Yosemite National Park is many things, but subtle ain’t one of them. This gem of a park straddling the crest of California’s Sierra Nevada hits you over the head with its scenic grandeur. Yosemite’s towering granite domes, thousand-foot-tall waterfalls, wildflower-dotted meadows, and skyscraping sequoias are the stuff of national park dreams. And even though it’s one of the country’s most popular parks, Yosemite’s vast wilderness holds plenty of quiet escapes.
Count among Yosemite’s biggest fans. This spring, the brewery is featuring a of its flagship Pale Ale dedicated to four national parks, Yosemite included. (The other three are Big Bend, Great Smoky Mountains, and Yellowstone.)
The beer hasn’t changed, but the artful limited-edition packaging shines a spotlight on these iconic parks. Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is backing that up with a donation to the to support wildlife and habitat conservation. “Our national parks are a jewel that we need to preserve,” brewery founder Ken Grossman says. “Connection to nature is really critical. I think it’s our legacy to preserve those places forever.”
Amie Engerbretson, professional skier and Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. ambassador, agrees. “The national parks are where you see the very best that Mother Nature has to offer,” she says. “And they’re so accessible, it makes it possible for all people to see some of the coolest places in the world.”
With 1,200 square miles and more than 750 miles of trail, it can be hard to decide exactly where to spend your time in this park. Here’s our guide to Yosemite’s can’t-miss spots to hike, camp, explore, and “cheers!” a day well spent.
Best Alpine Lake Hike
Cathedral Lakes
Tuolumne Meadows, a mountain-ringed meadow at 8,600 feet, is the picture of high-country heaven and the jumping-off point for superlative hikes to lofty lakes and peaks. This seven-mile round trip to a pair of is Engerbretson’s top pick to see a lesser-visited, bigger-views area. Hop on the John Muir Trail and start gently climbing southwest. When the trail forks, head right to Lower Cathedral Lake for views of Cathedral, Echo, and Tressider Peaks reflected in the water. Make it a double by taking the .8-mile side trip to Upper Cathedral Lake on the way back.
Pale Ale moment: Post up at a quiet spot at , near where you started, and you might wonder why you went anywhere at all.
Best Yosemite Valley Day Hike
Mist Trail–JMT Loop
This route tracing the Merced River past two huge waterfalls is no secret—nothing this beautiful could be. But like many iconic hikes, it’s totally worth doing—just start at sunrise to avoid the conga line. For an unforgettable 8.5-mile loop, hoof it a mile along the to the first major viewpoint at the Vernal Falls Footbridge. If you think the 317-foot waterfall is impressive now, just wait until you continue 600 steps up to the top. (This section is steep and can be wet and slippery.) Press on to the even larger Nevada Fall, a 594-foot tumbler, before looping back down to the valley via the John Muir Trail, which offers views of Half Dome and Liberty Cap en route.
Pale Ale moment: Nothing beats El Cap Meadow, where you can spot climbers on the face of El Capitan or just cool your feet in the Merced River, ice-cold Pale Ale in hand.
Best View
Taft Point
Get a golden eagle-eye view of Yosemite Valley at Taft Point, a 7,500-foot outcropping that stands more than 3,000 feet above the valley floor. Taft is like its more famous neighbor, Glacier Point, but without the crowds (or guardrails). It also serves up one of the best sunset views in the park. Reach Taft Point on a mellow 2.2-mile hike (round trip) that starts on .
Pale Ale moment: The nearby , on Glacier Point Road, is the perfect spot for a pine-shaded happy hour. The campground is located at more than 7,000 feet elevation, so the season is short (mid-July to September). Sites are reservable two weeks before arrival and go fast.
Best Campground
North Pines Campground
Engerbretson recommends pitching a tent in Yosemite Valley for its spellbinding mountain views, and there’s no place better than this ponderosa pine–shaded campground on the Merced River.
Pale Ale moment: Build a campfire (if ), pull up a camp chair, and you know the rest. Note:, like all Yosemite Valley campgrounds, is in high demand. Go for the the fall before your intended trip for a better shot at snagging a spot.
Best Big Trees Hike
Guardians Loop Trail
is where it’s at if you want to hike among the largest trees in the world. More than 500 mature sequoias grow here, some prominent enough to sport names like Famous Couple, Grizzly Giant, and Three Graces. Tour the goods on this 6.5-mile lollipop loop from the main trailhead to the upper grove.
Pale Ale moment: After the hike, choose a bench under a sequoia and enjoy feeling very, very small.
Best Peak Hike
North Dome
Want sweeping, dome-top views of Yosemite Valley without the vertigo (and permit logistics) of Half Dome? North Dome is your granite monolith. Half Dome’s slightly shorter northern cousin—7,540 feet versus 8,839 feet—offers a similar panorama with a close-up look at Half Dome itself and a walk-up approach, no cables required. Take the south through conifer forest to the airy dome, a 10.4-mile round trip.
Pale Ale moment: A day like this deserves a night to match. Reserve a site at , just a mile from the trailhead (open mid-July to mid-October).
Note: It’s always smart to check the before your trip for conditions and safety information, as well as where alcohol consumption is permitted.
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., founded by Ken Grossman in 1980, is a pioneer in craft brewing. With breweries in California and North Carolina, it’s known for quality ingredients, innovation, and sustainability. Popular beers include Pale Ale, Hazy Little Thing, and Torpedo. Learn more at .