Yosemite National Park Tours
Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite
5

Private Guided Hiking Tour in Yosemite

By YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours
Recommended by 97% of travelers
97% of reviewers gave this product a bubble rating of 4 or higher.
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Beat the crowds with this private guided tour through one of America’s most celebrated national parks: Yosemite. Adjust this day hike to your passion and skill level, and discover the park’s quieter corners on gentle paths or steeper climbs. Learn about the area’s history and ecology while enjoying a picnic or having your guide snap the perfect photo with Yosemite’s gorgeous meadows, forests, and waterfalls as a backdrop.
Lowest price guaranteeReserve now & pay laterFree cancellation

Ages 5-90
Duration: 4–6 hours
Start time: Check availability
Mobile ticket
Meets animal welfare guidelines
Live guide: English
More

Highlights
  • Avoid the crowds at Yosemite, one of the nation’s busiest national parks
  • Experience the park’s scenic waterfalls, forests, and mountain-top hikes
  • Design a custom route to fit your family’s or group’s skills and interests
  • Learn Yosemite’s history, ecology, and secret spots from your insider guide

  • Private guided hiking tour
  • Informative local guide
  • Custom Tour Location (you must contact us upon confirmation to discuss)
  • Vehicle reservation permit into Yosemite National Park
What's not included
  • Food and drinks
  • Hotel pickup and drop-off
  • Private transportation
  • Gratuities
  • Park Entrance Fee

Choose from two options—beginner or moderate—to best match your group or family skill level and then meet your expert guide at the trailhead. Your half-day tour is tailored to the time of your visit, with an eye toward steering you away from Yosemite’s busiest routes so you can have a peaceful experience—even during the summer high season. On the beginner tour, plan for a 4- to 5-mile (6- to 8-kilometer) walk with little elevation gain through Yosemite Valley or the High Country. Then, pause for a picnic and capture the perfect photo at a resting spot of your choice, such as a lake, stream, meadow, or vista. For the moderate option, expect an equally scenic but more intense hike that takes about an hour longer. Plan for a 5- to 6-mile (8- to 10-kilometer) climb covering roughly 1,000 feet (305 meters).

Start:
  • Yosemite National Park, Yosemite National Park, California
    Departure Point: Yosemite National Park (exact trail head confirmed with supplier after booking) Dates: Daily Return point: Returns to original departure point
End:This activity ends back at the meeting point.

    • Not wheelchair accessible
    • Service animals allowed
    If you have questions about accessibility, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6004PRHIKE

    • Travelers should have a moderate physical fitness level
    • Please provide your hotel and contact information (phone number, email and accommodations) in the Special Requirements box at checkout. Hotel information is so we may provide you with driving directions to the meeting location; pickup/drop-off is not included.
    • Please dress in athletic-wear
    • Items recommended to bring: camera, gloves, extra layer of clothing, jacket, sunscreen, hat, snacks and water
    • This experience requires good weather. If it’s canceled due to poor weather, you’ll be offered a different date or a full refund
    • This is a private tour/activity. Only your group will participate

    • For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

    If you have questions about this tour or need help making your booking, we’d be happy to help. Just call the number below and reference the product code: 6004PRHIKE

    From
    $292.50
    per adult (price varies by group size)
    Select date and travelers

