Glacier Point
Glacier Point
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This rustic geological formation is most famous for the magnificent sunsets that can be viewed from its top.
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  • Nikko Gandia
    Monterey, California486 contributions
    showshoeing, pulking & camping on glacier point road
    i hiked from badger pass ski area to glacier point on 3/28 and posted a vlog on yoütübe with tips and info so you can be prepared! search "Nikko Gandia Travels" or find a link to my yoütübe on my profile. wilderness permit issued at badger pass ranger station (200 ft. to the right of main ski lodge) or a-frame. self registration on porch when open. make sure to keep up with the road closure/construction updates! fresh powder so the snowshoes were needed. camped near ostrander rocks.
    Visited March 2022
    Written January 15, 2023
  • LovestoTravel
    317 contributions
    Breathtaking Views! A Must See
    We've been here 20 years ago and it's so nice to come back. They recently re-opened in late July, so we were so lucky to able to come up here. Your Google Maps will not show this place and will suggested the hiking trail way, which is up north. However, if you search for Badger Pass Ski Are, it's basically the same route. Just drive on Glacier Point Road, until the end of it. Took us about an hour to get up there, because most of the time it's just one way road. They have to do a lot of constructions, so be patient and wait for it. Come early to get parking, parking lot is very small. We arrived around 7:45AM and there weren't many people yet, when we leave around 9AM the parking lot of getting filled. We didn't do the Four Mile Trail, since we have little kids, but if we had more time, we would do it. There are restrooms at the parking lot. The view is breathtaking, you'll have an overview of where exactly all the peaks and mountains are. It's amazing to overlook Half Dome and Yosemite Valley right underneath you. Highly recommend coming up here!
    Visited July 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written July 28, 2023
  • LYNN H
    Nashville, Tennessee38 contributions
    Not to be missed!
    This is a must see at sunset. Get there at least an hour before to get a parking spot. Take dinner, a snack, wine or nothing and enjoy the changing light and panoramic views. Key view is Half Dome! A hike beforehand to either Sentinel Dome or Taft point or both adds a good hike before sitting at sunset.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written September 24, 2023
  • Paul Smith Palliser
    Peru302 contributions
    Amazing Views
    Let's start with the only bad thing about this place (hence the 4 stars). I understand there is no sewer system there and that the bathrooms are non-flush waterless toilet system called vaults. I get that. But there has to be a way those bathrooms have to be cleaned at least every two to three hours, considering the amount of people that visit the place. Worst bathrooms I've been to in all my life. As for Glacier Point itself, definitely one of the best viewpoints in the park. Plenty of places to sit down and relax and admire the views. There is a giftshop that also sells snacks and plenty of water We stayed for the sunset and waited for the stars to come out (we went on a New Moon). It was magical and something we'll never forget.
    Visited September 2023
    Traveled as a couple
    Written October 18, 2023
  • PacificNWFamily
    100,805 contributions
    Dozens of visits but it is still good
    I visited Glacier Point twice during my recent trip to Yosemite and many many times in the past. Glacier Point and its numerous viewpoints were as lovely as always. There were lots of other folks taking in the views, even though it was October. I still don’t know why everyone queues up for the busiest vault toilets near the entrance of the parking lot, but they do. The vault toilets as the far end of the parking lot had no line and no bad aroma. The bear lockers that previously were located in parking places have been moved to the center area between the lower lot and the upper lot, accessed from the upper lot. The new locations make a lot more sense. The snack bar & gift shop were starting to close up for the season. No more ice cream. The microwave was still available.
    Visited October 2023
    Traveled with family
    Written October 24, 2023
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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Paul Smith Palliser
Peru302 contributions
Sep 2023 • Couples
Let's start with the only bad thing about this place (hence the 4 stars). I understand there is no sewer system there and that the bathrooms are non-flush waterless toilet system called vaults. I get that. But there has to be a way those bathrooms have to be cleaned at least every two to three hours, considering the amount of people that visit the place. Worst bathrooms I've been to in all my life.
As for Glacier Point itself, definitely one of the best viewpoints in the park. Plenty of places to sit down and relax and admire the views. There is a giftshop that also sells snacks and plenty of water We stayed for the sunset and waited for the stars to come out (we went on a New Moon). It was magical and something we'll never forget.
Written October 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cali4niahiker
Arlington, WA2,341 contributions
Oct 2020 • Couples
Glacier Point at about 7000 ft elevation can be reached by car, shuttle bus (but not during the pandemic) or several strenuous hikes from Yosemite Valley.

Even if you can’t walk well, you still get stellar views. If you can hike several miles there are a lot of options on where to go from here. Most people enjoy the short but steep hike to the geology hut. From there you can see the Yosemite Valley floor below, Yosemite Falls in it’s entirety.
From Washburn Point about 1/4 mile before you reach the Glacier Point Parking Lot, you can see the entire length of the mist trail with Vernal and Nevada Falls, and the upper 1/4 of Illilouette Fall. (Here you can get a good view of some of the Panorama Trail, which starts at Glacier Point, and goes past all 3 of these waterfalls, about 8 miles to The Valley below).

