Yosemite National Park Photo Spots & Tips

Yosemite National Park is quite possibly the most beautiful location in all of California (or even the United States) with great options for photography ranging from unique mountains to rivers to waterfalls to even gorgeous lodging. It’s truly an oasis for landscape photographers, and it’s no surprise that it draws us in herds. If you’ve never been and are planning your first visit, just wait until your first morning shooting the sunrise or sunset at Tunnel View, and all of the tripods lined up there.

This article will list a handful of photography spots that I like in Yosemite National Park. In this post, I’ll focus on locations that are easily accessible from Yosemite Valley, which is where most people will spend their time if they have a day or two in Yosemite. In future posts, I’ll venture beyond the Valley (January 2017 Update: I now live in California and have made many, many return trips to Yosemite since first posting this.)

In no way should it be construed as a comprehensive list–you could spend a month in Yosemite and still not have such a list. Just one stop in your prep as you chart out the locations you want to photograph in Yosemite National Park. As for other resources, the Google Machine is always a good place to start (perhaps you know that, and it already led you here), but my favorite resources are Michael Frye’s book on photographing Yosemite National Park, and his blog on the same. He lives right outside the Park and is definitely the pre-eminent expert on it.

I also recommend drooling over my friend William McIntosh’s Yosemite National Park photos. Oh, and there’s also this Ansel Adams guy who I hear used to be popular in his day. Most of his stuff is obsolete now, but maybe we’ll have the technology to color it in for him someday. 😉 His Yosemite book is less a photographer’s guide and more something to look at if you want to humble yourself.

I can’t compete with the work of these brilliant photographers, but here are some of my photos from my favorite spots. I won’t describe how to get to these locations, as I’m terrible at navigating, and it’s pretty easy to figure out once you’re in Yosemite National Park and have a map in your hands. These are in no particular order.

Valley View/Gates of the Valley 

This is arguably the second most popular photo spot in Yosemite National Park, after Tunnel View. You can’t capture quite as many “park icons” in the same photo here as you can at Tunnel View, but I prefer it to Tunnel View as I’m a sucker for reflections. Lots of options here, from sunrise to sunset to even regular daytime shots with a neutral density filter.

Horsetail Falls…Firefall

This is a photo of the Firefall at Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park taken in February 2013. In late February, Horsetail Falls in Yosemite National Park looks like it's on fire at the end of the sunset. This occurs due to the angle of the sunset, and would actually occur in October, too, but there's only water in this fall due to snow melt-off, and no snow is melting in October. There actually wasn't much water in it in February 2013, either, but there's just enough to make the effect work.

So this is a natural phenomenon (due to some sort of science involving the angle of the sun…and probably tectonic plates and sorcery) that only occurs for a couple weeks in February, meaning that if you’re not visiting then, this tip is useless to you. Given the influx of photographers for those two weeks, it seems like there’s about a 50% chance you’re visiting then, though. In past years, this was something photographers camped out for all day since parking was so limited, but Yosemite rangers finally realized that the Firefall had received so much press that they need to close a lane of traffic and convert that into parking. It’s now much easier to grab a parking spot for this, but still expect to be packed in with a hundred or so of your closest friends when photographing the Horsetail Falls Firefall.

Half Dome

Half Dome is probably the most famous granite dome that has been halved in all of Yosemite National Park! So famous, in fact, that it has been immortalized in the logo of The North Face. (Mountains aren’t really ‘mortal’ in the first place, so I guess it has been used, not immortalized.) There are several spots from which to photograph Half Dome, but the easiest to access is probably the Sentinel Bridge, where it’s reflected in the Merced River. Here the full moon is illuminating Half Dome while a wide open aperture shows frozen stars in the bright night-time sky. Also a popular spot for sunrise and sunset, depending upon the time of year.

