Memorial Day in Yosemite! Car Camping: Waterfalls, Giant Sequoias, Rock Climbing, Swimming, Stunning Views, Bears, Covered Bridge
A car camping adventure from Friday, May 23 — Monday, May 26
Hike among the ancient giant sequoias, feel the mist spray off the waterfalls as you picnic near its pools, slide down and splash in the park’s version of Raging Waters with your kids, stroll through grand meadows and take in the iconic sites of El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, plus learn about the first peoples to call this national treasure home as well as those who later worked to save it from development, like John Muir and Ansel Adams.
A car camping adventure from Friday, May 23 — Monday, May 26
Hike among the ancient giant sequoias, feel the mist spray off the waterfalls as you picnic near its pools, slide down and splash in the park’s version of Raging Waters with your kids, stroll through grand meadows and take in the iconic sites of El Capitan, Half Dome and Yosemite Falls, plus learn about the first peoples to call this national treasure home as well as those who later worked to save it from development, like John Muir and Ansel Adams.
WHAT WE'LL ENJOY 🥳🥳🥳
💦💦💦🌈🌈 AWESOME WATERFALLS: The falls are usually flowing at this time of year, and when we have come over Memorial Day in year's past! We'll explore what we can and take some awesome family photos that will capture this memory forever. Hopefully, we'll get the waterfall rainbows 🌈 too!
🧗🏾♀️⛰️🪨 ROCK CLIMBING GALORE! For the kiddos (and parents, too!). We'll slide down rocks, challenge ourselves on nature's rock walls and more!
🌲🌲🌲MARVEL at GIANT SEQUOIAS! We will explore a grove of towering ancient sequoias! We'll walk through tree tunnels, touch gigantic root balls of fallen trees and learn about these majestic sequoias that are home to so many creatures, even all the way up to near the top!
🐻🐻🐻 BROWN BEARS: We'll keep an eye out for bears emerging foraging in the forest. I've actually seen them in some of the main Valley areas of the park!
⛰️⛰️⛰️ STUNNING YOSEMITE VALLEY VIEWS: We have identified two spots to take in the breathtaking valley. One is connected to a road that’s closed until late May, usually, but we have another location to visit as well for these views!
🐦🦊🐿️🌿🌺 WILDLIFE,SPRING FLOWERS + LUSH GREEN: Such a great time of year to be in Yosemite! Woodpeckers dancing through the trees! Wildflowers springing up! + GREEN GREEN GREEN abounds! We will LEARN about our forest friends
💦🌲🪨 RELAX on 'BEACHES' ringed by views of waterfalls and in stunning forests. The kids will have a blast pretend "fishing" from the "beach"
🏕️❤️🫂🤲🏽 COMMUNITY, FRIENDSHIP + SUPPORT: Instant 'playdate' for your kiddos! We usually have kids from toddlers up to tweens join, with all of the kids playing together! You might see old MMH friends + hopefully make some new ones, too! MMH offers all kinds of support: Need help setting up your tent? Forgot an important piece of gear? Broke a piece of gear? Solo parenting on the adventure and need some extra support? We got you!
This is our idea of SUMMER CAMP for kids, but it's for families and we get to explore different campgrounds and parks! You will make wonderful memories with your family and friends 🏕️❤️🫂🤲🏽
ITINERARY (subject to change due to weather/trail conditions, park closures, etc)
Friday: We’ll check into our campsites in late afternoon, prep for dinner and s'mores around the campfire. Time and daylight permitting, we'll explore the campground, which is along the gorgeous Merced River.
Saturday: We’ll explore the stunning Yosemite Valley: Bridalveil Falls and Yosemite Falls. The Bridalveil Falls hike is a gentle 0.6 miles on a paved path; Yosemite Falls is about 1 mile on a paved/boardwalk path. Both hikes are easy and stroller friendly. Families will have 1-2 hours to explore the Valley on their own.
If the road to Sentinel Dome is open (usually late May), we'll have the option to do this 2-mile roundtrip kid-friendly hike to see one of the highest views of Yosemite Valley — second only to Half Dome!
Or, adventurers can explore an open-air museum near our campground that is filled with log cabins, a stunning covered bridge and offers a sense of the Yosemite of yester-year. We can hike to a nearby swimming hole, which is less than a mile round-trip on a flat path; stroller friendly. (If we get to do Sentinel Dome, adventurers can do this outing Sunday afternoon).
Sunday: We’ll hike the breathtaking Vernal Falls in the morning — using a kid-friendly route — and have lunch with a stunning view of the falls. We'll do a short exploration of the Ansel Adams and Yosemite museums in the Valley. The Vernal Falls hike is a moderate 3 miles and isn't stroller friendly. We'll close out the day with a visit to Tunnel View.