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    About the operator
    Don’t take it from us – here’s what people have to say about this operator:
    • YExplore Yosemite Adventures - Day Tours
      377
      United States
      Joined in January 2008
    • E3619JWangelap
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Worth the drive
      The views were amazing! The people were nice. Parking is limited. It’s a long drive from San Francisco for a day trip. I am not sure the excursions are worth 200 per person.
      Written October 18, 2024
    • Adventure0509
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Summiting Half Dome with YExplore!
      John, our guide and owner of YExplore, guided our group up to the summit of Half Dome. John has summited over 200 times, knows the trail inside and out, and was our official cheerleader getting us up the Cables. John is the nicest guy and was an honor having him guide us up Half Dome. I will be returning next year to do more adventures with YExplore.
      Written October 4, 2024
    • chuckr940
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great tour made a great day.
      A fantastic tour and hike at Yosemite. Ana was our guide and she shared knowledge and experience that really enhanced our experience.
      Written October 1, 2024
    • ellbells
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing Firsy Day Hike
      This guided hike was the perfect way to start our time in Yosmeite, we hiked Sentinal Dome, Taft Point, and Roosevelt Point from Glacier Point. The guide was knowledgeable and engaging, learning about the topography, nature and wildlife and the way of life in these parts, it was a true insight we could not have got from hiking on our own, it made us more aware when we were exploring the park on our own and shaped our own itinerary for the rest of our stay. Thank you for your amazing service. I would highly recommend it.
      Written August 20, 2024
    • mark1336
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Fantastic hike
      Booked the Glacier point hike 5-6 hours. Completed the hike in just under 5 hours. Views were stunning and we even got to see a black bear and lots of other wildlife. Ana was our guide and she was very knowledgeable and friendly. Would highly recommend.
      Written August 10, 2024
    • TaraD1224
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Yosemite Hike
      Josh, our guide, was FANTASTIC! We ALL absolutely LOVED our hike. We also loved how much he genuinely loved Yosemite. There were 4 of us on our hike and he made sure he took care of each of our needs and concerns. He even made us coffee, camping style, and it was delicious!! We HIGHLY recommend this hike and our tour guide.
      Written August 12, 2023
    • EEE1989
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing experience
      This company and the guides know what they are going and have been running this company for around 20 years. John is excellent and informs you about everything that is involved, if you’re uncertain, he will encourage you and put you at ease. I learned a lot from hiking with him. I can’t wait to return and book another trip with these guys
      Written July 23, 2023
    • Excursion16386418730
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Mist trail hike
      We did the mist trail which was stunning and very wet due to the unusually vibrant waterfalls this year. Our guide was Zim and she did a great job helping us avoid the rookie mistakes, navigating the climb which at times can be treacherous due to slippery rock and crowds. She also knew our pace and made sure we took time to enjoy particular views.
      Written June 19, 2023
    • nickmU2923PU
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Brilliant guided Yosemite hike
      We were given a tour of the Yosemite Valley Loop by Dan, who was absolutely fantastic. He took us on a route that was a little off the beaten track and showed us parts of the valley that we just wouldn’t have seen had we gone on our own. Plus of course he told us plenty about the history and ecology of Yosemite that we wouldn’t have otherwise known. We took the ‘moderate’ tour which involved some uphill hiking and around five hours of walking (with breaks), but I’m pretty unfit and I coped with it fine. Thoroughly recommend YExplore - ask for Dan!
      Written June 11, 2023
    • colleenmG615RF
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Best Hike! Best Guide
      The best experience of our trip. I have 2 adventurous teenage boys this experience was amazing. Our guide Alex was fantastic, so knowledgeable, helpful and fun. We hiked Upper Yosemite Falls and Alex made the trip outstanding! The owner, John was so flexible and great with us as our plans changed. I am such a fan of this company! If you are interested in hiking In Yosemite, use YExplore Yosemite Adventures. I highly recommend it!! My boys are planning their next adventure with this company. Thank you John and Alex for a memorable trip! See you guys next time.
      Written June 2, 2023
    • Mettegilling
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Yosemite is a must-see for nature lovers
      We walked the Mist Trail to the top of Navarra Falls with our boys aged 14 and 17. The view was stunning and the cool water streams at the top made a perfect lunch break before we decended on the John Muir Trail. The only down side to this walk is that there are quite a lot of people on this trail.
      Written July 24, 2022
    • Sylvia R
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Great experience
      It was a great experience. Totally worth it. We learn a lot about the history of the park and made the most of the time we spend there. I think the best time to apreciate the beauty of this park is around may but it still was a great experience. There was a fire very close but the company was very helpful and we didnt loose the opportunity to visit this amazing park.
      Written July 23, 2022
    • 293carys
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      I love YExplore!
      I have been on several hikes throughout the years with yexplore, most recently an international trip to Nepal to hike Everest base camp. I cannot recommend this company enough, the guides are so knowledgeable and every experience has been so fun and memorable! My favorite Yosemite hike with them was half dome, the Mist Trail is incredible!
      Written July 10, 2022
    • annecN4361JN
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Amazing hiking outing with David Murphy on Mist Trail/John Muir Trail
      My husband and I did this hike with our 21 year old daughter and her boyfriend. David was so knowledgeable and pleasant and turned the hike into a memorable experience for each of us. He had a wonderful way of relating to each of us. I was by far the most novice hiker with a fear of heights, and David was very encouraging and took time to teach me a lot of basics about hiking. The actual hike provided many scenic moments that were stunning. We had multiple views of the Vernal Falls at different heights including up to Clark’s Point as well as other waterfalls. We saw numerous climbers on Half Dome, and David passed around his binoculars for us to observe them. We had expected to feel exhausted at the end of the 6-7 miles, but we were exhilarated instead. Ask for David when booking this tour…you will not be disappointed!
      Written June 19, 2022
    • Maureen F
      0 contributions
      5.0 of 5 bubbles
      Vernal Fall Hike! DO IT!
      Thank you YExplore! Our hike to Vernal Fall was stunning. It was just the right amount of challenge! And something we would not have done without your guide John! He gave us the confidence to know we could accomplish the trail! John was very knowledgeable, professional and fun! I highly recommend using YExplore and a guide! You will experience Yosemite in a way you couldn't imagine!
      Written June 1, 2022
    See all 377 reviews
    These reviews are the subjective opinions of Tripadvisor members and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

    Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

    Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

    Popular mentions

    5.0
    5.0 of 5 bubbles45 reviews
    Excellent
    43
    Very good
    1
    Average
    0
    Poor
    0
    Terrible
    1

    Scubadoob45
    Orange County, CA11 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2020
    Terrific experience hiking Lembert Dome and Dog Lake with our guide Jay. He was experienced, friendly, helpful and informative. We enjoyed learning about the park and its history, and appreciated Jay's tips for where to stop on our drive to the hotel and things to see/do the next day. Catherine made thoughtful recommendations on the itinerary and provided exact directions to the meeting point. This was a perfect day in Yosemite!
    Written August 19, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for sharing your positive experience. We are thrilled that your family enjoyed your tour in Yosemite.
    Written September 3, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Jeffrey E
    Brookfield, WI2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    We had David for our guide. He is an interesting young guy who was knowledgeable and very pleasant and tailored the hiking that we wanted to the level that we wanted. While we chose not to have significant elevation, changes, and back country experience, we still managed over 12 miles, and really enjoyed the beauty of our surroundings. We highly recommend this to our group as it was individualized, very personal, and very pleasant.
    Written October 11, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you for your kind review and are so happy David was able to customize your tour to make it a memorable Yosemite experience.
    Written October 17, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Amber T
    Derby, KS22 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Jul 2020
    There are so many AMAZING things I can say about this experience! My husband and I got into the Yosemite area the evening of 07/30 and left a message for YExplore. Catherine called us back shortly after and got us set up on a hike with Jay Sousa for the next morning. Jay was absolutely wonderful! He is a Cali native and use to be a climber in Yosemite. Not only was he an amazing guide, but he was full of facts and history about the area. We spent about 5 hours with Jay doing one of the most popular hikes that gave us spectacular views of El Cap and Half Dome. The scenery was amazing and not difficult at all to navigate. We had the remainder of the day to explore the park on our own. Jay gave us his top "to see" sites and he nailed it on the head! If you are even considering a guided hike in Yosemite, contact YExplore for sure!
    Written August 11, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much for the kind words about Jay, Amber. We appreciate you joining us for a tour in Yosemite and are glad you enjoyed it.
    Written September 3, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Miguel A
    1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2021 • Solo
    Our tour guide Chris made our experience unforgettable. He was incredibly knowledgeable about the area and it’s history and was excited to share that information with us. 100% would recommend to anyone looking for a once in a life time experience.
    Written August 23, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much for your kind words. We are thrilled that you had a memorable trip to Yosemite and Chris was able to enhance your experience.
    Written September 30, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    A L
    Los Angeles, CA5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Dec 2019
    Great experience getting away from the roads and people and enjoying some wilderness by ourselves. Catherine was wonderful to organize logistics with and John was an accommodating and seasoned guide on our hike. We enjoyed his insights into the nature that surrounded us, and the attractive detour he led us on away from the more popular trails. Thank you!
    Written January 2, 2020
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much for your kind words. We strive to find some of the out of the way places so you can make a deeper connection with Yosemite. We are pleased that you had such a positive experience.
    Written September 3, 2020
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    billythekid01
    Bay Area, CA2 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    May 2021
