“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.
Download the Yosemite National Park Trip Planner for more details on how to reach the park, must-see stops, best places to stay, when to visit, activities to do, packing tips, and more!
Hello, Bonjour, Hallo, and Hallo – Explore Yosemite in English, French, Dutch, and German!
All languages are available to you when you purchase the tour.
- 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.
Know Before You Go
- Note for International Visitors: This park has additional fees for non-residents starting in 2026. Visit the National Park Service’s website for details.
- Parking Advisory: Yosemite National Park does not require timed reservations in 2026. However, parking fills up fast – especially on weekends and holidays. Plan to arrive early, visit on weekdays, or use the park shuttle to avoid getting stuck. Check real-time conditions before you go.
Map Of Yosemite National Park
Starting Point
You can begin the tour at any one of the suggested starting locations provided below.
There are four entrances to Yosemite. Depending on which entrance you use, the first audio point might start shortly before you reach the official Park Entrance Station.
From Arch Rock Entrance (Highway 140): 11202 Bull Creek Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338, USA.
Begin the tour from 11202 Bull Creek Rd, Mariposa, CA 95338, USA.
From Big Oak Flat Entrance (Highway 120 West): 31191 Hardin Flat Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA.
Begin the tour from 31191 Hardin Flat Rd, Groveland, CA 95321, USA.
From Wawona South Entrance (Highway 41): 43965 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA 93644, USA.
Begin the tour from 43965 CA-41, Oakhurst, CA 93644, USA.
From Lee Vining / Tioga Pass Entrance (Highway 120 East):
Begin the tour on Highway 120 just past the intersection with Highway 395, near the Mono Lake Vista Point. Start heading south on Highway 120 towards the park.
How Does It Work?
- Access your tour: Download the Action Tour Guide app and sign in with the same email used for your website purchase. Your tour will appear under My Tours.
- Download your tour: Download it before you go. Once downloaded, no internet or cell signal is needed.
- Start your tour: Open My Tours, select your tour, and tap Start Touring when you reach a starting point.
- Listen your way: Use your phone’s speaker or headphones, or connect to your car’s audio system. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are not currently supported, compatibility is in development.
- GPS-triggered audio: Stories play automatically as you reach each location along the route.
- Stop and start anytime: Pause, take a break, make a detour, or continue another day. Tours are valid forever (one year for Action+).
Yosemite Valley Floor Audio Tour
Things to do on the Tour Include:
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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.



