Yosemite Waterfalls Private Tour: 10 falls, fully customizable

You pick the waterfalls and the pace on a private tour built around your day.

A private guided tour of Yosemite Valley's ten waterfalls (Bridalveil Fall, Horsetail Fall, Vernal Fall, Nevada Fall, Yosemite Falls, Ribbon Fall, Silver Strand Fall, Sentinel Falls, Royal Arch Cascade and Illilouette Fall) customized to your hiking level and interests. The tour spans 6 to 8 hours with a local expert guide who tailors the route and stops based on what you want to see and how you want to move through the park. Waterfall flow peaks in spring (March through June). Some falls diminish by late summer, while winter storms and frost create different scenes. The experience is private to your party only, and you can request trekking poles if you need them.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Yosemite Waterfalls with Guide

• Meet your expert guide
• Discuss interests and preferences
• Learn Leave No Trace principles
• Review safety information
• Visit Bridalveil Fall
• Visit Horsetail Fall
• Visit Illilouette Fall
• Visit Nevada Fall
• Visit Royal Arch Cascade
• Visit Ribbon Fall
• Visit Silver Strand Fall
• Visit Sentinel Fall
• Visit Vernal Fall
• Visit Yosemite Falls

The experience

What makes this tour different is the customization: you meet your guide in the morning, discuss what you want to see and how you prefer to explore (hiking to viewpoints or moving by car), and the guide builds the day around that. The ten waterfalls span the valley floor and higher elevations, so your guide will present options based on your fitness level, the season, and which falls are flowing. Bridalveil Fall, Horsetail Fall, and Vernal Fall are accessible year-round; Nevada Fall and Yosemite Falls draw crowds but reward the effort; Ribbon Fall, Silver Strand Fall, Sentinel Falls, Royal Arch Cascade and Illilouette Fall offer quieter alternatives depending on the route your guide chooses.

The guide introduces Leave No Trace principles at the start, covering responsible outdoor behavior and safety precautions specific to the park and the day's conditions. Trekking poles are available on request. The tour runs 6 to 8 hours, so you can adjust the scope: hit the major falls in a shorter window or spend the full time exploring less-traveled viewpoints. Waterfall visibility shifts with the season: spring brings peak flow across all ten, but by August some diminish to a trickle. Late fall storms can revive falls that dried out, and winter frost creates a different kind of spectacle. Your guide knows these patterns and will explain what you're seeing and why the falls look the way they do on the day you visit.

Park entry is included in your reservation. You'll need at least a moderate level of physical fitness, and the terrain varies from valley-floor walks to steeper trail sections depending on which falls you choose. Infants and small children can ride in a stroller on accessible routes. Service animals are welcome. Public transportation options exist nearby if you need them, though the guide will coordinate the meeting point with you. Food and drinks are not provided, so plan accordingly.

What’s included

• Park entry on the day of your tour.
• a private guide with local expertise and safety knowledge.
• customizable route and pace based on your interests and fitness level.
• trekking poles available on request.
• and the option to explore for 6 to 8 hours or adjust to a shorter adventure.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to12h before

GroupPrivate

Live guideEnglish

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

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

Prices and times updated 11 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelWheelchair accessibleStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Wild Yosemite

Is this one for you?Choose the hiking-focused route if you want to reach higher viewpoints and less-crowded falls. Choose the car-based option if you prefer to cover more ground and rest between stops. Either way, the guide builds the day around your pace and which waterfalls matter most to you.

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Top questions

Can I choose which waterfalls to see, or does the guide pick the route?

You and your guide decide together in the first fifteen minutes. The guide presents options based on your interests, fitness level and how much time you want to spend, then you customize the itinerary. Some falls are always accessible. Others depend on the season and trail conditions on the day of your tour.

What's the best time of year to see all ten waterfalls flowing?

Spring (March, April, May and June) brings peak water flow across all the falls. By August, some like Yosemite Falls diminish significantly. Late fall storms can revive falls that dried out in summer, and winter frost creates a different visual scene, so each season offers something different to see.

Is this tour hiking-only, or can I do it by car?

The tour is fully customizable: you can hike to viewpoints, explore by car, or mix both depending on your preference and fitness level. Your guide will tailor the route and stops to match how you want to move through the valley.

What if I can't see all ten waterfalls in one day?

Waterfall accessibility varies by season, weather, trail conditions and your physical abilities. The tour includes ten falls, but your guide cannot guarantee you'll see all of them. The itinerary adjusts to what's flowing and what's safe on the day you visit, ensuring you still have an immersive experience.

Do I need to bring my own trekking poles?

No. Trekking poles are available on request, so let your guide know if you'd like to use them. The guide also provides safety tips and information specific to the terrain you'll cover that day.