    Was planning my first trip to Yosemite, along with my sister and brother-in-law. We were only going to be in the park for one night, so we decided to hire a private guide to make the most of our time in the park. We chose YEsplore to provide us our guide for the hike and am so happy that we made that decision. We met our guide, John, at 8AM and over the course of the next few hours, he led on the most amazing hike through this most spectacular park. John was personable and knowledgeable and tailored the pace of our hike to one that we were comfortable with. On our drive home that afternoon, we commented multiple times about how happy we were with out decision to hire a guide and even more happy that we chose John and YExplorer. We would definitely recommend them to others.
    Written May 28, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much. We appreciate you taking the time to express how much you enjoyed your tour with us in the amazing Yosemite National Park.
    Written May 29, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Nini
    Modesto, CA6 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    I had such a phenomenal time at Yosemite National Park. The views were absolutely incredible and John was an excellent, personable host who is very familiar with the park, it's rich history, and spot on recommendations of hiking ventures to explore. The locations we were able to visit through Yosemite Valley had the most beautiful backdrops to take pictures and create worthwhile memories. I wasn't sure I was going to see everything I wanted to see on this trip because of COVID and the potential limitations, but we were able to safely explore the park by wearing our masks and social distancing. Catherine was also very helpful in providing background information of the tour such as specific route recommendations, expected miles to hike roundtrip, items to bring, etc. You will not regret purchasing this tour -- it was well worth it!
    Written January 9, 2021
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you Tanisha. We are so thrilled you had such a phenomenal time at Yosemite National Park. Safety is a top priority for us so we are happy to hear your tour met your expectations while providing you with a safe experience.
    Written January 15, 2021
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    Tony G
    3 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Nov 2022
    We booked a hike with John DeGrazio who was extremely knowledgeable about Yosemite and guided us along a fantastic 9+ mile journey through the El Capitan Meadow. By the end we felt very comfortable with the area and ready to explore several other hikes. I highly recommend John and would definitely book him again.
    Written November 20, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    We are happy you had a memorable time touring Yosemite Valley with YExplore. We look forward to sharing more great places on your future visits to a place we love.
    Written April 25, 2023
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    George C
    San Francisco, CA5 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Aug 2022
    David was a great guide on the big Half Dome hike this past weekend. It was great not having to worry about the route (we started at 5am), the permits and also having a guide to help with the cable climb was a big help.

    Along the way we found streams to cool off in and even saw a Bobcat on the hunt.

    A memorable day for my family. Thank you!
    Written August 23, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Congratulations on your Half Dome hike in Yosemite. We are so happy David was able to help you have a great day.
    Written October 8, 2022
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

    plclml
    Hastings on Hudson, NY38 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Sep 2024 • Family
    I highly recommend touring Yosemite with YExplore. From recommending the appropriate hikes for our desired activity level to helping with suggested itineraries, John was there for us from beginning to end. He was very knowledgable and friendly, as well as a great story teller. They can be flexible, making last minute adjustments “on the fly” to fit your needs. We did hikes on two different days and John made sure we saw a variety of terrains and scenery. We climbed Lembert Dome on day one, then hiked to spectacular Taft Point followed by a visit to Glacier Point the next day. It was on absolute pleasure spending our days with him and seeing some of the natural splendors of Yosemite National Park.
    Written September 10, 2024
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
    Thank you so much for this recommendation. It was our pleasure to work with you from the planning stages to the tour. We are so happy you wished to see more of Yosemite by visiting some of the less traveled sites, and we are really happy it turned into a memorable experience.
    Written September 11, 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

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