Yosemite High Country Tour: Tioga Pass at 10,000 Feet

Drive to California's highest mountain pass and see alpine lakes, meadows and snow-capped peaks from the road.

A private, guided tour of Yosemite's High Country that drives up Tioga Road to Tioga Pass at 10,000 feet, stopping at Crane Flat, Olmsted Point, Half Dome, Tenaya Lake, Cathedral Peak, Tuolumne Meadows and other viewpoints. The tour runs six hours and includes park entry, transportation, a guide, snacks and a commemorative water bottle. Few paved trails are available. Some unpaved trails work with canes or walkers, and hiking depends on group ability.

The experience

Tioga Road climbs through Yosemite's subalpine zone, where the landscape shifts from granite cliffs to high mountain meadows, alpine lakes and snow-capped peaks. Your guide drives you past Crane Flat and up to Olmsted Point, where Half Dome and Clouds Rest come into view across the valley. The road continues through Cathedral Peak country and past Tenaya Lake, a glacial basin ringed by granite. You'll stop for pictures along the way and see the unique plants and animals that live at elevation.

Tioga Pass itself sits at 10,000 feet and marks California's highest drivable mountain pass. The drive takes you through Tuolumne Meadows, the largest subalpine meadow in the Sierra, and past the Tuolumne River. Your guide is a permitted local driver who knows the road and the stops. The tour is six hours total. National Park fees, transportation, snacks and a Klean Kanteen water bottle are included. You'll want to bring lunch if you plan to eat during the day.

Most of the tour happens from the vehicle, which makes it accessible for people with limited mobility. Some unpaved trails are suitable for canes or walkers if you want to step out, but there's no requirement to hike. The amount of walking depends on what the whole group can do, so the pace adjusts to fit everyone. This is a private tour, so it's built around your group's abilities and interests.

What’s included

• National Park entry fees.
• six hours of transportation and guide service.
• a permitted local driver and guide.
• snacks.
• a commemorative Klean Kanteen steel water bottle.
• day packs.

Before you book

Days and timesNext departure: 3 Jun 2027

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (8 and older) · Child (under 8)

GroupUp to 9

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 6 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.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$ 100

Prices and times updated 13 days ago

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessiblePets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Echo Adventure Cooperative, Inc

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English and leads the tour from the vehicle, so it works for anyone who can sit comfortably for six hours. If you want to see the High Country's lakes, meadows and peaks without hiking, or if walking is difficult, this private tour builds the day around the road itself.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (under 8).

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What is Tioga Pass and why does it matter on this tour?

Tioga Pass is California's highest drivable mountain pass at 10,000 feet, and reaching it is the destination of the drive. It marks the eastern edge of Yosemite and the transition from the Sierra's high country into the desert beyond.

How much hiking or walking is involved?

Most of the tour is from the vehicle. Some unpaved trails are available for people with canes or walkers if you want to get out, but hiking is optional and the amount depends on what your group can do comfortably.

What stops does the tour make along Tioga Road?

The tour stops at Crane Flat, Olmsted Point (for Half Dome and Clouds Rest views), Tenaya Lake, Cathedral Peak, Tuolumne Meadows and other viewpoints on the way up to Tioga Pass. You'll have picture opportunities at each stop.

Is lunch included, and what should I bring?

Snacks and a water bottle are included, but lunch is not. Bring food if you plan to eat during the six-hour tour, or plan to stop in Tuolumne Meadows or another spot along the way.

Does this tour work for someone with limited mobility?

Yes. The tour is designed as a private, vehicle-based experience, so most of it happens from the car. Some unpaved trails near the stops are suitable for canes or walkers, but walking is entirely optional.