There are plenty of easy and short hikes in Yosemite National Park near Rush Creek Lodge for those seeking a more leisurely and relaxed adventure. These hikes range from paved trails that end in towering waterfalls to loops surrounding some of the park’s most famous lakes. While Yosemite is home to some challenging treks, it’s also packed with beginner-friendly adventures. But that doesn’t mean you have to be an inexperienced hiker to enjoy these scenes. Planning several short hikes in Yosemite is one of the best ways to experience the park if you’re limited on vacation time. These easy hikes offer the perfect opportunity to explore the landscape and enjoy nature on your visit to Yosemite National Park.
Why Easy Hikes Shine During Peak Waterfall Season
Spring and early summer are hands down the best times to experience Yosemite’s waterfalls. From late April to early June, trails such as Lower Yosemite Falls, Bridalveil Fall and Foresta Falls offer unmatched views of roaring cascades without long distances or steep climbs. These short, accessible hikes let you enjoy Yosemite’s waterfalls with minimal effort. You’ll get all the views and feel the refreshing mists — without the mileage.
The Perks of Short, Easy Hikes in Yosemite After Waterfall Season
Summer and early fall in Yosemite mean long, sunny days and access to higher elevations. With most Yosemite trails snow-free by June, easy-to-reach spots like Tenaya Lake and Sentinel Dome offer beautiful views without strenuous climbs or long treks. These easier routes let you experience Yosemite’s alpine lakes, wildflower-filled meadows and granite vistas all in one day.
Best Easy and Short Hikes in Yosemite
Glacier Point Trail | .3 miles round trip
The Glacier Point Trail is one of the best short hikes in Yosemite. More of a short walk than a hike, it takes you to a can’t-miss view of Yosemite Valley. Glacier Point treats hikers to beautiful scenes of Half Dome and the High Sierras, and an interesting perspective of Curry Village below.
Nature Trail at Rush Creek Lodge | .5 mile (1 mile round trip)
This leisurely trail is perfect for families and hikers just looking to stretch their legs. This Rush Creek Lodge’s hiking trail takes you just off property for views of plants and trees that are unique to Yosemite.
Bridalveil Fall | .5 miles round trip
Bridalveil Fall Trail is an easy hike in Yosemite Valley that leads to the base of Bridalveil Fall. This 620-foot waterfall provides breathtaking views and a cool, refreshing spray to those who venture close enough. Bridalveil Fall is reached by a paved trail, making it the easiest waterfall to see in Yosemite National Park and the easiest hike for visitors to take.
Lower Yosemite Falls | 1 mile round trip
The trail to Lower Yosemite Falls is paved and almost completely flat — perfect for beginners, families with small children, and anyone who wants a more leisurely experience in Yosemite. Lower Yosemite Falls is best visited in the spring, when snowmelt contributes to its roaring waters, but the view is gorgeous year round.
Cooks Meadow | 1 mile round trip
A popular photo spot and one of the easiest hikes in Yosemite, Cooks Meadow is one mile of flat, simple trail that takes you to some of the best views of the Valley. The path is boardwalk in some sections and paved in others, and it is easily accessible across the street from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead.
Sentinel Meadow | 2.25 miles round trip
Combine your Cooks Meadow adventure with the Sentinel Meadow Trail for an easy 2.25-mile loop. This easy loop leads you across two bridges over the breathtaking Merced River and brings you back to Cooks Meadow. The Cooks Meadow and Sentinel Meadow Loop treats hikers to incomparable views of Yosemite Falls and Half Dome.
Mist Trail | 1.6 miles round trip
The Mist Trail is popular with hikers, as it leads to Vernal Fall and Nevada Fall. The route is aptly named, as the trail beside the fall is constantly alight with spray from the waterfall. Mist Trail is well worth the uphill trek, as it’s considered by many to be the most beautiful trail in Yosemite — your effort pays off with a stunning view and a refreshing spray of mountain water.
Vernal Fall | 2.4 miles round trip
Continue uphill on the Mist Trail about .4 miles to visit the top of Vernal Fall. See a new angle of Vernal Falls, enjoy the cool mist from the waterfall and marvel at the views of the surrounding Valley.
