Top Things to do in Yosemite National Park
Things to do in Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park: The Best Day Trips from
Tucked into the mountains of California, Yosemite National Park is renowned for its granite cliffs and waterfalls. Half Dome and El Capitan are two of the formations made famous by photographer Ansel Adams. The valley is open year-round for camping, hiking, and climbing. Traffic is congested during peak season and park rangers encourage visitors to use the free shuttle system. For upscale visits, the Ahwahnee Hotel, built in 1927, is chic and luxurious.
1. Private Family Hike in Yosemite
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 17 reviews
Enjoy a pleasant half-day hike on a relatively gentle trail in Yosemite Valley or the High Country that will allow for excellent photo opportunities and a chance to picnic perched atop a magnificent vista point or alongside a meadow, lake or stream. These introductory hiking tours are perfect for beginners.
Inclusions: Customizable guided hiking tour, Informative local guide
Exclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Food and drinks
Reviewed By EncinitasFrank
I cannot say enough good things about my experience with Yexplore and more specifically, John Degrazio. His true love and passion for showing people all Yosemite has to offer is evident from the moment I met him at 8 in the morning until we said good bye 6 hours later. It was a truly great experience and one I will treasure for year to come.
2. Private Guided Snowshoe Hike in Yosemite
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 5 reviews
Explore the winter trails of Yosemite on a snowshoe hike for a truly memorable experience in this pristine wilderness! With easy-to-follow techniques and snowshoe gear provided, this tour is suitable for beginners and experts alike. You’ll learn about Yosemite from your experienced guide, gaining in-depth knowledge of the natural history of the famous park, and you'll capture great photos of the winter landscape. Bring your sense of adventure and see what the summer crowds are missing!
Inclusions: Snowshoes and trekking poles, Local guide
Exclusions: Gratuities, Snacks & lunch, Water
Reviewed By emman_ricienO
Since we were first timers, Jay from YExplore showed us the beauty of Yosemite without going uphill. He took us to picture perfect views, told us great history and a lot of helpful infos for Yosemite first timers like us! My kids loved your entertaining way of hiking! Jay is awesome!
3. Private Yosemite & Glacier Point Van Tour (Large Family) - with Hotel Pickup !
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Private Yosemite Tour at your pace. If you have more than 4 guests in your group you can use this option for up to 9 guests in a comfortable Van. All at one price. Your family and friends can enjoy a private tour instead of being, think of a sheep blindly following the flock no matter where they go just ...in a larger group in a bus with other strangers. Our local guides can make this trip special for you. Private Tour so you can decide the schedule whatever is convenient to you and we can customize the tour for your needs. Just let us know what your interests are we do the rest.
Inclusions: Bottled water or Sports Bottle to fill water in the park, Lunch: Your choice of turkey, vegetarian or dagwood (combination of several meats) sandwich, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 425hillary
4 of us were taken in an SUV to the points of interest around the park on a 7hr tour, which included a picnic lunch. Mick, the tour guide was excellent in giving the history and interesting stories about the park, and accommodating to our requests. Only down side was it was very difficult to see the views out of the windows from the third row seats of the SUV, which is what you're there for!
4. Yosemite Valley Orientation Tour
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 1 reviews
Leave your car outside the park and take our eco-friendly guided transportation instead. With departures from both Highway 120 & Highway 140, seeing Yosemite National Park has never been easier. After picking you up from our partner hotels on Highway 120 (Groveland, CA) or Highway 140 (El Portal, CA), we will drive approximately 45 minutes to reach Yosemite Valley. On the way, you'll hear about the history and geology of Yosemite National Park before stopping for photos at El Capitan. Before being set free for a day of hiking and exploration, our expert guides will provide a park orientation & hiking briefing so you'll be prepared to hit the best trails and find the best viewpoints. Once you've hit the trails, taken a dip in the Merced River and gotten all the photos of Half Dome and El Cap you could desire, we will head back to your original pickup location to drop you off.
Inclusions: National Park Entrance Fee, Air-conditioned vehicle, Interpretive information on Yosemite & recommended hiking trails
Exclusions:
Reviewed By lucyville1
Our tour guide was probably the best part about this wine tour! The wines were ok, but Jason was so much fun, he knew and appreciated every person at all three wineries, he took the time out to talk to every person on the tour, and his recommendations were perfect! If you're lucky enough, you'll get Jason!
5. Small-Group Day Trip to Yosemite from Lake Tahoe
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 39 reviews
Join us on this exclusive fully narrated journey to Yosemite National Park from Lake Tahoe by a professional tour guide. This is an opportunity to experience the vast array of unique and beautiful features of the High Sierra. See why this jewel of America is a memory of a lifetime which has inspired all who were touched by it. This tour includes morning snacks, picnic lunch and drinks such as beer and wine. Depending on time of the year and weather, you'll walk to either Yosemite Falls or Bridalvail Falls
Inclusions: National Park fees, Fuel surcharge, Buffet lunch, Snacks, Driver/guide, Guided nature walk - optional
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By jimnlindav
My wife and I took this tour on Thursday, October 1, 2020. The train was not running that day and they offered us $10 each refund or a full refund if we wanted to cancel. We went on the tour anyway without the train and had a great time. I apologize for not knowing the guides name, but he was terrific. Knowledgeable and funny. Took us through Genoa Nevada and the state capital. Saw the Governor's mansion, the mint museum and several wildlife... mustangs, mule deer, and more. Virginia City is somewhat typical of a tourist destination town from the old west, but done well. We enjoyed our shopping and eating there. We'll go back when we have more time. I would recommend this tour and maybe the train ride would make it even more enjoyable. Nevertheless, they did a good job.
