Chukchansi is just minutes away from the majesty of Yosemite National Park and an array of other local attractions that offer the best in recreation, sight-seeing and adventure.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite Not just a great valley, but a shrine to human foresight, the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra. First protected in 1864, Yosemite National Park is best known for its waterfalls, but within its nearly 1,200 square miles, you can find deep valleys, grand meadows. Travel articles related to Yosemite National Park Transportation companies, driving directions and more for Yosemite NP. Yosemite NP weather report, historic temperatures and climate info.

Yosemite is so spectacular and awe-inspiring that it is often referred to as the “Crown Jewel” of the National Park system. Tourists travel from around the globe to gaze upon Half Dome and feel the spray from Bridalveil Falls. Powerful forces of nature left indelible footprints on the landscape that are still visible in the towering granite cliffs, thundering waterfalls, steep mountains and deep alpine lakes. They beckon visitors to explore, climb, photograph and experience their grandeur.

Bass Lake

Surrounded by the boundless beauty of the Sierra National Forest and just 15 miles from Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino, the Bass Lake Recreation Area offers boating and skiing, camping, fishing and hiking, or shopping for souvenirs, antiques and collectables.

Golf

River Creek Golf Course
In the shadow of Yosemite, River Creek’s pristine setting and majestic terrain belies a challenging championship course.

Wawona Golf Course
Yosemite’s Wawona Golf Course was the first regulation course in the Sierra Nevada when it opened in 1918 and has provided golfers challenging but rewarding rounds ever since. The nine-hole, par-35 national park golf course measures 3,050 yards. Different tee positions provide a par-70, 18-hole format.

Historical Attractions

Casino Yosemite National Park Reservations

The Golden Chain Highway
Travel back to the days of the 49’er miners when you begin your adventure through California’s gold country. The southern entrance of the Golden Chain Highway, also known as Highway 49, begins in Oakhurst, just nine miles north of Chukchansi Gold Resort & Casino and winds its way through 289 miles of forested foothills and majestic mountains. You’ll delight in the historic charm of towns like Mariposa, Sonora and Jamestown.

Yosemite Mountain Sugar Pine Railroad & Thornberry Museum
Ride “The Logger” as it steams through the beautiful Sierras. For 40 years thousands of kids of all ages have enjoyed the ride, the beauty and excitement. Only two miles south of Yosemite National Park on Highway 41, you can enjoy daily steam locomotive trips, special moonlight dinners, gold panning and entertainment.

California State Mining & Mineral Museum
This fascinating museum is home to 20,000 mineral specimens including the Fricot “Nugget,” which is the finest and largest piece of crystallized gold in existence. Just 34 miles north of Chukchansi, on historic Highway 49, the Golden Chain Highway.

SMALL GROUP TOURS – We specialize in Private and Small Group Tours! We prefer to keep our groups to around 8-12 guests. Compare that with other companies who drive large buses! In smaller vehicles we are able to stop and visit more places and are able to see the park up close. Meet visitors from around the world in a comfortable setting! While savoring the majestic views of Yosemite we will enjoy a delicious picnic lunch together.

OPTIONAL FOUR MILE TRAIL HIKE – If you are looking for a small group tour AND want to do a strenuous hike (elevation difference of 3200 feet), we are the only company offering a four mile hike. When we reach Glacier Point, you will start hiking down on the Four Mile Trail. When you get to the bottom, you can make a right and walk 500 feet and go across the beautiful Swinging Bridge over the Merced River, with a breathtaking view of Yosemite Falls. The Trail takes you to the commercial bus parking area. From there you walk to the right and go towards the Yosemite Lodge where we will meet you. OR, if you prefer, when you get to the bottom, there is a shuttle bus stop. You can take the shuttle to Yosemite Lodge in the Valley where we will meet you.

Casino Near Yosemite National Park

Chukchansi Casino Hotel with Yosemite Tour – $279/Adult, double occupancy, $249/Senior over 60, double occupancy, and $129/Child under 12.

$125/night for additional Chukchansi Hotel option.

Itinerary

Chukchansi Hotel Stay

On Day 1, arrive at the Chukchansi Casino Hotel, in Coarsegold, California. We will pick you up the next morning for your Yosemite Tour!

Glacier Point and Yosemite Valley

On Day 2, we leave around 9 am and drive through Coarsegold and Oakhurst where we pass by the historical Talking Bear and several businesses in town who feature Bears in front of their businesses. From Oakhurst we have the option to go from Bass Lake/ Fish Camp and enter the Park from the South Gate, traveling on what we call the Mountain View Drive) OR we may go around from Mariposa/Midpines, traveling on what we call the River View Drive), which is 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 today.

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 for our picnic lunch. If we go to Glacier Point first, our lunch break is at Yosemite Falls, and if we go to Yosemite Valley first, our lunch break is at Glacier Point.

From Chinquapin, we turn to climb up to Glacier Point where we will stop for 30-45 minutes. At this point if you are going to hike on the 4 Mile Trail, you will start here and the rest of the guests will stay in the vehicle as we drive down to Yosemite Valley. NOTE: Depending on our schedule and conditions, we may opt to visit Glacier Point after Yosemite Valley.

As we climb up to Glacier Point, 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.

Indian Casino Near Yosemite National Park

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 of 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. The short walk to Glacier Point will reward you with a breathtaking view of both Yosemite Valley and the Yosemite High Country, which is part of the majestic Sierra Nevada Mountain Range.

Casino By Yosemite National Park

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, which is 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. You will have time to walk to the base of Yosemite Falls, visit the Souvenir shop, use restrooms and get a cup of joe at Starbucks if you wish.

When we leave here we will stop in front of El Capitan, Spanish for “The Captain”. El Capitan rises over 3000 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. Besides these main stops there may be other stops depending on the time we have, and what the group prefers.

Consider purchasing our exclusive Yosemite T-shirt! Only $14.99. Available when you book your tour online.

Our guides are all local and going to Yosemite is their passion. Each one of them 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.

OPTIONAL FOUR MILE TRAIL HIKE

At Glacier Point, guests who are looking for hiking time have the option to hike down the Four Mile Trail, which will end on Southside Drive, where they can cross Swinging Bridge and follow the trail to meet us at Yosemite Valley Lodge.

The Four Mile Trail is about 5 miles from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley Lodge.Most of the time we offer the option of hiking down from Glacier Point to the Valley but sometimes due to scheduling we may offer the option to hike up to Glacier Point from the Valley.The elevation at Glacier Point is 7200 ft and the Yosemite Valley is at 4000 ft elevation. 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 and 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 and you must be prepared with appropriate clothing, shoes, walking stick, water and whatever else you may require. It takes about 2-3 hours hiking downhill.Crossroads Tours will allow you 4 hours maximum to reach the Yosemite Valley Lodge.Beyond 4 hours Crossroads may not be able to standby for you and you may have to find other transportation back. If Crossroads has to wait for you the cost will be $ 95 an hour which will be calculated after 4 hours.

Need a lift?

In need of transportation between San Francisco, Los Angeles, Fresno, Oakhurst, Fish Camp, Coarsegold, Madera, Mariposa, Yosemite Valley, and Tuolumne Meadows areas? We offer comfortable shuttle service to and from these areas, including deluxe limousine service. Check us out here.