Roosevelt Point

Roosevelt Point is a rim viewpoint along the Pohono Trail south of Yosemite Valley, reached by a short spur just past Taft Point. It's named for Theodore Roosevelt's 1903 camping trip with John Muir, and it delivers a cliff-edge panorama of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and the valley floor without the foot traffic that its more famous neighbors draw.

Getting There

Park at the Sentinel Dome/Taft Point trailhead on Glacier Point Road. The road closes to cars for winter, so this is a warm-season hike. Follow the trail toward Taft Point, then continue on the Pohono Trail to the spur for Roosevelt Point — about half a mile one-way with roughly 175 feet of elevation gain, rated intermediate.

Why Go

Roosevelt Point sits right on the rim, with open views of El Capitan and, in spring, Yosemite Falls running full. It doesn't carry the name recognition of Sentinel Dome or Taft Point, so it stays noticeably quieter even on busy weekends — a solid pick if you've already hit the big overlooks and want the same view without sharing it with a crowd.

Safety Notes

This is unfenced cliff-edge terrain — keep well back from the rim, especially with kids, and watch your footing on granite that gets slick when wet. Dogs are not permitted on this trail.