Yosemite Falls

Yosemite Falls is one big waterfall. Seriously, it’s 2,425′. Standing there, watching the water cascade down…it felt larger than life and unreal at the same time. Perhaps because I’m so used to the Disney theme parks where art and design emulate nature, but in this case it almost felt like nature emulating art. It’s difficult to articulate, but it somehow just didn’t feel real. Stepping outside of our room at Yosemite Lodge at the Falls (which, for what it’s worth, is really dated but well worth the exorbitant prices for that insanely beautiful view and location) and seeing that waterfall right behind us. There are many different spots to photograph Yosemite Falls, none of which really do justice to its scope and scale.

Tunnel View

This shot was taken from a popular location in Yosemite National Park called

Tunnel View is, far and away, the most popular photography location in all of Yosemite National Park. It’s so popular because you can see El Capitan, on the left, Bridalveil Fall, on the right, and Half Dome, in the distance…and all in the same frame. If you visit during a popular season, expect to get the viewing area for sunrise or sunset early, as it actually FILLS UP during peak seasons. Personally, I find this a little off-putting. Nothing like grabbing exactly the same photos at the exact same time as about 20 or so other people! I know, I know, “we each put our unique fingerprint on our photos,” and luckily most photographers are so fearful of IP theft that they never share their work (otherwise there’d be about 345 million Tunnel View photos on Flickr), but I still don’t like capturing the exact same scene as so many other photogs, which is why I recommend…

Artist Point

Artist Point offers a very similar vantage to Tunnel View, except with substantially more elevation and substantially less crowds. When I arrived for my first sunrise at Tunnel View about an hour and a half before sunrise and there were already 20+ photographers, I decided to call an audible and hike up to Artist Point. A hiking guide I found online suggested it was about a 10 minute hike, so I figured it would be worth checking out. Nearly 40 minutes later I arrived at Artist Point to find a view that, I think, is superior to Tunnel View…with exactly 0 other people up there! Well worth the hike in the dark, just make sure you take a head lamp. Here’s a hiking guide to Artist Point that’s actually good (and accurate). If you thought Artist Point was a location in another National Park, not Yosemite, that’s probably because the National Park Service Naming Subcommittee has issued a mandate that every National Park have a location called Artist Point. It’s actually a bit humorous to see paintings from some of the many Artist Points at Artist Point restaurant in Walt Disney World.

The Ahwahnee Hotel

The Ahwahnee is a National Historic Landmark and one of the famed National Park Lodges. I recommend grabbing some photos of it inside and out, as these will provide a nice change of pace in your portfolio of Yosemite shots. The hotel can be bustling until the wee hours of the night, but it’s open 24 hours. If you’re photographing the Milky Way or star trails, stopping into Ahwahnee Hotel around 3 am might provide a literal nice change of pace, and allow you to warm up. That’s what I did when shooting Yosemite National Park.

Three Brothers

Consisting of of Eagle Peak, and Middle and Lower Brothers, the Three Brothers is not as well known as El Capitan or Half Dome, but just as unique looking (if not moreso), I think. John Muir was quite a fan, and I think it’s very fair to call him the leading thinker on Yosemite National Park. Point being, don’t overlook this beautiful formation when photographing Yosemite National Park.

Union Point/Glacier Point

This photo was taken from Union Point, which is the final stop on Four Mile Trail before Glacier Point, which offers arguably the best view in Yosemite. Unfortunately, the path to Glacier Point closes during the winter to (as the sign puts it) “extreme danger.”Read more: https://www.travelcaffeine.com/yosemite-national-park-snow-half-dome/

Glacier Point is an incredibly popular view of Yosemite National Park and its distant mountains, like Clouds Rest, whereas Union Point is a relative unknown. I mention them both because it’s unlikely that you’re going to be able to get to Glacier Point unless you’re going in the summer. Below Glacier Point (along the same trail) is Union Point, and that’s where I captured this photo. Even getting to Union Point is going to be very tricky in the winter. You can read my account of capturing this shot here. In retrospect, it was probably a stupid idea continuing to that vista, but what can I say…I’m a stupid person?

