Yosemite's Glacier Point Road is Open! What Opening Day 2025 Looked Like
Hi friends! Glacier Point Road officially opened for the 2025 season on Saturday, May 10th, and I was one of the first up there to experience it. This scenic seasonal road leads to some of the most jaw-dropping views in Yosemite National Park, and if you’re wondering what to expect this early in the season, I’ve got you covered. From road conditions and crowd levels to waterfall flow and hidden gems, here’s a full look at what my visit was like.
Half Dome seen from the Glacier Point Geology Hut
Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide
If you’re planning a Yosemite road trip during the summer months, make sure to download my complete Yosemite 2-4 Day Summer Itinerary & Travel Guide, which includes an hour-by-hour schedule (along with a full day along Glacier Point Road!), Google & Apple map pin locations, the best stargazing spots, a dining guide, recommendations on where to stay, activities outside the park, and more! Download it today and make your Yosemite planning easy!
Half Dome, Tenaya Canyon & Yosemite Valley from Glacier Point
Glacier Point Road Overview
Providing access to the high country south of the Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point Road is a 16-mile road that connects Wawona Road (extension of Hwy-41) with popular trails and viewpoints, such as Taft Point, Sentinel Dome, and Glacier Point. Glacier Point is one of the most popular spots in the park and certainly the most visited location in this section of the park. The iconic views here allow park visitors to see Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and the expansive High Sierra from 3,200 feet above the valley floor. It features a large parking lot, but it can fill up quickly since the stunning clifftop views are only steps away from your car. Multiple bathrooms are available here, and even snacks & drinks are sold here in the Glacier Point Gift Shop & Snack Stand during parts of the year.
For more information on Glacier Point, check out my complete Glacier Point Visitor’s Guide.
Glacier Point Road Horseshoe Bend with Half Dome views
Half Dome from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
Glacier Point Road Conditions
I pulled up to the Glacier Point Road gate right at 8am, which was the scheduled opening time posted by the NPS...but it was clear the gates had already been open for a while. No backup, no waiting, and a smooth cruise all the way up. Later on, I chatted with a park ranger who confirmed my suspicion: they often open the gates slightly earlier than posted to avoid heavy congestion. Definitely something to remember for future openings, especially if you’re eyeing Tioga Road, which could open in the next couple of weeks.
As for road conditions, they were great! The pavement was clear, dry, and in excellent shape. There were a few patches of snow still lingering along the roadside, but nothing obstructing traffic. It felt like a reward for those of us who were able to make the early trek.
Opening Day 2025 at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
Traffic along Glacier Point Road in Yosemite National Park
Crowds & Parking
For a Saturday morning, crowds were surprisingly light. The Taft Point Trailhead parking lot was only about a quarter full when I passed it, and even Glacier Point’s main lot still had plenty of open spots when I arrived. Each viewpoint had just a handful of people, including the iconic ledge where the old Glacier Point Hotel once stood, the amphitheater, and the Geology Hut. The official Glacier Point overlook area at the end of the short paved path probably had the most people (not surprising), but I was able to move freely, snap photos, and take videos without waiting my turn.
I even took a quick hike up to the iconic Glacier Point Road horseshoe bend, where I managed to grab some fun roadside shots before any other photographers showed up.
However, by noon, the tide had turned. The Glacier Point parking lot was nearly full, and a line of cars was starting to back up near the bend. When I swung by Washburn Point around 1pm, the lot was busy but still had some turnover, since most people make quick stops there. Heading back down the road around 2pm, both Taft Point parking lots were completely packed.
Yosemite Falls seen from Glacier Point
Half Dome and the High Sierra seen from Glacier Point
Weather & Waterfalls
The weather could not have been more picture-perfect. Although the forecast called for sunny skies, Yosemite threw in a bit of classic magic...fluffy white clouds started to drift in by late morning, adding incredible texture to the sky for photos. Despite the elevation, it warmed up quickly, and by afternoon, it was nearly 80 degrees.
