• Tunnel View — After exiting the mile-long Wawona Tunnel, park at this scenic overlook for a sweeping view of the entire Yosemite Valley. El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall frame the vista to the left and right, with Half Dome in the background. This popular stop may require a brief wait for parking, but visitors rarely linger long.
• Bridalveil Falls — A paved, 0.5-mile trail leads to the base of Bridalveil Fall. This 620-foot waterfall is one of the few in Yosemite not dependent on snowmelt, so it flows reliably all year round. The trail can get wet, particularly in spring, so be prepared for the splash zone and watch your step. If the trailhead parking lot is full, additional parking is available along Southside Drive, with extra trailheads connecting back to the main waterfall trail.
• Cathedral Beach Picnic Area — A paved, 0.5-mile trail is all that’s needed to reach the base of Bridalveil Fall. This 620-foot waterfall is one of the few in Yosemite not reliant on snowmelt, so it flows dependably year-round. The trail is known to get wet, especially during spring, so expect the splash zone and mind your footing. If the parking lot near the trailhead is full, more parking can be found along Southside Drive, along with additional trailheads that link back to the main trail to the waterfall.
• Swinging Bridge Picnic Area — Though the bridge doesn’t actually swing, the footbridge over the Merced River at this picnic area offers a wonderful view of Yosemite Fall. Like Cathedral Beach, it’s another great spot for swimming in the Merced River. Plenty of picnic tables also make this a scenic place for a packed lunch.
• Curry Village — This is a convenient place to park the car. From here, visitors can hop on the free shuttle to Yosemite Village or to the trailheads for the Mist and Mirror Lake trails. While there, guests can grab a bite at the Curry Village Dining Pavilion or rent a bike at the kiosk by the parking lot to explore on two wheels for the next few hours.
• Yosemite Village — For a longer break from hiking or driving, Yosemite Village offers hours of things to do. The Valley Visitor Center, Yosemite Museum, and Ansel Adams Gallery provide a mix of educational and cultural amenities on this largely outdoorsy tour. Visitors can also pick up groceries or souvenirs at the Village Store or grab a bite at Degnan’s Deli.
• Ahwahnee Historic Building — This is one of the grandest lodges in the national parks, and its amenities can be enjoyed without being a guest. Browse the gift shop, select a treat at the sweets shop, grab a drink at the bar, or simply wander the public spaces like the airy Great Lounge. Of course, the main attraction is the pricey but elegant Dining Room. Join for the breakfast buffet or enjoy lunch. Dinner requires reservations and a dress code that doesn’t include sweaty hiking clothes.
• Lower Yosemite Fall Trailhead — An easy, paved, half-mile hike leads to the base of Lower Yosemite Fall, the tallest waterfall in North America. Walking the left side of the loop offers a full view of the falls as visitors approach. Dependent on rainfall and snowmelt, the waterfall largely dries up by mid-to-late summer.
• Yosemite Falls Parking — Visitors will likely park elsewhere and walk to Lower Yosemite Fall from there, but like Curry Village, this is a handy spot. The trailhead for Lower Yosemite Fall is about 10 minutes away, and along the way visitors pass Yosemite Valley Lodge, where they can grab a bite at the Base Camp Eatery or a coffee at Starbucks. There’s also a bike rental kiosk by the pool. This parking lot is also next to the trailhead for the Upper Yosemite Fall Trail. This strenuous 7.2-mile hike leads to the top of Yosemite Fall, passing Columbia Rock along the way for a magnificent view of the valley.
• El Capitan Meadow — One of the most awe-inspiring spots in Yosemite is El Capitan Meadow, nestled between two granite monoliths: El Capitan and Cathedral Rock. Squint to spot rock climbers ascending the 3,000-foot granite wall of El Capitan. Sunrise and sunset are especially good times to sit in the middle of the valley and be amazed by nature’s craftsmanship.
• Yosemite Valley View — This small pull-off on the side of Northside Drive offers a view of Yosemite Valley similar to the Tunnel View scenic overlook, but from a lower vantage point along the banks of the Merced River. Again, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall frame the gorgeous panorama.
• Southside Drive — Heading into Yosemite Valley from the north leads to this pull-off as Southside Drive crosses the valley to reach Wawona Road. The pull-off offers a good teaser look at El Capitan, as well as an important historical spot. It was here that President Theodore Roosevelt and conservationist John Muir camped and discussed the future of Yosemite.
• Wawona Tunnel — Can’t get enough granite? Stop at this pull-off for a look at the mouth of Yosemite Valley, with tall granite cliffs leading toward famous landmarks like El Capitan.
• El Capitan Viewpoint — Stop at this small pull-off for a preview of Yosemite Valley, with Half Dome poking its head out far off.
• Mariposa Grove — Take a free shuttle from the Mariposa Grove Welcome Center to Yosemite’s largest and most impressive grove of sequoia trees. Hiking trails range from easy, short, and paved to long and strenuous, so visitors can decide how long to stay. It’s recommended to go at least as far as the Grizzly Giant, one of the largest sequoia trees in the world.
• Wawona Hotel, National Historic Landmark — Wawona is a Victorian-era resort that predates the park itself and wasn’t added until the early 20th century. Here visitors will find the Yosemite History Center, with relocated pioneer buildings from around the park interpreting Yosemite’s history. The Wawona Hotel still looks as Victorian as ever, and its dining room is a solid choice for lunch or dinner.
• Taft Point — Two trails lead to two terrific vantage points over Yosemite Valley from this trailhead. Visitors can take them both out and back, or do them both in a loop. Taft Point is an easy to moderate, 2.2-mile hike to a stunning view of Yosemite Valley, including El Capitan and Yosemite Fall.
• Washburn Point — The view at this scenic overlook is a teaser for what’s coming ahead at Glacier Point. Half Dome is the main focal point, with Nevada and Vernal Falls below. Beyond, the Sierra Nevada Mountains stretch for miles.
• Glacier Point — A brief walk from the parking lot leads to one of the most astounding views in the United States, or even perhaps the world. Standing at Glacier Point places visitors over 3,000 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley. Wonder at Yosemite Fall, Half Dome, and the granite mountains of the Sierra Nevada from this amazing scenic overlook.
• Tuolumne Grove — A 2.5-mile round-trip hike leads to a small grove of 25 sequoia trees. Smaller and quieter than the more impressive Mariposa Grove in the south end of the park, this grove sits at the bottom of a hill and is accessed by hiking down a disused road.
• Olmsted Point — Another sweeping look at the Sierra Nevada, the view from Olmsted Point offers an unusual angle of Yosemite Valley, with the other side of Half Dome clearly visible. There’s plenty of open granite to walk around and explore different angles. To the left is a good view of Tenaya Lake.
• Tenaya Lake Picnic Area — This is considered the best view around crystal-clear Tenaya Lake. Stand on the granite lakeshore and enjoy the alpine view. If visitors decide to hike the easy Tenaya Lake Trail, which can be done as a loop or as an out and back, expect to spend another hour or two.
• Pothole Dome — An hour at most is all it takes to get a stunning look at Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding Sierra Nevada mountains. This granite dome on the edge of the open meadow isn’t terribly tall or steep, so it only takes a few minutes to reach the top for the panoramic view.
• Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center — Grab the information needed and learn about Tuolumne Meadows, one of the largest subalpine meadows in the Sierra Nevada, at Yosemite’s second largest visitor center. There’s a trailhead to tiny Soda Springs by the building. If visitors take this easy, flat, 1.6-mile round-trip hike through the meadow, expect to spend another hour here.
• Lembert Dome Trail — There are two hikes to choose from at this trailhead. One 1.8-mile hike ascends Lembert Dome, another fabulous look at Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding granite domes of the Sierra Nevada. The other is a lengthy hike through Lyell Canyon, but it’s recommended to go just about 30 minutes in for a scenic “twin bridges” area around the Tuolumne River.
• Carlon Falls Trail — This 3-mile out-and-back trip is a mostly easy hike, minus an uphill climb to get to the falls themselves at the very end. The falls are small by Yosemite standards, but visitors may enjoy playing in the pool at the base of the waterfall. Bonus: this trail in the woods is very shaded!
• O’Shaughnessy Dam — Stand atop the over 400-foot-tall O’Shaughnessy Dam and behold the Hetch Hetchy valley, a second Yosemite Valley to some, but with a deep reservoir of clean water. The highlight here is hiking the 5-mile trail to Wapama Falls and getting to stand at the base of this impressive waterfall that’s over 1,000 feet tall. The spray from the falls is sublime relief from the California sun.
• Stanislaus National Forest Sign — Quick photo-op time! There’s a large Yosemite National Park sign just before reaching the Big Oak Flat Entrance Gate. Hop out of the car and grab a pic for grandma.
• Big Oak Flat Information Center — Located within the park just after the Big Oak Flat Entrance Gate, this small visitor center features some restrooms (probably much-needed at this point of a long drive) as well as a small bookstore. Park rangers are on hand to answer questions.

