Once the sun starts to set in Yosemite National Park, many people think the day is over. Quite the opposite is true. There are still several unique and worthwhile things to do in Yosemite National Park at night.
These Are My Top Picks Of Activities In Yosemite At Night
Head to Taft Point for Sunset and a Night Hike
Taft Point in Yosemite National Park is a spectacular place to watch the sunset. What makes this hike unique is the view from Taft Point where the sunset illuminates El Capitan and the Yosemite Valley below. You can see the jaw-dropping views by walking carefully out to the point. The unobstructed views from Taft Point are otherworldly making it one of the best things to do in Yosemite at night.
The hike to Taft Point is easy. It is a short flat 2.2-mile round trip hike from the parking lot. While most of the hike is in the woods, standing on Taft Point at the end of the hike is not for those afraid of heights. There are NO guardrails at Taft Point or surrounding the 3,000-foot fissures you pass on your way out to the point.
So, I cannot stress how important it is to watch where you are walking. That being said, the hike is not scary. Visitors just need to pay attention to where they are walking. If you don’t want to venture out to Taft Point, there is a spot on the rocks as you come out of the trees with a safety guardrail (see above) that gives you a view of Taft Point, Yosemite Valley and El Capitan too.
- Pro Tip
Aim to leave the parking lot about an hour and a half before sunset. By giving yourself plenty of time to get to Taft Point, you can leisurely take in the views, snap a few pictures, and then watch the sunset. Since Taft Point is very popular at sunset, many other people will be trying to get their perfect picture. It’s surprising what people will do for the perfect Instagram picture. We saw people dangerously close to the edge and multiple couples in full wedding attire with professional photographers taking pictures during our visit.
Hiking in Yosemite at Night
The hike back to your car from Taft Point (or any other hike) after sunset will likely be in the dark. My husband was excited about hiking in Yosemite at night Me, not so much. It gets a little spooky and very dark once you are back on the trail and past the fissures. We tried to get our night vision, but after about 10 minutes of tripping and not seeing, I insisted we use our headlamps. I was happy when we made it back to the car.
- Pro Tip
Bring a headlamp and an extra layer. It gets cold quickly in Yosemite at night.
- Pro Tip
Before you go to Yosemite, download the GyPSy Guide. It’s like having a personal tour guide in your car. The GPS-enabled guide is great because it provides incredible stories, tells you about upcoming lookout points, and gives you overall practical information about the park.
Stargazing in Yosemite at Night
One of the most iconic things to do in Yosemite at night is stargazing. Stargazing when the night sky is clear is unbelievable. Even on a less than perfect night, the stargazing can be better than you might expect. For a city girl like me, being able to see the stars is such a neat experience.
There are several popular places in Yosemite National Park for stargazing. These include Glacier Point, Sentinel Meadow, Olmstead Point, Washburn Point, and Cooks Meadow. The stars often shine bright in these places because there is no light pollution. For optimal stargazing, try to go when the moon is not full.
During my most recent trip to Yosemite, I went to Glacier Point, and even on a cloudy, smokey night, the stargazing was terrific. To be honest, the stargazing from Yosemite Valley was pretty good too.
- Pro Tips
If you plan to stargaze in Yosemite Valley, find a safe place away from people and lights and just stare up at the sky. It’s that easy. You will be amazed at how many shooting stars you can see.
Bring a flashlight or a headlamp with you so you can see where you are walking. Use the red light on your flashlight or headlamp so you don’t obstruct your fellow stargazers’ night vision. Having the right gear makes all the difference.
Stargazing tours
The Yosemite National Park Service offers a few stargazing tours in the summer. You can take the bus from the valley or drive yourself and meet the guide at Glacier Point. Personally, I’d drive myself (and we did), so you don’t have to sit and endure the twisty roads on a bus. Plus, if you drive yourself, you can stop at Taft Point for sunset before heading to Glacier Point.
For those looking for a more curated experience, Yosemite Conservancy offers a private stargazing program in either Yosemite Valley, Wawona, Glacier Point, Ackerson Meadow, or Foresta. During your experience, you will look for constellations and shooting stars and listen to the sounds of wildlife.
