California
National Parks of the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia
Program No. 2019760MEADV-1116-60
Discover three of the nation’s most treasured national parks, exploring waterfalls in King’s Canyon, the world’s largest trees in Sequoia and the many must-see sites of Yosemite.
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800-454-5768
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DATES
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PRICES
DATES
& starting prices
PRICES
Aug 31 - Sep 5, 2025
Starting at
2,269Sep 21 - Sep 26, 2025
Starting at
2,269Sep 28 - Oct 3, 2025
Starting at
2,269Oct 12 - Oct 17, 2025
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6 days
5 nights
14 meals
5B 4L 5D
2
Yosemite National Park Field Trip
Episcopal Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
3
Glacier Point, Southern Yosemite
Episcopal Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
6
Program Concludes
Oakhurst, CA
At a Glance
Breathe crystal-clear air in an in-depth exploration of all three of these iconic national parks. Enjoy field trips where you’ll experience the major attractions of King’s Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks as you learn about animal life, astronomy, botany, geology, native plants, park issues and the influence of famed naturalist John Muir.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Hikes anywhere from 2 to 6 miles a day. Elevations up to 8,100 feet.
Small Group
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Best of all, you’ll…
- Be part of history at Muir Rock in King's Canyon, the place where John Muir frequently addressed the Sierra Club, and visit Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow.
- Experience Congress Loop in Sequoia to encounter the largest tree by mass in the world, and take in the vast landscape of the Great Western Divide and the San Joaquin Valley.
- Catch at breathtaking first glimpse of Half Dome in Yosemite, and stand before natural and man made marvels like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Falls.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and a live performance or event.
Suggested Reading List
(8 books)
Visit the Road Scholar Bookshop
You can find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
National Parks of the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia
Program Number: 20197
A Sierra Club Naturalist’s Guide to the Sierra Nevada.
. Stephen Whitney has taken most of the University of California Press guides and books and done an excellent job of condensing a wide range of biotic and abiotic topics. I highly recommend this guide to anyone interested in the Sierra Nevada, whether a teacher, backpacker, student, or amateur naturalist.
High Odyssey: The First Solo Winter Assault of Mt. Whitney and the Muir Trail Area.
Anyone who loves mountains, and especially the Sierra Nevada, will find this a great addition to the library. It documents the little known winter solo ski trip over the entire John Muir trail, from Mt. Whitney to Yosemite, by Orland Bartholemew in 1928-29. The author expertly crafts the story from old notes and a diary.
An Illustrated Flora of Yosemite National Park
An Illustrated Flora of Yosemite National Park. El Portal, California:
. Gloryland: A Novel.
This books is roughly based on the life of his great-grandfather who was a buffalo soldier and one of those who patrolled Yosemite NP around the turn of the century to protect it from poachers, loggers, miners, etc.
Born on Emancipation Day, 1863, to a sharecropping family of African and Indian blood, Elijah Yancy never lived as a slave, but his self-image as a free person is at war with his surroundings: Spartanburg, South Carolina, in the Reconstructed South.
Shelton Johnson is an interpretive ranger for Yosemite National Park. His area of expertise is the Buffalo Soldiers and their influence on the early history of Yosemite and the west.
Flowering Shrubs of Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada.
While the trees of Yosemite thrill visitors and the wildflowers often steal the show, every year the blue elderberry, the snowberry, the American dogwood, and dozens of other shrubs bloom in a glory all their own. This lovely volume, with inspired watercolors showing the fruit, flowers, and foliage of the plants, pays these shrubs full homage. Complete with useful information for plant identification, this book serves as a welcome and needed introduction to some of Yosemite's wildflowers.
The Wild Muir: Twenty-two of John Muir’s Greatest Adventures.
Short stories from John Muir that creates an understanding of John Muir.
My First Summer in the Sierra
The first of John Muir's books. This inspirational book allows the reader to understand John Muir's desire to protect and preserve Yosemite.
The Geologic Story of Yosemite National Park.
Geologic History of Yosemite
Program
At a Glance
Duration
6 days
Program Begins
Oakhurst, CA
Program Concludes
Oakhurst, CA
Group Type
Small Group
Meals
14
| 5B |
4L |
5D |
Activity Level
Breathe crystal-clear air in an in-depth exploration of all three of these iconic national parks. Enjoy field trips where you’ll experience the major attractions of King’s Canyon, Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks as you learn about animal life, astronomy, botany, geology, native plants, park issues and the influence of famed naturalist John Muir.)
