Dewey Point

Dewey Point sits on the south rim of Yosemite Valley, looking straight across at El Capitan and down the length of the valley toward Cathedral Rocks and Half Dome. It's one of the best views in the park for the effort involved, and because it's reached by trail rather than a parking lot, you'll share it with a fraction of the people at Glacier Point or Tunnel View.

The Hike

The route starts at the signed McGurk Meadow Trailhead on Glacier Point Road, about 8 miles past the turnoff from Wawona Road. From there it's roughly 8 miles round trip. The National Park Service lists elevation gain around 750 feet for this route, though AllTrails and other GPS-tracked sources put the cumulative gain closer to 1,300 feet — a better estimate of how much climbing you'll actually feel, since the trail rises and dips repeatedly along the rim rather than gaining height in one steady climb. Either way, it's a moderate half-day hike, not a technical one. The trail dips through McGurk Meadow, past the site of an old shepherd's cabin, then climbs gently to meet the Pohono Trail, which you follow west to the point itself. Give yourself 4 to 5 hours round trip.

Before You Go

• Dogs are not permitted on this trail.
• Overnight backpackers need a wilderness permit from the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center.
• The viewpoint sits at the edge of a sheer drop — stay well back from the rim, especially with kids.

Best Time to Visit

May through October is the reliable hiking window; snow can linger on the shaded sections into early summer. In winter, Dewey Point becomes a popular cross-country skiing and snowshoeing destination once Glacier Point Road closes to cars.