And the waterfalls? Absolutely roaring. This is peak flow season, and you could feel the power in the air. From Glacier Point, Yosemite Falls looked incredible...both the upper and lower sections were throwing off huge plumes of mist. I also had fantastic views of Nevada and Vernal Falls cascading down along the Mist Trail. From Washburn Point, I caught Illilouette Falls in full force as well, thundering along the Panorama Trail route.
Half Dome seen from Washburn Point in Yosemite National Park
Illilouette Falls along Panorama Trail seen from Washburn Point
Other Notable Stops
On the way back down the hill, I made a quick detour to Summit Meadow, which still had visible snow and plenty of standing water. It’s a short stop, but one that left an impression thanks to a chorus of frogs that filled the air—hundreds of them in the distance...out of sight, but surely making themselves heard.
As for McGurk Meadow, the parking lot was wide open, which makes sense this early in the season. The trail and surrounding meadows are likely still very wet, muddy, and difficult to access at this time.
Half Dome seen from Glacier Point area in Yosemite National Park
Geology Hut at Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
Know Before You Go
• Peak-hour reservations will be required for the 2025 Summer season. For all the key dates and details, check out my full Yosemite 2025 Summer Reservation System blog post.
• Please remember to take only pictures and leave only footprints. Pack out everything you pack in and stay on the designated paths. If you’re not familiar with the Leave No Trace Principles, consider familiarizing yourself with them before your trip. Please help leave this special place better than you found it so its natural beauty can be enjoyed for years to come.
• As tempting as it might be, please refrain from stepping out onto the actual Glacier Point ledge. The NPS has put up railing with signage to stay off in an effort to keep park guests safe and to preserve this unique rock formation that is now potentially unstable.
• Spring in Yosemite is beautiful, but the rivers and creeks inside the park can run very high this time of year. Please do not enter or approach the water’s edge, as the current is incredibly dangerous. Recreate responsibly by staying on the designated trails and keep a safe distance from the water’s edge as you enjoy the park.
• Wildlife is abundant in Yosemite. Never leave food unattended, especially in your vehicle, as this is black bear territory.
• I had full bars out at the official Glacier Point viewing area, but cell service is unreliable in most parts of Yosemite and the surrounding regions, so bring a reliable GPS device with pre-downloaded maps. I love using Gaia GPS for iPhone and Android devices.
• Be prepared for sudden and sometimes hazardous changes in weather and trail conditions, especially during the Spring season...rock falls are common around waterfalls and the granite can become very slippery.
• If you’re planning an upcoming trip to Yosemite, it’s incredibly important to visit the official Yosemite NPS website prior to your trip for the most up-to-date park information, as conditions and closures may be changing daily due to rock falls and/or flooding.
• The Glacier Point Gift Shop & Snack Stand was still closed during my visit. For the most up-to-date hours of operation of this shop and other stores around the park, check out TravelYosemite.com.
• Often during the Summer season, bus tickets can be purchased in advance that take visitors from the Yosemite Valley to Glacier Point. There is an option for 1-way tickets for hikers interested in heading down one of the many strenuous trails to the valley floor. For availability and hours of operation for these bus tours, visit TravelYosemite.com.
Top 10 Yosemite Viewpoints
Glacier Point
Panorama Point
Downloadable Itineraries & Travel Guides
Half Dome views from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
In Summary
Thanks so much for joining me this week inside Yosemite National Park. For a virtual visit of Glacier Point’s 2025 opening day, make sure to watch my Behind the Blog video located at the top of this post, or watch it on YouTube here. Until next week, I hope you find adventure and encouragement wherever you go.
Half Dome from Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
If you enjoyed this post, you might also like…
About Me
I’m Dawn Marie, a travel and lifestyle blogger based out of Southern California. With in-depth articles, travel guides, and reviews on hotels & products, I seek to share my journeys to help you plan for your own. My adventures take me all over California, the western United States, and around the globe...and every Monday I post new content here, including a comprehensive blog post and YouTube video.
Search the Blog
Featured Posts
Etsy Shop
