Valley View
Valley View
5
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5.0
169 reviews
Excellent
130
Very good
36
Average
3
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Joseph Robba
Charlotte, NC2,274 contributions
Sept 2020
I'm sure it's beautiful when you're not having to deal with the endless smoke from the Creek Fire. Disappointed that the park did not close due to poor air quality conditions. Ultimately it was a wasted trip.
Written 20 September 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
drmikenyc
New York1,236 contributions
Aug 2018 • Solo
Well, it's actually a big "spot" with oversized views like most of Yosemite. Skimming recent reviews I've not much to add, except some tiny points. First, this is a stop for the Yosemite Valley tram tour, as well as convenient for the shuttle bus stop, and hiking - it's near the Mist Trail trailhead near a connection to John Muir Trail. Look through the photos and you'll get the gist. This is a carved out mini-valley, serene and quiet, the size of several fields, so you can walk around and see many different perspectives, with beautiful scenic views of the river, tall trees, and famous rock formations (e.g., Cathedral) and Bridalveil Fall.
So that's the story with location and relative size. A small but incredibly beautiful spot, serene, ideal for contemplation of beauty, nature, life.... people enjoy the cool, clear river too. Contrary to one recent review I read, I had no problem at all getting views past trees - just walk to the Merced River's edge!
Of course it's an ideal spot for more active plans, too, such as a stop before or after a serous hike along Muir or Mist trails.
I agree BTW, with a recent reviewer who recommended "Tunnel View and Valley View". They're among the very best in my book too (from a photography and appreciating-the-view perspective). I'd add a third, a bit of a drive along Tioga Road from the Valley, but Olmsted Point is awesome too, especially at dawn or dusk as it catches the light dramatically. At Olmsted Point there is plenty of parking, both sides of the road, and there is smooth glacial rock which you can climb, take selfies on, whatever. There are trails too, including a short/easy one just beyond the parking area which allows for a more unobstructed view of major formations, including one you may not recognize from this perspective - it's Half Dome. And at your feet are cool "jointed granite" rocks. Fun.
So that's the story with location and relative size. A small but incredibly beautiful spot, serene, ideal for contemplation of beauty, nature, life.... people enjoy the cool, clear river too. Contrary to one recent review I read, I had no problem at all getting views past trees - just walk to the Merced River's edge!
Of course it's an ideal spot for more active plans, too, such as a stop before or after a serous hike along Muir or Mist trails.
I agree BTW, with a recent reviewer who recommended "Tunnel View and Valley View". They're among the very best in my book too (from a photography and appreciating-the-view perspective). I'd add a third, a bit of a drive along Tioga Road from the Valley, but Olmsted Point is awesome too, especially at dawn or dusk as it catches the light dramatically. At Olmsted Point there is plenty of parking, both sides of the road, and there is smooth glacial rock which you can climb, take selfies on, whatever. There are trails too, including a short/easy one just beyond the parking area which allows for a more unobstructed view of major formations, including one you may not recognize from this perspective - it's Half Dome. And at your feet are cool "jointed granite" rocks. Fun.
Written 10 October 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
irish_captain
Strandhill, Ireland1,314 contributions
Feb 2014 • Couples
If there's an easier viewpoint to get to that's just as iconic as Tunnel View, this is it! Also known as Gates of the Valley, it's a ground level take on Yosemite Valley with the imposing El Capitan to the left & Bridalveil Fall to the right with the Merced river right in front of you!
The car park pull out is to the left hand side, just before you approach the valley exit...there's room for a dozen or so cars.
The car park pull out is to the left hand side, just before you approach the valley exit...there's room for a dozen or so cars.
Written 7 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
U7209LQthomass
Arlington Heights, IL115 contributions
Mar 2017 • Friends
Valley View is one of the top iconic views at Yosemite.
The best time to photograph there is late afternoon starting about one hour before sunset. The light is hitting Elcap and the Three Brothers at a low angle with flattering light.
If the water level is fairly low and there’s little wind…you’ll have a great op to photograph a mirrored reflection. Advanced photo tip. Great op to use a hard edged 2 or 3 stop grad ND filter (to lighten up the reflected image).