Dinner in The Ahwahnee Dining Room
After a long day of hiking in Yosemite, I looked forward to cleaning up and enjoying a good meal. My favorite place for dinner is the beautiful Dining Room at The Ahwahnee Hotel.
The Dining Room is opulent. I kept catching myself staring around the room at the gorgeous and unique decor. The 34-foot high ceilings, chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows with picturesque views of Yosemite National Park set the stage for an incredible night.
The upscale and inviting Dining Room is an experience not to be missed when visiting Yosemite National Park.
The Ahwahnee Dining Room Dress Code
The Dining Room has a dress code for dinner (breakfast and lunch are casual). Women are asked to wear a dress, skirt, or long pants with a blouse. Men are requested to wear long pants and a collared shirt. Remember to pack these clothes so you can eat in The Dining Room.
The Ahwahnee Bar
The Ahwahnee Bar is another unique place to relax at night in Yosemite National Park. You can grab a drink and head out back to see the stars above Glacier Point.
- Pro Tip
I recommend making a reservation at least a month in advance if you want to eat in The Dining Room.
Go for a Nighttime Nature Walk in Yosemite National Park
One of the things I love about Yosemite National Park is you do not have to be adventurous or in good shape to enjoy its staggering beauty. One of the best things to do in Yosemite at night is to take an easy short nature hike. A couple of popular nature walks include a visit to Lower Yosemite Falls or Bridalveil Fall (scheduled to reopen to the public in 2022). If you are hiking Half Dome, you will likely get started before the sun comes up.
For those who enjoy more structure, Yosemite Conservancy also offers an easy 1-2 mile round trip nature walk at sunset.
Find a Moonbow at Night in Yosemite National Park
For those wondering what else you can do at Yosmite at night, consider goiing moonbow hunting. Depending on the time of year you visit Yosemite National Park, you can try searching for the elusive moonbow. Admittedly I haven’t seen one yet, but that doesn’t mean I won’t try on my next visit. A moonbow occurs at night when the light from the moon refracts in water droplets in the powerful waterfall mist.
If you are planning on going moonbow hunting, the Yosemite Mariposa County Tourism Bureau suggests you look for the following conditions:
- a full, or nearly full, moon low over the horizon (an angle of 42 degrees or lower)
- a clear, optimally dark sky
- mist from a majestic waterfall gushing with spring snowmelt (April-June)
- a swirling wind (optional, though it can enhance the effect)If
- Pro Tip
To catch a photo of a moonbow, bring a camera with manual focus and long exposures that can take pictures in low-light settings. You might want to bring a tripod to hold the camera steady. Some photographers also bring a plastic bag to cover their camera and a cloth to wipe off the mist. Finally, make sure you turn off your flash.
The best places to see a moonbow
The best places to catch a moonbow that are easy to get to are Brideveil Fall, Lower Yosemite Fall, and Cook’s Meadow.
I hope these activities give you something fun to do at night in Yosemite National Park. You can also check out my tips for visiting Yosemite National Park, a two-day Yosemite Valley itinerary, and a guide to the Tioga Pass.
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Very cool, great tips! We happened to see the spacex starlink satellite launch when we were camping in Yosemite, but it sure was confusing exactly what we were seeing by that campfire;)
I can only imagine, but what a cool experience
OMG that night sky is something else! I don’t think I’ve ever seen a night sky like that! What an incredible experience. Thanks for sharing.
Great after-dark activities at Yosemite! The Taft point sunset views and hike sound lovely. I would also like to do the moonbow views of the falls. I visited Yosemite many years ago and stayed in Mariposa. It’s time to do another trip and check out the night time activities. 🙂
Stargazing in Yosemite would be spectacular… I’d love to do the tour! Great article and your night photos are amazing
I love how they have a guided hike for the stargazing. Given that I usually travel/hike solo, I sure wouldn’t do this hike alone after dark and I would be so disappointed if I wasn’t able to do it.