Cook's Meadow Loop
This short, easy hike is a great introduction to some of the Park's most iconic landmarks.
Plan Around Cook's Meadow Loop
A good stop is not just something to read about. Once it belongs on the day, move into a saved trip and build the route around it.
Use this detail page to confirm that the stop is worth it, then carry that decision into a trip draft while the park context is still fresh.
Cook's Meadow Loop Details
Once used as a summer spot for a local hotel owner's grazing cattle, Cook's Meadow is reached via this trail. A wooden boardwalk winds through the open, marshy meadow, past banks of cow parsnips and masses of fragrant pastel western azaleas. From the path, which is one of the most popular with Park visitors and wheelchair accessible, there are excellent views of Half Dome, Glacier Point, the Royal Arches, and especially Yosemite Falls. Trailhead: Valley Visitor Center (shuttle stop #5 or #9)
Difficulty
Low
Distance
1.0 mile
Estimated time
30 minutes
Region
N/A
Nearby Parks Around Cook's Meadow Loop
Compare nearby parks around Cook's Meadow Loop when deciding whether to expand the route after this stop.
Nearby Points of Interest Around Cook's Meadow Loop
Use nearby POIs to quickly expand your options beyond Cook's Meadow Loop while the map context is still fresh.
0.0 mi away
Swinging Bridge Picnic Area
Stop here to swim in the cold waters of the Merced River.
0.1 mi away
Swinging Bridge
Stop here and take a swim in the Merced River while enjoying the excellent view of Yosemite Falls.
0.2 mi away
Four Mile Trail
Breathtaking sights of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks, and the Royal Arches await you on this trail.
0.2 mi away
Four Mile Trail
Breathtaking sights of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Cathedral Rocks, and the Royal Arches await you on this trail.
0.2 mi away
E5 Four Mile Trail
This trail offers magnificent views of Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Valley.