Rock Climbing in Yosemite

You can find various rock climbing opportunities in Yosemite, ranging from very simple to particularly difficult. 

Beginners Route (5.4), the earliest known technical route, North Face (5.4), Daffy Duck (5.5), North and West Ridge (both 5.6), Errett Out (5.7) and Southeast Buttress have very good reviews by climbers.

Rock Climbing Destinations

Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows are the main Yosemite National Park rock climbing routes.

Both provide different climbing experiences. 

Yosemite Valley

With large granite mountains—El Capitan, Half Dome and Sentinel—rock climbing in Yosemite Valley is famous throughout America. 

Years of preparation are needed to climb El Capitan, a vertical rock formation about 3,000 feet (914 m) high. 

El Capitan offers a variety of huge wall routes, with The Nose being among the most well-known climbs in the world.

The lengthy route requires complete dedication; most climbers spend two to four days climbing.

Another popular Yosemite National Park rock climbing destination is the Half Dome, which rises more than 4,737 feet (1,444 m) from the eastern end of the valley floor.

Apart from these famous peaks, rock climbing in Yosemite Valley is also possible in other less extreme rock climbing locations. 

Cathedral Rocks and the Royal Arches, with several 500-foot (150 m) to 1,500-foot (450m) long routes of different grades, are excellent if you do not want to spend any nights out on the route.

Set off on an exciting 2-day Yosemite guided trip with a pickup that combines adventure and natural beauties, including the chance to go rock climbing in the middle of this well-known national park.

Tuolumne Meadows

This region is marked by numerous granite domes and non-dome formations, like Cathedral Peak domes, that provide the best knob and slab climbing.

Free from Yosemite Valley’s crowds, Tuolumne is a serene alpine rock-climbing region with massive golden domes, pine trees, and lakes.

In stark contrast to Yosemite Valley’s smooth, polished fractures and towering granite walls, this area boasts rough, angular cracks that offer ample opportunities for anchoring and secure holds for climbers of all skill levels.

Tuolumne Meadows Campground, run by Yosemite National Park, is the primary campground in the middle of the meadows. Usually, it is open from July until September.

Highway 120 is the main access point for Yosemite National Park rock climbing at Tuolumne Meadows.

Some popular climbs here include routes on the following:

• Pywiack Dome
• The Bunny Slopes
• Lembert Dome
• Dozier Dome 
• Mariuolumne Dome
• Puppy Dome
• Medlicott Dome
• Daff Dome 
• Fairview Dome

When to Climb at Yosemite? 

Spring and fall are often the optimum seasons for climbing in Yosemite Valley, with summer typically being very hot. 

However, because there is more daylight at this time of year, summer might be the best season to climb the higher and longer routes.

Regardless, top climbers continue to explore large walls far into the winter months.

On the other hand, Tuolumne Meadows is only accessible by road during the summer months at high altitudes of 8,000 feet, and snow-covered roads are closed to all vehicles. 

The best area for Yosemite National Park rock climbing is Tuolumne during the scorching summer when Yosemite Valley is uncomfortably hot.

Winter climbing conditions are ideal at lower elevations along Highway 140.

Rock Climbs for Beginners

Yosemite National Park also offers learning opportunities for people of all ages who want to try rock climbing. 

The Yosemite Mountaineering School (YMS), established in 1969 during the height of rock climbing in the park, is the only rock climbing guide service.

You can join a group rock climbing lesson or a private guided climb with your family or friends.

Book your YMS lesson, class or seminar a week in advance to get a spot during the peak season. 

Curry Village in Yosemite Valley serves as the headquarters of YMS in the spring and fall, while it relocates to Tuolumne Meadows in the high country during the summer.

Rock climbers in the park use Camp 4 as their unofficial operating base.

Swan Slabs, close to Camp 4, provides a decent selection of simple routes to get started.

Manure Pile, also known as Ranger Rock, is located just east of El Capitan and offers some of the best easy multi-pitch climbs.

Watching Rock Climbers in Yosemite

The Yosemite Conservancy runs a free “Ask a Climber” program throughout late spring, summer, and early autumn.

From telescopes near the bridge at El Capitan Meadow, you can watch Yosemite’s Big Wall rock climbers scale the renowned granite monolith known as El Capitan.

Yosemite National Park rock climbing guides also share their knowledge and ask questions about various climbing techniques, routes, and other subjects.

You can also encounter rock climbers on countless other cliffs in Yosemite Valley if you keep a lookout.

Featured Image: Tylerroemer.com