• Tours NEVER expire
• Freedom to explore at your own pace
• Offline map (no wifi or data needed)
• Turn-by-turn directions using GPS
• Hours of audio narration with stories, travel tips and music
• Audio narration that plays automatically as you drive

• Optional meals and refreshments
• Private Transportation
• Entrance fees

Experience the breathtaking beauty of Yosemite at your own pace. Marvel at waterfalls cascading over cliffs, stroll beneath towering sequoia trees, and admire the majestic granite formations like El Capitan and Half Dome—all while being guided by captivating stories.

Begin your journey on any highway leading into the park. Pause at Tunnel View for panoramic vistas of the valley, take a break at Bridalveil Fall, or explore the giant sequoias in Mariposa Grove. Enjoy a walk under the trees at Cathedral Beach or feel the mist at Swinging Bridge. You can also visit Yosemite Village, explore the historic Ahwahnee lodge, or embark on short hikes like Sentinel Dome.

The tour features offline GPS navigation, ensuring a seamless experience without internet interruptions. It provides helpful tips, turn-by-turn directions, and remains on your device indefinitely.

With over 30 stops and 160 audio stories, download the tour, hit the road, and uncover the wonders of Yosemite at your own pace—mile by enchanting mile.

• Optional Starting Points: • CA-41 from Oakhurst • CA-140 from Mariposa • Tioga Pass from Lee Vining
• Yosemite National Park today announced it will no longer use a timed reservation system in 2026. The decision follows a comprehensive evaluation of traffic patterns, parking availability and visitor use during the 2025 season.
• Please Note: National Park fees may apply for international visitors. If applicable, this fee is collected in-destination and not at the time of booking.
• Travelers must have a smartphone compatible with the Shaka Guide app.
• Strong Wi-Fi or cellular data is required to download the tour in advance.
• The app must be downloaded and the tour redeemed before arrival.
• Location services (GPS) must be enabled on the device
• Travelers are responsible for securing any required entrance passes, reservations, or permits before starting
• Too large to cover in one day — plan a full day per segment; several days for the full tour
• Two gas stations in the park (Wawona and Crane Flat) — cheaper to fill up outside the park

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.