Half Dome in a Day

Half Dome Hike in a Day

Yosemite National Park

Trip Highlights:

Half Dome Summit

Mist Trail

Vernal & Nevada Falls

Yosemite Valley

Panoramic Views

Permits Included

The Half Dome day hike in Yosemite is one of America's top bucket list hikes! Hiking Half Dome in a day consists of a 16-mile round-trip trek that takes all day and ascends nearly 5,000 feet beside two majestic waterfalls and a steep cable route before arriving at the top of the famous 8,842′ granite dome. While this is one of the most strenuous day hikes in the park, our guides will take the necessary time to educate you on the natural history, geology, and prominent figures who helped shape Yosemite as we know it today.

Half Dome is the signature landmark of Yosemite National Park and the most photographed natural landmark in the world. Hiking to the top is a taxing ordeal, taking about 12-15 hours, yet it is one of the most popular hikes in the country and offers terrific scenery throughout. Day hikers will begin their journey in Happy Isles and ascend hundreds of granite steps via the steep Mist Trail next to Vernal and Nevada Falls. This hike culminates with a steep cable system where you climb the last 425 vertical feet using a 1/2-inch steel cable handrail. While it is a guaranteed adrenaline rush, our knowledgeable guides will provide guidance and techniques to keep you as comfortable as possible while ascending. Once atop this famous landmark (featured on the 2005 Quarter coin), you will have unparalleled views of Yosemite Valley, Glacier Point, El Capitan, Clouds Rest, Tenaya Canyon, and pretty much the entire Yosemite high country.

Hiking to Half Dome is a strenuous hike that can provide a new sense of confidence and accomplishment. For many people, this is their Mt. Everest and is one of the most ambitious hikes they will ever undertake. Lasting Adventures, Inc. has been guiding Half Dome for 30+ years, and we have guided thousands of clients to the summit of Half Dome on hundreds of occasions. However, please remember that while we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on Half Dome, and our experienced guides may have to call off a Half Dome summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. Also, your personal physical ability will be a factor. Ongoing physical training/conditioning is highly recommended before this hike to ensure a successful experience. This is a group hike, typically with five clients and one guide.

For more information, including the option of joining us on a highly rated backpack trip that also includes a magical Half Dome summit either for the final sunset or sunrise, see Half Dome Adventures.

Mileage & Difficulty

17 Miles

Strenuous

Length

Day Hike

Price

$495/ hiker

Per Person

Departure Info

Curry Village Parking Shuttle Stop #14

5:30 am

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Yosemite 2025 Update: The National Park Service was given the green light for Yosemite to hire all needed seasonal employees for the summer 2025 season. We do expect to be able to run all our programs as planned. Should reservations be required, participation in Lasting Adventures programs, trips, and/or tours includes entry when reservations are needed

2025 Departure Dates by Month

Please note that 2026 Dates will be made available only after permitting is complete, around April 11, 2026. To join our 2026 Half Dome Permit Wishlist, please contact us before March 23, 2026, with your name, requested date(s), group size, and phone number. Email us at Staff@LastingAdventures.org.

Half Dome Day Hike

The Half Dome hike is a long, challenging, and rewarding day. We will leave Curry Village at 5:30 am and can expect to return to the Valley around 6-8 pm, depending on the group. This is an “extremely strenuous” hike of over 16 miles, which takes all day and ascends (as well as descends) nearly 5,000 feet. Day hikers will begin their journey in Happy Isles and ascend hundreds of granite steps via the steep Mist Trail next to Vernal and Nevada Falls. This hike culminates with a steep cable system where you climb the last 425 vertical feet using a 1/2-inch steel cable handrail. On the return hike to the Valley floor, we will have the choice to descend on the John Muir Trail rather than returning on the same Mist Trail granite steps we climbed in the morning.

We strongly suggest you be physically prepared for this strenuous hike. Ongoing physical training/conditioning is highly recommended before this hike to ensure a successful experience. This is also a group hike; typically, there are five clients and one guide. Not being prepared or on time will affect you, the guide, and the rest of the group.