Best of all, you'll...
- Be part of history at Muir Rock in King's Canyon, the place where John Muir frequently addressed the Sierra Club, and visit Roaring River Falls and Zumwalt Meadow.
- Experience Congress Loop in Sequoia to encounter the largest tree by mass in the world, and take in the vast landscape of the Great Western Divide and the San Joaquin Valley.
- Catch at breathtaking first glimpse of Half Dome in Yosemite, and stand before natural and man made marvels like El Capitan, Bridalveil Fall, Sentinel Bridge and Yosemite Falls.
General Notes
The Retreat Difference: This unique, often basic and no-frills experience at a Road Scholar Retreat includes opportunities for early morning exercise, interaction with the local community for insight into local life, an authentic farm-to-table or locally sourced meal, and a live performance or event.
Activity Level
Let's Go!
Hikes anywhere from 2 to 6 miles a day. Elevations up to 8,100 feet.
Small Group
(13 to 24)
Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 13 to 24 participants.
Suggested Reading List
View Full List
(8 Books)
You can also find many of the books we recommend at the Road Scholar store on bookshop.org, a website that supports local bookstores.
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Prefer to enroll or inquire by phone?
We can help. Give us a call, and we can answer all of your questions!
Call
800-454-5768
While we make every effort to ensure the accuracy of our published materials, programs are typically advertised more than a year prior to their start date. As a result, some program activities, schedules, accommodations, personnel, and other logistics occasionally change due to local conditions or circumstances. Should a major change occur, we will make every effort to alert you. For less significant changes, we will update you during orientation. Thank you for your understanding.
Duration
6 days
5 nights
What's Included
14 meals | 5B | 4L | 5D |
4 expert-led lectures
4 expert-led field trips
An experienced Group Leader
5 nights of accommodations
Taxes and customary gratuity
Road Scholar Assurance Plan
Day
1
Check-in, Registration, Orientation, Welcome Dinner
Location:
Oakhurst, CA
Meals:
D
Stay:
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst
Activity Note
Conference center check-in from 4:00 p.m.
Afternoon:
Program Registration: 4:00-5:30 p.m. After you check in and have your room assignment, join us at the Road Scholar table to register with the program staff, get any updated information, and confirm the time and location of the Orientation session. If you arrive late, please locate your Group Leader and let them know you have arrived. Welcome Reception: 5:30 p.m. We will gather for a get-acquainted social hour.
Dinner:
In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening:
The Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the up-to-date program schedule, discuss roles and responsibilities, logistics, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and answer questions. This is a Road Scholar Retreats program. Programming at Retreat locations includes opportunities for light morning exercise, interaction with members of the local community, a farm-to-table meal, and evening entertainment. Our program is staffed with a Study Leader, who will provide educational content, and a Group Leader who will deal primarily with logistics. Periods in the schedule designated as “Free time” and “At leisure” offer opportunities to do what you like and make your experience even more meaningful and memorable according to your personal preferences. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions. Program activities, schedules, personnel, and indicated distances or times may change due to local circumstances/current conditions. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding. Next, we will view a short video highlighting the beauty of Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks, our destinations for tomorrow. Continue getting to know your fellow Road Scholars, settle in, and get a good night’s rest for the day ahead.
Day
2
Yosemite National Park Field Trip
Location:
Episcopal Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 3 miles throughout the day; mostly flat ground, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
In the dining hall. Each full day after breakfast, we will pack our own lunches from a variety of choices. Bring your own personal, reusable water bottle.
Morning:
We will board the shuttle bus to Yosemite Valley and set out by 8:00 a.m. This will be a big day, with a first stop at Tunnelview (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.) one of the most photographed places on earth. We will then ride on to Bridalveil Fall and further into Yosemite Valley to Yosemite Lodge where our Study Leader will lead our exploration of the Yosemite Falls. We'll make our way to the Pioneer Cemetery and Indian Museum in Yosemite Village.
Lunch:
Sack Lunch in Yosemite Valley.
Afternoon:
Free time for independent exploration will begin before regrouping and heading back to campus in the late afternoon. (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.) An optional saunter in the valley with your instructor will be available for those who are up for a little more activity. We’ll have some time to freshen up and relax before dinner.
