Beat Yosemite’s 2025 Crowds: Ride an Aventon Aventure on a Guided Foothill E‑Bike Tour
- Chris Van Leuven
- May 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Yosemite’s 2025 Headlines Are Already Making Traffic Reporters Sweat
Timed-Entry Returns and Important Dates
From May 24 through September 1, 2025, you will need a reservation to drive through any Yosemite gate between 6 a.m. and 2 p.m. Note that the reservation system pauses from June 15 to June 24. Reservations drop on May 6 and are limited to a 7-day rolling window.
The Glacier Point & Mariposa Grove roads reopened on May 10, but Tioga Road is still buried in snow and may remain closed until late May or June. The Half Dome cables are expected to go up the Friday before Memorial Day, weather permitting.
Translation: If you plan to see Yosemite Valley on a summer weekend, expect choke-point lines at Arch Rock and Big Oak Flat. Parking spots will fill up quickly.
For a better experience, consider pivoting 45 minutes west. Start your day on a fat-tire Aventon Aventure with Yosemite E-Biking. Our fully guided tours traverse quiet ranch roads, wildflower meadows, and ridge panoramas—zero timed-entry, zero bus fumes, all Sierra magic. Here’s a detailed look at the 2025 situation and how to select the perfect ride length.
1. The 2025 Park Forecast (And Why It Matters)
| What’s New Inside Yosemite | How Our Tours Dodge It |
|----------------------------|-----------------------|
| Reservation Required: 6 a.m.–2 p.m. most days May 24–Sep 1 | Meet and ride in Mariposa — no permit, free parking |
| Glacier Point Open (crowds guaranteed) | Beautiful views of rolling foothills and skyline from Mariposa—no buses! |
| Tioga Road still closed; high country snow lingers | Warm foothills are bone-dry and blooming |
| Cables Install = Valley Trailheads Slammed | Pedal shady oaks while everyone queues for day-hike permits |
You can still visit Yosemite Valley for a sunset, but starting your morning where the pavement is free of RV convoys is far more enjoyable.
2. Aventon Aventure — Made for Mixed Terrain
Your choice of ride is crucial on foothill grades that can reach 10%. We selected the Aventon Aventure, known for its fat tires and suspension fork, for these reasons:
750 Wh batteries + spare in the guide’s support vehicle – This gives you about 27 miles and 3,000 feet on a Half-Day ride with energy to spare.
Five pedal-assist modes + thumb throttle – Perfect for beginners and seasoned athletes alike.
Class-3 speed – We ride up to 20 mph on pavement and 10 to 15 mph on dirt to help you enjoy the breeze on hot days.
Integrated lights & hydraulic discs – These features ensure that you can see and be seen while traveling on country lanes after dusk.
(For full specs, visit our FAQ page.)
3. 2025 Tour Menu
| Tour | Departures | Distance / Gain | Price |
|---------------------|--------------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------|
| Half-Day Adventure | 09:00 / 1 or 2 PM | Up to 27 mi / 3,000 ft | $200 pp (min 2) |
| Full-Day Epic | 09:00 / 1 or 2 PM | Up to 50 mi / 5,000 ft | $325 pp |
| Gold-Panning Combo | 09:00–5:00 PM | 20–27 mi + creek panning | $325 pp |
| Rock-Climb Combo | 09:00–5:00 PM | 20–27 mi + Mt. Bullion 5.6–5.9 | $325 pp |
All tours include helmet, gloves, hi-vis vest, snacks, cold drinks, pro photos, and spare batteries—plus local lore.
4. A Day in the Saddle—Summer Edition
9 a.m. – You roll out of the Mariposa Visitor Center lot while cars three canyons away idle at the Valley gate.
9:40 – Blue lupine and orange poppies carpet Old Highway as you wind downhill.
10:15 – At the Clydesdale & mini-donkey ranch, we feed the animals carrots.
11:00 – A dirt road climb tops out at 2,100 ft. The High Sierra crest fills the eastern horizon. You can enjoy the ride with zero traffic and bus noise.
12:30 – A creek dip and picnic of fresh fruit and snacks. You can swap out batteries if needed; your legs will still feel fresh.
1 or 2:00 pm – Return to the Visitor Center.
5. What to Pack & Book
Bring closed-toe shoes, sunglasses, and SPF 30 to 50 sunscreen.
A lightweight sun shirt or windbreaker is essential, as temperatures can swing 30°F between ridges and creeks.
Make sure to book your online reservation (20% deposit) for Half- and Full-Day tours.
6. Post-Ride Valley Hack
Since timed-entry permits end at 2 p.m., you can still visit Yosemite at the end of your tour. Half-Day tours finish around 1 p.m. (or as late as 2 pm), giving you ample time to grab a bite and then enter the park to enjoy golden hour at Tunnel View. Get ready for Glacier Point Road’s fresh asphalt waiting for you.
Trade the Traffic for Tailwind
2025 is shaping up to be another blockbuster Yosemite season—crowds, permits, and all. The best antidote is a battery-boosted morning on Aventon wheels, led by locals who know every flower patch, gravel shortcut, and ridge panorama west of the park line.
Reserve your Sierra Foothills e-bike tour today and let the Valley gridlock become someone else’s story.
Book now at YosemiteEbiking.com—your adventure (and your parking spot) are waiting.
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