Looking for parking / shuttle advice at YNP

Question

Looking for feedback or advice on our upcoming day trip to YNP on a weekday, the first week in June, driving in from Oakhurst.

Tentative plans are:

First go to Glacier / Washburn Points early am, then drive on to the Valley.

In the valley, our stops would be Tunnel View > Bridalveil Falls trail > Mirror Lake trail > Lower Yosemite Falls trail > Cooks Meadow loop > El Capitan meadow > then return to Oakhurst.

I put these in counterclockwise order to somewhat follow the shuttle bus / one-way roads, but is there a better order? Are some of these stops repetitive in terms of views?

My biggest question is parking. Stay with the car and keep driving to the various stops / trailheads -or- find a parking spot first and then rely on the shuttle to get around?

Would a better alternative be (to get a favorable parking spot in the valley) to go straight to the valley, and save Glacier / Washburn for last?

Thanks for any help!

Answer

For a day trip from Oakhurst to Yosemite in early June, your plan is ambitious but doable if you start early. Here’s some advice on order, parking, and shuttles to maximize your day without unnecessary backtracking.

1. Order of stops:

Going to Glacier Point / Washburn early in the morning is a good idea as parking there is generally easier before the crowds arrive.
After Glacier Point, drive directly to Yosemite Valley. Tunnel View is best enjoyed on the way down into the valley from Glacier Point; you could stop here briefly for photos.
Once in the valley, a logical route could be:
- Lower Yosemite Falls trail (short, iconic)
- Cooks Meadow loop (nice for views and photography of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome)
- El Capitan Meadow (good for spotting climbers)
- Mirror Lake trail (easy walk, seasonal lake may vary)
- Bridalveil Falls trail (short hike, worth it if you have energy)
Note: Some viewpoints do overlap—Cooks Meadow, Mirror Lake, and Lower Yosemite Falls all offer different perspectives of Yosemite Falls and surrounding cliffs, but they are relatively close, so you can skip one if pressed for time.

2. Parking advice:

Yosemite Valley parking fills quickly, even on weekdays in early June. If you drive straight to the valley first, aim to park near Yosemite Village or the shuttle stops to maximize access to trails and views without moving your car constantly.
Once you have a parking spot in the valley, it’s efficient to use the free Yosemite Shuttle System to reach Tunnel View, Mirror Lake, or Bridalveil Falls. This avoids repeated circling for parking.
Alternatively, if you park at Glacier Point first, keep your car there for the morning visit, then drive to the valley and attempt to find a parking spot. Early arrival in the valley is key.

3. Suggested approach:

Option 1: Early morning departure from Oakhurst → Glacier Point → Tunnel View → Yosemite Valley (find parking) → walk/shuttle loop for valley stops → return to Oakhurst.
Option 2: Skip Glacier Point in the morning, go straight to Yosemite Valley to secure parking, then shuttle/walk to all valley stops. Glacier Point can be a late afternoon or sunset stop if time allows, but keep in mind the drive back to Oakhurst is long.

Overall, parking in the valley first is often the safer bet for a day trip if you want to minimize stress. Glacier Point early works if you start very early from Oakhurst and are comfortable with limited valley parking upon arrival.

Looking for parking / shuttle advice at YNP

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