Photo by: Mike Reeves
While we all love Half Dome and El Capitan, Yosemite is packed with many more peaks, valleys, and inspiring scenes to draw from. Visit our top eight underrated views on your next adventure in Yosemite National Park.
High Country Views in Yosemite: Cathedral Peak by Mike Reeves
Cathedral Peak is one of our favorite and most underrated views in Yosemite because of its intense granite spire. You can spot Cathedral Peak from many spots in the park, but ours is of course from one of the Cathedral Lakes.
Springtime Views in Yosemite: Wildflowers by Kristin Anderson
In a place as vast and majestic in Yosemite, it’s easy to spend the whole day walking around and looking up at the granite walls. Instead, spend some time looking down! Yosemite National Park is packed with a wide variety of flowers, trees, and everything in between. If you’re visiting in spring, keep an eye out for one of the many wildflowers known to bloom throughout the park.
Nighttime Views in Yosemite: Yosemite at night by Pixabay
Far away from city lights and urban landscapes, Yosemite National Park has some of our favorite views of the stars above. On a clear night, the Milky Way is extremely visible from Yosemite, both in the front and backcountry. Join us for one of our Stargazing naturalist walks to see the stars from all the best spots in Yosemite Valley.
Hiking Views in Yosemite: Half Dome from Sub Dome by Yiming Chen
Many of us might be used to seeing Half Dome from the front with it’s flat side facing us. Take a look at one of the most iconic mountains in the world from a new perspective. If you’re ready for the challenge of summiting Half Dome, stop to admire this iconic beauty from the side while on Sub Dome. If you’re interested in hiking Half Dome, read here on how to enter the permit lottery.
Artsy Views in Yosemite: Mount Hoffman, photo and art by Lora Dell Isola
Mount Hoffman lies in the geographic center of all of Yosemite National Park. Our favorite views of Mount Hoffman can be seen from May Lake, but you can admire its beauty from vistas all over the park.
Granite Views in Yosemite: Royal Arches
Royal Arches is found in Yosemite Valley just below North Dome. These arches are a majestic example of the geological phenomena of granite exfoliation. Over time, geological stress caused rockfall, eventually leading to the creation of these unique arches in the rock face. While in Yosemite Valley, feast your eyes on Royal Arches — and in the warmer months you might spot some climbers on the wall.
Winter Views in Yosemite: Yosemite in winter by Cathy Carlson-Barchus
While we of course love Yosemite in the summer with it’s warm sun and cool water, Yosemite is a perfect place to visit in any season. See Yosemite in it’s least busy season and find serenity in the snow. Ice skate at Camp Curry, see snow dust the top of Half Dome, and catch the incredible Horsetail Fall “Firefall” event if you’re lucky. Read more about our favorite things to see in Yosemite in the winter.
Big Tree Views in Yosemite: Mariposa Grove
Venture to southern Yosemite and see Giant Sequoias in Mariposa Grove. This grove is home to more than 500 Giant Sequoias and is the biggest grove of its species in the whole park. Thanks to the funding of Yosemite Conservancy donors, visitor accessibility has been improved and much of the natural habitat has been maintained, improved, and protected.
Wherever you go in Yosemite, your adventure is bound to be iconic, memorable, and filled with inspiration. Experience Yosemite from a new lens with us by taking one of our art classes. Join us for a walk, hike, paint and sip, or camping trip and learn hands-on from a professional art instructor. Book your art class in beautiful Yosemite Valley with us now before spots fill up! And, many of our art classes and Outdoor Adventure programs include the necessary peak hours/day-use reservation to get into the park during 2024 peak season.