Lukens Lake Trail | 1.6 miles round trip
The Lukens Lake Trail is a hidden gem as one of the least crowded hikes in Yosemite that still delivers big on scenery. Just 1.6 miles round trip with gentle elevation gain, this trail takes you to the easiest high-altitude lake to reach in the park. Located off Tioga Road, it’s a perfect quick hike for families or anyone looking to enjoy Yosemite’s high country without the crowds.
Sentinel Dome | 1.8 miles round trip
Sentinel Dome is the easiest climb in Yosemite, with less than 2 miles of exposed granite path round trip. The climb to the top of Sentinel Dome gives you a front row seat to the best views in Yosemite, like the Valley, Half Dome and the High Sierras. Enjoy a 360-degree perspective of the most beautiful landscapes in Yosemite at Sentinel Dome.
Foresta Falls | 1.8 miles round trip
Just 1.8 miles round trip with gentle elevation, this trail winds past remnants of an old settlement before ending at Foresta Falls. It’s one of the easiest hikes in Yosemite — and one of the least crowded — for those looking to enjoy the natural beauty and solitude.
Gaylor Lakes | 2 miles round trip
Despite the initial ascent, Gaylor Lakes is considered one of the easiest hikes in Yosemite due to its short length. Starting near Tioga Pass, this trail offers incredible views of the Gaylor Lakes and surrounding peaks. This lesser-known trail is perfect for visitors wanting a quick, easy hike that doesn’t skimp on views.
Mirror Lake | 2 miles round trip
Mirror Lake is an easy, paved hike in Yosemite for guests who want to see the park’s seasonal waterfalls. If you’re visiting Rush Creek in spring and early summer, this hike is a must. The lake offers gorgeous reflections of the surrounding cliffs, Tenaya Creek and the breathtaking waterfalls.
Taft Point | 2.2 miles round trip
This unassuming trail is one of Yosemite’s easiest hikes, and it comes to an end at a heart-pounding cliff’s edge. Adrenaline enthusiasts love to take photos standing at the edge of Taft Point’s cliffside with Yosemite Valley thousands of feet below in the background! Follow the trail through a meadow to the Point, where you’ll see great views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls.
Tenaya Lake Loop | 2.5 miles round trip
This trail circles the pristine Tenaya Lake and offers panoramic views of the surrounding granite peaks and domes. This easy, mostly flat 2.5-mile loop trail hugs the shoreline of one of Yosemite’s most stunning alpine lakes. It’s one of the best short hikes in Yosemite, providing maximum reward for minimal effort.
Giant Sequoia Hike/Snowshoe | up to 3 miles round trip
The Giant Sequoia Hike or Snowshoe, offered winter through spring at Rush Creek Lodge, is an easy and unforgettable journey through a magnificent giant sequoia grove. In the winter, snowshoe through the rarely seen landscape with an expert naturalist guide. Bright wildflowers and singing birds join the scene in spring as the snow melts.
Big Trees Hike & Swim | up to 3 miles round trip
Experience Yosemite’s famous giant sequoias on this hike with our sister property, Evergreen Lodge. This trail passes through a conifer forest, surrounding you with birdsong and sights to see. You’ll follow Old Big Oak Flat Road until you reach a grove of giant sequoias to explore and learn about at the instruction of your naturalist guide. This hike concludes with a drive a little further into Yosemite to cool off at a swimming hole before heading back to the lodge.
Yosemite National Park offers a variety of easy hikes that let visitors take in its breathtaking beauty without embarking on difficult treks. From short walks and paved trails to gentle slopes and surprisingly easy snowshoe trips, you’ll be rewarded with unbeatable views and lasting memories.
If you’re ready to put your hiking skills to the test, there are plenty of moderate hikes in Yosemite. Keep in mind, these trails offer more elevation and natural terrain than a beginner, or a young kid, may be equipped to take on. Check trail ratings and warnings to make sure you can handle a moderate climb. Or, tag along on Rush Creek Lodge’s guided Yosemite National Park tours. An experienced guide will help you navigate the trail for a seamless hike.
Happy trails!