Program Overview: On this guided overnight trip, you’ll experience a natural treasure — Yosemite’s night skies.
After meeting up with your trip leader and fellow adventurers, you’ll hike about a mile from the May Lake Trailhead to your campsite. As night falls, your naturalist will use a laser pointer to single out specific stars and constellations, and you can search the sky for distant planets — all from the comfort of your sleeping bag. The program curriculum focuses on astronomy (including, but not limited to, star science, constellations, planetary science, perception of light/how light travels, etc.), as well as story/lore/mythology rooted in cultures both locally and across the world.
Pack a tent, sleeping gear, and simple meals, such as premade sandwiches, and prepare to be dazzled by what you can see in just one night out in the mountains.
Hiking is an integral part of this course, so good physical condition is required. Participants must be able to meet the physical demands of the trip as outlined in the itinerary. This includes carrying a backpack weighing 25–50+ pounds, traveling over uneven, rocky, sandy, wet, or unstable terrain for the mileage and at the elevation listed. These requirements are in place for your safety and the safety of the group. If you have questions about whether a course is a good fit, please contact our office at 209-379-2647 — we’re happy to help.
Know Before You Go:
- Program date: Backpack trip begins Wednesday, July 7, at 4 pm and concludes Thursday, July 8, at 10 am.
- Program location: May Lake
- What’s Included
- One-night backpack trip with a Yosemite Conservancy Naturalist Guide
- Park entry (as needed)
- Wilderness permit
- Shared frontcountry tent camping before the trek (camping dates cannot be altered)
- No discount is available if you choose not to use the gate pass or campsite.
- Camping Information: Before the backpacking trip, participants may arrive to camp on Tuesday, July 6, after 12 pm and must depart on Wednesday, July 7. Campsites are shared between all participants. Each site includes a picnic table, bear locker, and fire pit. Within two weeks of registration, select “Camping” or “Not Camping” in your online portal to reserve your spot in a shared campsite. Access your portal through your confirmation email, and check your spam folder if needed.
- Camping Location: Tuolumne Meadows
- Important Notes: Due to the shared nature of the campsites, we cannot accommodate RVs, campers, or car camping. If you would like a private campsite, have an RV/camper, or plan to sleep in your car, you’ll need to make your own reservation. Please note that camping is reserved for program participants only.
What’s Not Included
- Gear or meals during your program
- Camping gear or meals in the shared campsites
- Transportation
Need gear? See gear rental options included in the packing list.
Experience Level: Easy/Intermediate.
