Yosemite Valley Basecamp Tour
Camping Hiking Tours
4 Days, 3 Nights 20+MI / 32+KM
Trip Highlights
Our Spring/Fall Basecamp Tour in Yosemite Valley is a truly unique opportunity to experience the heart of Yosemite National Park in its best seasons. Lying at just 4,000 feet in elevation, “The Valley” has moderate winters, perfect shoulder seasons (spring and fall) and summers are quite hot. This trip allows our guests to enjoy the most comfortable seasons in the Park, a time that has the most impressive waterfall flows because of high mountain snowmelt (spring) and some of the most solitude one can find in the Valley!
We’ll set up a comfortable basecamp at a campground near Yosemite Valley and each day set out on hikes to waterfalls, amazing view points, edges of sheer cliffs, and more! Each evening we’ll return to camp for wonderful outdoor meals, campfires, and relaxation.
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Iconic Yosemite Views
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Stunning Waterfalls
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Diversity of Hikes
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Towering Granite Domes
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Fascinating Glacial History
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Giant Trees - One 3,000+ Years Old!
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Yosemite Valley Minus Summer Crowds
Book This Trip
View Dates
Trip Details
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Trip Type
Camping Hiking Tours -
Trip Length
4 Days, 3 Nights -
Daily Hiking Distance
6-7 mi -
Group Size
2-10 Guests
- day by day itinerary
- logistical and travel information
- gear and clothing lists and more
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Is This Trip Right For me?
This trip follows well maintained trails. Some concerns include loose dirt, large stepping stones and tree roots. The top of Vernal/Nevada falls has exposed vertical drops with safety railings in place.
Difficulty Level
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Solitude Level
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Trip Itinerary
Please Note: We always do everything in our power to follow the set itinerary, however it can change occasionally based on temporary access restrictions, weather, lodging/campground availability, guest ability/injury, natural events like fires and flooding, and other potential causes. Normal terms and conditions apply to trips with itinerary changes.
Day 1
Hiking Mileage: 7.5 miles
Elevation Gain: 2900 feet
Elevation Loss: 2900 feet
On this Yosemite hiking tour, we’ll meet up the first morning of our trip at the Curry Village parking area in Yosemite Valley. From there, we start our hike to two of Yosemite’s crown jewels, Vernal Fall, and Nevada Fall, along either the John Muir Trail or the Mist Trail, depending on conditions. While many of Yosemite’s hikes are centered on a final destination, this route features stunning views the whole way, from Upper Yosemite Falls across the Valley, to the phenomenal granite heights of Liberty Cap, Grizzly Peak, the Panorama Cliffs, Sentinel Dome, Glacier Point and even Half Dome soaring above our heads.
After we lunch at a picturesque point overlooking the falls, we’ll make our way to the campground. As your guide prepares a sumptuous meal, there is time to is sit around the campfire and watch as the alpenglow turns a brilliant crimson in the sky above.
Day 2
Hiking Mileage: 5.8 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 3800 feet
Today we’ll tackle the Upper Yosemite Falls trail and ascend 3800 ft. to the North Rim of Yosemite Valley and the top of the sixth highest waterfall in the world! We begin our hike on the Valley floor at the historic Camp 4, where many of the legendary big wall climbers hung out in the 1950’s and 60’s. The trail ascends sharply from there as we make our way through oak/pine woodland that is prime habitat for bobcats. We soon reach Columbia Rock, with amazing views of Half Dome and the Clark Range across the Valley, before descending a bit to our first dramatic view of Yosemite Falls and the feel of cool mist on our faces. Continuing up a series of switchbacks, we top out on the Valley rim before descending a vertigo inducing stairway to the falls overlook. After a picnic lunch back at the rim we descend to the trailhead and our camp for a well-deserved gourmet dinner around the campfire.
Day 3
Hiking Mileage: Variable
Elevation Gain/Loss: Variable
We’ll give our sore legs a break today and spend our time exploring the wonders of Yosemite Valley. After a hot breakfast and coffee in the chill spring air, we’ll collect our day packs and set off on the Valley Loop Trail. The possibilities are endless, as we can explore more popular sights as Bridalveil Fall and Mirror Lake; or, we can go off the beaten path to more obscure places like the Old Big Oak Flat Road with its one of a kind views of El Capitan or Sierra Point, the only place in Yosemite to see four major waterfalls. We’ll top off the day with a picnic dinner and experience one of the most beautiful sunsets possible.
Day 4
Hiking Mileage: 6.3 miles
Elevation Gain/Loss: 1500 feet
On our final day, we’ll pack up and enjoy a hearty breakfast before leaving our basecamp among the ponderosa pines. We’ll turn south and enjoy one last, special treat. Today’s hike takes us into Yosemite’s biggest trees – the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias. We’ll hike the lower and upper loops, which provide for a wonderful morning of hiking. We’ll visit the 2700 year old Grizzly Giant, the 25th largest tree on earth, as well as many other of these giants. We’ll also get an unparalleled view of Wawona Valley, another of Yosemite’s special places.
After our hike and lunch we’ll contemplate the unforgettable time we’ve just experienced, and most likely start hatching new plans for future trips to more special places like Yosemite!
Trip Dates
Click on a date to register. You can also click here to request new dates or book through customer service.
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What's Included
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Top-of-the-line tent, sleeping pad, sleeping bag, and day pack
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Use of trekking poles
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All meals are included from breakfast on Day 1 through lunch on the last day
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Trained hiking guide(s) with years of personal wilderness and hiking experience, medical certifications, and a passion for leading people into breathtaking landscapes. See Guide Bios.
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Emergency equipment including a company-issued first-aid kit and communication device
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Mandatory 5% national park fee that passes through directly to Yosemite
What's Not Included
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Clothes, raingear and footwear -
National park entrance fee
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Sunscreen, toiletries and personal items
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Water bottles and a headlamp or flashlight
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Guide gratuity (industry recommendation is 10-20% of trip cost)
Accommodations
PREMIER CAMPGROUNDS
3 NIGHTS
On our basecamp tours we hand pick wonderful campgrounds that put us right in the action for exceptional hiking and camping vacations. They may be national park, state park, or private vehicle-accessible campgrounds. They may vary by trip date depending on availability and seasonality.
FANTASTIC MEALS
11 MEALS
Basecamp trips include meals for the duration of the tours beginning with breakfast the first day through lunch the final day. Meals are prepared by your guide(s) using fresh ingredients, exclusive Wildland recipes, and we adhere to all department of health outdoor cooking codes.
COMFORTABLE CAMPING
CAMPING AMENITIES
What amenities do basecamp tours include? Cold and hot drinks, campfires (where/when allowed), camp chairs, access to showers, fresh food, roomy tents, comfortable sleeping pads, comfy sleeping bags, camp pillows and more! Camp comfortably, eat like royalty, and hike til your heart’s content!
Trip Logistics & FAQs
Where Do We Meet?
You’ll meet your hiking guide and group in Curry Village in Yosemite Valley around 8 AM the morning the trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip and will specify the exact location of the rendezvous at that point. You can park your personal vehicle at Curry Village for the duration of the trip.
Click here to see a printable, downloadable trip information packet with more detailed guidance about flights, shuttles, recommended lodging and more.
Travel to Yosemite Valley
TRAVEL TO CURRY VILLAGE IN YOSEMITE
You’ll meet your hiking guide and group in Curry Village in Yosemite Valley around 8 AM the morning the trip begins. Your guide will be in contact approximately 2 weeks before your trip and will specify the exact location of the rendezvous at that point. You can park your personal vehicle at Curry Village for the duration of the trip.
Most of our guests drive personal or rental vehicles to Yosemite, but you can also travel to and from Yosemite National Park using train and bus options from much of California:
From Fresno:Â Yosemite Area Rapid Transit (YARTS) is offering 1 bus ride each direction from Fresno to Yosemite Valley.
From Other California Cities: by rail on the Amtrak San Joaquin Train to the city of Merced (serviced by most large cities in California) or by Amtrak “Thruway” Bus Service from Merced to Yosemite Valley. To book your trip, use Amtrak’s Online Reservation Service to book round-trip Amtrak travel to “YOS” (Yosemite Valley).
Start/End Times
Your guide will inform you of the first day’s rendezvous time at the orientation meeting. Generally, you can expect it to be between 5 and 8 am, although the exact time will depend on current weather and road conditions. We will be out of the backcountry normally before 5 PM (this time is not guaranteed, as a variety of circumstances can influence our exact return time) on the final day.
Safety Precautions
Your safety is our top priority. Our hiking tours are led by professional hiking guides, all of whom are wilderness-certified first responders or EMT’s, each with years of guiding and wilderness experience. Guides adhere to standardized risk management protocols in case of any potential or actual incident, and all tours carry an emergency communication device and comprehensive first-aid kit. Additionally we have a “24/7” system through which guides or guests can reach Wildland support personnel at any time.
If you have any further questions about safety, please contact us at 1-800-715-HIKE (4453) for more information.
Age Restrictions
Age restrictions on this trip are as follows:
- 12 and older to join scheduled tours (mixed groups)
- 5 and older to join private tours, with final approval and specific logistical requirements (such as porter or stock assist) determined on a case by case basis
Reviews
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David F
6 months agoFantastic
Sass and Ericka were fantastic guides who worked hard, had great attitudes and worked well together.
Birgit K
1 year agoChecked all my boxes
My first trip with Wildland Trekking, Yosemite Base Camp and this trip exceeded my expectations. We had awesome campfires with delicious dinners. Our hikes and lunch picnics were super fun. Mike our guide was incredible. His easy going attituded accommodated all wishes - even the last minute Smores for the group. A memorable trip that checked all my boxes and more. I will definitely use Wildland Trekking again, can’t wait for my next trip to Europe!
Robin S
1 year agoA great adventure.
Rafi was such a great guide. She has so much experience. She was so patient with us. She fed us well. Rafi made this trip a great adventure.
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