Yosemite National Park is famously beautiful, but seeing it at sunset is something else entirely. The way the setting sun plays across the granite cliffs, giant sequoias, and waterfalls turns the park into a living painting.
This guide is designed to help you find the best spots and get the most out of seeing Yosemite at sunset. From easy-to-reach overlooks to guided nature walks, we’ll show you how to experience this incredible natural event.
Iconic vantage points: Where to watch the sun dip below the horizon
Yosemite offers so many stunning vistas, but here are a few of the most popular spots to watch the sunset.
Taft Point
Taft Point offers dramatic views and photo opportunities galore.
- Reaching Taft Point requires a 2-mile hike.
- Consider using a 16-24mm lens to capture the majesty of the view.
- Including a person on the ledge in your shot will give viewers a sense of scale.
Glacier Point
From Glacier Point, you’ll get panoramic views of Half Dome, Vernal Fall, and Nevada Fall.
- It’s an easy walk from the parking lot, making it accessible to most people.
- Frame your shot to include all of Half Dome, or use the nearby hut as a point of focus.
- After sunset, consider staying a while longer to capture long-exposure shots of the stars.
Sentinel Dome
Offering 360-degree views, Sentinel Dome is a highly recommended sunset-viewing spot.
- The hike is relatively easy, at approximately 2 miles roundtrip.
- Bring a headlamp and be prepared for a dark hike back.
Alternative Sunset Locations: Beyond the Popular Spots
Yosemite is known for its iconic sunset views. If you want to go off the beaten path, here are a few locations that offer different, but equally spectacular, perspectives:
- Tunnel View: This classic vista offers a postcard-perfect sunset view. Consider using bracketing to capture the full range of light as the sun sinks below the horizon.
- El Capitan Meadow: This meadow provides stunning views of El Capitan, especially as the setting sun bathes the monolith in golden light. You might want to capture time-lapses of the sunset over El Capitan or use a telephoto lens to photograph climbers on El Capitan’s sheer rock face.
- Sentinel Bridge and Cook’s Meadow: These spots offer reflective sunset views, especially if the Merced River is running high or the spring meadows are filled with water.
- Olmstead Point: From here, you can catch a glimpse of Half Dome and Tenaya Lake as they glow during the golden hour.
- Clouds Rest: Getting here requires a longer hike, but you’ll be rewarded with expansive views. Try including a person in your photo to show the scale, or stick around for night photography and capture the Milky Way.
Photography tips for Yosemite sunsets
Want to take amazing pictures of Yosemite sunsets? Here’s how:
- Bracket your shots. Take several pictures of the same scene, each with slightly different exposure settings, to capture the full range of light. This is especially helpful at Tunnel View.
- Play around with lenses. Use a wide-angle lens (16-24mm) at Taft Point to emphasize the vastness. Try a telephoto lens to zoom in on climbers on El Capitan.
- Include people in your shots. Put a person on the ledge at Taft Point or Clouds Rest to show how huge the landscape is.
Safety and Preparation
Watching the sunset in Yosemite can be an unforgettable experience, but it’s important to be prepared.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Some trails aren’t open all year, so check conditions before you go.
- Bring a headlamp or flashlight for the hike back, especially if you’re watching from Sentinel Dome.
- Download offline maps. Cell service can be spotty. (AllTrails Pro is a good option.)
- Hike with a friend.
- Dress warmly. Temperatures drop fast after the sun goes down. Bring a beanie, a down jacket, a fleece, and gloves.
Yosemite Sunset Naturalist Walks
Yosemite offers guided sunset walks led by a naturalist in Yosemite Valley. These family-friendly experiences usually last about two hours.
You can register in advance through Flybook. Children five and under can attend for free, but you’ll need to sign a waiver for them.
Please note that the registration fee doesn’t include the park entrance fee, so you’ll need to factor that into your plans.
Wrapping Up
Sunsets in Yosemite are truly special, and they offer photographers and nature enthusiasts an experience they’ll never forget. From the well-known views at Taft Point and Glacier Point to the peaceful beauty of Cook’s Meadow, there’s a perfect sunset location for everyone.
With a little planning, the right gear, and safety in mind, you can fully enjoy the magic of Yosemite’s golden hour. Whether you go on a guided hike or explore on your own, you’ll make memories during a Yosemite sunset that will last a lifetime.