Whether you’re a first time solo hiker or a family returning for the tenth time, Yosemite has something for everyone. The park has so much to offer that it can be hard to choose what to experience first. Lots of visitors navigate the park on their own, but for those who like extra guidance, here are some Yosemite hiking and camping tours that can be booked and arranged ahead of time. Let someone else do the planning and navigating so you can focus on enjoying the beauty of Yosemite National Park.
A quick note for my independent travelers: If planning to visit Yosemite without a guide, be sure to check out my list of 10 Things to Do in Yosemite as well as my 2 day itinerary and 4 day itinerary for independent park visitors.
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Yosemite Hiking and Camping Tours
1. Group Guided Hiking Tour
Join a small group on this Yosemite guided hiking tour. Impressively earning the Badge of Excellence on Viator, a leading travel excursion site, this hiking tour is guaranteed to get you to some of the best sights in the park. There are 5 difficulty levels to choose from, ranging from beginner to strenuous, and each level has it’s own list of options. The length of the tour can vary between 4-10 hours, depending on the route chosen. You can select the level and the location of your trip after booking, but below are some location options to get you an idea:
5 Levels of Difficulty:
- Beginner Yosemite Hiking Tours: Eastern Yosemite Valley & Mirror Lake, Western Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Sentinel Dome & Taft Point, May Lake, Tuolumne Meadows
- Moderate Yosemite Hiking Tours: Inspiration Point, Sentinel Dome and Taft Point, Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy, Lembert Dome and Dog Lake, Eastern Yosemite Valley, Western Yosemite Valley, Panorama Trail to Illilouette Falls, Elizabeth Lake
- Intermediate Yosemite Hiking Tours: Yosemite Falls & Western Yosemite Valley, JMT Waterfalls, Glacier Point to Taft Point via Sentinel Dome, Dewey & Crocker Points, Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Tuolumne & Merced Groves of Giant Sequoias, May Lake & Raisin Lake, Gaylor Lakes
- Challenging Yosemite Hiking Tours: Mist Trail/JMT Waterfalls: Vernal and Nevada Falls, Panorama Trail (Glacier Point to Nevada Fall), Ostrander Lake, Chilnualna Falls, Mt. Hoffman, North Dome, Cathedral Lakes
- Strenuous Yosemite Hiking Tours: Half Dome, Upper Yosemite Fall, El Capitan, 4 Mile Trail (Valley to Glacier Point), Clouds Rest, Glen Aulin Waterfalls, Mt. Dana, Vogelsang Lake, Ten Lakes Pass, Pohono Trail from Inspiration Point to Dewey Point
2. Private Guided Hiking Tour
On this Yosemite private hiking tour, you get a guide all to yourself. Also earning the Badge of Excellence on Viator, this excursion is top rated by travelers. The guide helps you navigate the park while avoiding crowds, which I always appreciate. They also talk a bit about the history of the park, comment on the surrounding plants and wildlife, and make sure you get some amazing photo opportunities.
This private Yosemite hiking tour includes 2 levels of difficulty from which to choose: beginner and moderate. Below are some of the location options offered for each level. You choose the level and the locations of your trip after booking, but below are some location options to get you started.
2 Levels of Difficulty:
- Beginner Yosemite Hiking Tours: Eastern Yosemite Valley & Mirror Lake, Western Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias, Merced Grove of Giant Sequoias, Sentinel Dome & Taft Point, May Lake, Tuolumne Meadows
- Moderate Yosemite Hiking Tours: Inspiration Point, Sentinel Dome and Taft Point, Wapama Falls at Hetch Hetchy, Lembert Dome and Dog Lake, Eastern Yosemite Valley, Western Yosemite Valley, Panorama Trail to Illilouette Falls, Elizabeth Lake
3. Yosemite 3 Day Camping Tour
This group camping tour to Yosemite combines both hiking and camping. Spanning over 2 nights and 3 days, it departs from San Francisco. What I like is that all camping equipment is provided except a sleeping bag. 5 cooked meals are included at the campsite. There are some group hikes includes as well. This tour is perfect those who want to have the camping experience but don’t want to buy or bring their own camping equipment.
This tour has about 150 reviews on Viator, a trusted travel experience website, with many pictures and reviews from past travelers. One thing to note is that the location of the campsite isn’t listed. I’m assuming the campsite will be outside of Yosemite Valley, but will be nearby. I assume they keep the location generic to allow for seasonal changes and availability. View the itinerary below for full details.
Pin it for Later: Yosemite Hiking and Camping Tours
Want More Yosemite?
- Wondering what to bring on your next Yosemite trip? Check out my Yosemite Packing List.
- Looking for more Yosemite inspiration? Check out my Ultimate Yosemite Valley Travel Guide.
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