Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
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Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
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4.5
524 reviews
Excellent
369
Very good
109
Average
26
Poor
12
Terrible
8
Peter K
Hurricane, UT734 contributions
Aug 2022
We took the 5:30 pm valley tour on 8/20/22 and it was great. The ranger did a good job pointing out the various formations and the history of the park. The tour stopped for several photo opts and as we headed back to the lodge we got to see a bear. I'd recommend the evening tour, it is a bit cooler, you have a better chance of seeing wildlife and the sun gives great "color" to the rock.
You get your tickets from the front desk of the Yosemite Lodge so get there 20 to 30 min. before the tour to make sure you make it.
The only annoying part were the people who showed up late for the tour or didn't get back on the tram in a timely manner. Lucky for them the driver and ranger were willing to give them a few minutes grace time.
The tour ran about $80 for two adults and took about 2 hours.
It's well worth doing, esp. if you are new to the park.
You get your tickets from the front desk of the Yosemite Lodge so get there 20 to 30 min. before the tour to make sure you make it.
The only annoying part were the people who showed up late for the tour or didn't get back on the tram in a timely manner. Lucky for them the driver and ranger were willing to give them a few minutes grace time.
The tour ran about $80 for two adults and took about 2 hours.
It's well worth doing, esp. if you are new to the park.
Written August 24, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Sue S
London, UK42 contributions
Sep 2022
Excellent informative tour. Great to hear the stories and the history of Yosemite, along with the original names of the rocks. Ranger Jace was amazing, he oozed with passion about his job and was extremely funny. Ranger Jace answered many questions and made himself available for a chat and more. questions at the end of the tour. Bill the driver kindly handed us ponchos as figured it was about to rain and be wasn’t wrong. Great couple of hours, would recommend.
Written September 25, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
sammipb
4 contributions
Apr 2022 • Friends
I read mixed reviews about this tour and learned that it really depends on whether it is open air or in the tour bus. It sounds like they try to do open air as often as possible. In our case, the first tour of the day had been in a bus but they switched to open air last minute for our 10am tour. I was SO GLAD! Ranger Kate did our tour and she was fantastic and knowledgeable. There are two stops on the tour, the first has a very rustic bathroom. We learned about people history, rock climbing, geology, flora and fauna. I am so glad we booked this tour. I will aim to do this tour each time I visit the park!
Written April 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Great M
2 contributions
Jun 2022 • Family
folks could have just let us on. We were late. A series of unfortunate chain events and it left us without many options. But my point here, they had an opportunity to help turn things around if they only cared (over a couple of minutes, which she held for us until 1:02, which apparently was over at 2 min and some arbitrary number of seconds past). They didn’t. Simple as that, never mind that we traveled far, or that we had planned for months, or that we had kids eager to ride the tram. What an impression they could have had, what an opportunity to make someone’s day, what potential memories could have been had. This person didn’t care. It was just another transaction. Not my problem and I don’t care attitude. But I guess overall, we did get an impression, a memory, and it did ruin our day. Thanks for instilling this non empathetic moment in our family and kids’ memories. Kudos to you Yosemite Valley Lodge, for making things worse and showing how much you cared about educating and taking care of families. “Yosemite Hospitality” you say…for what it’s worth it’s one review and most people won’t care if it works out for them, but word of mouth here is you should pass and we will continue to let others know.
Written June 20, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Pam L
Johnston, IA39 contributions
Feb 2020
We took this tour as a way to get a quick overview of Yosemite. I wish we had spent a bit more money and signed up for a different tour option. Though kind, the tour guide was a bit much.... we felt uncomfortable with her presentation style. I admit, this is our problem, and other people might really enjoy her high energy approach. I would have preferred to hear more history of the park and not get a mini-lecture about how the other visitors were mistreating the park. Yes, it was inexpensive and offered a quick overview, but if you can spend a bit more money, perhaps look at other options.
Written March 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
NCtravelz
Raleigh, NC1,067 contributions
Jun 2022 • Couples
We had a fantastic experience on the 2 hour open air tram. I didnt expect a park ranger as a guide, but Ranger Merella (Mango) was highly entertaining and informative. We learned so much, I only wish we had been able to get tickets at the start of our trip. The tram made two stops, one with a bathroom. It is open air so wear sunscreen. They did have cold water at the second stop. We never received a confirmation email of our tickets so we screenshotted it and had no issues. I would definitely recommend.
