Yosemite Flightseeing Will Blow Your Mind (and Here’s Proof)
In my 20+ years of visiting Yosemite National Park, I only recently discovered that you can take a flightseeing tour over it. So when I learned a Yosemite sightseeing tour was possible, I tried my best to make it happen. And thankfully, blue skies awaited me on the tour day, making for an unbelievable trip around the valley.
To me, Yosemite is one of the most consequential places I’ve ever experienced, and it inspired me to seek out more adventure in my post-college life. I spent two summers in college on Bass Lake as a camp counselor, spending my days off exploring the park.
It’s also one of the most grandiose landscapes we have in these United States of America. And getting the opportunity to see it from a new perspective was incredible. To see how the glacial valley was shaped, with spires, waterfalls, and iconic granite all coming together to make what we know as Yosemite, put me on cloud nine.
So, if you’re heading to Yosemite and Mariposa, I highly recommend booking a trip into the sky to see one of California’s wonders!
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What you need to know about a Yosemite Flightseeing Tour
Is Yosemite Flightseeing worth it?
This was an incredible experience, and the Yosemite flightseeing tour was so worth it.
I’ll be honest, going in, I had no idea what to expect. I wasn’t sure how far into the park you could fly, or how high we would be. But once we learned what would be possible with a chartered flight, I knew it would be amazing.
Our pilot is a local and has extensive knowledge about the area and the conditions to expect. He even put us in a position to get a rainbow on Yosemite Falls, which is very hard to do from the ground.
Overall, it was a phenomenal flightseeing tour that provided a view of Yosemite National Park I didn’t know was possible!
Why Mariposa is the best place to do your Yosemite flightseeing
This gets a bit into the weeds, but the FAA has limits on how far commercial flightseeing trips can go (only a 25-square-mile radius from the airport). Then, add in National Park regulations, and it gets wonky. However, the quick answer is that, due to Mariposa’s position, Yosemite National Park’s entrance is situated right at the end of the 25-mile radius.
Our flight was chartered, which allowed us to see more of the park and fly over it. If you book a standard hour trip, you’ll get around the Tunnel View area before heading to another location.
How much does an hour flight and a chartered flight cost?
Each scenic flight is $225 per person.
A two-person flight costs $450, and a three-person flight costs $675. They do offer single-person trips. A chartered flight is at least two hours of flying, so you’ll want to double the cost for a near-estimate. That said, please contact them for a complete pricing quote.
They recommend booking at least one week out to secure your flight.
Where is the Mariposa Airport?
The Mariposa-Yosemite airport is seven minutes to the north-west of Mariposa in Mount Bullion. If you’re staying anywhere near the town, it’s super easy to reach.
How to take photographs from an airplane
Taking photos from the air isn’t challenging; you just need to know a few things beforehand to ensure you capture crisp, stunning photos.
First, the cool part about this Yosemite flightseeing plane is that it has a small square window that you can open, so you’re not shooting through glass and possibly getting a reflection. (Just make sure you have your neck strap on so you don’t drop the camera 5,000 feet to the ground below.)
Want to book a Yosemite Tour? Find options here.
Camera Tips:
- Shutter Speed around 1/250-1/1,500 (sunny days, push it higher)
- Aperture around 5.6-8, depending on light. You can also set it to AUTO to ensure you don’t get underexposed shots.
- If it’s a sunny day, your ISO can likely stay at 100. When you get up there, test out a few shots to ensure you don’t need to adjust it slightly.
- I shoot high continuous due to the potential for a bump that could blur the shot.
- Lens: 24-105 is ideal. You could do 70-200, especially with the ability to open the window. It depends on whether you want photos with the wings in them or not.
My Camera set up: Canon R5 + 24-105 f/4 + 70-200 f/2.8 + Lexar Professional Memory Card
Photos from the Yosemite Flightseeing Trip
Flightseeing Review from my trip to Mariposa
We arrived at the Mariposa Yosemite Airport just after 8am and checked in. Our pilot reviewed various safety briefs and then informed us about the FAA rules (see above) that apply to commercial flights versus chartered flights. After that fun, it was go time!
On the Tuesday morning in mid-May, the airport was calm, and within minutes our plane was airborne, circling the town of Mariposa as we gained elevation.
We followed the Merced River north and then east, beelining it to the mouth of Yosemite National Park and the ever-famous Tunnel View. This time, though, we were some 5,000 feet above. Here, I soaked in a few I knew so well, yet had never seen from this angle.
It was majestic.
Then, we began our clockwise circle around the valley. First, we flew over and looked directly down at Yosemite Falls. Seeing it from that angle was gnarly! From there, we headed to the iconic Half Dome. Everyone knows its sheer face. But looking directly down on its top, a place I’ve stood twice before, was weird. No one ever sees that angle, and I got chills.
From there, we saw Vernal, Nevada, and Illilouette Falls, then Glacier Point, and on the way back, a rainbow at the base of Yosemite Falls. We spent at least 25 minutes over the valley floor before heading back.
As we returned to Mariposa, we flew over Mariposa Grove and the Giant Sequoias. Nearby, recent fire scars were visible.
Where to stay around Mariposa
Here are a few spots to consider when staying in Mariposa. Read more about this area with my 4-day itinerary.
Budget-Friendly: Quality Inn Yosemite | Yosemite Inn | Monarch Inn
Mid-Level: AutoCamp Yosemite | Best Western Plus
Final thoughts on my Yosemite Fightseeing tour
As you can see, this is an iconic flight over an iconic place. I would recommend taking a chartered flight to see more of the park and the Sierra Nevada range (perhaps even flying up to Tahoe or over to Mammoth). But if you only have time for the hour-long flight, it’ll still wow you, as you’ll get to see Yosemite from a view few people get to experience.
However your Yosemite flightseeing takes place, you’ll have the best time!
Until next time, adventurers, stay safe.
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