Four Mile Trail

If you start on the trek to Glacier Point or Union Point and realize they’re not accessible unless you’re insane, the good news is that it isn’t for naught. The journey up Four Mile Trail offers incredible views of Cathedral Rocks, El Capitan, Sentinel Rock, The Yosemite Falls, North Dome, Washington Column, and Half Dome, among other things. I struck the jackpot on my way down from Union Point and was rewarded with this gorgeous sunset. If you look closely down at the loop below, you can see trails of headlights–undoubtedly other photographers leaving the Horsetail Falls viewing area with their bounty of Firefall shots!

So there you have some of my favorite spots for photography in Yosemite National Park. I want to emphasize once again that this is a very incomplete list. There are literally thousands of great spots for photos in Yosemite National Park, and you can’t turn around without seeing one of the Park’s many distinct icons. Some of the best photos you take will probably be more unique views from random trails. These trails are well-worth exploring, just be mindful of how much gear you carry.

In most cases when we went on trails, I foolishly over-packed. In hindsight, I would only carry my a Nikon D600, Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 Lens, and the Nikon 28-300mm VR Lens plus a tripod. The 28-300mm is the perfect all-in-one lens for situations like this, but the superior quality of the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 makes it very difficult to leave behind. Also, pack some beef jerky. Not only is beef jerky delicious, but it’s great fuel to make sure you don’t run out of gas before you get to that awesome vista. Really, though, the suggestion to pack beef jerky should be self-evident. Shouldn’t you always have some beef jerky on you?

To get some more Yosemite National Park photo ideas, check out my Yosemite National Park photo gallery, which includes additional shots I took in the Park.

Your Thoughts…

What shots do you most want to capture in Yosemite National Park? Yosemite veterans, do you have any additional suggestions for great locations? Share any thoughts you have in the comments!

101 Things to Do in Southern California
The eBook is 51 pages long, featuring 75 photos, and (obviously) 101 things to do in Southern California. If you want a copy of this totally free 101 Things to Do in Southern California eBook, all you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter and you will receive a link to download the eBook.
We respect your privacy.
24 replies
  1. Kevin
    Kevin says:

    Wow, I first commented on this post over a decade ago! Time flies. But after all this time, we finally made it out to Yosemite this week. All your praise of the park is well warranted. It’s spectacular, even in winter when lots of the higher elevations are closed.

    Reply
  2. Frances
    Frances says:

    Thanks for these mesmerizing photos, Tom! Clearly written tips, you’re an incredible writer and photographer. A photo app I’m working for features the best California spots to take photos has recently released and I think you’d be interested! It’s called Explorest – it leads you to the world’s most beautiful photo locations using GPS coordinates & tips by the country’s best photographers. We’ll be expanding to New York and many more places soon! Check it out if you have some spare time! https://www.explorest.com/

    Reply
  3. mike
    mike says:

    Going to Yosemite in early June 2017. Just how difficult is the hike up to Artists point?
    I am 65 yrs old with bad knees.

    Reply
    • Tom Bricker
      Tom Bricker says:

      The elevation gain on the early portion of the trail might make it prohibitive. You’d know within 5 minutes of being on the trail whether it’ll be doable for you, so maybe give it a try–you’ll probably be at Tunnel View, anyway, so it’s not a big loss if you have to turn back. Good luck!

  4. Courtney R
    Courtney R says:

    We are planning our first trip to Yosemite in June. I have my Samsung G7 phone camera and the Sony point and shoot you recommended on DTB. I know it’s not the same, but are these even close to sufficient for taking pictures in the park? Should I look into a beginner level DSLR? Thank you!

    Reply
  5. John Kim
    John Kim says:

    Tom. Amazing. Shots. I stumbled onto your page by way of Google, while researching good vantage points for shots on my upcoming trip to Yosemite in a month. I’m pretty excited, as the last time I’ve been to Yosemite was for a weeklong school field trip back when I was in the sixth grade. Thank you for the invaluable advice, and for sharing your amazing work! Looking forward to seeing even more of your stuff from here on out. Hope you enjoyed your Independence Day weekend!

