Exploring Yosemite with kids is a fantastic opportunity to spend quality family time while connecting with nature in one of the world’s most beautiful places. Yosemite National Park has earned a reputation as an ideal place to visit with toddlers, school-age kids, and teens. It is known for its stunning waterfalls and iconic rock formations, El Capitan and Half Dome. Discover one-mile, stroller-friendly loop trails or explore more challenging hikes for older kids and experienced hiking families. Whatever your pace, Yosemite offers ample opportunities for parents and children to enjoy the wonders of nature. In this guide, we explain everything you need to know about how to make your family trip to Yosemite a hit with kids of every age.
Quick-Start Guide: Is Yosemite Right for Your Family?
From toddlers to teens, Yosemite is a kid-friendly destination for families of all ages and stages. Use this quick-start summary to see if it’s the right match for your family and get tips on what to know and how long to stay.
A Family Yosemite Trip Is Best For:
- Families who enjoy being outdoors together
- Kids and teens who like animals, water, climbing, or wide-open spaces
- Parents looking for memorable experiences beyond the usual beaches and theme parks
Ideal length of stay:
- 2–3 days: Hit the highlights, including easy hikes, river time, and scenic viewpoints
- 4–5 days: Add Junior Ranger activities, guided tours, and lodge amenities
- 6-plus days: Explore additional areas of the park, tackle bigger hikes, and enjoy downtime without feeling rushed
Top Yosemite Kids Activities for Every Age Group:
- Toddlers: Paved trails, meadows, river play, and lodge playgrounds
- School-age kids (6–12): Easy hikes, ranger programs, tram tours, and outdoor games
- Teens: Advanced hikes, adventure tours, photo-worthy viewpoints, and downtime at the lodges
Best Things To Do in Yosemite With Kids
This is our quick list of must-do, kid-friendly Yosemite experiences for families:
- Walk among giant sequoias at Tuolumne Grove
- Stroll the Big Trees Loop Trail (paved and stroller-friendly)
- Splash and wade in the Merced River at Sentinel Beach or Swinging Bridge
- Ride the Valley Floor open-air tram tour to see Yosemite’s most iconic landmarks
- Join the Junior Ranger program and get sworn in by a park ranger
- Take on favorite Yosemite hikes from Mist Trail to Sentinel Dome (with older kids)
- Snap epic photos at Taft Point with teens
- Add adventure with whitewater rafting, Jeep tours, or scenic flights
- Enjoy kid- and teen-friendly amenities at Rush Creek and Evergreen Lodges, including pools, games, and nightly s’mores
- Go on a guided tour and learn about the park from the experts
- Visit Yosemite in winter with kids to play in the snow and take part in cold-weather sports
- Unwind with campfires, stargazing, and time spent in hammocks under the trees
Yosemite Hikes With Kids
Yosemite offers numerous hiking trails that vary in difficulty, so families with older kids can take on more challenging landscapes while those with younger kids can explore scenic areas where little legs can keep pace. Use this guide to chart the best path for your crew:
| Trail Name | Distance (Round Trip) | Difficulty | Recommended Age Range |
| Big Trees Loop Trail | ~3.1 miles | Easy | All ages (stroller & wheelchair accessible) |
| Tuolumne Meadows Trail | ~2 miles | Easy | 6–12 |
| Tuolumne Grove Trails | Varies | Easy–Moderate | Toddlers in carriers and up |
| Mist Trail | ~3 miles round trip to Vernal Fall~7 miles round trip to Nevada Fall | Moderate–Challenging | 8+ |
| Sentinel Dome Trail | ~2 miles | Moderate | 8+ |
| Taft Point Trail | ~2.2 miles | Moderate | Teens |
Note: Tioga Road access to Tuolumne Meadows and nearby trails typically closes from late October through late May, depending on snow conditions. Always check the current park conditions before planning your day.
Sample Three-Day Itinerary
Here’s a sample three-day Yosemite with kids itinerary designed to inspire you and help you prioritize must-see spots.
Day 1: Score Easy Wins at Iconic Sites
Your first day in the park should account for travel time. We recommend a low-effort exploration day that balances rest with getting a peek at some big scenery:
- Morning: Arrive at the park. Walk the Big Trees Loop Trail and let kids explore nearby meadows.
- Midday: Grab lunch and then spend splash time at Sentinel Beach or Swinging Bridge along the Merced River.
- Afternoon: Ride the Valley Floor open-air tram tour — an easy way to see El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Half Dome without tiring out the little ones.
- Evening: Check into your lodge and relax with dinner and downtime. Cap off the night around the campfire with s’mores and stargazing.
Day 2: Choose Your Adventure
With everyone rested up and ready to go, fill your second day in the park with adventure, exploration, and learning:
- Morning: Fuel up with a hearty breakfast at the lodge, then join the Junior Ranger program. Complete activities and attend the ranger swearing-in.
- Midday: Pack a picnic lunch and take an easy or moderate hike. Snap plenty of pictures.
