Yosemite Weeklong Trips: A 7-Day Itinerary & Planning Guide
If you’re lucky enough to spend a week in Yosemite, Rush Creek Lodge & Spa is the perfect place to call home for seven days. In addition to the one-of-a-kind amenities on the property, the lodge is located next to Yosemite National Park’s main entrance on Highway 120, near the area’s most popular attractions and things to do.
Visiting all parts of Yosemite in a week would be a tall order due to the park’s massive size — nearly 1,200 square miles. But with good planning, you can pack many unforgettable experiences into your trip. The best things to do during a seven-day Yosemite vacation include exploring the Valley, especially the park’s high country and its sequoia grove, and venturing to Hetch Hetchy Valley.
Plan the best Yosemite weeklong trip using our itinerary for daily tours, hikes, and resort activities, and find tips to enjoy the park from sunrise to sunset.
Day 1 of Your Yosemite 1-Week Itinerary: Get To Know Rush Creek Lodge
Your adventure begins the moment you arrive at Rush Creek Lodge. Take some time to unwind, explore the property, and ease into your California vacation.
- Arrive at Rush Creek Lodge and settle into your room or villa.
- Depending on the time, grab breakfast, lunch, or dinner. Whether you’d prefer a light bite from the General Store or a sit-down meal in the Rush Creek Tavern, there’s always something nearby.
- Pick up any trail supplies you may need at the General Store.
- Check out the lodge’s recreation calendar to see what’s going on while you’re here.
- Head to the firepit for s’mores after sundown!
Backup option: If you’re arriving later in the day or just want to take it easy, jump straight into a relaxed evening. Unpack, unwind with a dip in the heated pool or hot tub, and enjoy a drink on your balcony or by the outdoor firepit.
Day 2 of Your 7-Day Getaway: Tour Yosemite Valley
On Day 2 of your week in Yosemite, get an introduction to the area’s most recognized sights.
- Start your day with a hearty breakfast at The Restaurant at Rush Creek Lodge.
- Head to Yosemite Valley for a guided tour and spend the day exploring iconic landmarks, including Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and Half Dome.
- Hike one of the valley’s trails. Since it’s your first day out, consider an easy hike — we recommend the Mirror Lake Loop or the Lower Yosemite Falls Trail.
- In the evening, stargaze back at the lodge.
Backup option: Keep things closer to the resort with a short drive to Rainbow Pool, a local swimming hole and picnic spot near Groveland. Relax by the water, enjoy the forest views, and make it back to Rush Creek in time for dinner.
Day 3 of Your Week in Yosemite: See Hetch Hetchy Valley
Day 3 of your weeklong Yosemite trip is all about discovering the park’s quieter side, found a short drive from the lodge.
- Visit one of Yosemite’s hidden gems: Hetch Hetchy Valley.
- See some of the park’s most stunning permanent and seasonal waterfalls, including Wapama Falls and Tueeulala Falls.
- Walk across the 400-foot-tall O’Shaughnessy Dam. Built in the early 20th century, it’s one of the most impressive engineering feats of its era.
- Head back to Rush Creek Lodge and join a fun activity like Trivia, BINGO!, a Nature Talk, or a California Craft Beer Tasting.
Backup option: Looking for a lighter adventure? Enjoy a shorter hike in Hetch Hetchy, such as the scenic trail to the bridge overlooking Tueeulala Falls. Take in valley views before heading back to the lodge for dinner and evening activities.
Day 4 of Your Yosemite Weeklong Trip: Explore the High Country
Yosemite’s breathtaking high country is the Day 4 destination on your one-week Yosemite itinerary. Here, you’ll soak in scenery including alpine lakes, sweeping meadows, and granite domes.
- Visit the General Store for provisions to pack a picnic lunch.
- Take a scenic drive along Tioga Road for beautiful views of the park’s upper elevations.
- Stop at Olmstead Point, Tenaya Lake, and Tuolumne Meadows for photos and to stretch your legs.