Monday: We’ll enjoy an awe-inspiring hike in the grove of ancient sequoias in Mariposa. This hike is about 1 mile with a gradual climb that is not stroller friendly. The kids will have an amazing time climbing on all of the fallen logs and boulders, running through the bottom of sequoias, playing in the water and more!
DIFFICULTY
Most hikes are easy and flat, though some, like Vernal Falls, are moderate, have continued uphill climb and stairs, and rocks and/or roots in the trail. Parents with babies or toddlers should be able to carry them in a carrier for a few miles with some uphill. Kids 4+ should be able to walk at least 2+ miles with a lunch break at the midpoint (and a few stops for play, like to climb rocks; all of the hikes have stops for play, snacks and lunch).
TRANSPORT
We’ll plan to get around in Yosemite Valley using the shuttle. Park our cars and go!
WHERE WE ARE STAYING
WAWONA CAMPGROUND. Due to the challenges in booking campsites, we have campsites dispersed around Wawona campground. Your family will need to share a campsite with another family. We'll meet at a centralized campground for activities like S'mores, art activities and campfires. Car camping means that you park your car next to the campsite. One car and one tent per family. (Map is closest address, about 1 mile down the road)
WHAT'S INCLUDED
*All logistics. We book the campsite, plan the itinerary
*Parking (1 car per family)
*Guided hikes, scavenger hunt and educational activities; toy and arts-and-craft station for the kids when we’re not out adventuring 🎨🪀
*An iron-on patch as a memento of the camping trip plus a small journal for parents to document the adventure! (campers only)
*A digital guide for our adventure that includes natural + cultural history
*A camping checklist
*Assistance with camping set-up
*S’mores kit for the group 🔥🪵🍫
*Firewood for the group
*Charcoal for the group
*First-aid kit
*Loaner kit of hiking gear (48-hour notice). Please inquire about what gear is available; we have items for kids and adults, like single/double jogging strollers, Baby Bjorn infant carrier, toddler backpack carrier, hiking poles, etc. Complete loaner kit request form
CAMPGROUND AMENITIES
*Flush toilets + drinking water
*Camp store one mile away (very helpful) 🏪🏪🏪
*Picnic tables
*Fire pit for basic grilling
NOT INCLUDED
*Food (we can potluck the side dishes if people want)
*Camping gear (though I have some hiking gear and limited camping gear that you can borrow for free, see "you'll also get access to" section above)
*For day trippers, the park entrance fee is not included.
FLAT FEE FOR WEEKEND
CAMPERS (FRIDAY — MONDAY)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL: $567/per family until Feb. 28, $645 (from March 1); $745 (from April 1)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL for SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY: $390 until Feb. 28, $465 (from March 1); $570 (from April 1)
ADDITIONAL CHILDREN FEE (for families with 2+ kids; this applies when you are bringing more than one child): $77
CAMPERS (SATURDAY — MONDAY; only six spots. This is because one of the campsites is only from Saturday through Monday)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL: $520/per family** until Feb. 28, $545 (from March 1); $645 (from April 1)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL for SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY: $340 until Feb. 28, $465 (from March 1); $570 (from April 1)
ADDITIONAL CHILDREN FEE (for families with 2+ kids; this applies when you are bringing more than one child): $77
DAY TRIPPERS (Can hang out at the main campsite and do S'mores in the evening)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL: $150 per family per day until Feb. 28, 2025
$190 (from March 1); $225 (from April 1)
EARLY BIRD 🐦 SPECIAL for SINGLE-INCOME FAMILY: $125 until Feb. 28, 2025
$165 (from March 1); $200 (from April 1)
HOW TO BOOK
Complete this sign-up form
Make payment
Complete the logistics form (campers only): https://forms.gle/bWMCepKSAEoNagd69
Join the WhatsApp chat: https://bit.ly/bestmemorialdaycampingwithkidssfbayarea
Add to your Google calendar: https://calendar.google.com/calendar/event?action=TEMPLATE&tmeid=M3Q4cWk3N2NkbXJpcjhwdjlxdDcyamsycnAgY182Y3NxZ25tZnEwZHZnY21ka2F0ajVrOGFqNEBn&tmsrc=c_6csqgnmfq0dvgcmdkatj5k8aj4%40group.calendar.google.com
Complete loaner kit request form
PAYMENT & CANCELLATION POLICY
*FAMILY means you, your partner and kids. One tent + car per family.
*Prices increase after Feb. 28, 2025 so book early
*Spots are limited, and the only way to hold your place is by completing the sign-up form and making payment.
*Full payment must be made to secure your spot (we don't take cash; only digital payment via our website).
*No refunds are provided 3 months before departure date
*Camping trip takes place rain or shine
WEATHER
The weather reaches the high 60s during the day and 40s overnight. Please ensure that you have a season-3 sleeping bag (which is the most common one; it's great for everything except snow) + bring a few extra wool blankets. I'll be keeping an eye on the weather and will advise you as we get closer to the trip. Here are some tips for camping in cooler temps.