Yes. Every guided day hike is private, you're not sharing the trail with strangers from another booking. The day is built around your group only.
Private guided day hikes in Yosemite.
Signature routes for 1–7 guests, from $550. I handle the route, the logistics, the snacks, and the timing.
One guide. Always Eric.
Sole operator. No exceptions.
Book Now = Booked.
Stripe confirms your date in real time.
Custom-routed around you.
Your fitness, your goals, your pace.
Signature Routes
Six routes I'd lead anyone, any time.
Starting points, not the only options. Most day hikes end up being a hybrid: a lower-half plus a side detour, or two short trails strung together. We talk it through before you book.
Valley Classic · 6.4 mi
Mist Trail to Nevada Fall
Vernal Fall, the granite stairs through the mist, Nevada Fall thundering overhead. Yosemite's iconic day hike.
2,000 ft 6-8 hr Book this route →
Glacier Point · 8.5 mi
Panorama Trail
From Glacier Point down past Illilouette to Nevada Fall returning to Glacier Point.
700 / 3,200 ft 7-9 hr Book this route →
Valley to Glacier Point · 9.6 mi RT
Four Mile Trail
3,200 vertical feet of granite switchbacks from the Valley floor to Glacier Point.
3,200 ft 7-9 hr Book this route →
Valley Classic · 7.2 mi
Upper Yosemite Falls
2,700 vertical feet to the lip of one of North America's tallest waterfalls. A leg-burner with one of the most dramatic finishes in any National Park.
2,700 ft 6-9 hr Book this route →
South Entrance · 4.5 mi
Mariposa Grove
500+ giant sequoias including the Grizzly Giant and the Bachelor & Three Graces. A slower, gentler day for families or photographers.
1,200 ft 4-5 hr Book this route →
Tuolumne · 14.4 mi
Clouds Rest
Yosemite's best summit you don't need a permit for. 9,926 ft. The view that ruins all other views. A long, big day on granite.
2,300 ft 9-11 hr Book this route → Every Trip Is Custom
Book your custom day Your day gets built around you.
I don't run scripts. Every trip starts with a conversation about your fitness, your goals, and what you came to see.
Pricing
Bigger group, lower per-person rate.
Every trip is private. You'll never be paired with strangers. The bigger your group, the cheaper each spot. Same trip, same guide, same day; the rate scales with the math.
| Group Size | Total Price |
|---|---|
| 1 Person | $550 |
| 2 People | $675 ($337/pp) |
| 3 People | $775 ($258/pp) |
| 4 People | $850 ($212/pp) |
| 5 People | $925 ($185/pp) |
| 6 People | $1,000 ($166/pp) |
| 7 People | $1,000 ($142/pp) |
All prices USD · Full payment at booking
Included
What you get.
- ✓ Custom route & planning All logistics handled.
- ✓ Trail provisions Lunch, trail snacks, drink mix, a group water filter, and first aid and emergency equipment.
- ✓ 15-min pre-trip planning call Talk fitness, gear, expectations. Customized packing list mailed after.
Not included
What's on you.
- · Park entrance fee $35 / vehicle, valid 7 days. Free with America the Beautiful pass.
- · Personal hiking gear Boots, daypack, layers, sun protection.
- · Lodging & meals off-trail Happy to recommend El Portal, Mariposa, or in-park lodging. Booking is yours.
- · Transportation to trailhead We meet at the trailhead. Driving directions sent ahead of time.
- · Gratuity (optional) Appreciated but never expected.
Common Questions
Day-hike questions, answered.
The questions that come up most often on pre-trip planning calls. Everything else lives on the full FAQ page.
Full FAQAre the day hikes private?
How much does a guided day hike in Yosemite cost?
Pricing is based on group size: 1 person $550, 2 people $675, 3 people $775, 4 people $850, 5 people $925, up to 7 people $1,000. Full payment is required at booking.
What's included in a guided day hike?
A Wilderness First Aid-trained guide, trail provisions (lunch, snacks, hydration support), backcountry water filtration when available, first aid and emergency equipment, and a pre-trip video planning call. Park entrance fees, transportation, and personal hiking gear are not included.
What should I bring on a guided day hike in Yosemite?
Comfortable broken-in hiking shoes, a day pack, water bottle or hydration reservoir, weather-appropriate layers, and sun protection. Yosemite Life provides lunch, snacks, and backcountry water filtration, you're covering the personal kit. A full day hike gear list is available at yosemite.life/day-hike-gear-list/
Do I need to be an experienced hiker?
No. You don't need prior hiking experience. Routes range from mostly level Valley floor walks to longer efforts of 7–15 miles with sustained elevation gain. The route is chosen based on your fitness level and goals, that's what the pre-trip planning call is for.
How long is a guided day hike?
Full day. Plan for 6–10 hours on trail. The route, pace, and how you use the time are built around your group, not a fixed schedule.
What trails are available for guided day hikes in Yosemite?
Routes are shaped to your group's goals and fitness. Options include Clouds Rest, Yosemite Falls, Mist Trail, Nevada Fall, Mariposa Grove, high country lakes from Tuolumne Meadows, and the Yosemite Valley floor loop. The right route gets finalized on your pre-trip planning call.
Can I hike Half Dome with you as a day hike?
If you already hold a Half Dome day-hike permit, yes. Book a private day hike for your permit date, as long as that date is open on my calendar, and I'll guide your group at the standard day hike rate. Your permit doesn't need a spot for me. If you don't have a permit, Half Dome is part of my backpacking trips, where the permit is included. The Half Dome Weekend is the shortest way up, and it needs no backpacking experience.
How far ahead do I need to book a day hike?
Day hikes must be booked at least 7 days before the hike date. This is a firm policy, not a guideline. Every hike gets a planning call, your intake, and route planning around current conditions. That work takes the full week, and I do not take bookings inside it. The booking calendar only shows dates that clear the window, and dates inside it cannot be booked.
5.0
on Google
4 verified reviews
★★★★★“Having Eric guide us on our day hike allowed us to fully relax and enjoy the experience. His knowledge of the park was incredible, and he made the entire hike even more memorable.”
★★★★★“He curated the absolute perfect hike for our group of seven with great consideration for our various ability and experience levels.”
Three ways to start
Ready when you are.
The same person answers all three. That's the whole pitch.
Talk it through
Schedule a free 15-min planning call.
The fastest way to figure out which trip is right for you. We'll talk fitness, dates, and goals. No commitment, no upsell.
Book a planning call Call or text
+1-414-334-0025
My real phone number. Texts welcomed. Pacific Time hours, generally same-day response.
Tap to call Write to me
eric@yosemite.life
Average response under 24 hours. If you want to send a paragraph about what you're hoping for, this is the right channel.
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