6. Semi Private Yosemite Tour with Ahwahnee Lunch - with Hotel Pickup !
Overall Ratings
4.9 based on 9 reviews
Private Tour is too expensive and Bus Group tours are not very personal. This is a perfect tour for you. Usually there will be only one other couple or two. We guarantee no more then 8 people on this trip. Sometimes you may be lucky and the only group on the tour and we will still honor our commitment and not cancel the trip. The guide gets ample time to work with each couple one on one and you are not in a herd of sheep. Departing Fresno or Oakhurst, this 8-hour tour of Yosemite National Park covers some of the Yosemite Valley's natural highlights. Capture photos of Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite’s high country, and hike down the 4-Mile Trail between spring and fall. Ahwahnee Lunch, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Please note if you plan to do the 4 mile hike there will not be enough time for you to have lunch in Ahwahnee so we will provide you with a picnic lunch.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Bottled water or Sports Bottle to fill water in the park, Lunch: Your choice of turkey, vegetarian or dagwood (combination of several meats) sandwich, Small Gratuity for your guide is included ( You can pay additional directly, Lunch
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 425hillary
4 of us were taken in an SUV to the points of interest around the park on a 7hr tour, which included a picnic lunch. Mick, the tour guide was excellent in giving the history and interesting stories about the park, and accommodating to our requests. Only down side was it was very difficult to see the views out of the windows from the third row seats of the SUV, which is what you're there for!
7. Yosemite Valley Tour with Transport from Oakhurst
Overall Ratings
4.8 based on 4 reviews
This 4-hour guided tour of Yosemite National Park covers some of the Yosemite Valley's natural highlights. Depart early, at 6am, from Oakhurst to capture photos of Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, and Sentinel Bridge, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included. Shared tour is limited to a maximum group size of 20 people.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Sports bottle or water bottle, National park fees, Local guide, Bottled water
Exclusions: Gratuities, Food and drinks, other than mentioned, Glacier Point tour extension $59 (select dates only
Reviewed By 425hillary
4 of us were taken in an SUV to the points of interest around the park on a 7hr tour, which included a picnic lunch. Mick, the tour guide was excellent in giving the history and interesting stories about the park, and accommodating to our requests. Only down side was it was very difficult to see the views out of the windows from the third row seats of the SUV, which is what you're there for!
8. Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite
Overall Ratings
4.7 based on 53 reviews
See Yosemite National Park on an outing that combines short easy hikes with outdoor education–great for children and adults alike! Spend quality time with your family and friends while learning about Yosemite from your experienced guide who will tailor the day to the experience level of your group. Come away with in-depth knowledge of this natural wonderland as well as great photos for your album.
Inclusions: Private, customizable guided hiking tour, Informative local guide
Exclusions: Food and drinks, Hotel pickup and drop-off
Reviewed By emman_ricienO
Since we were first timers, Jay from YExplore showed us the beauty of Yosemite without going uphill. He took us to picture perfect views, told us great history and a lot of helpful infos for Yosemite first timers like us! My kids loved your entertaining way of hiking! Jay is awesome!
9. Full-Day Small Group Yosemite & Glacier Point Tour Including Hotel Pickup
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 110 reviews
Departing Fresno or Oakhurst, this 9-hour tour of Yosemite National Park covers some of the Yosemite Valley's natural highlights. Capture photos of Bridalveil Falls, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Yosemite’s high country, and hike down the 4-Mile Trail between spring and fall. Lunch, entrance fees, and hotel pickup and drop-off are included.
Inclusions: Hotel pickup and drop-off, Sports Refillable Water Bottle or Bottled Water, Lunch: Your choice of turkey, vegetarian or dagwood (combination of several meats) sandwich
Exclusions: Gratuities
Reviewed By 65elleng
The guide, Daniel, was excellent. Full of knowledge and a very interesting person. His family has lived in the Yosemite area for seven generations. We saw things that we might not have seen on a regular tour, and heard many stories and learned things we would have never known. A big thank you to Daniel.
10. Yosemite Valley Private Winter Hiking Tour
Overall Ratings
4.6 based on 5 reviews
Much like in the summer, the Yosemite Valley Floor offers hours of exploration within the more level and easier accessible areas of the Yosemite Valley. In addition to providing you with natural and geological history, this tour will highlight some of the lesser known winter ‘gems’ around the valley. The Yosemite Valley Floor Loop is great for families with younger children and/or families looking for an easier hike but can be customized to be more strenuous if desired. This is a private tour.
Inclusions: Professional guide
Exclusions: Please plan to bring your own lunch, snacks, water bottles, etc. , Gratuities
Reviewed By jacobaC3969US
We had a blast hiking with Kara. She was very knowledgeable from history of the park to names of different locations. She made a seemingly straightforward tour into an interesting adventure, especially with some of the exclusive shortcuts she showed us. I would recommend this to anyone looking to get a full experience of Yosemite in a single day.
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