Glacier Point delivers one of the most spectacular vistas of any national park. Situated at the end of the 16-mile-long Glacier Point Road, it overlooks Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and numerous, majestic waterfalls. Recreational opportunities abound as well, with hiking, snowshoeing, and cross-country ski trails spurring off into the beautiful surrounding wilderness.
Find lodging in or near the Glacier Point Road region to make the most of this beautiful part of Yosemite.
Glacier Point Road usually closes in November about five miles off Highway 41 at Badger Pass Ski Area. At Chinquapin, the start of Glacier Point Road, you will find a restroom facility at the intersection of Highway 41 called The Glacier Point Road Junction Restroom. It is a recommended stop when headed in any direction.
Highways
- Glacier Point Road
- Highway 41
See & Do
Follow Glacier Point Road off Highway 41 to reach the Glacier Point visitor area. The stone overlook is expansive and includes a number of interpretive maps and displays, as well as a visitor center, restrooms and bear-proof metal lockers. It’s also a good starting or finishing point for some of Yosemite’s most popular trails, including the Four Mile Trail and the Panorama Trail.
Badger Pass Ski Area, located just off Glacier Point Road with peak elevation of 8,000 feet, is the oldest ski resort in California! Touted as one of the Sierra’s most family-friendly slopes, Badger Pass Ski Area, which opens during the winter months, offers downhill skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, snowboard terrain park, tubing and more. It’s intimate with just five lifts providing access to mostly beginner and intermediate runs, making this a great place to learn to ski.
Trailheads along Glacier Point Road lead to a number of expansive Yosemite Valley vista points, including Sentinel Dome and Taft Point, McGurk Meadow and Dewey Point, popular for hiking and snowshoeing.
Washburn Point – Prior to arriving at Glacier Point, Washburn Point is a smaller stop and parking area that will reward you with fantastic views of the southern stretching Sierra Nevada and valley below. This area is often mistaken for Glacier Point, so enjoy this epic pull-out and then continue on.