Explore Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
The Sierra Nevada stretches nearly 400 miles along eastern California, dividing the Central Valley from the Great Basin. It is home to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon National Parks, along with twenty wilderness areas and two national monuments. Its landmarks include Lake Tahoe, North America’s largest alpine lake, and Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous U.S. Uplifted about four million years ago, the range’s granite was carved by glaciers into dramatic cliffs, valleys, and peaks.
Yosemite, established in 1890, covers 1,169 square miles and is known for its granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and alpine lakes. Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, also established in 1890, are famous for their giant sequoia groves, including the Giant Forest, home to five of the world’s ten largest trees.
The Pacific Crest and John Muir Trails offer exceptional hiking and backpacking, while visitors also enjoy mountain biking, rafting, skiing, camping, and scenic drives. Millions visit each year seeking adventure, solitude, and natural beauty.
Details
Dates: September 8 – 16, 2028
Cost: $4,200 per person based on double occupancy
Ways to register: Please email explore@outdoordiscovery.org to reserve your spot.
Highlights
- Yosemite National Park: Established in 1890, this 1,169-square-mile park is known for granite cliffs, waterfalls, giant sequoias, and alpine lakes. Iconic sights include El Capitan, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls, and the high-country meadows around Tuolumne offer quieter scenery.
- Giant Forest in Sequoia National Park: This grove holds five of the world’s ten largest trees, including the General Sherman Tree, the largest living tree by volume. Short, easy trails wind among the giants, so it’s accessible for all ages.
- Kings Canyon National Park: Adjacent to Sequoia and also established in 1890, it features giant sequoia groves, including the General Grant Tree, and one of the deepest canyons in the country. The scenic drive into Cedar Grove follows the river through towering granite walls.
- Mount Whitney: At 14,505 feet, it’s the highest peak in the contiguous U.S.