Yosemite Family Multisport
- Mountain meadows, thundering waterfalls and glorious vistas - oh my!
- A local naturalist reveals some of Yosemite Valley’s secrets
- Be wowed by the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite’s mightiest stand of giant sequoias
- Kid-friendly rock-climbing class in Tuolumne Meadows
- The awesome Ahwahnee Hotel - the valley’s quintessential place to stay
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Nature's Glorious Spectacle in the Sierra Nevada
You probably know the names. The Sierra Nevada. Half Dome. El Capitan. Bridalveil Fall. And maybe you’ve seen the photographs or had an Ansel Adams poster hanging in your college dorm. That’s Yosemite. Everybody’s heard the names but who’s really explored them? Who has stood in awe of Bridalveil Fall? Watched pro climbers take on El Capitan? Hiked and ridden horses through Yosemite? Because the thing is, if you’re going to hang pictures of Yosemite on your walls, wouldn’t it be great if they had your family in them? Well, here’s your chance.
Day 1 Be wowed by the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite’s mightiest stand of these ancient trees 
The landscape shifts from urban to pastoral to alpine on our scenic drive from San Francisco to the Sierra Nevada.
Day 2 Mountain meadows, thundering waterfalls and glorious vistas - oh my! Get acquainted with the Sierra National Forest on a fun-filled spin along the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway to the geographic center of California In the mood for some R&R? Kick back at the lodge, lounge by the pool or perhaps indulge at the spa.
Day 3 The awesome Ahwahnee Hotel - the valley's quintessential place to stay Set out on foot from Glacier Point, savoring air perfumed with ponderosa and cedar, and relishing views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada Climb to the top of immense granite-faced Sentinel Dome.
Day 4 Adults glean secrets of Yosemite Valley from a local naturalist while the younger set saddles up for a mule ride Explore the valley any way you choose: visit the Ansel Adams Gallery, hike to Bridalveil Fall, bike with your family or get a massage.
Days 5-6 Kid-friendly rock-climbing class in Tuolumne Meadows This high-country landscape - with its profusion of summer wildflowers and endless hiking trails - is truly spectacular! Adults hike to the top of Lembert Dome for stunning views Carlon Falls, in a hidden corner of the park, is the perfect grand finale to the trip.
Guests Reviews About This Trip
Our Backroads trip in Yosemite was an experience of a lifetime for our family. The activities, accommodations, cuisine and leaders were beyond exceptional. Over and over again, Backroads delivered!- Glastonbury, CT
Premiere Inns*
Tenaya Lodge
Fish Camp (2 nights) A family-friendly mountain resort near Yosemite’s South Gate with plentiful amenities and panoramic forest views. (pool, spa)
Ahwahnee Hotel
Yosemite Village (2 nights) A National Historic Landmark - and as much an icon of Yosemite as Half Dome - the Ahwahnee features elaborate stained-glass windows, etched stone floors, original Miwok Indian arts and crafts, carved wood paneling, Oriental rugs and Shaker-style furnishings. (pool)
Evergreen Lodge
Groveland (1 night) Elegantly rustic and welcoming cabins nestled amid towering pines on the western border of Yosemite. (pool)
* Casual Inn
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This Trip Is Rated Level 1-3
Routes For All Abilities
Every Backroads trip is designed to appeal to a wide variety of
interests and fitness levels. We know your pace may vary from one
day to the next-and your traveling companion's may differ somewhat
from yours. So we present a range of mileage options, and each
day you decide exactly what and how much you want to do.
| Activity Level | Average Time | Road Bike Average | Mountain Bike Average* | Walk & Hike Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 10-15 miles | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 16-20 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 21-25 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 26-30 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 31+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
*Mountain bikes are used in locations where the best riding is on a combination of dirt and paved roads. View trip locations
The route options below are for adults and older kids with more biking experience who are up for longer rides or hikes. For all other kids (and adults who choose), we make it easy to do even less than the shortest option mentioned below, usually by taking a short lift in one of our support vehicles. We are here to make sure everyone has a great time so there's no need for you to worry about whether your child will be able to "keep up."
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative Elevation Gain
Day 1
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Walking 3.7 miles
- 600 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 4 3 Route Options Available
- Biking 15, 30, 50 miles
- 0 - 1500 feet elevation gain; 800 - 4000 feet elevation loss
Day 3
- Levels 1 to 2 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.5, 4.3, 5.5 miles
- 200 - 600 feet elevation gain
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 Several Route Options Available
- Guided Walk (Adults) 3 hours
- Mule Ride (Kids) 2 hours
- Optional Hiking 2.6 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
- Optional Activities (including biking & hiking)
Day 5
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking (Adults) 3.3, 6 miles
- 300 - 850 feet elevation gain
- Rock Climbing (Kids) 5 hours
Day 6
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 11, 22 miles
- 300 - 600 feet elevation gain
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For 33 years, Backroads has been perfecting the art of active travel. We are the California tour experts. See our award-winning USA multisport tours, USA biking tours and USA walking and hiking tours.
