Full-Day Yosemite Valley & Giant Sequoias Tour: Naturalist Guide

Eight hours walking waterfalls, granite cliffs and ancient trees with a guide who knows the geology

A full-day guided naturalist tour of Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Grove combines private transportation, four landmark stops, and a 3-mile round-trip walk among giant sequoias. The tour runs 9am to 5:30pm with a live English-speaking guide. Children from age 8 are welcome. You'll receive a lunch voucher redeemable at the on-property General Store before departure. Choose between the Evergreen Route or Firefall Route at checkout. Non-resident park admission fees are collected at the gate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Stops and time at each

1. Tunnel View30m
2. Yosemite Falls1h
3. El Capitan30m
4. Tuolumne Grove2h

Explore Yosemite Valley and Sequoias

• View Tunnel View vista point
• See Yosemite Falls waterfall
• Observe El Capitan rock formation
• Hike 3 miles to Tuolumne Grove
• Learn about Yosemite's geology and history

The experience

The day starts at 9am and runs through 5:30pm, moving between four stops that frame Yosemite's scale. Tunnel View opens with Half Dome, El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall visible at once. Yosemite Falls shows one of the tallest waterfalls in the lower 48 states. El Capitan stands as the granite centerpiece climbers navigate. Then comes the walk itself: a 3-mile round-trip into Tuolumne Grove to stand among the giant sequoias and feel their actual size.

A naturalist guide handles the route and the driving, so you absorb the landscape instead of navigating it. The guide explains how glaciers, rivers, rocks and erosion carved the valley, and traces John Muir's legacy through the park. Private transportation means no bus stops or schedule delays. The group stays under nine people. A lunch voucher arrives at check-in, redeemable at the General Store on property before you leave.

The walk to the sequoias is steady but not technical: moderate fitness helps, and the operator notes that spinal injuries and poor cardiovascular health make this tour risky. Winter trips include snowshoe rental. Park admission fees apply for non-residents and are collected at the gate on the day of the tour. They do not charge at booking. If you hold an America the Beautiful Pass, Senior Pass, or a Yosemite Vehicle Entrance Receipt, the fee waives.

What’s included

• Private transportation throughout the day.
• a lunch voucher redeemable at the on-property General Store.
• snowshoe rental when needed for winter trips.
• a live naturalist guide in English leading the full day from 9am to 5:30pm.

Options for this experience

2 options

Firefall RouteGuide in English · 09:00The tour lasts 9 hours. A lunch voucher is provided, which can be redeemed at the Rush Creek Lodge General Store before the trip begins. Firefall route: the trip starts at Firefall Ranch, with pickup at Rush Creek Lodge before entering Yosemite National Park.

Evergreen RouteGuide in English · 09:00The tour lasts 9 hours. You will be given a lunch voucher that can be used at the Rush Creek Lodge General Store before the trip begins.

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 09:00

Book up to2d before

AgesAdult (16 and older) · Youth (8 to 15 years) · Under 8: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 7

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsNo refund if you cancel.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 20

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Evergreen Lodge at Yosemite Guided Excursions

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a naturalist explaining the geology and human history behind what you're seeing, rather than just hiking the views yourself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (8 to 15 years). Under 8: they can't be included in the booking.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. No refund if you cancel.

What's the actual walking distance on this tour?

The main walk is a 3-mile round-trip into Tuolumne Grove to see the giant sequoias. The rest of the day involves short walks at each of the four valley viewpoints and landmarks.

Do I need to arrange my own lunch?

A lunch voucher is included and redeemable at the General Store on property before the tour departs, so you pick up food before you leave.

What happens if I have the America the Beautiful Pass?

If you present an America the Beautiful Pass, Senior Pass, or Yosemite Vehicle Entrance Receipt at the gate, the non-resident park admission fee is waived.

Can my 10-year-old come on this tour?

Children are welcome from age 8 and up. The tour is designed for families and nature enthusiasts, though moderate physical fitness is needed for the 3-mile walk.

What's the difference between the Evergreen Route and Firefall Route?

You choose between the Evergreen Route or Firefall Route at checkout. Both follow the same full-day structure with the same four stops and the sequoia walk. The route name reflects the seasonal or scenic variation the operator offers.