Sequoia & Yosemite National Parks 2026

THIS TRIP IS IN 2026 BUT WE'RE PLANNING AHEAD!

During this event you will:

- Tour America's 2nd and 3rd National Parks
- Spend a day exploring among the largest trees on Earth
- Experience unmatched views of the Sierra-Nevada Mountain Range
- Stand below (and above) the highest waterfall in North America
- Humbly revere El Capitan

This is a short trip with a gigantic payout! You will see all the major points of interest in both Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks. We'll spend a full day touring Sequoia N.P., home to the largest trees (by volume) in the world, then have nearly three days to hike, bike, and gape at the towering landscape and sky-high waterfalls of Yosemite National Park. Spring is the optimum time to see the falls so let's hope for a wet, snowy winter in the Sierra's beforehand.

We'll spend our first two nights in Fresno and the following three nights right in Yosemite Valley, hopefully.* I'll take up to four others with me in my car, but everyone can make their own rental and driving arrangements.

*Reservations

Rooms at Yosemite Valley Lodge fill up very quickly and you can't book further out than 367 days before arrival, so here's how we'll do it: In January 2025 I'll ask everyone planning to take charge of a room for a $400 commitment (what I'll need to reserve each room), then in February I'll call to get on a waitlist for the number of rooms we want. On May 9 I'll know if we secured the rooms, and if we didn't, I'll immediately look elsewhere for lodging. If we secure only a partial lot, the group may have to split up, but only for lodging.

A few other accommodations are available in the valley, including camping, and the upscale Awahnee ($$$$), but you're on your own for making those reservations. Regardless of where you stay in the valley, getting around and meeting up is easy with the park's free shuttle service running throughout the park about every 17 minutes from 7 AM to 10 PM.

Cost

Approximate cost of the trip for single-occupancy at the Lodge, excluding flight and meals, is $1900. Double-occupancy at the Lodge will be $1200. I strongly recommend doubling up, as this will help ensure you get a room.

A double Queen room at Fairfield Inn will likely cost $425 for two nights, and current flights from JFK, Newark, and ALB to Fresno are about $600, although it's too early to book so we'll do that once we've secured lodging.

In the end, double-occupancy people should expect to pay at least $2000 or more for all lodging and flights, and singles $2900 or more.

Accommodations

May 9 & 10 (Sat & Sun) - Fairfield Inn & Suites Fresno Yosemite International Airport (you book it, but not yet)

May 11 - 13 (Mon, Tue, Wed) - Yosemite Valley Lodge, hopefully! (I'll book it)

Tentative Itinerary

Sat - Travel to Fresno, overnight at Fairfield Inn
Sun - 7 AM - Depart for Sequoia N.P., overnight back at Fairfield in Fresno
Mon - 8 AM - Depart for Yosemite N.P., explore, overnight in Yosemite
Tue - Yosemite
Wed - Yosemite
Thu - 8:00 Depart for Fresno Airport

As you can see by the photo, I've done this trip before, although in less time, so our four-day itinerary will be enough to see all the good stuff. However, be aware that our day at Sequoia will be very active and we'll remain at the park until sunset.

If you have a hankering to hike Half-Dome, be aware it's a grueling 14-mile all-day affair requiring a permit. I won't be joining you!

Suggested relevant film: Free Solo