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.
Trip Highlights
- 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
Premiere Inns
Tenaya Lodge (2 nights): A family-friendly mountain resort near Yosemite’s South Gate with plentiful amenities and panoramic forest views. (pool, spa)
Ahwahnee Hotel (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 (1 night): Elegantly rustic and welcoming cabins nestled amid towering pines on the western border of Yosemite. (pool)
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
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 | Biking Average | Walking Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 mile | 2-5 miles |
| Level 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| Level 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| Level 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| Level 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
2012 Dates & Pricing*
FAMILY TRIPS
*Prices may change. Once you book your trip, your price is guaranteed.
Recommended Kids Ages
Minimum Ages:
- Recommended minimum age for the trip: 6 years
- Minimum age restriction to ride own bike and mule/horseback ride: 7 years
- Minimum age restriction for rock climbing: 6 years
General Info on Minimum Ages:
We strongly encourage families to join our Family Trips, designed with kid- and adult-friendly features. Please note that we have a minimum age requirement of 1 year for all Inn trips and 2 years for all Camping trips. Other than that, we do not restrict trips to a minimum age except in the rare case of a hotel age restriction. We do, however, recommend minimum ages based on the following criteria:- 12+ amount of cultural appreciation, difficulty of activities, routes
- 9+ difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions, routes
- 6+ several longer dinners; routes are difficult for pulling a Burley and therefore not appropriate for younger children; difficulty of activities/activity age restrictions
Guest Trip Reviews
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