Glacier Point is a very popular viewpoint location that provides visitors with unobstructed views of Half Dome and the surrounding mountains.
Contents
Directions
Arch Rock
From the Arch Rock entrance, head northeast on El Portal Rd and drive for 5.5 miles. El Portal Rd turns slightly right and becomes Southside Dr. (0.9 miles). In 9.2 miles, turn slightly right on CA-41 S/Wawona Rd. Turn left on Glacier Point Road and drive for 15 miles.
Big Oak Flat
From the Big Oak Flat entrance, head southeast on CA-120 E toward Tuolumne Grove Rd. and drive for 7.7 miles. Continue on to Old Yosemite Coulterville Rd and continue on to Big Oak Flat Road (9.5 miles). Turn left on El Portal Rd (signs for Yosemite Valley/CA-41/Fresno). El Portal Rd turns slightly right and becomes Southside Dr. (0.9 miles). In 9.2 miles, turn slightly right on CA-41 S/Wawona Rd. Turn left on Glacier Point Road and drive for 15 miles.
Hetch Hetchy
From the Hetch Hetchy entrance, take Evergreen Rd. to CA-120 E and drive for 8.7 miles. Follow CA-120 E, Big Oak Flat Road and Wawona Rd to Glacier Point Rd in Wawona (29.4 miles). Turn left on Glacier Point Road and drive for 15 miles.
South
From the South entrance, head northwest on CA-41. At the traffic circle, take the 2nd exit onto Wawona Rd (16.9 miles). Turn right on Glacier Point Rd and drive for 15 miles.
Tioga Pass
From the Tioga Pass Entrance, head south on CA-120 W toward Tioga Pass Parking Lot and drive for 46.5 miles. Turn left on Old Yosemite Coulterville Rd (signs for Yosemite Valley/CA-41/CA-140) and continue on to Big Oak Flat Road (9.5 miles). Turn left on El Portal Rd (signs for Yosemite Valley/CA-41/Fresno). El Portal Rd turns slightly right and becomes Southside Dr. (0.9 miles). In 9.2 miles, turn slightly right on CA-41 S/Wawona Rd. Turn left on Glacier Point Road and drive for 15 miles.
This is a map of Yosemite and where Glacier Point is located.
Parking
There is a lot of parking spaces at Glacier Point. There are two “stories” and it is a one-way street. This causes a lot of traffic because people do not want to miss an opportunity for a parking spot so will either drive really slowly or just stop all together to wait.
Restrooms
There are at least more than 3 restroom stalls in the parking lot. There was one restroom that was available at the entrance but it was closed.
You could use this restroom, drop off someone while they use the bathroom or wait in line for one while the driver waits for a spot and meet up later.
Distance
The entire walk around Glacier Point from the parking lot is about 1 mile round trip. There are different areas in Glacier Point that you can stop at and take pictures.
Difficulty
The walk is an easy stroll as you take pictures and climb on rocks if you want to. It is also wheelchair accessible.
If you want to do a harder hike, there are other ones connected to Glacier Point (The Four Mile Trail, The Panorama Trail, The Pohono Trail).
Glacier Point
We went to the Amphitheater area first and spent some time taking pictures on a rock that had the Half Dome directly behind it.
There can be a short line to sit/stand on the rock. Most people sat and was able to take good photos.
There was an educational area that we skipped. We went straight to Glacier Point as this was the last stop for the day. There is also a dirt path and a path that led to some rock.
Once we arrived, it was very populated with visitors taking pictures along the railings everywhere. We managed to find a spot where there wasn’t anyone on the rocks.
People waited to take a picture next the railing. We were satisfied with the pictures that we took because it felt like we saw the same view in slightly different angles.
After spending a short amount of time there, we walked back and went to the Visitors Center at the entrance and bought a small souvenir. We collect prints/art of the places we have been to so we got one of Half Dome in a minimalist format.
Sadly, drones were prohibited here so Brea couldn’t fly it here.
Places nearby
Washburn Point, Taft Point, Sentinel Dome
Because it is a popular attraction that draws a lot of visitors, this made the experience less appealing than its neighboring places that are a lot less crowded with similar views like Washburn Point.
