Cook's Meadow

Cook's Meadow is a broad grassland on the floor of Yosemite Valley, between Yosemite Village and Yosemite Valley Lodge. The flat, easy Cook's Meadow Loop is 1 mile (1.6 km) and takes about 30 minutes. It is a good pick for a short walk between bigger hikes or an easy way to take in the Valley floor.

Start at Yosemite Valley Visitor Center, shuttle stop 5, and follow the westbound bike path toward Lower Yosemite Fall. Cross near stop 6, continue over Sentinel Bridge, then return across the meadow boardwalk. You can walk the loop in reverse. If driving, use nearby Yosemite Village or Yosemite Falls parking; Sentinel Bridge has minimal parking.

There is no water or restroom along the loop. Both are available near the Visitor Center and Lower Yosemite Fall. The route is wheelchair accessible when it is not snow-covered, but the boardwalk can be slippery when wet, icy or snowy.

The open meadow frames Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Royal Arches and Glacier Point. For the classic Half Dome view, step onto Sentinel Bridge and keep some meadow in the foreground; from the boardwalk, the open grass gives the valley landmarks more room in the frame.

As glaciers melted, water carried rock, gravel, sand and silt into Yosemite Valley and gradually filled a shallow lake. Bogs and marshes followed before the meadow formed. Sedges, grasses and other small plants depend on the seasonally high water table and periodic flooding; oaks, pines and cedars grow along the drier edges.

The meadow's varied plants support gophers, ground squirrels, mice, birds, bats, deer, coyotes, bears, bobcats, gray foxes, reptiles, amphibians and insects. These are animals that use this habitat, not guaranteed sightings. Stay on boardwalks and trails to protect the meadow, and give wildlife space.