Tunnel View

Tunnel View is the shot everyone recognizes before they've ever set foot in Yosemite Valley — El Capitan rising on the left, Bridalveil Fall dropping on the right, and Half Dome framed dead center in the distance. It sits at the east end of the Wawona Tunnel on Wawona Road (Highway 41), and despite what the name suggests, no hiking is involved: you park in one of the roadside lots and walk a short distance to the railing. The overlook dates to 1933 and is the same vantage point Ansel Adams made famous, which is why it's still one of the most-photographed spots in the entire park.

What You'll See

From the railing you get a single wide sweep of the valley: El Capitan's sheer face on the left, Bridalveil Fall across from it, Sentinel Rock and Cathedral Rocks along the walls, and Half Dome anchoring the far end. It's the one spot in the park where all of these line up in a single frame.

When to Go

Tunnel View gets crowded from mid-morning through late afternoon, and the small parking lots fill fast. For photos, aim for sunset — the light on the granite often stays good for another 20–30 minutes after the sun drops, once the crowds have thinned out.

• Location: East portal of the Wawona Tunnel, on Wawona Road (Highway 41)
• Effort: No hiking — just a short walk from parking to the vista
• Parking: Limited; arrive early or aim for off-peak hours