The star of Glacier Point is Half Dome. It’s so large and seemingly so close it feels like you can touch it! Photo opps abound.
The Four Mile Trail starts here, going to Yosemite Valley in 4.4 miles and 3,200 ft elevation loss. The first mile is more of a rim trail, and loses/gains only 250 feet. Walk to the point where the switchbacks start, and turn around to retrace your steps. It’s a mile of stellar views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the Sierra Nevada Mountains - at a fraction of the effort it takes to hike the entire trail.
The road to Glacier Point is not open year round. Check road conditions before going. Wintry conditions or fire can close the road. Generally it’s open end of May through October.
If it’s open during your visit, even if pressed for time, this is a must-do! Bring your lunch and sit on the steps of the amphitheater!
Written October 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

gsgman777
Columbia, IL709 contributions
May 2021
I can't believe how amazing it looked up there. The views looked like a painting, just unreal.
They have a lot of parking with restroom buildings but, if you need to go to the restroom, they were horrible smelling, be prepared to hold your breath.

They also had a nice gift shop/convenient store right on top too. Try the huckleberry licorice, my wife loved it.
Written June 9, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

johnnnita
Napa, CA2,470 contributions
Aug 2020
This attraction/view will truly take your breath away! And, it's accessible via road before you go through Tunnel View. In fact, you may want to take the right turn at the entrance as you are driving in before proceeding further into Yosemite Valley. Once you make the right turn, you'll drive some distance before arriving at this remarkable vista point.

For us, driving up we didn't see much traffic, even with the limited capacity during the coronavirus period. However, once we "arrived" at the vista point and parked, we came upon quite a group of tourists (much like Tunnel View). One can only imagine what it must be like during "normal" park periods.

We were able to find a parking spot right away. Walking from there to the vista point is only a relatively short distance. You'll see Half Dome standing out first, and some helpful signage along the sidewalk area, including restrooms.

Have your photography equipment ready and loaded because you will want to take many shots of this area. Whether it's phone camera or regular camera, be prepared to take multiple shots to capture it all. Take your time to take in the beauty and majesty of this natural wonder. Even in mid-summer, you will find several of the falls still flowing if you look close enough. We found both Nevada and Vernal Falls with water flowing. That made up for missing Yosemite Falls water flowing.

You may also wish to take the walking/hiking paths that permeate the perimeter of Glacier Point. There's a very famous vantage point that Ansel Adams made famous nearby.

This is a "CAN'T MISS" part of the Yosemite Park experience. So, get up there.
Written September 12, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ELKW
United States11,862 contributions
Jun 2019
Glacier point is a high point so that you can see mostly of the Yosemite features at this points, including the iconic Half dome, you can also see 4 waterfalls such as Vernal fall, Nevada fall, Yosemite falls, they are majestic, you can go along the paved trail to see different view (at least 270 degree if not 360 degree of angle) of the Yosemite. Be aware that if the parking lot in the Glacier point is full, then the road driving up to the Glacier point may be closed, so better go there earlier, but for the day we went (Monday in late June), there are still several parking space available at 10:30am, not sure if the parking lot will be filled up more quickly in weekends or in July/Aug, but in weekday of late June, still have several parking space at 10:30am. Of course you can hike up to here or from here, hike down to other points, but the trail is a tough one and takes several hours of hike. There are also ranger program in this site, I also post the photo of ranger program on that day, just for reference, it may changed from time to time.
Written May 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

ssb
Cape May, NJ48 contributions
May 2021
I don't think I'll ever be able to forget how spectacular this natural wonder is. Not to be missed. It is almost as though one can't tear one's eyes away. I've never seen any photo, even Ansel Adams' (which is magnificent) that have done his justice.
Written May 21, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Koala
Los Angeles, CA1 contribution
Jul 2019 • Solo
When you go to this park, you feel like entering a prison. "You can't park here" " You can't poop here", "You need a permit to walk on this trail", " You can't sleep at this camping spot" "You can't park here, there, anywhere. Parking lots are to look at." Not worthy. Beautiful nature but commercial park.
Written June 19, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

hilo88
Honolulu, HI370 contributions
Jun 2021
Easily my favorite spot in Yosemite National Park. Such beautiful views that will be remembered forever.

The parking lot is fairly large though can take some time to find a spot.

There is a small store in the area with a gift shop and basic snacks/easy lunches.

Be prepared for a whindy drive.
Written July 7, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

PacificNWFamily
Washington State100,805 contributions
Oct 2023 • Family
I visited Glacier Point twice during my recent trip to Yosemite and many many times in the past. Glacier Point and its numerous viewpoints were as lovely as always. There were lots of other folks taking in the views, even though it was October.

I still don’t know why everyone queues up for the busiest vault toilets near the entrance of the parking lot, but they do. The vault toilets as the far end of the parking lot had no line and no bad aroma.

The bear lockers that previously were located in parking places have been moved to the center area between the lower lot and the upper lot, accessed from the upper lot. The new locations make a lot more sense.

The snack bar & gift shop were starting to close up for the season. No more ice cream. The microwave was still available.
Written October 24, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

LovestoTravel
san francisco317 contributions
Jul 2023 • Family
We've been here 20 years ago and it's so nice to come back. They recently re-opened in late July, so we were so lucky to able to come up here.

Your Google Maps will not show this place and will suggested the hiking trail way, which is up north. However, if you search for Badger Pass Ski Are, it's basically the same route. Just drive on Glacier Point Road, until the end of it. Took us about an hour to get up there, because most of the time it's just one way road. They have to do a lot of constructions, so be patient and wait for it.

Come early to get parking, parking lot is very small. We arrived around 7:45AM and there weren't many people yet, when we leave around 9AM the parking lot of getting filled.
We didn't do the Four Mile Trail, since we have little kids, but if we had more time, we would do it. There are restrooms at the parking lot.

The view is breathtaking, you'll have an overview of where exactly all the peaks and mountains are. It's amazing to overlook Half Dome and Yosemite Valley right underneath you. Highly recommend coming up here!
Written July 28, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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