Yosemite Family Multisport
Hiking & Biking in the Sierras
This memorable Backroads family vacation begins with a taste of the Wild West in California's Gold Country before forging into Yosemite itself, a breathtaking sanctuary of dense forests, sprawling meadows, thundering waterfalls and dramatic granite peaks. Yosemite is one of our nation’s most stunning national parks, intimate in feel yet grand in scale. Breathe in mountain air and the scent of pine in picturesque campgrounds, and visit the enduring and celebrated natural wonders nestled within the park.
Trip Planning Links
- Glorious hikes to thundering waterfalls, alpine meadows and spectacular panoramas
- Glean hidden secrets of Yosemite Valley from a local naturalist
- Enjoy the immensity of nature on a walk amid the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
- Kid-friendly mule ride and rock-climbing class offer new perspectives
- Breathe in pristine mountain air as you slumber at our peaceful campgrounds
The Day-to-Day Itinerary
Days 1-2 Stanislaus National Forest
Meet in San Francisco 
Shuttle into the heart of the Sierra Nevada and California’s Gold Country Enjoy a barbecue lunch upon arrival Take a short spin along quiet roads in the forest or explore the hiking trails surrounding our campground Embark on a fantastic hike from Glacier Point, where we have panoramic views of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the Sierra Nevada.
Days 3-6 Yosemite
Shuttle to Yosemite While kids saddle up for a mule ride, adults learn more about the park on a naturalist-led walk Pursue a variety of optional activities, including museum visits, biking or hiking Kids enjoy a rock climbing class, while adults hike in Tuolumne Meadows and up to Lembert Dome Meander through the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias and marvel at these majestic trees, which John Muir deemed "nature’s finest masterpiece" Return to Evergreen Campground for our last night under the stars Hike to powerful Carlon Falls in the Tuolumne River Valley before shuttling back to San Francisco.
- Premiere Inns: These lodgings possess both elegance and authentic regional flair.
- Casual Inns: These lodgings are comfortable and appropriate to the area with such characteristics as authenticity, scenic settings and proximity to our activities.
- Deluxe Family Camping: We set up the tents (and take them down), handle every camp chore and perform culinary magic.
Other Trips You Might Like:
Glacier Multisport Canadian Rockies Multisport Yellowstone MultisportOther National Park Trips
Look at what other guests are saying about this trip!
We had a terrific trip. Our leaders were outstanding in every way, the scenery was awe inspiring and everyone had a wonderful time...so much natural beauty and fun experiences in one week!- Lancaster, PA All Guest Reviews
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Yosemite Family Multisport
MOUNTAIN RETREATS: Deluxe Camping
Evergreen Campground & Lodge
Stanislaus National Forest (3 nights) Set in the Hetch Hetchy Valley and surrounded by the Stanislaus National Forest, this campground offers private bathrooms (including hot showers) and proximity to our activities.
Tuolumne Meadows Campground
Yosemite (2 nights) A welcoming campground nestled in the pristine high-country meadows. Hot showers require a short shuttle.
Yosemite Family Multisport
Daily Mileage Options & Cumulative 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Insider Trips | Explore at a leisurely pace—on village walks, market strolls, art history excursions, hands-on cooking classes and more. | ||
| 1 | 2-3 hours | 10-20 miles | 2-5 miles |
| 2 | 2-4 hours | 21-30 miles | 5-7 miles |
| 3 | 3-5 hours | 31-40 miles | 7-9 miles |
| 4 | 4-6 hours | 41-55 miles | 9-11 miles |
| 5 | 5-7+ hours | 56-75+ miles | 11-13+ miles |
Day 1
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Biking 11, 22 miles
- 200 - 1000 feet elevation gain
Day 2
- Levels 1 to 3 3 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.5, 4, 8 miles
- 200 - 750 feet elevation gain
Day 3
- Mule Ride (Kids) 2 hours
- Interpretive Walk (Adults) 3 hours
- Free Time (options include hiking and biking)
Day 4
- Levels 1 to 2 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 2.8, 5.9 miles (Adults)
- 600 - 850 feet elevation gain
- Rock Climbing (Kids) 6 hours
Day 5
- Level 1 2 Route Options Available
- Hiking 3 miles
- 50 feet elevation gain
- Walking 2.3 miles
- 500 feet elevation gain
Day 6
- Level 1 1 Route Option Available
- Hiking 3.6 miles
- 200 feet elevation gain
On this Family Trip, our routes follow gentle terrain with no significant gain or loss in elevation. Liberal van shuttling is incorporated into the itinerary to facilitate our activities and mileage is kept moderate to enable you to spend more time exploring on your own.