Yosemite Tours
There are many ways to see Yosemite—by water, by vehicle, and by horseback-to name just a few. And, while many enjoy charting their own course, you can also hire an experienced, knowledgeable guide to lead you on the ultimate adventure.
By water: At Zephyr Whitewater Adventure (800-431-3636) you can choose from an assortment of river trips. Their guides will provide you with the trip of a lifetime—whether you are a beginner, or a seasoned rafter. The trips can be as short as half day trips to 3 day long whitewater excursions which allow you to take a closer look at the stunningly scenic yet rugged land along the banks of Yosemite’s Tuolumne, Kings, and Merced rivers. On long trips, and even some of the half day trips, meals and snack are provided. The Merced River is ranked as a class III-V trip and has cascading falls, beautiful beaches, and a winding riverbed that is home to ring tailed cats, river otters, and bald eagles.
By vehicle: The Tenaya Lodge (888-514-2167)
offers daily tours to Yosemite’s spectacular land formations.
You will see El Capitan, Half Dome, Bridalveil Falls, Yosemite
Falls,  the
Mariposa Grove and a myriad of other photogenic locations.
The guides are happy to answer and educate you on the park’s
history, geology, animal and plant life and park events.
Some of their tours are the full day Yosemite Grand Tour, the 26 mile, two hour tram tours (spring /summer) or motor coach (fall/winter) of the Yosemite Valley Floor, the Big Trees Tram tour, the Glacier Point Tour, and the
2 hour Moonlight tour in Yosemite Valley.
By Horseback: Do you enjoy horseback riding? If so, then contact the Yosemite National Park service (209-375-6502) to reserve your saddle on one of their mule or horseback guided trips. The Park has 3 stables which offer rides of varying length.
The Tuolumne Stable offers 3 trips—The Tuolumne Meadow trip (2 hours), the Twin Bridge trip (4-5 hours) and the all day ride to Water Wheel Falls.
The Yosemite Valley Stable also has 3 trips available- The Mirror Lake ride (2 hours), the Vernal Falls Bridge ride (4-5 hours) and the all day trip to the foot of the Quarter Dome.
The Wawona Stable —This is a great place for the beginning rider to
saddle up. It offers a relaxing trip along the original
trail into Wawona over Chowchilla Mountain (2 hours) and
a half day trip to Chilanualna Falls.
Hiking: Hiking in Yosemite can be with a guide (Visit the Ranger's Station near Yosemite Falls) or can be done on ones own. If you are new to hiking learn more at our hiking blog where you can get daily tips, read about equipment, and see some of the great hikes of the world.
Photo Credits: Glacier Point by Estel UK; Vernal Falls by Ronnie Beusse;
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