Yosemite Weekend Trip Map

Yosemite Valley Weekend

A practical one-night plan from Sunnyvale built around your Housekeeping Camp Standard Unit. It avoids private confirmation details and focuses on where to drive, park, walk, and sleep.

BaseHousekeeping Camp, Yosemite Valley

Guests2 adults

Check-inSaturday 4:00 PM

Check-outSunday 11:00 AM

5:00 AM

Leave Sunnyvale

Use live navigation. Prefer the CA-152 / CA-99 / CA-140 approach if Google Maps shows similar time because it enters directly through El Portal into Yosemite Valley.

8:00 AM

Fuel and food stop

Top off before Mariposa or El Portal. Buy ice and simple food before entering the Valley to avoid wasting peak park time.

10:00 AM

Arrive in Yosemite Valley

Go straight to Housekeeping Camp or nearby Valley parking. Once parked, avoid moving the car until checkout.

11:00 AM

Lower Yosemite Fall and Cook's Meadow

Easy first loop with the classic Valley views. Good before check-in because it is close to shuttle stops and food.

2:00 PM

Mirror Lake or Valley shuttle loop

Pick Mirror Lake if you want a longer walk. Pick the shuttle loop if traffic and parking made the morning tiring.

4:00 PM

Check in at Housekeeping Camp

Set up bedding, move all scented items into the bear locker, and keep the car food-free.

Sunset

Sentinel Bridge or Merced River

Stay close to camp. Cook at the unit if you brought food, or use Curry Village / Yosemite Village dining.

7:00 AM

Early Valley walk

Start before the day crowd. This is the best quiet window for meadows, river views, and photos.

8:00 AM

Mist Trail to Vernal Fall Footbridge

Best short hike if you want a real Yosemite feeling. Turn around at the footbridge unless you are comfortable with crowds, spray, and steeper trail.

10:30 AM

Pack and clean unit

Empty the food locker, remove trash, and leave time for camp traffic near checkout.

11:00 AM

Check out

After checkout, decide based on energy: quick Valley lunch, Tunnel View, or drive home.

12:30 PM

Tunnel View option

Worth it if you have not seen it. It adds driving, but it is the classic wide view of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall.

2:00 PM

Drive back to Sunnyvale

Expect a long return. Leaving earlier is better than getting trapped behind Sunday evening traffic.

Sleeping bags or bedding and pillows. Bed packs can usually be rented, but bringing your own is safer. Towels, shower shoes, toiletries, and a small overnight bag. Headlamp or flashlight for restrooms and camp after dark. Warm layer, rain shell, and comfortable walking shoes. Cooler, sealed food containers, and a padlock for the bear locker. Printed or downloaded booking confirmation, ID, and park pass/payment card. Phone battery pack and offline Google Maps for Yosemite Valley.

Bear rule: store all food, drinks, coolers, trash, toiletries, toothpaste, sunscreen, and scented items in the bear locker. Do not leave them in the car or visible in the unit.

Map Layers

Click markers for plan notes and Google Maps links. The green line is the Valley walking/shuttle cluster; the orange line is the approximate drive corridor from Sunnyvale.

Start Camp Valley Optional