Family-Friendly Hiking Trails in Yosemite

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Looking for the best easy hikes in Yosemite? Yosemite Valley is packed with short, family-friendly trails that offer incredible views of waterfalls, granite cliffs, and meadows. And they don’t all require a strenuous trek. Whether you’re visiting with young kids, pushing a stroller, or simply looking for beginner-friendly trails, these easy hikes in Yosemite are some of the most rewarding walks in the park.

The first time I ever went to Yosemite, it was just my mom, my sister, and our five kids. The kids ranged in age from 2 months old to 6 years old. We were prepared to simply camp in Yosemite, but upon entering into the Valley, I knew I wanted to explore it all. I just didn’t know how that would be possible with kids and strollers so I was on a hunt to find some easy hikes in Yosemite that I could do with kids.

Yosemite truly is one of the best national parks for kids. And it’s one of the most popular summer camping destinations. There is so much beauty that can be seen in the Valley without going on any crazy adventures. However, if you’re like me and want to explore even further, there are plenty of easy hikes in Yosemite that you can bring the kids along for (or even to push in a stroller!).

I’d also recommend having baby carrier backpack for more flexibility in your hiking endeavors if you have really little ones. Otherwise these kids hiking essentials can help you out on the trails as well.

If one of your kids happens to be a 4th grader, you can get into Yosemite for free. Click here to find out how.

Best Time to Hike in Yosemite

The best time to enjoy easy hikes in Yosemite is spring through early summer when waterfalls are flowing at their peak. Lower Yosemite Fall and Bridalveil Fall are particularly impressive from April through June. By late summer, some waterfalls may slow to a trickle, but the trails remain beautiful and accessible.

Lower Yosemite Falls Trail – One of the very easy hikes in Yosemite

One of the easiest trails you’ll find is the Lower Yosemite Falls trail. This short walk is about a mile long and takes about 30 minutes to complete. And it’s a paved path, so you can push a stroller or wheelchair on the trail. The trail takes you to the base of Lower Yosemite Falls, with views of the tallest waterfall, and offers beautiful photo opportunities. To see the waterfalls in all of their glory, the best times to visit are spring to early summer. By late summer, the falls might be just a trickle.

The parking lot nearby makes this an easy access point for a quick stop.

Bridalveil Falls Trail

Bridalveil Falls is a beautiful focal point you’ll notice as soon as you enter the valley. Even in the drier months, this waterfall tends to be flowing. There’s a half-mile paved trail will take you to the waterfall’s base. While this trail is paved, it’s not wheel-chair accessible due to the steep grade. You can decide if you’re up for pushing a stroller or not.

The tricky thing about this trail is getting to it. There isn’t shuttle service to it, so you need to drive your own vehicle and hope to get a spot in the parking lot, or take the much longer valley loop trail to it. This is a good option when visiting Yosemite and you want a quick waterfall stop.

Cook’s Meadow Loop – An easy hike in Yosemite (more of a stroll)

This is a flat trail, a 1-mile loop that’s easy to get to via the Yosemite shuttle, and a short hike for families or first-time visitors. While walking this trail, you’ll enjoy beautiful views of Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Glacier Point, Sentinel Rock, and the Merced River. This trail is both wheelchair and stroller friendly (when not covered by snow). It’s also a great way to explore Yosemite at an easy pace.

Mirror Lake Trail

Mirror Lake is a great place to spend a portion of your day hanging out and letting the kids splash around in the freezing cold water along Tenaya Creek. When the water levels are high enough, there is a rock that they can jump off of if they dare. Getting to Mirror Lake involves a bit of a trek though. If you’re just looking to get to the lake, the trail distance is 2 miles there and back. If you are wanting to explore more, it’s a total trail distance of 5 miles when you add on the loop around the lake.

You can take the shuttle to the Mirror Lake shuttle stop (#17), and it will bring you to a paved service road that takes you directly to the lake. The trail starts on this road. You can also bike to this point. But at the end of the service road, all bikes must be parked, and it’s a pretty steep walk up to the lake. It is possible to do the 2-mile hike with a stroller (or a wagon), but the steep trek at the end will make you work a bit. And strollers can’t continue on beyond the lake. If you plan to linger, bring a picnic lunch to enjoy by the water.

Vernal Fall Trail – Not one of the super easy hikes in Yosemite, but worth a mention

The Vernal Falls trail was the most intriguing to me on my first Yosemite visit because the trail led to waterfalls that you couldn’t see from the valley floor, and I love a good waterfall.

I was told that the trail was paved so I could take my stroller… so I loaded my two kids up in the double jogger and took off. And yes, while this trail is in fact paved, it is very steep and turns into a challenging hike a lot faster than I was anticipating, especially going back down. I did make it though… and then the next year when my husband joined me and was the one to push the double jogger, he was in awe of what I had accomplished. So know that while it is possible, it is very challenging if you choose to push a stroller. I’d recommend a hiking backpack with child carrier over a stroller on this one, and hiking poles can help on the steep climb or descent.

The Vernal Fall trail is 1.6 miles round trip, but the elevation gain still makes it feel harder than the mileage suggests, and it will take you to the Vernal Fall footbridge, where you will get the first glimpse of Vernal Fall. If you go just past the footbridge, you’ll see the famous Mist Trail — one of the best trails in Yosemite — with the John Muir Trail connecting as an alternate route. It’s just half a mile longer to get to the top of Vernal Fall, however, that hike consists of more than 600 granite stairs and is very slippery from the waterfall mist, so no strollers for that part.

Plan ahead for parking and crowds at this popular Yosemite hike.

Consider Going to Nevada Falls

If you don’t have young kids, I recommend hiking to the top of Vernal Falls (2.6 miles round trip), or going even further to the top of Nevada Falls (5.4 miles round trip via the mist trail). When my youngest was just a couple months old, I put him in the ErgoBaby carrier and made it to the top of Nevada Falls, just stopping to feed him every couple of hours. It’s a strenuous hike, but definitely worth it to see two amazing waterfalls.

A Comparison of the Easy Hikes in Yosemite

Trail	Distance	Stroller Friendly	Waterfall Views	Best For
Lower Yosemite Fall	1 mile	Yes	Yes	Families
Bridalveil Fall	0.5 mile	Mostly	Yes	Quick stop
Cook’s Meadow	1 mile	Yes	Distant views	Scenic stroll
Mirror Lake	2 miles	Partially	No	Kids who want to splash
Vernal Fall Footbridge	1.6 miles	Difficult	Yes	Active families

FAQ: Easy Hikes in Yosemite

What is the easiest hike in Yosemite?

The Lower Yosemite Fall Trail is widely considered one of the easiest hikes in Yosemite. The paved 1-mile loop is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs and provides excellent views of Yosemite Falls.

Are there easy hikes in Yosemite for families with kids?

Yes. Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Cook’s Meadow Loop, Bridalveil Fall Trail, and Mirror Lake are all excellent easy hikes in Yosemite for families.

Can you see waterfalls on easy hikes in Yosemite?

Absolutely. Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Bridalveil Fall Trail, and the Vernal Fall Footbridge Trail all provide waterfall views without requiring a long or difficult hike.

Are there stroller-friendly hikes in Yosemite?

Several Yosemite Valley trails are stroller-friendly, including Lower Yosemite Fall Trail and Cook’s Meadow Loop.

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