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Olmstead Point
Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park is one of those "pull over right now" overlooks that delivers a completely different perspective on Yosemite's iconic granite wonders 🌄✨
Perched at about 8,400 feet along Tioga Road (Hwy 120), this high-country vista point offers sweeping panoramic views south into Tenaya Canyon. The star? The backside (northeast face) of Half Dome rising dramatically in the distance—less familiar than the classic Tunnel View angle but equally stunning, especially with its sheer scale against the surrounding domes. To the east, Tenaya Lake sparkles like a turquoise jewel amid the subalpine landscape, flanked by Clouds Rest, Cathedral Peak, and a sea of glaciated granite domes and peaks.
Named after landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (and his son), who helped shape Yosemite's early preservation, the spot features a large parking area with accessible viewing, interpretive signs, and a tactile bronze model of the valley for all visitors. For the best experience, take the short, hilly 0.25-mile (one-way) paved trail out onto the point itself—it's easy but rewarding, passing glacial erratics (huge boulders dropped by ancient ice sheets) and opening up even wider vistas.
Sunset here is legendary: the warm light bathes Half Dome in alpenglow while the high-elevation air adds crisp clarity. It's wheelchair-accessible from the main lot, making it one of Yosemite's most effortless epic views. Tioga Road is seasonal (typically late May to October), so plan accordingly—summer crowds peak midday, but early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and fewer people.
Pro tip: Bring binoculars to spot climbers on Half Dome's cables (when up), and pair it with a stop at nearby Tenaya Lake for a full high-country loop. This overlook captures Yosemite's raw, high Sierra beauty in one breathtaking sweep!
Olmstead Point
Olmsted Point in Yosemite National Park is one of those "pull over right now" overlooks that delivers a completely different perspective on Yosemite's iconic granite wonders 🌄✨
Perched at about 8,400 feet along Tioga Road (Hwy 120), this high-country vista point offers sweeping panoramic views south into Tenaya Canyon. The star? The backside (northeast face) of Half Dome rising dramatically in the distance—less familiar than the classic Tunnel View angle but equally stunning, especially with its sheer scale against the surrounding domes. To the east, Tenaya Lake sparkles like a turquoise jewel amid the subalpine landscape, flanked by Clouds Rest, Cathedral Peak, and a sea of glaciated granite domes and peaks.
Named after landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted (and his son), who helped shape Yosemite's early preservation, the spot features a large parking area with accessible viewing, interpretive signs, and a tactile bronze model of the valley for all visitors. For the best experience, take the short, hilly 0.25-mile (one-way) paved trail out onto the point itself—it's easy but rewarding, passing glacial erratics (huge boulders dropped by ancient ice sheets) and opening up even wider vistas.
Sunset here is legendary: the warm light bathes Half Dome in alpenglow while the high-elevation air adds crisp clarity. It's wheelchair-accessible from the main lot, making it one of Yosemite's most effortless epic views. Tioga Road is seasonal (typically late May to October), so plan accordingly—summer crowds peak midday, but early morning or late afternoon offers softer light and fewer people.
Pro tip: Bring binoculars to spot climbers on Half Dome's cables (when up), and pair it with a stop at nearby Tenaya Lake for a full high-country loop. This overlook captures Yosemite's raw, high Sierra beauty in one breathtaking sweep!