2 day for driving itinerary

Question

Hello,

I am taking my 82 yo Mom (who used to be very active and hiked up Half Done and El Captain in earlier days) to Yosemite for 2 days in 2 weeks (April 20-21). This is her way of saying GoodBye before moving to the East coast.

We will be staying in Yosemite Valley Lodge overnight. I plan to take a Tram tour with her on our 2 days.

We will arrive around 12noon on April 20 and will be leaving when later afternoon of April 21. Will this be enough? Or should we do 2 night in Yosemite?

Please advise on the driving itinerary for 2 days. We will have an AWD. Will be able to do short level walks (1km max per day) but no real hiking.

My 14yo son will be with us on this trip. He wants to do a hike on his own. I do t think it’s a good idea - but are there any guided hikes he could go on? With a paid guide?

Thank you for any and all recommendations

Answer

With your plan of arriving around noon on April 20 and leaving in the late afternoon on April 21, a 2-day stay at Yosemite Valley Lodge can work, especially given your mom’s limited walking and your 14-year-old son’s interest in hiking. One night is technically enough, but two nights would allow a more relaxed pace, more photo opportunities, and flexibility in case of weather or road delays. Since you have an AWD, driving through the valley and accessing viewpoints should be straightforward, but snow may still be present in April at higher elevations.

Here’s a suggested driving and sightseeing itinerary tailored for your family:

Day 1 (April 20): Arrival around noon
- Check in at Yosemite Valley Lodge.
- Lunch in Yosemite Village or bring picnic items to eat outside.
- After lunch, drive the valley floor loop (stops at Bridalveil Fall, Yosemite Falls viewpoints, El Capitan Meadow).
- Short level walks: Lower Yosemite Falls Trail (1 km roundtrip) and Cook’s Meadow Loop (easy, scenic, flat, ~1.6 km).
- Optional: Early evening photography at Valley View or Tunnel View (short walk from parking).
Day 2 (April 21): Half day before departure
- Morning tram or valley shuttle tour to highlight points: Swinging Bridge, Cathedral Beach, El Capitan Meadow (these are mostly flat).
- Short walks if desired: Mirror Lake (partial walk, mostly level, could do 1 km roundtrip).
- Drive or shuttle to Tunnel View for a final iconic photo.
- Lunch before departure or on the road.

For your 14-year-old son, Yosemite offers several options for guided hikes or youth programs:

Check the Yosemite Conservancy guided hikes and Youth Adventure Programs. They occasionally offer paid guided hikes for teens with ranger supervision.
Private guides can be booked through companies like Yosemite Mountaineering School, which offer half-day or full-day hikes with safety guidance.
He could do a shorter solo hike in the valley (like Lower Yosemite Fall Loop or Mirror Lake partial trail) if he is responsible and comfortable with park maps and regulations, but ensure he carries water, a cell phone, and a map.

Additional tips:

Arrive early to find parking at popular viewpoints and trailheads.
Carry layers; April can still be chilly, especially in mornings and evenings.
Binoculars for spotting climbers on El Capitan and wildlife in the meadows.
For photography, the afternoon light at Tunnel View and Valley View is ideal, while morning light at Yosemite Falls is beautiful.

Overall, your plan is very manageable. Two days with one night is sufficient for seeing the main sights without long walks. If you wanted a more leisurely pace or to include a longer guided hike for your son, adding a second night would be preferable.

2 day for driving itinerary

More Yosemite National Park Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions