If you are looking for an amazing way to check out Yosemite National Park at night you need to check out the Moonlight Yosemite Valley Floor Tour!
This tour is only offered during the summer around the full moon each month. The tour is two hours and we honestly loved it!
If you are worried about being out in the park at night with bears, cougars, and dark trails this is the perfect tour for you! You can enjoy a guided tour of Yosemite Valley in the safety of a semi-truck pulled open-air tram.
TL;DR Don't have time to read the full article? Here are my top finds:
🏨Hotels and Vacation Rentals
📍Tours
🐻 Save time! Buy your National Park Pass before your trip
Moonlight Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
The tour guide shares stories of Yosemite and folklore about the moon.
One of our favorite parts of the tour was seeing people climb El Capitan at 10:30 pm. We could see their headlamps light up from the valley floor. The tour guide shared with us information on climbing El Capitan and the fastest routes that have been done.
We also stopped at Tunnel View for an epic nighttime view of the valley floor. This stop included a hot chocolate and time to stretch our legs.
The final stop of the tour was the swinging bridge to learn more about the constellations and stars we were seeing. During our tour, you could see Jupiter near the moon.
The moon was not quite full but still bright enough to light up the valley.
Things to know when booking the Moonlight Yosemite Valley Floor Tour
Call 209.372.1240 or 888.413.8869 for current availability.
In the park, reservations may be placed at any Tour and Activity Desk
Duration - 2 hours
Highlights - Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, El Capitan, Tunnel View, Bridalveil Fall, and more.
Departure Location - Yosemite Valley Lodge
Tickets will need to be retrieved at the Yosemite Valley Lodge Tour and Activity Desk at least 15 minutes prior to your tour departure time.
24-hour cancellation notice required to receive a full refund!
DO NOT BE LATE for the tour! There was a gentleman who showed up for our tour a couple of minutes late because he couldn't find a parking spot and he was not allowed on the tram.
Give yourself enough time to find a parking spot and get to the tour meet up at least 15 minutes early.
During the tour count what row you are sitting in so you can get back to the same spot. I would like to say this is not a big thing but people started freaking out that other guests had moved seats on our tour. They started snipping at each other and it was just too much!
There is a bit of a step up into the tram. You will need to twist a bit to get into the rows.
Additional Yosemite National Park Information & Resources
Yosemite National Park Tours
California Audio Tour Bundle (Get 4 Audio Tours)
⭐️ Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 days | 🔊Check Rates and Availability
With Shaka Guide's GPS Audio Tours, you are guided to hidden gems and iconic sights. Now, you can explore at your own pace without worrying about keeping up with a tour. Tours include:
- Yosemite's Majestic Beauty
- Death Valley's Unique Geology
- Joshua Tree's otherworldly Landscapes
- Lake Tahoe's Clear Waters
Private Full-Day Fly Fishing for Beginners and Experienced Anglers
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 8 hours | 🎣 Check Rates and Availability
Here is your chance to enjoy fly fishing in Yosemite with your private guide! This full-day adventure (Approx. 8 hours) is where you can fish the Tuolumne and Merced River watersheds for Rainbow, Brown, Brook, and Golden Trout on the catch-and-release excursion. The tour includes:
- all fly fishing gear, fishing license, Peak Season Reservation, and entrance fees
- round-trip transportation from Yosemite Valley or Groveland
- snacks/lunch
Private Family Hike in Yosemite
⭐️ Rating: 4.9 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4-6 Hours | 🥾Check Rates and Availability
Experience the monumental scenery of Yosemite on a guided, half-day hike designed especially for families. Choose from a beginning to moderate hike to suit your family's experience level, and embark on a series of trails that wind through the famous natural attractions of either Yosemite Valley or the high country. Enjoy Spectacular views from on of America's favorite National Parks, and stop for a scenic picnic near a stream, lake, or meadow.
4 Days Guided Yosemite Half Dome Tour
⭐️ Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars | ⏳ Tour Length: 4 Days | 🥾Check Rates and Availability
Ready to turn your bucketlist into a brag list? This 4 day Yosemite adventure takes you from secret swimming holes to the iconic half-dome cables without the crowds or the chaos. Every detail is covered, from wilderness permits to those elusive Half Dome Spots. Just bring your personal camping gear including a tent, sleping bag & pad, and headlamp. A full packing list will be provided after you register. With expert guides, chef-style meals, and starry skies, you'll hike, relax, and conquer like a pro!
Check out more great tours of Yosemite. Tours include hiking, snowshoeing, roundtrip tours from San Francisco, and more!
Lodges In Yosemite National Park
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Ahwahnee Hotel - Click here for Rates and Availability.
The Ahwahnee stands as Yosemite's most iconic lodge, a National Historic Landmark that has hosted royalty and presidents while offering unmatched views of Half Dome and Yosemite Falls. This architectural masterpiece blends historic elegance with modern comfort, featuring fine dining, a heated outdoor pool, and artisan shops right at your doorstep. After a day exploring the valley's waterfalls and granite cliffs, you'll appreciate the world-class hospitality and luxurious amenities that make this more than just a place to stay.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Yosemite Valley Lodge - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Yosemite Valley Lodge sits right at the base of Yosemite Falls, offering 245 rooms including family rooms and bunk rooms perfect for groups exploring the park together. The lodge's glass-and-wood architecture frames incredible views while keeping you close to trailheads, with shuttle access, multiple dining options, and seasonal bike rentals right onsite. After hiking to Vernal Fall or exploring the valley floor, cool off in the seasonal outdoor pool or grab a meal before heading to the outdoor amphitheater for evening ranger programs.
