Yosemite National Park travel tips: best tours, hikes, and advice

During a time when many vacations are not possible, outdoor activities in road trip-accessible locations offer the ability to safely social distance. Hotels.com asked me to share my favorite activities and tips for exploring the Yosemite area, so start here as you plan a safe and responsible vacation. Yosemite National Park is one of the crown jewels of the national park system, and for good … [Read more...]

Multi-night river rafting on the Tuolumne River

The Tuolumne River near Yosemite National Park is one of the most pristine and exciting rivers I've experienced. But is river rafting safe during COVID-19? My fifteen-year-old son and I rafted the Tuolumne River for three days with OARS, and not only did we have the usual amazing time on the river I've come to expect from an OARS trip, but we felt safe and responsible, too. All of our OARS … [Read more...]

Yosemite lodging pick: Tenaya Lodge review

What a gem of a lodging option for Yosemite National Park! Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite  is located just outside the park boundaries at the South Entrance, within very easy distance from Mariposa Grove and Wawona (just a few miles). Because the lodge is situated outside park boundaries, it can offer more guest rooms and sits on a large property. What this means for families: it's far easier to get a … [Read more...]

Hometown ski resort: Badger Pass Ski Area

Ever wanted to downhill or nordic ski in Yosemite National Park? How about a morning of skiing followed by an afternoon of hiking on the valley floor? I spent a day at Badger Pass Ski Area, located in the center of Yosemite National Park, to see what it was like. What I found: wonderful ski culture, local enthusiasm, and lots of love for the outdoors. I guess that should come as no … [Read more...]

Yosemite lodging pick: Yosemite Lodge at the Falls

If your family vacation will center around the valley floor area of Yosemite National Park, you can't beat the location and convenience of Yosemite Lodge at the Falls. Located steps from Yosemite Village in the heart of the park, Yosemite Lodge is directly adjacent to Yosemite Falls (yes, you can see them out your door) and a shuttle stop away from everything else on the valley floor. Read … [Read more...]

Uncrowded Yosemite: backpacking Yosemite National Park with kids

Would you believe that in July, in the center of Yosemite National Park, we enjoyed an entire day where we never saw another soul? It's possible, provided you depart from the usual tourist destinations in the valley and explore Yosemite backcountry. Backpacking Yosemite National Park with kids: We chose to hike a portion of The John Muir Trail, a 211 mile path between Happy Isles in Yosemite … [Read more...]

Lassen National Park

We love Lassen National Park for its beautiful wilderness, fun geothermal parlor tricks, and low crowds. It can be done in a day, but if you spend a night or two, you won't be sorry! Come in the summer as part of a family road trip when neighboring Crater Lake National Park and Yosemite National Park are packed with people, or visit in the fall or spring to catch wildflower blooms and … [Read more...]