- If you’re up for a challenge, devote the rest of the day to a hike on one of the high country trails, like Clouds Rest or Cathedral Lakes.
- Enjoy your picnic lunch at any of the stops above — there’s nothing like a meal with a view.
Backup option: For a change of pace, make the short drive to the Gold Rush town of Groveland. Stroll its historic Main Street, browse local shops, and stop by the Iron Door Saloon — California’s oldest continuously operating bar.
Day 5 of Your Week in Yosemite: Take a Flight Tour
For Day 5 of your seven days in Yosemite, you’ll soar to new heights for unforgettable views of the area’s most awe-inspiring landscapes.
- See the park from high above during a Yosemite Flight Tour, the only aerial tours allowed to fly over the area’s iconic landmarks.
- Soar above volcanic ridges and peaks, stunning canyons, and untouched wilderness on the flight over the Sierra Nevada mountains.
- Enjoy aerial views of Yosemite Valley, Hetch Hetchy, and the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne.
- Head back to Rush Creek to soak up sun and fun at one of the lodge’s many outdoor recreation areas.
Backup option: Prefer to stay grounded? Take a drive along Evergreen Road or Highway 120 to enjoy the mountain scenery at your own pace.
Day 6 of Your Yosemite 1-Week Itinerary: Visit the Big Trees and the Spa
The park’s natural wonders and an afternoon of rejuvenation are on the agenda for Day 6 of your week in Yosemite.
- Start the day with breakfast and lattes from the General Store.
- Meet your group to head out on the Big Trees Hike & Swim. You’ll trek through the forest to reach a majestic grove of sequoias, then dive into one of our favorite area swimming holes to cool off.
- Relax at Rush Creek for the afternoon. Visit the Aromatherapy Steam Room at Rush Creek Spa for a lemongrass-infused soothing session or head to the Warm Waterfall Coves to wash your cares away.
Backup option: Skip the morning tour and join a Horseback Riding Adventure through the nearby wilderness. Local outfitter Smith Station Stables offers 30-minute pony rides for guests ages 3–6 and 1-hour trail rides for visitors ages 7 and up.
Day 7 of Your Weeklong Trip: Prepare To Depart Yosemite
The last day of your weeklong Yosemite trip is all about slowing down and savoring your final vacation moments before heading home.
- Indulge in an easygoing day at Rush Creek Lodge. Wander the property’s nature trails, take in the scenery from your room or cabin, and start packing for your upcoming departure.
- Feast on your favorite menu items — the popular crispy fried cauliflower, BBQ chicken flatbread, roasted beet salad, king salmon, or Philly cheesesteak — one last time at the Restaurant or Tavern.
- Gather around the fire pit for a final round of s’mores after sunset.
Backup option: Make one last short excursion to Carlon Falls, just minutes from the lodge. An easy riverside trail leads to a beautiful waterfall, a great spot for quiet reflection and a few final photos.
FAQs About Spending 7 Days in Yosemite
Can you spend a week at Yosemite?
Absolutely — there’s so much to see and do in Yosemite that a week barely scratches the surface. You could easily fill seven days in the area and still have plenty left to explore on your next visit.
What is the best month to go to Yosemite?
The best month to visit Yosemite depends on the type of experience you’re seeking. The area is beautiful year-round, and each season offers its own appeal. Spring brings roaring waterfalls, while summer offers full access to the high country. Fall features colorful foliage and lighter crowds, and winter delivers snow-covered landscapes and the most peaceful park visits.
How many days are recommended in Yosemite?
Most visitors find that three to five days in Yosemite is plenty of time to see many of its highlights. However, a full week lets you explore more of the park’s trails, scenic drives, and quieter areas and experience Yosemite at a more relaxed pace.
As you plan your weeklong trip to Yosemite, check out our latest travel updates for information on road closures, wildfire status, and more.
This isn’t only one way to spend a week in Yosemite. With so much to see and do in the area, the possibilities are endless. No matter how you choose to fill your days, Rush Creek Lodge is the ideal place to call home. Book your Yosemite getaway with us today!
