Yosemite Tunnel View: An Iconic View You Must See!

Yosemite National Park is one of the most beautiful national parks in the entire United States.  And arguably one of the most beautiful and iconic locations is Yosemite Tunnel View!  

This beautiful view takes you above and just out of the valley.  You can see El Capitan, Bridalveil Falls, the Cathedrals, Sentinel Dome, and part of Half Dome.  These iconic mountains provide you with the best sunset view in the park!

The worst part about Yosemite’s Tunnel View are the crowds.  People show up over an hour before sunrise or sunset to claim a spot at this iconic location.  Sunset is the best time to see the valley glow, but sunrise has less crowds.

Well, let’s dive into everything you need to know about Yosemite Tunnel View!

Important Links

• Yosemite National Park website
• Road Conditions/Closures
• America the Beautiful Pass
• Yosemite National Park Map (JPEG)
• Glacier Point – Another Iconic View!

Reservations

For all of 2026, reservations are no longer required for visitors to enter Yosemite Valley.  In previous years, reservations were required, but this year you don’t need them.

This will certainly create more crowds and even more challenging parking situations.  Make sure you are arriving early and have the mentality that if you grab a parking spot, stay there and make the best of the area you are in.

Fees

Just like all the national parks, Yosemite National Park has an entrance fee.   The average visitor will pay the Standard Fee ($35) which covers everyone in a non-commercial vehicle for 7 days. Motorcycles are $30 per entry, which is also good for 7 days.

However, if you plan on visiting the park more than 2 times in a 12 month period, there is a great annual option for you!  Or if you plan on visiting several different national parks in a 12 month period, there is a great pass option for you too.

Annual Pass Options

If you are planning on visiting JUST Yosemite National Park 2 or more times in a year, you will want to purchase their Annual Pass.  This pass is good for 12 months, costs $70, and gets you and a car-full of guests into the park with no additional fees.

On the other hand, if you are planning on visiting 3 or more federal recreation areas in a 12 month period, you will want to purchase the America the Beautiful Pass.  This pass is $80 and allows you and a car-full of guests to enter any national park without any additional fees. 

My husband and I have purchased a US Resident America the Beautiful Pass for the last 5 years and it has saved us a fortune! 

Location

Tunnel View is a must-see location in Yosemite National Park, but how do you get there?  The overlook is on the valley side of the Wawona Tunnel.  Hence the name.

More specifically, Yosemite Tunnel View overlook is about 2.25 hours from Fresno, CA, 4 hours from San Francisco, CA and nearly 6 hours from Los Angeles, CA.  So if you fly into one of these airports, you’ll be looking at a decent drive.  

Parking

Now, as with just about anywhere in Yosemite Valley, parking is a bit of an issue here.  In short, you’ll be looking to park here. There is only room for maybe 20 cars in that lot, and then there are approximately 25 spots across the street.   

Another option is to park on the side of the road when heading up toward the tunnel.  If you are heading toward Yosemite’s Tunnel View from the valley, there is a decent amount of roadside parking on the right hand side.  

My husband and I ended up parking in this roadside parking area when we went to see a sunset.  Both lots were just about full and we decided we didn’t want to get trapped in a parking mess.  It was easy in and out, it just required us to walk up the hill to the overlook.  

The Elements

There are several elemental things to be aware of at Yosemite National Park.  Due to the lack of humidity and the semi-high elevation in the park, there are wild temperature swings here.  

The mornings are often chilly or down right cold, but then the afternoon sun can turn the temperature to hot in the valley.  This makes getting dressed a bit tricky, so make sure you stay weather aware and dress in layers.

Another thing to be aware of is the altitude.  The valley sits at about 4,000 feet of elevation, and most of the mountain peaks in that area get up to 7,000 feet and above.  This range in altitude can, again, impact the temperatures, but it also puts you closer to the sun than most Americans are used to.  Make sure you pack sunscreen and all the sun protection things you need.

And finally the altitude can lead to shortness of breath.  This probably won’t be a problem specifically in the Valley, but it can impact you as you’re hiking out of the valley.  Make sure you’re drinking plenty of water to combat the dry and thinner air.  

Why Tunnel View is Famous

Now that you know the fee, the location, a little bit about the elements, and where to park, let’s discuss Yosemite’s Tunnel View and why you must see this iconic location!

The legendary photographer Ansel Adams made this view famous in the 1940’s when he photographed a storm over the valley.  The tunnel itself was completed in 1933, so he was certainly not the first to see and enjoy this spot, but his photos were so famous that it’s now become an absolutely iconic view!

Yosemite Tunnel View: A No-Hike Location

Yosemite’s Tunnel View is a no-hike location that anyone can drive to and enjoy.  This of course makes it very crowded, and we’ll get to how to avoid the crowds in a minute. 

This spot is a 500-foot paved perch that overlooks all of the Yosemite Valley.  You can see the classic view at any time of day and it’s beautiful, but sunset is when the valley will glow in the fading light.

The sweeping views of the mountains and Bridalveil Falls are unlike any other place and it will take your breath away.  

How to Get Away From the Crowds

On the other hand, if you’re able to hike and want to get away from the crowds, there is a short hiking option for you! 

From the Tunnel View Parking Lot, you can see the start of a trail across the street.  This trail leads deep into the park, but one of the first stops is Artist’s Point. If the small area that is Tunnel View is packed, you can hike the 1.2 miles/750 feet of elevation gain up to Artists Point.  

This trail is short, but steep.  Again, it’s a great way to get away from the crowds!  Plus, the view is very similar, which makes the hike totally worth it! 

Our Experience

My husband and I visited Yosemite National Park in April of 2026.  The views in this park are insane and we loved all the hikes we were able to do!

Yosemite’s Tunnel View was the first place we visited when we entered the park.  We went right to the overlook in the dark and watched the sun (not) rise here.  It ended up being a very cloudy and rainy day, but the moody clouds were beautiful!

We tried here another day for sunrise and it was the same cloudy weather.  But regardless of the weather, Yosemite’s Tunnel View is a MUST SEE!  It’s stunning, easy to access, and iconic for a reason.  

Conclusion

Whether you’ve been to Yosemite National Park 1 time or 100 times, Yosemite’s Tunnel View is a must-see location.  Regardless of weather or time of year, it’s just so beautiful, you can’t miss it!

As always, feel free to email me any questions at averagewildexperience@gmail.com and I’ll do my best to answer them.

-Happy Adventuring!