Things to do nearRoyal Arches

Royal Arches is one of Yosemite Valley's most recognizable geological features, a broad exfoliating granite arch shaped by the same glacial forces that carved the entire valley during the last ice age. The formation sits on the north wall of the valley, near Ahwahnee Meadow, and has drawn the attention of naturalists and climbers for generations.

The arch itself spans an enormous curved section of granite where successive layers of rock have peeled away over time, a process called exfoliation. A seasonal waterfall drops from the rim above, tracing a white line down the dark stone face in late winter and spring. The scale becomes clear only when you spot hikers or climbers near the base.

Rock climbers regard Royal Arches as a classic Yosemite route, with multi-pitch lines that have been traveled since the mid-twentieth century. Hikers and casual visitors enjoy the formation from the meadows below, where the full arc of the overhang is visible against the sky.

For anyone drawn to Yosemite's geology, its climbing history, or simply its scenery, Royal Arches offers a compelling reason to linger on the valley floor and look up.