If you have/gain your own permits for Half Dome, our rates for a private guide is $950 for 1-2 people and $475/each for three or more people. For information on obtaining your own Half Dome permit(s), please look at: Half Dome Permits for Day Hikers. For more information, including the option of joining us on a highly rated backpack trip that also includes a magical Half Dome summit either for the final sunset or sunrise, see Half Dome Adventures.

For a detailed packing list, please see our Day Hike Equipment List. If you have other items you would like to bring, but feel unsure, contact us at staff@lastingadventures.com to help you decide. Your guide will bring a first aid kit, water treatment supplies, toilet paper/trowel, sunscreen, bug spray, and a passion for adventure.
See here for our Frequently Asked Questions, Yosemite Transportation Options, and/or Yosemite Lodging Options.
Should weather, fire, and/or delayed seasonal openings affect the chosen itinerary, a different itinerary will be offered. Lasting Adventures is recognized for its commitment to safety and risk management. In this regard, the summit of peaks will not be attempted when clouds are in close proximity.

All trips include the required Half Dome Cable permits.
Safety harnesses are not a requirement for the Half Dome cables and we neither recommend for or against them. It is a personal decision and ultimately does lower risk. We do not supply harnesses and/or via ferrata systems. You are, however, welcome to bring your own.
Your payment includes a Lasting Adventures Souvenir Half Dome T-Shirt.

Your participation helps sustain our non-profit mission of supporting youth, families, and disadvantaged communities with positive experiences in America’s National Parks and natural spaces.

REQUIRED FORMS

In addition to full payment, the final acceptance of any participant is subject to receipt and review of all the Required Forms. These forms will be signed via a link provided in your confirmation email from our booking agent, under the link for “Digital Waivers” and must be signed by each attending adult. Minors will be included on the same form as their parent/guardian.

We will require an additional medical release for any “Half Dome in a Day” hikers or any guest who is currently under the care of a physician for any ongoing disease, illness, or any other condition/factor that may be a concern on the trip.

TRAVEL INSURANCE

For your protection and ours, we strongly recommend the purchase of Travel Insurance, which can provide you with coverage for trip cancellation/interruption (including COVID-19), travel delay, medical expenses, emergency assistance, airfare, and baggage loss/delay to protect your financial investment. We recommend those with “cancel for any reason” clauses included. See reviews of some of the best Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance Options presented by Forbes or Squaremouth. Other good student options include InsureMyTrip and Allianz Travel Insurance for Students.

Travel Insurance is the easiest and best way to protect yourself and our smaller non-profit organization against last-minute cancellations. We are happy to provide timely and accurate documentation for any insurance claim related to our trips when requested. Please remember that when canceling a reservation, you must first contact the company responsible for ensuring your reservation.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Full payment is required upon registration for day trips.

When registering online, expect to pay a booking fee of 3.0% (which is capped at $30) and a processing fee of 2.7% (no cap). These fees can be avoided when paying by check and are non-refundable. For detailed information, see our Payment Options page.

CANCELLATION AND REFUND POLICIES

Lasting Adventures reserves the right to cancel trips. If a trip is canceled due to circumstances beyond our control, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. Lasting Adventures is not responsible for additional expenses incurred while preparing for the trip.

The following cancellation policy is only for trips booked directly through our official website, lastingadventures.com. If you have booked via a third-party website (such as TripAdvisor/Viator, bookyogaretreats.com, or 57Hours), the below policy does not apply, and you are held to the third-party’s cancellation policy.

Day Hike Cancellation Policy

More than 30 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund, minus $25/person, and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
With 72 hours’ notice, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost.
Within 72 hours, no refunds or credits will be issued.

