Sunset at Tunnel View in Yosemite National Park in the Sierra Nevadas of California
44https://www.theamericansouthwest.com/yosemite-national-park/tunnel-view 6 and a half miles southwest of the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center is one of the greatest scenic views anywhere in the world. That vista is Tunnel View. Located at the lower end of the Wawona Tunnel on the Wawona Road (Highway 41) is a large pullout and parking area with some trails where you can see Yosemite Valley in all her beauty. From the lookout you can see El Capitan, Half Dome, Sentinel Rock, Cathedral Rocks, Bridalveil Fall, and more. When you exit the tunnel while heading into the valley it is one of the best surprises I’ve ever seen. Obviously, it’s best to see it at sunset or sunrise but it is a treat at any time of the day, truly.
The tunnel is truly a modern marvel in and of itself but it’s easy to be too distracted by the view to take notice. It took two years to build and was completed in 1933. They had to use 230 tons of Dynamite to bore the one mile long hole in the pure granite rock. Although extremely busy, Yosemite National Park is an absolute gem of a spot that is filled with hikes, enormous ancient trees, scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, lodges, campsites, trails, museums, history, and a whole lot more. You can visit for the day or for the week but you will never run out of things to do. My wife and I camped in November near the Wawona Hotel at the south end of the park and it was absolutely lovely and peaceful. The drives into the park and around the park and valley are very gorgeous (when not following horrible & inconsiderate California drivers). There are so many opportunities to pull over, turn off the truck, and enjoy the sights. Glacier Point is a famous lookout but it was closed for the winter when we were there. Actually, there are a ton of places that will close in the winter because of its height in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. That’s the trade off though, go in the summer when everything is open… and everyone is there. Or go in the off season when a lot is closed and… it’s still insanely busy.