    Reply
  6. Rachel K.
    Rachel K. says:

    These photos are stunning. Like. Made my eyes grow and wonder if what I was looking at was real. I have now died a little inside knowing I have never seen things as beautiful as the cover photo and the half dome. I tumbled into this blog post from lots of link clicks on the other blog, and woah dude. I don’t know if it is because I have seen Disney photos a ton, or know the material already that I have never grasped how well you can capture, but that first photo has me amazed. I’ve also never seen anything like that in my entire life since Texas is flat and the city is bright. Just wanted to stop and say these are beautiful. I will have to pop over here and admire the rest of the world more often.

    Reply
  7. Graham Orbell
    Graham Orbell says:

    What do you mean by ” This Ansel Adams guy is obsolete”? In my opinion he was / is one of the world’s greatest photographers. It was his photos that have made me interested in Yoemite and I will be visiting there for the first time in Oct 2014 from New Zealand. His photos are obsolete just like Claude Monet’s paintings are obsolete. I wouldn’t mind having an original from each. Adams would turn in his grave at your suggestion that his photos could be colored. I have seen original Adams prints (at an Australian exhibition). Have you? Oh, and I like your photos too. (I know Oct is probably not the best time for Yosemite but it has to be)

    Reply
  8. Edoardo
    Edoardo says:

    I’m finally accomplishing a lifetime dream and going to Yosemite for the first time in the first week of June.
    Now it a bit late here (I’m in Italy), but I’ll read your post as first thing tomorrow morning! I’m getting really passionate about photography and planning my trip in Yosemite around it! If I have enough time I’ll shoot a few time lapses too! 🙂

    Reply
    • Tom Bricker
      Tom Bricker says:

      I’m a bit late on this response, but hopefully you had an amazing time at Yosemite. If you see this, come back and share a link to your photos!

  9. Amy
    Amy says:

    My 17-year-old son is just beginning to learn photography. I believe this is the blog that he looked at when he came to me and asked if there was any way we could go to Yosemite. We are making it happen this spring break, driving down from the Northwest (where he loves taking pictures in the gorge and at rivers in general). Maybe not the best time to go to Yosemite, but the only time we can squeeze it in with work and school. One shot I don’t want him to miss? Three Brothers. I have three brothers AND three sons. Doesn’t sound like we will be sleeping much, at least not at night! And I will be sure to carry lots of jerky. Thanks for the advice.

    Reply
    • Tom Bricker
      Tom Bricker says:

      If he is learning photography, there are few better places to go than Yosemite National Park. The beauty and sheer variety of the landscapes makes it a great place to try a number of different methods.

      Have a great time on the trip–let me know if you need any other tips!

  10. Kevin
    Kevin says:

    Beautiful photos. I cannot wait until my daughter is a little older and can hike better so we can visit more places like this.

    All the pictures are great, but I the cover photo and the picture of half dome really stand out to me. Perhaps it’s the stars, but I really like those two.

    Reply
    • Tom Bricker
      Tom Bricker says:

      Thanks! It’s definitely a great place to take kids. As Calvin’s dad would say, “it builds character.”

      I like the shots mentioned, but my favorite is actually the second photo. Entirely for sentimental reasons–I just really loved sitting at Valley View, listening to the river rush past and see the sunrise light up the sky.

  11. Bill
    Bill says:

    Absolutely amazing shots!
    I’ve always wanted to visit Yosemite, and your pictures have convinced me that it’s a MUST-DO!
    The hiking trails that you went on, were they physically difficult? Any actual rock climbing, or just hiking? I’m in pretty good shape, and would welcome a challenge, but I’ve never really been hiking before (though it’s a lifelong dream), and I’d rather start simple 🙂

    Reply

Trackbacks & Pingbacks

  1. […] outside of theme parks, it’s tough to beat California. California has 9 National Parks (including my personal favorite in all of the US, Yosemite National Park), more bio-diversity than any other state, Hollywood, and the Pacific coast, among many other […]

Leave a Reply

Want to join the discussion?
Feel free to contribute!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *