Glacier Point

You can also hike from Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point, although it’s considered an extreme challenge that few choose to undertake. To do this trek, take the Four Mile Trail, which ascends more than 3,000 feet and begins at an elevation of nearly 4,000 feet—enough to leave most hikers breathless.

Most hikers prefer to travel the four miles downhill from Glacier Point to the Valley. If you opt for this, plan for two vehicles: one parked at each end of the trail. Alternatively, consider purchasing a one-way ticket for the Glacier Point bus tour and then hiking back down to the Valley.

A longer, six-hour hike descends from Glacier Point via the Panorama Trail to Nevada Falls, then follows the Mist Trail to Happy Isles in the Valley.

Getting to Glacier Point

In Yosemite Valley, you’ll find yourself directly below Glacier Point. They are separated by only a few miles in straight-line distance, yet the road connecting them stretches 32 miles. You can view the route on this Yosemite map. Although you can join a paid bus tour to Glacier Point, most visitors prefer to drive.

To reach Glacier Point from the Valley, plan for approximately an hour of driving time. Begin your journey by taking Northside Drive out of the valley, then turn left across the Pohono Bridge onto Southside Drive. Continue onto Wawona Road towards Bridalveil Fall and turn off onto Glacier Point Road.

Along the way, consider stopping at Washburn Point, which offers similar views but with a more direct look at Vernal and Nevada Falls.

It’s unlikely that travelers would journey to Yosemite solely for Glacier Point; however, if you’re planning a trip to the national park, understanding what to expect, what to pack, and how to get there can help you decide if this visit is one for your bucket list.

Glacier Point Schedule and Closures

Glacier Point is open from late spring through early fall, with specific dates determined by when snowfall begins and ends.

From mid-December through March, adventurous visitors can access Glacier Point via cross-country skis, which is a 10.5-mile trip each way starting from the Yosemite Ski & Snowboard Area (previously known as Badger Pass Ski Area).

In the summer, ranger programs are hosted at Glacier Point. On select dates, you can participate in a stargazing tour to Glacier Point from Yosemite Valley.