About
Sentinel Dome is a granite dome in Yosemite National Park, in California, United States. It is reached by a moderate hiking trail of about 2.2 miles round trip, and at the top the reward is a 360-degree view across Yosemite Valley, with El Capitan and Half Dome both in sight.
What the visit is like
The walk is short enough for many visitors to manage in a single outing, though it is not flat, so it suits people who are comfortable with some climbing. The summit is a bare expanse of rock, which means the views are open and unbroken from almost every side. It is a viewpoint first, and the visit centres on looking outward from the top.
Why go
- Panoramic views of Yosemite Valley from one high point
- Close sight of El Capitan and Half Dome, two of the park's best-known features
- A manageable round trip for a half-day walk
Because the hike is modest in length, it can be fitted around other plans in the park. Many visitors pair it with a stop at the valley floor or another viewpoint nearby, making a full day of looking at one of the most celebrated landscapes in the country.