Dinner:
In Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Possibilities could range from a live animal presentation, living history performance, musical or artistic guests, or lectures on human and cultural history of the area.
Day
3
Glacier Point, Southern Yosemite
Location:
Episcopal Conference Center, Oakhurst (ECCO)
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Episcopal Conference Center Oakhurst
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 70 miles throughout the day, approximately 3 hours total riding time. Walking about 4 miles throughout the day; mostly flat ground, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
In the dining hall.
Morning:
We will depart for Glacier Point in Yosemite (38 miles, 1 hr. 30 min.). Take a walk up to Sentinel Dome where you can view not only Yosemite Valley, but miles and miles of scenery all the way to Mt. Diablo in the coastal range. Our field trip guide will share not just the geologic significance of the valley below as well as the political history of the very significant look out.
Lunch:
At the Glacier Point.
Afternoon:
We will make our way back to Wawona area (20 miles, 45 min.) to explore the Pioneer History Center, Wawona Hotel, and Thomas Hill Studio before departing back to ECCO in the afternoon (15 miles, 35 min.).
Dinner:
At Lyles Dining Hall.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Prepare for check-out and transfer in the morning.
Day
4
Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Grant Grove, Muir Rock
Location:
Hume Lake
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hume Lake
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 170 miles throughout the day, approximately 3.5 hours total riding time. Walking up to 6 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Grant Grove & Kings Canyon, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
In the dining hall.
Morning:
We will check out and board a bus for the ride to Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks (105 mi., 2 hr. 15 min.). Our Study Leader will provide commentary along the way as we go from rolling foothills, traverse thriving crops and farms of the central valley, and up to Hume Lake. We’ll learn about the seven botanical zones of Kings Canyon and the histories of three parks.
Lunch:
At Grant Grove.
Afternoon:
We will begin our exploration of Kings Canyon (30 miles, 45 min.) with field trips to sites such as include Grizzly Falls, Roaring River Meadow, and Muir Rock. As we explore, we’ll learn about floral life zones of the Sierra Nevada. We will ride to Hume Lake (25 miles, 45 min.) for check-in after our field trip.
Dinner:
At Hume Lake Conference Center.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest.
Day
5
Sequoia National Park, General Sherman Tree
Location:
Hume Lake
Meals:
B,L,D
Stay:
Hume Lake
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Getting on/off a bus; driving about 35 miles each way, approximately 2 hours total riding time. Walking up to 5 miles over the course of the day; mostly flat ground in Sequoia National Park, paved and unpaved.
Breakfast:
At Hume Lake.
Morning:
We will board the shuttle bus for a field trip to Congress Trail loop in Sequoia National Park that includes the General Sherman Tree (35 miles, 1 hr.). This is the largest living tree on earth according to the National Park Service.
Lunch:
At the Giant Forest Museum, we’ll have our sack lunches.
Afternoon:
Our field trip will continue to nearby locations featuring interpretive hikes of ancient groves, wildlife abundant meadows, and spectacular views of the Great Western Divide. Visit the Giant Forest Museum and stroll through Round Meadow before returning to Hume Lake (40 miles, 1 hr).
Dinner:
At Hume Lake. Share favorite experiences with new Road Scholar friends during our farewell dinner.
Evening:
We will gather for a presentation by a local expert on a topic of interest. Prepare for check-out and departure after breakfast tomorrow.
Day
6
Program Concludes
Location:
Oakhurst, CA
Meals:
B
Activity Note
Light exercise prior to breakfast (walking, yoga, etc.). Check-out 9:00 a.m.
Breakfast:
At Hume Lake.
Morning:
We will board bus for return to the Fresno area for those catching a flight, train or bus to your next destination (62 miles, 1 hr. 30 min). We will return to ECCO following dropping off any fellow participants departing from the Fresno area (55 miles, 1 hr.).
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MEALS
14 Meals
5 Breakfasts
4 Lunches
5 Dinners
LODGING
Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.
Showing Lodging For:
- Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
- Aug 31, 2025 - Sep 05, 2025
- Sep 14, 2025 - Sep 19, 2025
- Sep 21, 2025 - Sep 26, 2025
- Sep 28, 2025 - Oct 03, 2025
- Oct 12, 2025 - Oct 17, 2025
Participant Reviews
Based on 18 Reviews
Sort By:
I loved this trip!