Written June 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Linda G
Houston, TX189 contributions
Jan 2020 • Couples
It was our first time to Yosemite. We took the valley floor tour because we wanted to hear about history and geology and other facts while we were looking at the views and Colleen, our tour guide, did a wonderful job giving us great information. She was knowledgeable and passionate about Yosemite and a safe bus driver too! It was well worth the $38 ticket price and time well spent.
Written January 26, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
FishSRQ
Sarasota107 contributions
Feb 2020
First time to Yosemite for 2.5 days, and so glad we took this tour. We stayed at the Lodge and the tour starts/ends here. So very convenient. Bill was our driver. Fun guy with a wealth of knowledge. There are 5 to 6 stops along the way. It’s a great way to get an orientation so you can decide where you want to spend your time. Or if you only have a day, you’ll get a look at the key sites. Our trip lasted more than 2.5 hours. Highly recommend
Written February 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
campbell s
Bishopbriggs, UK29 contributions
Nov 2022 • Friends
Really interesting tour of Yosemite. Saw all the main sites and very informative. Lots of stops to take pictures. Stunning views.
The Tioga Pass was closed that morning to snow so we had to come in the north entrance - be warned that road is super windy and super high! Took ages and ages!
Much easier route leaving - pick wisely.
Definitely loads to see in Yosemite and services looked great. Definitely go back for longer.
The Tioga Pass was closed that morning to snow so we had to come in the north entrance - be warned that road is super windy and super high! Took ages and ages!
Much easier route leaving - pick wisely.
Definitely loads to see in Yosemite and services looked great. Definitely go back for longer.
Written November 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Michael P
Mason, OH268 contributions
May 2022 • Family
We had planned to do this tour as one of our first things at Yosemite, but hadn’t pre booked. (We were there the week before Memorial Day.) instead it was one of the last things we did during our 3.5 days in the Valley. It was informative, but would have been more WOWing if we’d done it earlier.
Written June 6, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
iw7811
Buckinghamshire, UK70 contributions
Hi. Anyone got some advice on best time of the day to do the tour? We are aiming to be in Yosemite in a couple of weeks time (end of july) and have booked on the 5.30pm tour, but wondering if the morning one would be better..
MkNdNYC
1 contribution
What all photo stops are included in the valley floor tour at this time?
aleza3
Ann Arbor2 contributions
What route does this tour take? Do you get out and walk, too?
Helpout
washington, dc
where board valley floor bus tour?
Woody L
Phoenix, AZ74 contributions
At the Yosemite Valley Lodge. As others have done I bought tickets online and you should arrive early. You check in at a reservations counter and they verify you ticket purchase. Hope you get the open air vehicle for the tour.
Melspam
10 contributions
We will be landing in San Francisco around noon; would we have enough time to do a sunset tour that same day?
wanderlustandsparkle
Honolulu, HI39 contributions
It depends on how fast you can get to your hotel and if you can get early check in. I got to my hotel didn't have early check in so I drop my bags off (which most hotels hold your bags) and went to go get something for lunch, fortunately when I went back about an hour later I was told they did have a room and I checked in rest for a bit before heading off on my tour. So there's a 50/50 chance you'll have time as I got to San Francisco at about 12:30 on the Greyhound and my tour was at 3:00
sdronkers
Amsterdam, The Netherlands1 contribution
Moet je deze tour van tevoren reserveren? Of kan je de tickets alleen op het park zelf kopen?
ThomasTCat
St. Louis, MO713 contributions
You can buy tickets in the park. We stayed at the Yosemite Valley Lodge and there was a tour desk in the lobby where we were able to sign up for the tour. However, they can be sold out so if you are passing through and not going to be there for at least a couple of days, I would buy them in advance so you don't miss out on it altogether.
217willow3
Leeds, UK11 contributions
Do you book these trips when you get there or can you prebook
Many thanks
Betty49
Boston40 contributions
I called the park in advance and booked a few tours. Try calling 209-372-0200. If you are going in prime season then you need to book early
Julia G
1 contribution
is this tour running during winter?
Johnsongroup777
Raleigh, NC1 contribution
I am not certain about the park schedule on this tour. You will have contact the them or investigate website.
njpaulb
Hartford, CT
Best driving route from San Francisco to Yosemite?
Hello. We will be driving from San Francisco airport to Yosemite the end of June. First time visiting. Which route would people recommend, for nicest views?
Janice A
Oakland, CA130 contributions
I took the train and bus so I'm unable to reply.