Sentinel Dome offers some of the most scenic views of the Yosemite Valley. It’s one of the overlooks that offers vantage points of both El Cap and Half Dome and is known to be one of the top places in the park to see the sunset. We were gifted the opportunity to do this without our kids by my wonderful parents and it was the perfect way to spend a date night in Yosemite.
Quick Info About Sentinel Dome Trail
TRAIL LENGTH: 2.2 miles total, out and back trail
TRAIL DIFFICULTY: I would rate this trail as easy. There’s a very short climb to the top of the dome, but it isn’t too difficult, just take your time on it. Be careful if it’s raining – I imagine the granite would be slick.
WATCH THE WEATHER: Be mindful if lightning is in the area, if there’s a high chance of ice on the granite dome or rain in the area. The weather up there can look vastly different than it does on the valley floor. This trail, hiked this route, is only available when Glacier Point Road is open.
ENTRY FEE TO YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK: To do the Sentinel Dome trail, you’ll have to pay the Yosemite entry fee which is $35 for a private vehicle, $30 for a motorcycle and $20 for pedestrians or bicyclists. Or, if you plan to visit multiple national Parks in a year, I highly recommend picking up an America the Beautiful National Park Pass, which is $80. You can also purchase a Yosemite-specific annual pass for only $70 if you live in or plan to frequent that area in a year.
PERMIT REQUIREMENT FOR YOSEMITE: Yosemite announced that for the 2024 season reservations will be required to enter the park mid-April through October. 4/13 to 6/30 and 8/18 to 10/27 reservations are needed for weekends and holidays. 7/1 to 8/17 requires daily reservations from 5 am to 4 pm.
TRAIL HIGHLIGHTS: The highlights of Sentinel Dome are the stellar views of both Half Dome and El Cap (especially at sunset) and the fun of getting to climb to the top of a Yosemite dome with ease.
IS IT KID FRIENDLY? I would say the majority of this trail is kid-friendly, you’d have to make a judgement for yourself how sure you are of your kid’s ability to be chill and listen at the top of the dome. We didn’t have our kids, my parents watched them, but we could’ve easily done it with our Deuter Kid Comforts.
Read why we love our Deuter Kid Comforts here.
IS IT DOG FRIENDLY? It’s not; dogs aren’t allowed on trails in Yosemite National Park.
Our Experience on Sentinel Dome
My parents graciously gifted us an opportunity to take a sunset hike without kiddos. So, Matt picked the perfect option for sunset: Sentinel Dome. It often tops traveler’s lists of where to see the sunset in Yosemite, and we can totally see why.
The trailhead for the Sentinel Dome Trail is off of Glacier Point Road. It essentially shares a trailhead with Taft Point – which is easy to loop in with this. The first carpark you get to is more obviously signed, but if it’s full, the next carpark is actually a little bit closer to Sentinel Dome. Either parking area is perfect for taking this hike on.
This trail is super straightforward. It goes through a small section of trees before it opens up and Sentinel Dome become very apparent, commanding the landscape. The trail is carved into the side of the mountain, but the view is mostly of various little groves of trees. The trail become less dirt and more granite, but it’s still easy to see where you’re going.
You actually wrap around Sentinel Dome to the “back side” from where you started, and along this walk you’ll be wedged between the dome and some trees on your left and trees to the right. Through the trees you can catch little glimpses of Half Dome. Then, it’s time to climb up the dome. There’s not as set of a path up, but it’s pretty clear how to get up there.
The view at the top was the definition of breathtaking. We were up there about an hour before sunset and we decided that was where we were going to watch the sun go down. Atop Sentinel Dome, we chatted with fellow hikers, including a dad and his 12-year-old daughter who had just done Half Dome the day before, and Matt and I had time to just sit, snuggle up and talk about our lives and the unbelievable trip we were on.
Sunset tip: Even if it’s warm enough that you don’t need a jacket to hike, bring one if you’re going to sit up there awhile or stay for sunset, I would bring your jacket. Matt didn’t bring his and missed it.
As the sun began to set, the sky got hazy and the rocks seemed to glow yellow. We sat in a spot that looked over the sun setting which had El Cap in the foreground. As the sun sank lower, the colors in the sky glowed from yellow to oranges and bright orchid-tones of pink. Then, I glanced behind us and Half Dome was starting to get that pink alpenglow over the top of it.
Once the sun was right at the edge of the horizon, Matt and I started making our way back down. Ever afraid of bears that I am, I knew it was more likely for them to be out and active, so I wanted a little jump start. Plus, we initially were going to spend sunset at Glacier Point, so we didn’t have a flashlight with us, just what was on our phones. We got back to our car just as we would’ve started to need one. This is one of my favorite hikes of our whole 18-day road trip out west, and it’s one that I will continue to do each time we go to Yosemite, and I can’t recommend it enough.
Gear We Took on Our Hike
These are products we genuinely love and use while hiking and exploring!
FOOTWEAR: Matt and I are both huge fans of Merrell hiking boots. (mens option, women’s option). I also am a huge fan of these hiking socks! In the summer, I’m also a major fan of Teva Hurricane sandals. These are especially great for transitioning from land to water or on hikes without a bunch of brush across the trails. They’re also great for slipping on to walk to restaurants or around camp.
WHAT’S IN MY DAYPACK: I have an Osprey Daylite Daypack, it’s the perfect size to throw all my necessities. I always have my Nalgene, a simple first aid kit, my sunglasses, snacks, headlamp and some sort of clothing layer (jacket, fleece or rain jacket). If we’re hiking with our kiddos, I throw these things in our Deuter Kid Comforts since we hike carrying them at this point.
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