In just one 3 mile hike, Lundy Canyon provides views of waterfalls, meadows, mountains, and if you're up for it, a trip to the Twenty Lakes Basin.

There is much to take in even after going just .5 miles. The trail first takes you through a grove of trees and past a beaver pond until you reach the lower Lundy Canyon Falls. These twin waterfalls stand at 70 feet high and are easily seen from the trail, although it is isn't an up close and personal look. Once you pass the waterfalls, you enter the Hoover Wilderness.

The trail gets a little less straightforward after this point. Head west for a 2,000 ft climb up to Burro Lake, which sits at an altitude of 10,551 feet, or head east for something slightly more tame. This trail will take you through some of Lundy Canyon's famous wildflower meadows and straight to the base of the second set of falls in the canyon. Mill Creek drops off in four separate cascades that total about 100 feet. Starting from the base of the falls and climbing upward, the trail begins to get more difficult. A series of switchbacks takes you past one more waterfall, out of the canyon and to the Twenty Lakes Basin.

Located in Yosemite National Park, Glacier Point gives a birds-eye-view of the park you can't find anywhere else. It can be accessed by both hiking and driving through the park, though the roads may be closed until early to late May due to snow. Glacier Point towers over Yosemite Valley, sitting at 7,214 ft compared to the 4,000 ft valley floor. 

From Glacier Point visitors are able to see the famous Half Dome, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, Yosemite Falls, El Capitan, and the Yosemite High Country. Each season offers a different view and feel for visitors. Come in the winter and you will see a snow covered Half Dome and High Country. Spring comes with the promise of new green leaves and roaring, snowmelt fed waterfalls. The summer still offers plenty of views, though a lot of tourists will be visiting. Fall brings a change of leaves throughout the park, and so it provides a beautiful contrast to the granite cliffs all around. 

The trails to get to Glacier Point are the Four Mile Trail and the Panoramic Trail. The Four Mile Trail starts at the valley floor and like the name says, it is about 4.7 miles one way. Hiking up to Glacier Point has a significant level of elevation gain (Valley Floor is 4,000 ft and Glacier Point is 7,214 ft). The trail offers views of the Yosemite Valley that belong in a postcard. Those who hike to the top can enjoy an ice cream at the general store, while taking in the views. On the way down, hikers will see Yosemite Falls constantly in front of them, while the other sights of the valley floor come into view as the trail descends. 

The Panoramic Trail is an alternative for going down from Glacier Point. Many hikers alternate between taking the Four Mile Trail up and the Panormaic Trail down (or vice versa). While the sights of the Four Mile Trail include many of the valley floor sights, the Panoramic Trail offers views of Illilouette, Nevada, and Vernal Falls. The trail ends at a different point than the Four Mile Trail, but hikers can take one of the free shuttles throughout the park. 

Known for being the focal point for one of Ansel Adams' most famous photographs, Bridalveil Falls is one of the first waterfalls you see as you enter Yosemite. The path to get there is a quick, easy half mile hike, making it a great introduction to the park. It gets its name from the mist that rises up from the falls and usually soaks onlookers -- it resembles a bride's veil. Although it's not as tall as Yosemite Falls (no North American waterfall is), it still towers over the valley at 620 feet tall.

The trail is pretty simple. You can park outside the trailhead to a paved path that will take you to the viewing point, but it goes straight through a range of trees. It's easy to navigate once you're there, but difficult to make out on a map.

Although it is one of the few that flows year round, the water from the falls is at its peak in the spring and summer, where it's likely you will get wet from the viewing point, and in the winter, the path can get pretty icy and slippery. The trail is completely paved, so it is wheelchair accessible and pets are permitted as long as they're on a leash.

Yosemite Falls is 3,967 feet high, making it twice as tall as the Empire State building, ten times as tall as Niagara Falls, and one of Yosemite Valley's biggest attractions.

Lower Yosemite Falls trail is short, easy hike that offers views of the entirety of North America's tallest waterfall from its base. The trail is so short and flat that it's essentially just a brisk walk. It will lead you to a footbridge where you will likely get sprayed with water if you are visiting during spring or early summer. By early fall and late summer, though, the waterfall will dry up, so make sure you plan accordingly. 

Although the hike doesn't offer much until you reach the falls, there are several places to stop, rest, and read about the history and significance of the iconic waterfall.

Once you've admired the waterfall, taken tons of photos and gotten completely soaked, you can cross a bridge over Yosemite Creek to loop back to the shuttle stop or make your way east, past Yosemite Village toward Mirror Lake, a popular pool a couple miles away. 

Rainbows can sometimes form at the base of the lower falls when the moon is full, a phenomenon called "moonbows."

Cook's Meadow Loop is a shorter, smaller hike inside Sentinel Meadow. Cook's Meadow Loop is just under a mile and takes about 45 minutes to complete, depending on how long you stop at each viewpoint. 

Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Glacier Point and Sentinel Rock are just a quick walk along Cook's Meadow Loop. There is almost no elevation gain, making it one of the easiest trails in the park with multiple views of some of Yosemite's most well-known attractions. It's a great place for first-time visitors to start their Yosemite exploration.

The trail takes you directly past Sentinel Bridge, which is one of the most popular viewpoints to see Half Dome and is often crowded with photographers once sunset hits.

Cook's Meadow is right around the corner from the Lower Yosemite Falls trailhead, which is just an extra .5 mile and offers an even closer look at Lower Yosemite Fall.

Bathrooms and a variety of food options are available at Yosemite Lodge, just past the trailhead. Once you've finished the hike, you can grab a bite to eat at its food court, Coffee Corner or The Mountain Room, their full-service restaurant.

Cook's Meadow offers some of the greatest views in the park without having to take a very strenuous hike, making it enjoyable for everyone who visits.