Sentinel Meadow and Cook's Meadow Loop

This is the 2.25-mile loop linking Sentinel Meadow and Cook’s Meadow, with crossings of Swinging Bridge and Sentinel Bridge. Allow 1–2 hours for an easy, nearly level valley walk with river, Half Dome and waterfall views. It is the longer circuit; the separate one-mile Cook’s Meadow loop from Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is an overlapping, shorter option.

Start at Swinging Bridge Picnic Area and join the path by the bridge’s west approach. The route passes Yosemite Lodge and the Lower Yosemite Fall area, follows Cook’s Meadow and its boardwalk, crosses Sentinel Bridge, then returns through Sentinel Meadow and over Swinging Bridge. Most walking is on pavement or boardwalk, but a brief dirt link and road crossings break up the smooth valley paths; some stretches share space with bicycles.

Swinging Bridge Picnic Area is the recommended starting parking, but spaces can be hard to find, especially on weekends. Yosemite Village or Yosemite Falls parking adds a walk. Pit toilets are at Swinging Bridge; Yosemite Lodge and Lower Yosemite Fall have restrooms, and the lodge has food options. The boardwalk can be slippery when wet, snowy or frosty. Leashed pets are allowed on specified paved paths and the Cook’s Meadow boardwalk, but the short dirt connector means pets cannot complete this full loop.