Next week (apr14-18 2025)

Question

Hello all, thanks for the wealth of information here.

We are visiting Yosemite next week and while we have figured and planned most of the activities, there are some questions and guidance required on how to sequence some of the activities (factoring in the “must-do” and distance from curry village where we will be staying..). This is the planned itinerary so far (family of four - 2 kids 14 and 8 years)

Day 1 - we are driving from San Diego. Leaving sunday 13th evening , stopping overnight halfway and then heading into yosemite 14th monday morning to reach curry village before noon. Plan to take 41 and south entrance as suggested by many folks. Wondering what sort of traffic to expect Monday morning.

We have reserved the yosemite conservancy walk at 1 pm so definitely hope to make it in time for that.

Still planning what small hikes/trails we can take after that. Check into curry village.

Day 2 (tue) - yosemite valley floor tour at 10 AM and other hikes post lunch

Day 3 (Wed) - still planning. Maybe take the bike rental or the shuttle around the park.

Day 4 (Thu) - medium hikes through the day. Conservancy sunset walk tour at 6 pm.

Day 5 (fri) - check out of curry village, quick stop by ahwanee lodge, and drive to a reserved merced river guided family rafting trip in afternoon (1 hour drive from curry village) before driving back to SD.

For the gaps above, I know we want to cover the below classic points but are unsure how to fit it or sequence it during our stay at curry village. And which to keep for the bike tour vs just taking the shuttle around the park vs drive (if even possible due to traffic). The times we have to fit the below are day1 (mon) after the 1 pm conservancy walk, day2( after the valley floor tour) and whole of day3 and 4.

- Scenic Drive around the Valley

- Yosemite Falls

- El Capitan Meadow

- Bridal Veil Falls

- Tunnel View

- Stoneman Meadow -

- Mirror Lake

- Mariposa Grove

- any others

Answer

Visiting Yosemite in mid-April can be wonderful, but keep in mind that some areas—especially higher elevations and Mariposa Grove—may still have snow or wet trails. Here’s a suggested way to sequence your activities to maximize your time and minimize backtracking, factoring in Curry Village as your base.

Day 1 (Monday, Apr 14) Arriving via Hwy 41 from the South Entrance, morning traffic can be moderate, especially approaching Wawona and the South Entrance, but it’s generally manageable before 11 AM. Since you aim to reach Curry Village before noon, allow extra time for stops or photo opportunities along the way.

After your 1 PM Yosemite Conservancy walk, you can tackle some nearby short hikes and scenic spots that are close to Curry Village:

Yosemite Falls Trail (Lower Yosemite Falls portion) – 1-1.5 hour easy walk; very close to Curry Village.
Cook’s Meadow Loop – a flat, 1-1.5 mile trail offering views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and Sentinel Rock.
Short stop at El Capitan Meadow – great for viewing climbers on El Capitan; quick drive or shuttle from Curry Village.

Day 2 (Tuesday) After the 10 AM Valley Floor Tour, consider fitting in sights that are still within Yosemite Valley:

Bridalveil Fall – easy short walk from parking; can also be accessed by shuttle.
Tunnel View – iconic viewpoint; drive or shuttle; best in morning or late afternoon light, but still worthwhile midday.
Mirror Lake – flat trail, about 2 miles round trip; nice for kids and photography.

Use the afternoon for a bike rental around the Valley floor. Bikes allow you to cover Yosemite Falls, Cook’s Meadow, and parts of the Scenic Drive efficiently without worrying about parking.

Day 3 (Wednesday) Reserve this day for exploring other Valley highlights and a shuttle or self-drive scenic loop:

Scenic Drive around the Valley – you can do a self-drive loop stopping at viewpoints along the way (Cooks Meadow Overlook, El Capitan Meadow, Sentinel Bridge).
Additional bike ride or short hikes to locations you may have missed on Day 2.

Day 4 (Thursday) Medium-length hikes and the sunset Conservancy walk:

Valley hikes like Upper Yosemite Falls (if snow conditions allow) or Panorama Trail (partial section if you prefer a moderate hike) – can be guided or self-guided.
Stoneman Meadow – short, easy walk near Cook’s Meadow; nice for sunrise or morning photography.

Day 5 (Friday) Before leaving, a quick stop at Ahwahnee Lodge for photos and maybe a coffee/snack. Then drive to Merced River for your guided rafting trip. Allow ~1 hour from Curry Village to the rafting location, and then plan your drive back to San Diego.

Mariposa Grove Since Mariposa Grove is at the South Entrance, it’s best either early Day 1 (if arriving via Hwy 41 earlier than planned) or as a dedicated visit if you want to swap it with one of the other Valley activities. Some trails may be closed or snowy, so check the current conditions.

Other optional stops you might consider:

Sentinel Bridge – iconic Half Dome view, especially with morning or late afternoon light.
Cooks Meadow Overlook – easy, close to Curry Village.
Valley Visitor Center – short stop for orientation and kids’ exhibits.

In summary, keeping Curry Village as your base works well for your family. Focus on Valley floor sites first, then schedule the longer hikes or Mariposa Grove based on snow and trail conditions. Using a combination of shuttle, bike, and short walks minimizes walking fatigue for the kids while still hitting the “must-see” spots.

Next week (apr14-18 2025)

More Yosemite National Park Travel Questions

The attractions mentioned in this question

Popular Destinations

Popular Travel Questions