June 2025 Itinerary

Question

I’ve learned a lot from this forum already so thought I would see if anyone had suggestions for our upcoming trip. We are two 30 year old couples in decent shape. This is our first time to Yosemite.

We will be in Yosemite for 3 ish days June 17th to 20th

June 17th flying into Fresno and arriving at noon pick up some supplies and head to our AirBnB at Yosemite west. We are booked here all 3 nights already. Thinking maybe heading into valley to catch the sunset somewhere?

June 18th Morning Hike Upper Yosemite Falls and maybe Yosemite Point.

Afternoon exploring the Valley (not sure if the best way to do this would be shuttle, bike , etc)

June 19th Morning Hiking Nevada and Vernal Falls

Afternoon Heading to Tioga Road wanting to maybe hike Tenaya Lake and Lembert Dome

June 20th Head up to glacier point. Hike Taft point and Sentinel Dome.

After this depart as we are headed back to Fresno. Thought about maybe doing some White Water Rafting at Midpines.

Thanks for any input!

Answer

Your overall plan for mid-June is very solid, especially for first-time visitors who are active and want to see Yosemite’s highlights. June 17–20 is usually an excellent time: waterfalls are still strong, Tioga Road is typically open by then (though always check conditions), and Glacier Point Road is fully accessible.

Below is a fully polished and detailed breakdown with suggestions, timing tips, and alternative options in case you want to adjust anything.

GENERAL NOTES

June days are long—sunrise around 5:30 a.m. and sunset close to 8:30 p.m.—which gives you a lot of flexibility.
Yosemite West is a great location for Glacier Point Road and the Valley, but keep in mind it’s about a 25–35 minute drive to the Valley depending on traffic.
Expect crowds in June. Early starts will make a huge difference in enjoyment.

JUNE 17 — ARRIVAL DAY + SUNSET

Arriving in Fresno at noon gives you plenty of time to stock up and reach Yosemite West by late afternoon. Once you settle in, heading into Yosemite Valley for sunset is an excellent way to start the trip.

Tunnel View: Iconic first view and stunning at sunset. Easy pullout, no hiking needed.
Valley View (on Northside Drive): Beautiful spot with the Merced River in the foreground—excellent for golden-hour photos.
Swinging Bridge Meadow: Expansive meadow with Yosemite Falls glowing during sunset.

If you prefer a light stroll, the Cooks Meadow Loop (flat, 1 mile) is a perfect low-effort sunset walk.

JUNE 18 — UPPER YOSEMITE FALLS + VALLEY EXPLORING

This is a tough hike but a classic. Starting as early as possible (6–7 a.m.) is recommended because the trail is very exposed and can be hot in June.

After you reach Yosemite Point, you’ll have one of the finest overlooks in the entire valley. Expect 6–8 hours depending on pace.

Afternoon Valley Exploration:

After the long hike, the last thing you will want is to fight traffic. Yosemite Valley is best explored by bike in the afternoon.

Bike rental: You can bike the entire loop, making stops at Yosemite Falls, Sentinel Bridge (Half Dome reflection), the meadows, the chapel, etc.
Shuttle: A good choice if you’re tired, though slower. Useful for reaching Yosemite Village, Happy Isles, or the Visitor Center.
Walking sections: Short strolls around Sentinel Meadow, Cooks Meadow, or the Lower Falls Loop are perfect after a big hike.

JUNE 19 — VERNAL + NEVADA FALLS (MIST TRAIL) + TIOGA ROAD

This is a spectacular waterfall day. Start early again (ideally 6–7 a.m.). Parking at Happy Isles/ Curry Village can fill quickly.

Mist Trail → Vernal → Nevada → Jon Muir Trail loop: About 6 miles, very scenic, good challenge but manageable if you're in decent shape.
Expect wet steps near Vernal—bring grippy shoes.

Afternoon on Tioga Road:

Assuming Tioga Road is open (very likely mid-June), this is a wonderful contrast to the Valley—cooler temperatures, granite domes, and fewer crowds.

Tenaya Lake: Great for walking the shoreline (easy), relaxing, or a quick cold plunge.
Lembert Dome: About 2.8 miles round trip. A moderate climb to one of the best viewpoints in Tuolumne Meadows. Highly recommended if your legs still have energy.
Tuolumne Meadows: Flat area for easy walking if you don’t want another big climb.

Note: Driving time from the Valley to Tenaya Lake is roughly 1 hour without traffic.

JUNE 20 — GLACIER POINT ROAD + TAFT POINT + SENTINEL DOME

This day is perfectly planned. Glacier Point Road gives fast access to multiple world-class viewpoints.

Suggested order:

Glacier Point early in the morning for calm conditions and fewer people.
Sentinel Dome (2.2 miles round trip): Short, fantastic 360-degree view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and High Sierra.
Taft Point (2.3 miles round trip): The dramatic fissures and cliffs are some of the most memorable scenery in the park.
You can combine them as the “Sentinel–Taft loop” (5 miles total), but separate hikes also work.

OPTIONAL AFTERNOON — WHITE WATER RAFTING

Rafting at Midpines on the Merced River is excellent in June. Snowmelt makes it one of the best rafting months of the year. Because you're heading back toward Fresno, stopping in Midpines/El Portal is logical.

Plan for 3–4 hours for rafting.
Guided trips are easy for beginners and extremely fun.
Bring dry clothes for after the trip.

ALTERNATIVE IDEAS (IF YOU WANT BACKUPS)

Day 18 backup: If you’re too exhausted after Upper Yosemite Falls, consider a Valley View → Bridalveil Fall → Mirror Lake combo instead of deeper valley touring.
Day 19 backup: If Tioga Road weather is unstable, you can visit Hetch Hetchy for a quieter waterfall hike (Wapama Falls).
Day 20 backup: If you prefer something longer, consider Panorama Trail from Glacier Point down to the Valley (requires shuttle logistics).

FINAL THOUGHTS

Your itinerary is strong, very scenic, and very doable for active adults. If anything, the main watch-outs are heat on long hikes and long days with lots of elevation, but with early starts you will have a fantastic trip.

June is a wonderful time to see Yosemite—waterfalls at full power, high country freshly open, and long summer days giving you tons of flexibility.