Program Overview: On this guided overnight trip, you’ll get to experience a natural treasure: Yosemite’s night skies.
After meeting up with your trip leader and fellow adventurers, you’ll hike about a mile and a half from the Ostrander Lake Trailhead (along Glacier Point Road). You’ll set up camp at a spot with a clear view of the sky, at an elevation where it won’t get too cold to sleep outside under the stars. As night falls, your naturalist guide will point out constellations and the soft glow of the Milky Way, and you’ll get to search the sky for distant planets and meteors — all from the comfort of your sleeping bag.
Pack your sleeping gear, a tent (just in case!) 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.
Know Before You Go
- When: Sunday, September 5 at 4 pm to Monday, September 6 (Labor Day) at around 10 am.
- Where: Glacier Point Road
- Registration includes: One-night guided backpacking trip, park entry (as needed), bear-proof canister rental, Yosemite Wilderness permit, and two nights of tent camping at a shared group site in Yosemite Valley before and after the trip (September 4 and 6). There is no discount if you choose not to use the included gate pass or campsite.
- Lodging: Tent camping (included, dates cannot be adjusted). No additional lodging options have been arranged for this program, but guests are welcome to find their own alternate accommodations if desired.
- Experience level: No experience necessary!
View a suggested packing list.
COVID-19: We have implemented special safety measures to keep participants and instructors safe during the ongoing pandemic. For example, participants will hike single-file and keep moving to avoid crowding the trail, and instructors will stop to offer interpretation only when there is ample space to stay at least six feet apart. Please review our COVID-19 procedures for details.