- Afternoon: Check in with the family. If energy is running low, relax at the lodge with swimming, games, arts and crafts, or nap time. For bigger kids with enthusiasm to spare, join a guided tour or choose a seasonal adventure: skiing or tubing in winter and whitewater rafting and biking in Yosemite Valley in the warmer months.
- Evening: Enjoy a big family dinner to end your busy day. Play games at the parlor or relax by the fire until bedtime.
Day 3: Make Memories Before Departure
Spend your last day in the park exploring remaining must-sees. If a long trip home awaits you, keep things low-key and revisit a few of your favorite spots:
- Low-Key Activities: Take one last stroll through the meadows, watch the wildlife, play in the river or at the lodge, and get final family photos.
- Active Adventures: Challenge older kids and teens with a tougher hike on Mist Trail or Vernal Fall. For epic views and breathtaking photo ops, visit Sentinel Dome or Taft Point.
- Wrap-Up: Recover from the morning with lunch in the valley, and then get packed to go. Or choose to extend your stay!
Frequently Asked Questions About Yosemite With Kids
Before planning your trip, let us answer some of the most frequently asked questions about visiting Yosemite with the entire family.
How Many Days in Yosemite With Kids?
Yosemite is a big park, and we recommend staying six or more days if you want to experience everything thoroughly. We know six days can be a lot for families with little ones. If you’re short on time or traveling with young children, you can hit the park’s highlights in 2–3 days. For families with older, more adventurous kids, 3–4 days might be the sweet spot. This is enough time to see the highlights, discover a few hidden gems, unwind between excursions, and participate in the Junior Ranger program or another activity.
What Is the Best Hike in Yosemite for Kids?
The best hike for kids to tackle depends on your child’s age and experience. Easier paths are short, gently graded, and paved for easy access with strollers. Older and more adventurous children might prefer longer trails with steeper climbs.
The Best Easy Hikes for Young Kids and New Hikers
We recommend introducing your littles to the magnificent trees in Tuolumne Grove, a forest of giant Sequoias. The Big Trees Loop Trail is approximately 3.1 miles round trip and paved, ideal for strollers, wheelchairs, and novice hikers. Tuolumne Grove also includes longer trails for parents hiking with kids in carriers.
The Best Moderate Hikes for Older Kids and Intermediate Hikers
An easy but beautiful hike, Tuolumne Meadows Trail meanders two miles along a flat meadow and passes Soda Springs, where carbonated water bubbles out of the ground. Tioga Road gets you there, and you can stop at the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias and Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias along the way.
The Best Challenging Hikes for Teens and Experienced Hikers
Teens can embark on more advanced hikes and adventures. The Taft Point trail comes to a breathtaking photo op thousands of feet above the stunning Yosemite Valley and the High Sierra. Other challenging hikes that teens and experienced older kids will enjoy include the Mist Trail and the Sentinel Dome Trail.
Do Kids Need Hiking Boots in Yosemite?
If you’re hiking in Yosemite, your kids need hiking boots — and so do you. Proper equipment, especially footwear, is important when visiting Yosemite National Park. Spring and winter conditions require waterproof shoes due to wet trail conditions.
Can You Do Yosemite With a Toddler?
You can absolutely do Yosemite with a toddler. Many of the park’s lower trails are easy to walk for young kids, and friendly for parents to navigate with strollers or carriers. Every corner of the park has something beautiful to see, so you won’t miss out on scenic landscapes and fantastic photo ops even if you plan your visit around the comfort of your little one.
Is Yosemite stroller friendly?
Yes, many Yosemite Valley trails are paved and stroller-friendly, including the Big Trees Loop Trail and valley paths near meadows and rivers. Families with toddlers can easily enjoy scenic views without strenuous hiking.
Where Is the Best Place To Stay in Yosemite With Kids?
Our kid-friendly Yosemite lodges are some of the best places for families to stay. We have three properties suited for guests of different ages, interests, and activity levels. Whether you’re looking for glamping options to connect with nature, fun-packed activity packages perfect for kids, or spa escapes for tired parents, there’s something for everyone.
- Evergreen Lodge: This property offers comfortable family cabins, custom camping sites, and private cabins if you’re traveling with a group. Amenities include daily activities, outdoor fun and games, a toddler play zone, 25-seat theater, parlor game area, and a spa and wellness program.
- Rush Creek Lodge: Choose between tasteful and comfortable lodge rooms, suites, or spacious two-bedroom villas. Guests can enjoy guided tours, family activities, and a resort-style indoor/outdoor spa.
- Firefall Ranch: Our newest property invites guests to slow down in the luxury and privacy of family-friendly cottages and villas. Join daily and nightly activities from guided adventures to fireside s’mores, or unwind at the resort-style spa at Rush Creek.
Exploring Yosemite with kids is a chance to slow down, reconnect, and experience one of the country’s most awe-inspiring landscapes while bringing your family together. With the right mix of easy and moderate hikes, scenic viewpoints, and family-friendly activities, your trip can be both manageable and magical.
Explore our kid-friendly Yosemite lodges to find your home base. Got questions? Our team is here to help! Get in touch and let us help you plan the perfect trip for your family’s adventure style.