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Full North Rim

Mariposa · Managed by Yosemite National Park (NPS) · Region: Yosemite National Park
Difficulty 48/100 · Strenuouspoint to point#north-rim#el-capitan#waterfalls#thru-hike
Distance
29.1 mi
Total gain
6,200 ft
Net gain
6,200 ft
Net loss
6,200 ft
Days
4–5
Permit
Required
Campfires
Campfires allowed seasonally

Overview

The Full North Rim is Yosemite Valley's skyline walked end to end: 29 miles from Old Big Oak Flat Road over the tops of El Capitan, Yosemite Falls, and North Dome, finishing down Snow Creek into the Valley. Four days of rim camps and 6,200 feet of climbing.

Highlights

  • Standing on El Capitan's summit — the view the climbers earn
  • Yosemite Falls and Yosemite Point from above
  • North Dome's face-on view of Half Dome
  • Sunset along the entire Valley rim

Logistics

  • Trailhead: Old Big Oak Flat Road Trailhead (4,869 ft) · parking: Old Big Oak Flat Road pullout on Big Oak Flat Road (Hwy 120); exit via Snow Creek to the Valley
  • Water: Seasonal creeks and Yosemite Creek; carry water for dry rim stretches.
  • Resupply: None; the Valley provides services at the finish.
  • Shuttle: Point-to-point — finish via Snow Creek into the Valley and use the shuttle network.
  • Bear canister required.

Permits

  • Agency: Yosemite National Park (NPS)
  • Reserve or apply on nps.gov
  • Quota: Trailhead quota for the Old Big Oak Flat or Snow Creek entries applies; 60% reservable 24 weeks out, 40% seven days out.
  • Reservation window: Lottery-based advance reservations; remaining quota releases weekly.

Campfires & stove regulations

Campfires allowed seasonally. Campfires are allowed only in existing rings below 9,600 ft and can be banned during fire season; most rim camps sit near the fire line. Current fire restrictions. Rules change with conditions — always confirm with the managing agency before your trip.

Best time to go

Best months: May, June, September, October.

Snow: Usually snow-free May through October.

Heat: The rim is exposed; the Snow Creek descent is hot.

Bugs: Moderate in the forest.

Weather forecast

Know before you go

  • A long point-to-point with real navigation on the rim
  • Water is scarce in late season — cache or carry
  • Serious lightning exposure on the open rims
  • Bear canisters are required

Sources & citations

Data compiled 2026 from public agency and reference sources. All descriptive text on this page is original; verify current conditions with the managing agency before your trip.

  1. SRTM90 elevation data (sampled). OpenTopoData (SRTM, NASA/USGS-derived open data) via Photon geocoding (OpenStreetMap). https://www.opentopodata.org/. Accessed 2026-09-10. Elevation sampled at geocoded coordinates; location from OpenStreetMap data (ODbL).
  2. Yosemite Valley Trails — Full North Rim. Yosemite National Park (National Park Service). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/yosemite-valley-trails.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). 29.1-mile one-way route with 6,200 ft gain along the entire north rim, finishing via Snow Creek.
  3. Wilderness Permits. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildpermits.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Permit requirement, quotas, and reservation windows.
  4. Wilderness Regulations. Yosemite National Park (NPS). https://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/wildregs.htm. Accessed 2026-09-07. License: Public domain (US government work). Campfire rules and bear canister requirement.