Glacier Point is open from late spring through early fall, the exact dates depending on when snowfall begins and ends. Ranger programs are held at Glacier Point in the summer. On selected dates, you can take a star-gazing tour to Glacier Point from the Yosemite Valley.
You'll also find a small gift shop and snack area at Glacier Point.
Take an extra layer of clothing along; it's always colder at Glacier Point than in the Valley.
Getting to Yosemite Glacier Point
Even though the two are separated by only a few miles as the proverbial crow flies, it's a 32-mile drive from the Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point. To get to Glacier Point from the Yosemite Valley, most visitors drive. To reach it from the valley, drive out of the valley on Northside Drive, turn back across the Pohono Bridge onto Southside Drive, then take Wawona Road toward Bridalveil Falls and turn off at Glacier Point Road.You can also take a paid bus tour to Glacier Point.
Hiking Yosemite Glacier Point
Four Mile Trail runs between Glacier Point and the Yosemite Valley, a steep trail gaining over 3,000 feet that's extremely challenging going up, starting at almost 4,000 feet elevation. Most hikers travel the four miles from Glacier Point to the valley downhill. A longer, six-hour hike from Glacier Point to the Valley follows the Panorama Trail to Nevada Fall, then takes the Mist Trail to Happy Isles in the valley.Fit hikers can do a round trip, taking the Four-Mile Trail up to Glacier Point, then the Panorama and Mist Trails back to the valley.
For hikes that begin at Glacier Point and end in the valley, you'll need to have two cars, one at each end. With only one vehicle, you can buy a one-way ticket for the Glacier Point bus tour.