If the water is moving quickly, shoot with a tripod using a slow shutter speed to blur the water. Try various shutters speeds between 1 and 7 seconds to get the “just right” effect.
The best time to photograph there is late afternoon starting about one hour before sunset. The light is hitting Elcap and the Three Brothers at a low angle with flattering light.
If the water level is fairly low and there’s little wind…you’ll have a great op to photograph a mirrored reflection. Advanced photo tip. Great op to use a hard edged 2 or 3 stop grad ND filter (to lighten up the reflected image).
If the water is moving quickly, shoot with a tripod using a slow shutter speed to blur the water. Try various shutters speeds between 1 and 7 seconds to get the “just right” effect.
Written 14 March 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark W
Hilo, HI87 contributions
May 2015 • Couples
This vista location is along Northside Drive join your way out of the Valley. A small parking area belies the popularity of this locale. A favorite place to get iconic images of Yosemite Valley as you look east. Check your sunset calendar to time your visit. The late afternoon light offers an awesome photo op for photographers.
Written 5 April 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ALTippet
San Francisco, CA6,107 contributions
July 2014 • Family
Tunnel view is where the masses stop to snap photos and Valley View is often missed -- first because it's on the one-way street out of Yosemite Valley right before the 41/120 split. So people either are paying attention to signs, or they zoom past by people hurrying out of Yosemite at the end of the day. I've done it so many times.
But this is well worth a 5 minute stop, or even an hour playing by the river in late summer if the water is safe.
The view here is more compact and somewhat symmetrical. You start with the granite river rocks on the bottom. Topped by the Merced (glassy in the summer but not still). Then the green meadow. The darker trees. All bookended on both sides by the granite walls of Yosemite. And topped perhaps by white clouds in the sky.
But this is well worth a 5 minute stop, or even an hour playing by the river in late summer if the water is safe.
The view here is more compact and somewhat symmetrical. You start with the granite river rocks on the bottom. Topped by the Merced (glassy in the summer but not still). Then the green meadow. The darker trees. All bookended on both sides by the granite walls of Yosemite. And topped perhaps by white clouds in the sky.
Written 12 July 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
IN_Travelers47906
West Lafayette, IN4,717 contributions
Dec 2019
Despite it being right on the loop drive, we didn’t discover Valley View until our 4th trip to Yosemite, when we saw lots of people there with cameras. It was early morning on a sunny day and we were heading along the north side to return to Tunnel View. We pulled over and were amazed by the reflections we saw of the entire west valley from El Capitan to Bridalveil Fall.
Location: On the extreme west end of the loop road, just before the exit to 140 and the turn around to the south road toward Bridalveil Falls. I don’t believe it is marked and it is a small area, so it is easy to miss.
Location: On the extreme west end of the loop road, just before the exit to 140 and the turn around to the south road toward Bridalveil Falls. I don’t believe it is marked and it is a small area, so it is easy to miss.
Written 30 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anusuya N
15 contributions
June 2017
Relax,let loose and enjoy the valley this summer.Because of the rains last year,the valley is lushgreen with beautiful waterfalls all around.
Written 26 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Lindsay P
8 contributions
Dec 2014 • Solo
I walked the entire valley floor and meadow loop over the course of 2 days... and I'd have to say I was more impressed that I'd thought I'd be! You really do get different views then when driving and it doesn't feel like you are so close to the road.
Written 5 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Edward
Santa Rosa, CA3,168 contributions
Nov 2022
Valley View is an outstanding spot with magnificent and expansive views of Yosemite Valley and which is easily accessed from the road. It is right in the valley floor at the western end of the valley, and at the western end of the one-way loop of the road which goes through the valley. This means that when driving you must approach from the east, the valley itself. If you miss it, there is a turn off back to the valley to the left.
There is a small parking area with toilets.
It is on the bank of the Merced River, which flows through the valley. When we were there, in late morning, it was not crowded and there was plenty of parking.
There is a small parking area with toilets.
It is on the bank of the Merced River, which flows through the valley. When we were there, in late morning, it was not crowded and there was plenty of parking.
Written 20 May 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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