Welcome to the Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
“It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature I was ever permitted to enter.” — John Muir.
A granite cathedral. A waterfall symphony. A valley carved by ice, fire, and time. Yosemite doesn’t just dazzle the eye, it stirs the soul. This is the landscape that changed America, inspired John Muir, and helped launch the national park movement itself.
So why go? Because few places on Earth feel this alive. You’ll see waterfalls plunge thousands of feet, cliffs shoot into the sky, and trails that weave through wildflower meadows and giant sequoia groves. In Yosemite, everything is oversized, except your worries.
This self-guided audio tour of Yosemite’s Valley Floor allows you to experience it at your own pace. No signal? No problem. The GPS-triggered stories work offline, so you’re always connected to the land, even when you’re off the grid.
Start from any entrance; this tour is designed to adapt to your route. As you cruise toward the heart of the valley, the stories begin to unfold: how a president camped beneath the stars here, how glaciers carved out the cliffs, and how conservationists fought to save this paradise.
Then the icons appear, one by one:
Bridalveil Fall, dropping 620 feet in a single, breathless rush.
Cathedral Beach, where El Capitan watches its reflection ripple across the water.
Yosemite Falls is even taller, even louder, and impossible to ignore.
The Three Brothers, standing guard over the valley like silent stone sentinels.
El Capitan, the vertical giant that dares climbers to defy gravity, with and without ropes.
Cook’s Meadow, Four-Mile Trail, Yosemite Chapel—every stop tells a story, and every view leaves a mark.
Whether you’re road-tripping from San Francisco or embarking on the longer trek from Los Angeles, this tour fits perfectly into your plans. Just download, drive, and let Yosemite do the rest.
Disclaimer: The rocks are massive. The waterfalls are thunderous. The views are ridiculous. And no, your camera won’t do any of it justice, but you’ll try anyway.
Hello, Hallo, Bonjour – Explore Yosemite in English, German, and French!
Our tour is available in English, German, and French, offering a comprehensive and immersive experience for all.
2025 Update: A reservation is required to drive into Yosemite between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. on:
- May 24–26 (Memorial Day Weekend)
- Daily from June 15–August 15
- August 30–September 1 (Labor Day Weekend)
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- An annual $99.99/year subscription offers access to over 200+ tours.
- Unlimited use throughout the year.
- Includes free access to new tours as they are released.
Map Of Yosemite National Park
Where To Start?
Starting Point Addresses
Arch Rock Entrance: 11202 Bull Creek Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338, USA
Big Oak Flat Entrance: 31191 Hardin Flat Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA
Tioga Pass Entrance: Lee Vining, California, USA
Wawona South Entrance: 43965 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA 93644, USA
How Does It Work?
- Once you book a tour, you’ll get a text/email with instructions.
- Download the app (while in good wifi/signal) and use your unique password to access your tours. If there are multiple versions or entrances for your tour, be sure to download all audio guides.
- Audio Setup: Connect your phone to the car stereo via Bluetooth, USB, or Aux, and bring headphones on walking tours. CarPlay and Android Auto are not yet supported. We are working with Apple for a resolution.
- To begin touring, go to the starting point and launch the app.
- The audio starts automatically once you reach the starting point. Stick to the tour route and speed limit for the best experience.
- Please note that no one will meet you at the starting point.
Audio Story Highlights
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Welcome
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Golden Wonder
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Moving Mountains
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Rivers and Glaciers
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Presidential Visit to Yosemite
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Mountain Lions
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Sequoia Trees
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An Olympic Bid
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Bears
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Bighorn Sheep
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Mule Deer
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The Legend of Yosemite
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The Miwok
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Valley Floor Loop
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Bridalveil Falls Trail
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Norita and Grey Eagle
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Creating a Monolith
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Cathedral Beach
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The Merced River
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Sentinel Rock
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Four Mile Trailhead
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First Look at Yosemite Falls
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Yosemite Valley Chapel
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Half Dome and Yosemite Falls View
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Forest Ecosystems
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North Dome
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Yosemite Village
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Cook's Meadow Loop
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Lower Yosemite Falls Trail
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Upper Yosemite Falls Trail
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Three Brothers
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El Capitan
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Devil's Elbow
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The Nose
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Hanging Valley Viewpoint
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Yosemite Valley View
Preview The Tour
Tour FAQs
Yosemite National Park is located in central California, not far from the Nevada state line. It’s about a 4-hour drive from San Francisco or 3 hours from Sacramento.
Taking Tioga Road (Route 120) onto Highway 395 North will offer some of the most scenic views on a drive between Yosemite National Park and Lake Tahoe.
Late spring and early fall are probably the best times to visit Yosemite, as you’ll dodge the bulk of the crowds and catch some of the park’s sunniest days. That said, the entire summer is great if you don’t mind crowds. Winter can be tricky due to unpredictable snowstorms.
It takes around 5 hours to drive from Los Angeles to Yosemite. Traffic can obviously add time to this, especially during the busy summer months.
Deciding between Yellowstone and Yosemite depends entirely on what you’re looking for. If you love hiking and want to really immerse yourself in nature, Yosemite probably takes first place. But if you want to stroll along boardwalks over unearthly landscapes of geysers, bison herds, and prismatic springs, pick Yellowstone!
The drive from San Francisco to Yosemite generally takes around 4 hours. In the summer, add at least an extra hour to your calculations to account for traffic.
A 7-day pass to enter Yosemite costs $35 per car. If you plan to visit other national parks in the coming year, however, you should opt for the $80 America the Beautiful pass, which offers entry into all national parks for 12 months.
While there are no hot springs within Yosemite National Park, they can be found not far from the park at Travertine, Mammoth Lakes, and Buckeye, all of which are between 40-50 miles away.
El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, and Yosemite Falls are among the park’s many must-see attractions. The Yosemite Valley Loop leads past all of these, as well as other can’t-miss spots.
You can absolutely go hiking in Yosemite! The Yosemite Falls Trail and the Half Dome Hike are among the park’s best hikes, but with so many options, it’s up to you to decide based on which landmarks you most want to see.
April is one of the best months to visit Yosemite. Not only is it less crowded than later months, but seeing the spring blooms in the park is a truly once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Yosemite features plenty of easier hikes for kids, but the activities don’t end there. Younger visitors can also earn Jr. Ranger badges from the Park Service, spot amazing wildlife, and much more.
Inclusions and Exclusions
App on your phone: A link to download the Action Tour Guide App and Password for your tours.
Easy to use: Stories play automatically by GPS. Hands-free. Get HELP all day: Call, Chat, or Email.
Flexible schedule: Use any day, any time. Valid for multiple visits up to 1 year after purchase.
Interactive audio stories: Experience local history and culture through clear, concise narratives from experienced narrators.
At your own pace: No group. Take breaks for photos, snacks, hikes. Go at your own pace.
Offline use: No cell signal or wifi required. Offline GPS Map & route. Stop-to-stop direction.
Don’t miss a thing: Full itinerary, travel tips, professionally narrated videos, text, and hidden gems.
Transportation, parking fees, food, and drinks.
Entry tickets or reservations to any attractions along the route.
Car Rental: Please arrange a rental car at the closest airport or train station.
