Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Tours for Seniors

Yosemite National Park is home to giants. The imposing figures of Half Dome and El Capitan tower over subalpine valleys. Colossal sequoias queue along the soft forest floors of Mariposa Grove. And the massive Yosemite Falls gush down from a height of 2,425 feet to Yosemite Creek. When you visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Yosemite, you realize just how immense nature’s beauty can be. Learn about these natural wonders with expert instructors on an epic Road Scholar adventure.
Want to learn more about travel to our National Parks? Check out these National Parks tips.

Yosemite National Park Tours

Looking to surround yourself with giants? At Road Scholar, our Yosemite National Park tours immerse you in this National Park’s natural beauty, where you can marvel at the ancient giant sequoias shooting toward the sky in Mariposa Grove, or spend a day exploring the many water features, such as the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls or the quaint Yosemite Creek. 

Our National Park trips to Yosemite show you why this land is a dedicated UNESCO World Heritage Site. From unique wildlife to the stunning vistas of Half Dome and El Capitan, you’ll be able to explore Yosemite National Park on a one-of-a-kind learning adventure.

Highlights of Yosemite National Park Tours

Yosemite National Park is filled with adventure. From the soft forest floors to subalpine valleys, there are plenty of breathtaking features to discover. Road Scholar offers the best Yosemite National Park vacations that are ripe with unique learning experiences. Take a look at some highlights of our Yosemite National Park tours:

• Yosemite Falls: One of the key features of this National Park is Yosemite Falls, which is a waterfall plunging 2,425 feet down into Yosemite Creek. Falling over a wall of granite, this waterfall can be seen from multiple vantage points throughout the park. And if you’re up for adventure, you embark on a 7.2-mile round trip hike that brings you over the falls for awe-inspiring vistas of the entire park.
• Half Dome: No National Park visit to Yosemite is complete without taking in the views of Half Dome, a colossal granite rock face that looks over the entire park. Half Dome is one of the “big climbs” for world-class mountain climbers adventurous enough to scale the mountain. However, there are plenty of great vantage points throughout the park, including Tunnel View, Glacier Point, and Mirror Lake.
• El Capitan: While Half Dome might seem like the tallest rock face in the park, at the North End, you’ll find El Capitan, another granite rock face that is an additional 1,000 feet taller, clocking in at over 3,000 feet. Views of El Capitan can be enjoyed at Tunnel View and El Capitan Meadow.
• Bridalveil Fall: One of the most iconic attractions on Yosemite tours for seniors and families is Bridalveil Fall, located on the south side of Yosemite Valley and one of the first major waterfalls visitors will encounter when traveling from the west. Plunging over 620 feet with a year-round flow, Bridalveil is an accessible attraction for any visitor, a short 0.5-mile round-trip hike from the parking area to the base of the falls.
• Mariposa Grove: Another must-see attraction on Yosemite family tours is Mariposa Grove, near the town of Wawona. Located about 36 miles south of Yosemite Valley, Mariposa Grove is known for its ancient and towering Sequoia trees, some of Earth's largest and oldest living organisms. Notable trees include the Grizzly Giant, standing at 210 feet tall, and the California Tunnel Tree, which was carved in 1895 to allow for the passage of horse-drawn carriages.

These are just some of the many highlights of Yosemite National Park visits. Honorable mentions include Glacier Point, Bridalveil Falls, Ansel Adams Gallery, and The Ahwahnee Hotel.

Tips for Visiting Yosemite National Park

Like any trip to a National Park, it’s important to be prepared. While Yosemite National Park is filled with many breathtaking wonders, these massive waterfalls and mountains with steep ledges can pose risks, as well as the wildlife. To ensure your National Park vacation in Yosemite goes to plan, follow these tips:

• Stay on all designated park trails and follow directions

• Pack plenty of food and water to stay energized throughout your trip

• Share your itinerary with a close friend or family members

• Talk with park rangers to learn more about the park

• Respect wildlife and view at a safe distance

• Pick up after yourself and dispose of trash and recycling in designated receptacles 

Want to learn more about travel to our National Parks? Check out our top National Parks tips.

Our Yosemite National Park Tours

Whether you’re looking for our most popular National Park tours or Yosemite National Park tours for seniors, we have an exciting collection of experiential learning programs to discover the beauty of these federally protected lands. Take a look at some of our top tours in Yosemite:

• Painting tours: Learn about watercolor painting techniques and the beauty of plein-air painting on a Yosemite painting tour. Throughout this program, you’ll be immersed in the natural beauty of Yosemite while learning from an expert instructor to capture the idyllic landscapes of Yosemite National Park.
  • Program: The Beauty of Yosemite and the Joy of Watercolor
• Photography tours: Interested in capturing the wildlife, waterfalls, and colors of Yosemite? Consider one of our Yosemite photography tours, where you can learn about techniques and the region’s natural beauty alongside a photography expert.
  • Program: Photograph Yosemite: Capturing Waterfalls, Cliffs and Domes
• Family tours: There’s no better way to unite multiple generations than through Yosemite family tours. Road Scholar has a great selection of family-friendly learning programs that bring you to some of the top landmarks, from Yosemite Falls to Bridalveil Fall, Half Dome, and El Capitan.
  • Program: Magical Yosemite With Your Grandchild: Trains, Gold & Robots
• Hiking tours: Yosemite is one of the world’s most geographically diverse playgrounds, lending itself to a wide range of memorable and picturesque hikes. Our Yosemite Park tours bring you on some of the top hiking trails, such as the Lower Yosemite Fall Trail, Mirror Lake Loop, and Half Dome Trail.
  • Program: Choose Your Pace: Hiking Yosemite Up Close and Personal

Why Choose Road Scholar for Yosemite Tours

From easy-paced National Park tours to interest-specific tours focused on activities like painting or photography, we have an unbeatable library of Yosemite National Park tours to choose from. No matter the learning program you choose, you’ll enjoy the guidance of a professional guide who will walk you through the park’s history, landscapes, wildlife, and cultural significance, answering any pressing questions along the way.

Program participants and an expert instructor will join a diverse cohort of like-minded learners eager to learn more about the world around them. From spirited conversations to discovery, together, you’ll forge lasting memories and relationships that extend beyond your trip. Join Road Scholar today to find an educational National Park tour.

Book Your Yosemite National Park Trip with Road Scholar

At Road Scholar, our Yosemite National Park tours are second to none, taking you off the beaten path with expert tour guides who will showcase the park in its entirety. In your experiential learning group, you’ll join a diverse cohort who will learn and discover with you. Whether you want to explore Yosemite with grandchildren or go on an easy-paced National Park adventure, we have National Park vacation packages for Yosemite for everyone.