Itinerary suggestions for 2 day visit in July

Question

Hi everyone,

First time visitors and looking to nail down an itinerary for our two whole days to make the most of it. We are both fit and able but would like to mix hikes with scenic views and less strenuous times too.

We are mostly unsure about how much shuttling we will need to do as we imagine moving the car will be tricky to find new spaces.

Our thinking is to spend one whole and busy day in the valley then the second on Tioga road.

We will be staying in Mariposa and visiting July 8-10th. We already have our reservation booked and do have the option of arriving very late afternoon on the 7th and may use this just to get bearings.

Day 1:

5am: Arrive at park at 5am and head to glacier point for sunrise. (Not sure if we should swap this for tunnel view due to crowds being large at tunnel view for sunset and that it may be better to secure parking).

6:30am: Drive back down to a valley parking lot (probably curry village) and make our way to the most trail to beat most of the crowds and head up that trail, coming back down John Muir loop.

9:30am: Head into the valley for a bite to eat.

10:30am: Head to and hike the mirror lake loop, again, hopefully before peak crowds. (We know this will be busy but hopefully beat).

12:30am: Lunch back in the valley, likely curry village.

1:30pm: head to see the Awahnee.

2:30pm: cooks meadow loop.

4:00pm: El capitan meadow

6:00pm: Possibly dinner in the park or head to see tunnel view on the way out before sunset.

7:30pm: Tunnel view for sunset if we haven't already left for dinner back at our accomodation.

Day 2

I won't bore people with listing all our stops but we plan to drive the opposite end of Tioga road first thing and hit all the stops on the way back so the bulk of the driving has been done first thing.

We might hit anything we missed in the valley this evening if anyone thinks our day 1 is too crammed.

Little side note is that we head to sequoia the day after this so aren't fussed about seeing Mariposa grove in these 2 days.

Thanks for any advice at all!

Answer

Your planned itinerary is very thorough and ambitious, and with two fit visitors, it is doable—but here are some considerations to maximize enjoyment and reduce stress with parking and crowds.

Day 1 – Yosemite Valley

Glacier Point at sunrise is an excellent choice, offering iconic views of Half Dome and the valley. Arriving at 5am is ideal to beat crowds. Tunnel View is also stunning, but Glacier Point generally has fewer people early in the morning, so your plan makes sense. If parking at Glacier Point is full, arriving extremely early ensures a spot; otherwise, be prepared to shuttle or carpool with other visitors.

After sunrise, heading back down to Curry Village for the start of your trail is good timing to avoid the main influx of hikers. Doing the John Muir Trail loop early is smart to experience more solitude.

Consider starting the Mirror Lake loop earlier if possible (before 9am), as the trail becomes crowded quickly, especially near the bridge access points.
For meals, Curry Village is convenient, but packing a light snack or breakfast for the morning can save time and allow more hiking.
Cook’s Meadow and El Capitan Meadow are best visited mid to late afternoon for photography and quieter surroundings. Keep in mind that El Capitan Meadow has limited parking; you may need to circle or walk from the valley shuttle stop.
If dinner reservations are challenging inside the park, leaving slightly earlier to nearby towns or prepared picnic meals can avoid the rush.

For sunset, if Glacier Point is too far or crowded, Tunnel View is still beautiful at any time, but arriving by 7:30pm might be tight depending on traffic and parking.

Day 2 – Tioga Road

Driving to the far end of Tioga Road first thing is excellent. Morning light enhances views at Olmsted Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows, and early driving reduces traffic stress.

Prioritize stops based on interest and time: Tenaya Lake for a short walk or paddle, Tuolumne Meadows for meadows and small hikes, and Olmsted Point for iconic Half Dome views from above the valley.
Bring snacks and water, as services are limited along Tioga Road.
Heading back toward the valley in the afternoon allows flexibility to revisit anything missed on Day 1, but be aware that the valley shuttle and parking might be busier later in the day.

Other considerations:

Traffic and parking in the valley can be tricky in July. Using shuttles can save stress, but for early morning hikes, your own car is better.
Reserve meals in advance if possible, especially for dinner, to avoid wait times.
Layer clothing; mornings are cool at Glacier Point, and Tioga Road can be windy or chilly even in summer.

Overall, your itinerary balances strenuous hikes with scenic drives and relaxed valley exploration. You may need minor tweaks on timing depending on parking availability, but the structure is solid and allows a mix of hiking, photography, and sightseeing without trying to cram everything at once.