Private Yosemite Van Tour

Private Yosemite Van Tour

For $1,175 for a van you can go on a day tour of Yosemite with you and up to 8 of your friends and family members (9 guests total). Each additional person above 9 is $119. Park fees and lunch are not included. A $250 deposit reserves your date, with the balance collected within 30 days of the tour.

Since this is a private tour, we are able to accommodate your special requests to visit other areas of Yosemite National Park. In this tour people will see more of Yosemite National Park in one day than most other tours of Yosemite. The total time of the tour is approximately 8 hours.

Making the Yosemite Y at Glacier Point

Our Oakhurst departure is 6:45 AM in Summer and between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM in Winter. From Oakhurst we have the option to go from Bass Lake / Fish Camp and enter the Park from the South Gate (the Mountain View Drive), OR we may go around from Mariposa / Midpines on what we call the River View Drive — California State’s Scenic Highway along the Merced River all the way into Yosemite Valley through the Arch Rock Entrance Station. It all depends on where our guests are.

At Chinquapin, we have the option to go into Yosemite Valley first or Glacier Point first. If there is heavy traffic from the peak season or it is a weekend, we prefer to visit Yosemite Valley first, then go to Glacier Point.

From Chinquapin, we turn to climb up to Glacier Point where we will stop for 30–45 minutes. As we climb, we see several trailheads: McGurk Meadow, Ostrander Lake, Bridalveil Creek, Dewey Point. We pass the Badger Pass ski area, Sentinel Dome, Taft Point trailhead, and Washburn Point.

Glacier Point is an overlook with a commanding view of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, Yosemite Falls, Vernal Falls, Nevada Falls, and the Yosemite High Country. This viewpoint is accessible by smaller vehicles from approximately late May through October or November. We are among the very few companies that can visit Glacier Point as we keep our group sizes small and travel in smaller vehicles. Big buses are not allowed here.

Making the Yosemite Y at Tunnel View

When we reach Yosemite Valley, we will stop at Tunnel View to see the jaw-dropping view of the Valley as we come out of the Tunnel. We will stop here for 10–15 minutes and point out our view of Clouds Rest, El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Falls. This is also the trailhead for Inspiration Point, located on the old stagecoach road into Yosemite Valley.

Shortly after, we continue driving to visit El Capitan and Bridalveil Falls for 10 minutes. Time permitting, we may walk to the base of the waterfalls or continue our journey in Yosemite Valley to see Cathedral Rocks on our right and Yosemite Falls on our left, Yosemite Chapel on the right. We will stop at Sentinel Bridge to see a breathtaking view of Half Dome, and take the iconic picture of Half Dome with its reflection in the Merced River. We will continue to drive to Yosemite Lodge, where you will have time to walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, visit the souvenir shop, use restrooms, and get a cup of joe if you wish.

When we leave here we will stop in front of El Capitan, Spanish for “The Captain.” El Capitan rises over 3,000 feet from the Valley floor and is one of the largest granite monoliths in the world. Hopefully we will be able to spot the rock climbers who come to scale the sheer granite face. We have another stop at Valley View before we start heading back.

Optional Four Mile Trail hike

If you are looking for a private tour AND want to do a strenuous hike (elevation difference of 3,200 feet), we are the only company offering a four-mile hike. When we reach Glacier Point, you start hiking down on the Four Mile Trail while the rest of the guests stay in the vehicle as we drive down to Yosemite Valley. At the bottom you can cross the beautiful Swinging Bridge over the Merced River, with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Falls, then walk to Yosemite Lodge where we will meet you — or take the shuttle from the bottom to Yosemite Lodge.

The Four Mile Trail is about 5 miles from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley Lodge. The elevation at Glacier Point is 7,200 ft and Yosemite Valley is at 4,000 ft. In 2016 President Obama and his family hiked this spectacular trail and only Crossroads Tours offers this option to you.

Crossroads Tours is not offering a personal guided hike. By accepting to hike on the Four Mile Trail or any other trails you are releasing Crossroads Tours from any liability. This hike is strenuous and going downhill is very steep at some places — be prepared with appropriate clothing, shoes, walking stick, water, and whatever else you may require. It takes about 2–3 hours hiking downhill. We will allow you 4 hours maximum to reach the Yosemite Valley Lodge. Beyond 4 hours we may not be able to stand by, and the cost will be $95 an hour calculated after 4 hours.

Our guides

Our guides are all local and going to Yosemite is their passion. Each one brings their own personal experiences, stories, and secret spots to share with you. They are delighted to meet you and wish to show you why this area of the world is a very special place.

Disclaimer

Sometimes due to scheduling issues, the hiking portion may be changed to go in the uphill direction. The duration of the tour can vary due to weather, traffic, and how much fun we are having.