Half Dome in a Day Cancellation Policy

More than 90 days before the trip date, we will grant a full refund minus $50/person and a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions.
More than 60 days before the trip date, we will retain 25% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Between 60 and 31 days before the trip date, we will retain 50% of the total trip cost. You may also take a non-refundable credit of the total value paid.
Less than 31 days before the start date, no refunds or credits will be issued.
Any date changes for Half Dome in a Day must occur at least 30-days before the currently scheduled date.

48-Hour Risk-Free Cancellation Policy

Any reservation can be canceled within 48 hours of the initial booking, and we will grant you a full refund minus a 2.7% processing fee for credit card transactions. After 48 hours, our standard terms and conditions apply. To cancel, please email us at staff@lastingadventures.org or leave a voicemail at 800-513-8651. This policy does not apply if the booked trip occurs within 96 hours of the initial booking.

Fire/Smoke Cancellation Policy

Fire/smoke cancellations are considered circumstances beyond our control. If your chosen travel insurance does not cover fire/smoke cancellations, a credit equal to the total amount paid will be issued. If we cancel during your adventure with us, we will issue a non-refundable credit equal to the dollar amount associated with the number of days not used. In both cases, these credits will be lifetime/transferable but non-refundable.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

Departing From a Trip: Once a participant has joined a trip and the trip has begun, no refunds or credits will be issued, regardless of the reason for departure. Costs associated with assisting a participant with evacuating from the wilderness will be passed on to the participant. Travel Insurance is strongly recommended.

Infectious Illness Policy (including COVID): Any participant on any program/trip with any sign/symptom of a potential illness will not be able to participate, and no refund or credits will be given. Many forms of Travel Insurance cover these circumstances. We ask that you screen yourself and/or your child before participating and contact us to cancel if any sign of illness is present. Health screenings can be expected in all youth programs.

Half Dome & Other Summits: Reaching the top of a summit, such as Half Dome, is risky and can be made far worse by inclement weather. While we aim to get everyone to the top, summiting is not guaranteed. Lightning and rain can be deadly on exposed summits, and our experienced guides may have to call off a summit bid if weather conditions are unfavorable. You will not be allowed to summit using a Lasting Adventures permit should the experienced guide decide the conditions are not favorable.

TRIP CHANGE/CREDIT POLICY

Once you book a trip with Lasting Adventures, the value you paid is valid towards switching to another trip in the current or the coming year, pending available spaces on the new trip. Changes to your booking and conversion to credit must occur more than 30 days before your original start date. Changes within 30 days are subject to fees. Once changed to a lifetime/transferrable credit, credits are non-refundable and are a dollar-for-dollar value.

COUPONS

See our Coupon Use Terms and Conditions.

#1 Rated Guide Service in the West

"My son and I (both tax accountants) recently enjoyed a three-day private guided backpacking trip with Last Adventures. The trip met all our expectations; we had a great time! The guide’s love of her work and knowledge of Yosemite National Park made the trip a success. She planned all the details, provided excellent gear, and made sure everything worked out as planned"

"Lasting Adventures made my trip to Yosemite a dream vacation! It was stress-free because every detail was covered from food and transportation to clear meeting instructions and itinerary. Our guide took a hike that would have been fun and made it magical by explaining the history and ecology of the area we were hiking. He matched our pace and often let us lead. I can't say enough good things about Zachary and Lasting Adventures!”

“I did the Yosemite yoga 3 day backcountry camping. It was amazing! I would definitely do it again. The food was great! The scenery was superb camping in high country aside a mountain lake, and the guides and yoga instructor were fantastic!!!”

"We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), and for all of us it was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all had such an amazing yet challenging experience! Our guides’ spirit, cooking, and knowledge were great!”

“We backpacked with a group of 7 other people from 'Backpacker's Camp' to Mae Lake, up to Mt Hoffman, Cloud's Rest, and finally completed the trip with an amazing last day, summiting Half Dome at sunrise! It. Was. Incredible!! Our guides immediately made us feel comfortable and excited. Their passion for the wilderness, people, and their career as a guide is contagious. If you have the chance to go on a Lasting Adventures trip - please do it!”