With its glittering granite cliffsides reflected in placid waters, there’s no surprise that Yosemite National Park remains one of the most popular in the nation. But when we say popular, we mean it: Yosemite sees some four million visitors per year, with the peak summer travel months being especially crowded. And some of its most stunning vistas, like Half Dome, require a permit, which can be challenging to obtain—even if you’re just aiming at a day hike.
Fortunately, this wilderness of nearly 750,000 acres is plenty big enough to include some hidden gems, including less-crowded hiking trails so you can enjoy a crowd-free hiking experience—or the closest you can get to it in such a popular national park. These trails are less popular, but equally rewarding—and as you already know if you’re reading this page, RV camping is the very best way to enjoy them. It keeps you up close to the action without having to sacrifice any of the comforts of home. (Even, literally, the kitchen sink.)
Best Crowd-Free Trail Suggestions by AllTrails
For our “hike this, not that” series, we’ve partnered up with AllTrails, the best app in the business (when by business you mean all things outdoors). Even at the free Base membership, you’ll get access to thousands of trail maps with options for real-time tracking and automatic directions to the trailhead—but the adventure really begins when you upgrade to Plus. (By the way, for a limited time only, our readers get an exclusive 30% off an annual AllTrails Plus membership. Just sayin’.)
At the Plus level, you can download your trail maps before you go so you’re ready for anything, even when you’re out of cell range (which, as we know, is where all the best stuff happens anyway). And at the new AllTrails Peak tier, members can build their own trails from scratch, check out the Community Heatmap to see what’s hot (and, more importantly for those after crowd-free hiking trails, what’s not), and stay up to date with real-time trail conditions.
Skip Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls; Try Yosemite Creek Trail Instead
Waterfalls plummeting as if straight out of the clear-blue sky, stately stands of pine trees that have seen it all, and, if you’re lucky (and at just the right angle), the chance to see rainbows reflected off all of it: There’s a reason Vernal and Nevada Falls via Mist Trail is one of the most popular trails in the mark. It’s also, with an elevation gain of more than 2,200 feet over the course of its 6.4-mile round-trip distance, one of the most grueling. (And, yes, one of the most crowded.)
Instead, we offer you Yosemite Creek Trail, which offers an equal level of adventure and challenge and absolutely stunning, sweeping views across the valley. And don’t worry, you’ll still get to enjoy a waterfall—Upper Yosemite Fall, to be exact, from a scenic viewpoint (and unlike on Mist Trail, you might not even get wet if you don’t want to, but there are still plenty of place to take a dip!).
Yosemite Creek Trail winds more than 12 miles round trip and sees just over 1,500 feet of elevation change, so plan for an all-day adventure with plenty of food, water, and sunscreen along for the hike—even for those in the best shape.
Need more incentive? Here’s what some real-deal Yosemite Creek Trail hikers have to say about their experience.
- Upper Yosemite falls is beautiful and has a lot of places to get in the creek or filter water.
- Nice swimming holes near top of falls. Beautiful views. Met only a few people during the entire weekend.
- Very beautiful! Flowers are blooming and the views at the end are worth it—much better than doing upper Yosemite falls hike to get to the same point, in my opinion.
Before You Go Considerations
Like any outdoor adventure, Yosemite Creek Trail has some safety considerations to keep in mind before you set out.
- Be prepared for a long, long walk. Twelve miles may not sound like much, but under the hot sun, it can be brutal. This trail should only be attempted by those who are already in good shape.
- Bring enough food and water. Even hikers who are in fighting shape will need plenty of fuel to help them get where they’re going. Bring at least a liter of water per person per hour, along with salty snacks to help balance electrolytes and sun protection.
- Be bear aware. Approximately 300 to 500 black bears call Yosemite National Park home, so consider carrying bear spray, and remember—if you see a bear, never turn your back and run or make sudden movements. Speak to the bear in a firm (but calm) voice.
Skip Half Dome via the Cables Route; Try Wawona Meadow Loop Trail Instead
If there were one iconic Yosemite hike, it would be Half Dome via the Cables—also known as Half Dome via the John Muir Trail. (Not every trail has more than 42,000 photos on AllTrails, but this one does!)
As its name suggests, this route does involve using actual cables which are installed into the rock face to ascend to the summit of this famous cliff (which you may remember Alex Honnold free soloing a few years ago). The 16-mile route sees more than 5,000 feet of elevation gain, which means it should truly only be attempted by those who have specifically trailed for it. It also requires a permit.
