Guided Yosemite Summer Tour

Discover Yosemite Valley in a way that feels effortless, enlightening, and unforgettable. Guided by local Yosemite experts, this full-day shared tour brings the park’s most iconic vistas and stories to life without the stress of driving, navigating, or parking. You’ll travel in comfort through towering sequoias and granite cathedrals, stopping at celebrated viewpoints like Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and Glacier Point. Along the way, your guide will share the natural and cultural history that makes Yosemite a wonder like no other.

Tunnel View, also called Discovery View, is the gateway to Yosemite Valley. On a clear day, you exit Wawona Tunnel and all of Yosemite Valley is suddenly revealed before you: massive El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall in the foreground, with views all the way to Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest and beyond. On a cloudy day, the play of clouds on the landscape can make the view even more dramatic.

The journey continues with a brief stop at Bridalveil Fall for excellent views of El Capitan and exciting energy from its rushing water. Those who wish will have the opportunity to make the short walk to the base. In the spring, you can see the ephemeral Ribbon Falls, dropping 1,610 feet to the Valley floor.

Cook’s Meadow is the heart of Yosemite Valley’s Village area, offering wide-open views of Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the surrounding granite cliffs. A paved loop trail and boardwalk make this an easy and scenic stop, with the Merced River winding nearby and reflecting the towering landscape. In summer, wildflowers and tall meadow grasses frame the views, while changing light throughout the day transforms the Valley walls into a shifting canvas of color.

Just a short, wheelchair-accessible walk from Cook’s Meadow leads to the Lower Yosemite Falls viewing bridge, where you can experience North America’s tallest waterfall up close. In late summer, the scene can feel peaceful and quiet as the flow softens to a gentle cascade. In spring, however, the falls transform into a powerful rush of water, filling the air with mist and the unmistakable sound of roaring runoff.

Look up—way up. Rising nearly 3,000 feet from the Valley floor, El Capitan is one of Yosemite’s most awe-inspiring sights. From El Capitan Meadow, you’ll have a clear, unobstructed view of this sheer granite monolith. Look closely and you may spot rock climbers making their way up the face—tiny flashes of color against the stone that reveal the true scale of this legendary wall.

The view from Glacier Point is nothing short of breathtaking. Perched 3,200 feet above Yosemite Valley, this overlook offers a dramatic perspective of the landscape below, including sweeping views across to Yosemite Falls and down into the Merced River Canyon. From here, Half Dome takes center stage—close enough to study its details, and with binoculars, you may even spot hikers on the summit or climbers along its face. You’ll also see the cascading Giant’s Staircase, where Nevada and Vernal Falls step down through the canyon.

Valley View is one of Yosemite’s most photographed locations, offering a classic perspective of the Valley’s iconic landmarks. From this vantage point, you’ll take in sweeping views of El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall, with the Merced River winding through the foreground. It’s also the scene of Ansel Adams’ famous “Gates of the Valley” photograph, capturing the timeless beauty and scale that define Yosemite.