El Capitan Bridge and Meadow

El Capitan Bridge and Meadow are at the west end of Yosemite Valley, at the junction of Northside Drive (the road leaving the valley), and the short road that connects Northside with Southside Drive (the road entering the valley). In other words, you can get here as you enter the park by making the first left off of Southside Drive after passing the Wawona/Fresno (Tunnel View) road, or by driving about two and a half miles beyond Yosemite Lodge on Northside Drive. There’s parking on both sides of the bridge, and even more along the meadow to the west.

This is the best place to haul out your binoculars and scan El Capitan for climbers, a very popular summer activity. Great reflections of El Capitan and Cathedral Rocks can be had from the bridge, and along either side of the river.

© Gary Hart