⭐️ 4.0 of 5 Stars - Wawona Hotel - Currently Closed for Renovations
Built in 1856 the Wawona Hotel formerly Big Trees Lodge is on the National Historic Landmark located near the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias and the Pioneer History Center in Yosemite National Park.
⭐️ 4.3 of 5 Stars - Curry Village Tent Cabins - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Nestled beneath Glacier Point since 1899, Curry Village offers authentic Yosemite lodging with options from classic tent cabins to wood cabins and hotel rooms. This historic base camp puts you right in the heart of Yosemite Valley with multiple dining options, an outdoor pool, and easy shuttle access to trailheads and waterfalls. Whether you're looking for a budget-friendly tent cabin experience or more traditional accommodations, Curry Village delivers that classic national park stay with all the amenities you need after a day on the trails.
Lodges near Yosemite National Park
There are great options for lodging near Yosemite National Park. We are huge fans of staying in Oakhurst, California and entering the park from the southern entrance. Here is a few of our favorite places to stay in Oakhurst:
⭐️ 4.8 of 5 Stars - Chateau du Sureau - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Exceptional 5-star luxury accommodations south of Yosemite National Park. Includes breakfast, feww WIFI, pet friendly, air conditioning and much more! Also has an incredible restaurant o-site and a spa!
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - The Pines Resort at Bass Lake - Click here for Rates and Availability.
Bass Lake Beachfront Resort with lots of amenities, including Spa services, gym, two restaurants, bar/lounge, Airconditioning and more!
⭐️ 4.4 of 5 Stars - Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite - Click here for Rates and Availability.
4-star eco-friendly resort near Yosemite. You can look forward to a poolside bar, a terrace, and shopping on site at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Adventurous travelers may like the rock climbing, snowshoeing, and ice skating at this resort. Indulge in a deep-tissue massage, a body treatment, and aromatherapy at Ascent Spa, the onsite spa
Click on this link or the map below to see additional lodging options near Yosemite NP.
Yosemite National Park Entrance Fee
New in 2026: Each Non-US Resident aged 16 and older visiting Yosemite National Park must pay a $100 nonresident fee (in addition to the standard entrance fee), unless admitted with an annual or America the Beautiful Pass. This includes nonresidents entering as part of a commercial tour group, commercial use authorization (CUA) group, or concessioner tour group.
Park entrance fees are separate from camping and lodging fees.
Park Entrance Pass - $35.00 Per private vehicle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Park Entrance Pass - Motorcycle - $30.00 Per motorcycle (valid for 1-7 days from the date of purchase)
Per-Person Entrance Pass - $20.00 Visitors 16 years or older who enter on foot, bicycle, or as part of an organized group not involved in a commercial tour.
Annual Park Entrance Pass - $70.00, Admits pass holder and all passengers in a non-commercial vehicle. Valid for one year from the month of purchase.
$0.00 for Education/Academic Group
$300.00 for Non-Commercial Group (16+ persons)
$40.00-$20.00 for Commercial Sedan with 1-6 seats and non-commercial groups (16+ persons)
$20.00 for Commercial Van with 7-15 seats
$200.00 for Commercial Mini-Bus with 16-25 seats
$300.00 for Commercial Motor Coach with 26+ seats
Learn more about National Park Passes for parks that have an entrance fee.
$80.00 - For the America the Beautiful/National Park Pass. The pass covers entrance fees to all US National Park Sites and over 2,000 Federal Recreation Fee Sites for an entire year and covers everyone in the car for per-vehicle sites and up to 4 adults for per-person sites.
Buy your pass at this link, and REI will donate 10% of pass proceeds to the National Forest Foundation, National Park Foundation, and the U.S. Endowment for Forestry & Communities.
National Park Free Entrance Days -Mark your calendars with the free entrance days the National Park Service offers for US citizens and residents.
Yosemite National Park No Longer Requires Peak Hours Reservations
Yosemite National Park will not require advance reservations in 2026, including during peak summer months and the February-March firefall period. The park will rely on real-time traffic management measures, including temporary traffic diversions when parking areas reach capacity and deployment of additional seasonal staff to manage high-use areas.
Additional Yosemite Resources
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias - The grove is outside of the valley on Highway 41 next to the southern entrance to the park.
California National Parks - Check out all of the National Park sites you can visit while in California.
National Park Passport Books - Find out about this great way to track all of the national park sites you have visited.
Visit Yosemite Madera - The Yosemite Madera visitor center is located in the heart of Oakhurst, California. They have great volunteers that can answer a ton of questions for you before you get to the park.
Check out all of our Yosemite National Park posts to see all of the great things to do in Yosemite!
Check out all of the National Parks in California and neighboring National Parks in Oregon, National Parks in Nevada, and National Parks in Arizona.
Make sure to follow Park Ranger John on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok
Leave a Reply