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Happy Isles Nature Center Yosemite National Park

Happy Isles Nature Center Yosemite National Park

Highlight • Rest Area

Happy Isles Nature Center Yosemite National Park

Recommended by 69 hikers out of 78

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Yosemite National Park

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Location: Yosemite Valley, Mariposa County, California, United States

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Best Hikes to Happy Isles Nature Center Yosemite National Park

4.9

(589)

4,593

hikers

1. Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls loop from Curry Village — Yosemite National Park

13.4km

05:19

680m

Hard hike. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Hard

4.8

(332)

3,175

hikers

2. Clark Point and Vernal Falls loop from Curry Village — Yosemite National Park

10.3km

03:50

460m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

4.8

(117)

1,690

hikers

3. Vernal Falls from Curry Village — Yosemite National Park

7.54km

02:40

320m

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Moderate

Tips

🕊️ 𝑻𝒓𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒍𝒆𝒓

July 6, 2019

The Happy Isles Art and Nature Center is a family-oriented free museum that features natural history exhibits (with an emphasis on wildlife) and interactive displays. Nearby are short trails focusing on the area's four different environments: forest, river, talus, and fen. You can also see substantial evidence of the huge 1996 rockfall from the Glacier Point cliff far above the nature center. The nature center is a short walk from the Happy Isles shuttle bus stop, and is open April through October 9am-5pm. nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/historic.htm

Lisa

July 4, 2023

The cheerful little Happy Isles Nature Center also serves as a trailhead for several hikes, from the short, easy Happy Isles trek to the immensely popular Mist Trail and, beyond, treks to Little Yosemite Valley and Half Dome.

The shorter hikes do not require any sort of permits, but if you're hiking all the way to Little Yosemite Valley or Half Dome, you now need a wilderness permit — even if you're only going for a day hike. Advance reservations are recommended. Read more here: nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/lyv.htm

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Elevation 1,200 m

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Friday 5 December

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Max wind speed: 6.0 km/h

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See hikes here

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Location: Yosemite Valley, Mariposa County, California, United States

Other Popular Places to Check Out

Mist Trail: Vernal & Nevada Falls, Yosemite

Vernal Fall

Sentinel Dome

Emerald Pool, Yosemite National Park

Sierra Point Viewpoint

Lower Yosemite Fall Viewpoint

Half Dome

View of Half Dome from Union Point

View of Upper and Lower Yosemite Falls

View of Half Dome from Glacier Point

Happy Isles Nature Center Yosemite National Park

1. Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls loop from Curry Village — Yosemite National Park

2. Clark Point and Vernal Falls loop from Curry Village — Yosemite National Park

3. Vernal Falls from Curry Village — Yosemite National Park

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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