— Review left October 26, 2024
I took the trip to three national parks, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It was a dream come true! I met new friends and felt safe traveling with knowledgeable instructors teaching us all along the way. I will definitely do it again soon!
— Review left October 19, 2024
Wonderful program, saw and learned so much and even got exercise.
— Review left October 14, 2024
This trip opened my eyes to the challenges of environmental change and the consequences of our actions. It challenged my thinking and my emotions. The trip was more then great sights, food, and lodging. It was inspirational!
— Review left October 5, 2024
Great sampling of three amazing parks, all with their own unique qualities. Great staff and programs. I'll be back!
— Review left September 18, 2024
Loved the program and endorse without exception Road Scholar.
— Review left September 15, 2024
This is a wonderful educational event along with hiking through the glorious parks. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left September 9, 2024
Great trip and a great chance to visit three national parks in a span of four or five days. The staff, including instructor Chris Cameron and group leaders Rosemay Cameron and Debbie Sebastian, were helpful and very knowledgeable about the region. Jim is a very experienced and capable driver, which is important when traveling on mountain roads like the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. I can't say enough about this trip. It is great value for the money.
— Review left September 1, 2024
Wonderful hikes through some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen. Friendly people made this solo traveler feel welcome.
— Review left October 15, 2023
This trip was a Bucket List Item for me, especially the Sequoia National Park portion. I have always wanted to see the General Sherman and General Grant giant sequoias. They were magnificent as were the thousands of giants throughout the park. I have been to Yosemite before, but this tour was absolutely fantastic. The scenery from Tunnel view and the other overlooks were breathtaking. I had only been on the floor of the valley before at the Yosemite Village area. We couldn't get into the King's Canyon area because the road into the canyon has been washed out. Tours through the other two parks made up for it. The two lodge locations we stayed at, ECCO and Hume Lake were exceptionally nice despite not having Wi-Fi or cell phone coverage in the rooms. That was generally available at the main lodges or frequently during the bus trips throughout the parks. The staffs at both locations were exceptional as was the food they provided. I am a single traveler and if you are too, you know it's nice to have someone to share your experiences with. I traveled with about 20 other Road Scholars on this trip. It was my great pleasure to share this trip and my experiences with those fellow travelers. They were all wonderful people. Our two tour guides (Debbie-tour leader and Scott-tour instructor) were extraordinary. I would love to join them on another adventure. They were constantly bombarded with questions and never failed to have the answers. Scott's evening presentation on rattlesnakes (he is a well-known herpetologist) was an excellent lead up to my upcoming adventure in Big Bend National Park in TX. He told me there are 5 types of rattlers endemic in the park. Maybe I should cancel the upcoming trip (LoL). I highly recommend this RS tour to everyone I talk to and hope to get my daughter and her family on this tour in the future. Take the RS tour to the Sierra Nevada parks. You will love it, mountain and Yosemite waterfall views, giant trees. Breathtaking.
— Review left October 14, 2023
I felt I had the best possible experience of the Sierra Nevada parks I could have had in the time available and at the price paid.
— Review left October 13, 2023
It was a wonderful program, just too short. Can't wait to go back.
— Review left October 23, 2022
My first Road Scholar trip was a lot of fun! Enjoyed our botanical saunders with a naturalist, the food at ECCO, the accommodations, other travelers and our guide and, of course, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Nice being dropped at the entrance to each and picked up later, too!
— Review left October 16, 2022
This is a wonderful program in an amazing place. BUT, there is way too much time spent on the bus! Three parks is too many for one trip when they are so far apart.
— Review left October 14, 2022
I had been looking at your website for some time, till I finally decided to book a trip. It was my first and it wont be my last... Grand Canyon, I will see you soon, God willing.
— Review left September 5, 2022
Great program.
Wear comfortable and sturdy walking/climbing shoes.
Be prepared to walk up to 5 miles per day.
Always carry water with you.
— Review left September 27, 2021
Very interesting program! Prepare for lots of bus time as the parks are not close together. The group leaders are so knowledgable about the parks! The walks were doable for even our most senior folks but if you chose to pass on an activity, there are other things to do. Saw a lot, learned a lot.
— Review left September 20, 2021
abosolutleley wonderfu.
— Review left January 3, 2020
