El Capitan, Yosemite National Park

The largest monolith of granite in the world, El Capitan, serves as one of the most popular rock climbing spots in Yosemite Valley. Located inside Yosemite National Park, the rock face extends some 900 m (3,000 ft) from base to summit. It can be seen from numerous popular spots in the park, including Tunnel View, the Bridalveil Fall area, and El Capitan Meadow. Rock climbing at El Capitan requires serious skill. The average visitor enjoys hiking around the rock or admiring it while taking a dip in the Merced River nearby. Keep an eye out, however, for serious climbers. Tourists often pull off near the rock and use binoculars to spot climbers on its granite face. A visit to El Capitan represents just the start of the adventure when you use our Yosemite National Park holiday maker tool to plot your vacation.