If you’re looking for something that’s just as memorable, but on the opposite end of the difficulty spectrum, we suggest Wawona Meadow Loop. At just 3.6 round-trip miles and seeing only a couple hundred feet of elevation change, this trail is family-friendly, crowd-free, and downright easy—not to mention beautiful. Seas of endless green will greet your eyes (and keep you under shade cover during the high summer months), and during spring and summer, it’s also a great spot to see wildflowers.
Here’s what hikers have to say about Wawona Meadow Loop:
- Great, shady and fairly short.
- Trail is super close to the southern entrance of yosemite, it has gorgeous meadow views. i definitely recommend!
- So beautiful, and super shaded too. Easy, pretty flat, and not busy at all. Gorgeous wildflowers in summer time. 10/10
Before You Go Considerations
Just because it’s short doesn’t mean Wawona Meadow Loop is risk free! Here’s what to know before you go.
- Time of year matters. Even for easy hikes in Yosemite, wintertime snow and ice can mean treacherous and slippery conditions.
- Be ready for weather changes. Yes, even in summertime, storms can roll through—bring plenty of layers, including a waterproof shell.
- On-leash dogs allowed! Unlike many other trails in Yosemite, dogs are allowed on Wawona Meadow Loop—which is a big win in national parks, where pets are restricted in many areas.
Skip Four-Mile Trail to Glacier Point; Try Lukens Lake Trail Instead
With one-of-a-kind views of both El Capitan and the Cathedral Rocks tower, as well as the distant stripe of Yosemite Falls, dwarfed by your elevation, Four-Mile Trail to Glacier Point is another iconic Yosemite stop—and a bit misleading, to be honest. The hike is actually a little more than five miles round trip, according to AllTrails, with an impressive elevation gain of over 3,000 feet. In short: It’s for the fittest among us only.
Lukens Lake Trail, on the other hand, is one of the most unique crowd-free hiking experiences in Yosemite—and unlike Four-Mile Trail, is lodged firmly in the “easy” category. At 2.3 miles round trip and just 300 feet of elevation change (a tenth of what Four-Mile Trail sees), Lukens Lake Trail offers the shimmering, reflective surface of its namesake lake as its main viewpoint—and plenty of opportunities for interior reflection, too. Plus, with its pared-down footprint, this one is easy enough to bring the whole family along for, even the littlest campers!
Here’s what visitors have to say about Lukens Lake Trail:
- This felt like a hidden gem. We saw 3 people on this trail on a Friday afternoon. Pretty easy hike. A slight elevation change but not hard at all. My 5 year old made it. The wild flowers were beautiful and the lake was so peaceful. Great family hike.
- Great short little hike to a beautiful lake. Didn’t see a single other person on the trail.
- It’s so beautiful and peaceful! We watched 3 deer on the other side for awhile!
Before You Go Considerations
Lukens Lake might be easy, but again, it still requires preparation! Here’s what to know before you go.
- Yes, bears live here, too! Even in family-friendly parts of the park, bears are providing for their own families. In fact, one recent reviewer saw a mama bear with two cubs close to the trail, which can be both amazing and scary. Just be sure to keep your wits about you!
- Prepare for mosquitos. Still water can be a great place for these little, literal buggers to get to breeding—so if you visit during the hottest times of year, be sure to bring along some bug spray.
Post-Hike Resources for Yosemite National Park
Like we said (and like you already know), RV camping is the very best way to enjoy Yosemite National Park—not least because there are so many incredible RV campgrounds in the nearby vicinity.
During your stay, you may also want to check out the gateway town of El Portal, California, which is just 14 miles west of the national park along Highway 140. Top tip: Be sure to make a quick stop at El Portal Market, a great down-home grocery and deli. If you’re looking for a finer dining experience, on the other hand, you may need to travel a bit further afield—perhaps to June Bug Café at Yosemite Bug in Midpines.)
To be sure, though, the park is the main attraction in these parts—along with other nearby wildernesses like the Stanislaus and Sierra National Forests. If there were a heaven for RVers, this might just be it!
When it comes to the great outdoors, it doesn’t get any greater than Yosemite National Park—and the experience doesn’t get any better than an RVshare vehicle, where you’ll enjoy all the comforts of home that have actually been lived in and loved by a real family. No matter where the road takes you, we’ll be here with you every step along the way—as will AllTrails, especially if you sign up for the special limited-time Plus membership discount, only for RVshare travelers. Happy (All)Trails!
