California
National Parks of the Sierra Nevada: Yosemite, King's Canyon and Sequoia
Program No. 20197RJ
Discover three of the nation’s most treasured national parks, exploring waterfalls in King’s Canyon, the world’s largest trees in Sequoia and the many must-see sites of Yosemite.
Participant Reviews
Based on 26 Reviews
SHOWING
Chris and Rosemay made our Sierra Nevada National Parks tour remarkable. Chris’ knowledge and enthusiasm was appreciated and contagious. They know and love this area so well and they shared that love with all of us. Marsha, the driver, kept us all safe as we drove the mountain roads during the first snowfall of 2025. We have wanted to see the giant Sequoia trees for many years and given the horrid fires in CA recently we hustled to get on this trip. The sight of them really does take your breath away! We felt similarly when we saw the tall Redwoods in northern CA. We highly recommend this trip. While rated as “Let’s Go” the hardest part was the ice after the snow. This trip will keep you walking and learning.
— Review left October 19, 2025
Yosemite, Kings Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks and more! Rosemay and Chris were a great team that shared their love for the parks with us. Marsha was an excellent driver who kept us safe on the road and shared her knowledge with us as well! What a great team the three of them were!
If you are looking for a program in a retreat/camp setting that lets you experience fresh air and nature sprinkled with hiking and learning this program is for you. Peaceful surroundings at the end of the day to unwind and reflect on the beautiful surrounding of your day from the hikes to the amazing gifts of nature witnessed this will not disappoint! And not to forget the learning and lectures were fun and unforgettable!
— Review left October 9, 2025
A definite must on your bucket list. The week was packed with wonderful adventures and gorgeous sights. Chris is master at captivating your interest and imparting you with knowledge and curiosity, thus motivating you to be a life-long learner.
— Review left October 8, 2025
This Road Scholar trip was jam packed with amazing sites and experiences in Yosemite, King's Canyon, and Sequoia National Parks. I am in awe of the spectacular beauty of those areas, and have returned home with a newfound respect for our environment and all it has to offer.
— Review left October 1, 2025
I highly recommend this amazing experience-gazing into Yosemite Valley from atop Sentinel Dome and standing amongst Giant Sequoias are just a few of my unforgettable moments. Can’t thank leader/instructor Rosemay and Chris for this perfect combination of learning while traveling!
— Review left September 27, 2025
Long rides in the mini-bus to beautiful attractions or slow-paced hikes. No Internet at the accommodations, so beware.
— Review left September 25, 2025
I can describe this journey in two words. Spiritual Experience!! From our first view of Yosemite to our last hug of a Sequoia Tree.
I have to admit the main reason I took this tour, was to save money. It was the only tour I could find that offered three National Parks in close proximity of each other at an affordable price.
Our Tour Leaders truly shared their love and passion for the region. You could not help but be swept up into the beauty of the place and see your self into their narrative of time and history.
One experience that will remain in my mind, will be having my picture taken on what remains of the Ansel Adams tree on top of Sentinel Dome. Which one among us has not seen an Ansel Adams photo and wished you could have been a part of it?
Another amazing experience that will stay with me was when one in our group was asked to read the story of how the chipmunk got the three marks on its back. While she was reading the story there were squirrels sitting on a log next to us listening to her.
But I will have to admit how small I felt standing next to a Giant Sequoia tree. My most spiritual moment was when our tour leader led us into a stand of Sequoias called The Senate. He randomly handed out verses to each of us to read. While I was reading my verse and listening to him tell us about meeting some one in the stand of trees as a young man and how that meeting had changed his life. That there are no coincidences in life. His meeting of this random young man and our own gathering of our group was not by coincidence. As I stood there listening to his words and reading my verse I'm thinking, I was handed these words to read and it was not a coincidence. They just happened to be how I felt about nature and the words spoke to my soul. Emotions of joy, love, and the feeling of belonging overwhelmed me. Through tears I did manage to read my verse which was by Thomas Merton.
Truly this was a Spiritual for me. Thank you Chris and Rosemay
Many Blessings to you
— Review left September 7, 2025
Do not hesitate to participate in this program. I was a first time Road Scholar and it far exceeded my expectations. The day I got home I started pouring through all their programs to start planning my next trip.
— Review left September 7, 2025
I loved this trip!
— Review left October 26, 2024
I took the trip to three national parks, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon. It was a dream come true! I met new friends and felt safe traveling with knowledgeable instructors teaching us all along the way. I will definitely do it again soon!
— Review left October 19, 2024
Wonderful program, saw and learned so much and even got exercise.
— Review left October 14, 2024
This trip opened my eyes to the challenges of environmental change and the consequences of our actions. It challenged my thinking and my emotions. The trip was more then great sights, food, and lodging. It was inspirational!
— Review left October 5, 2024
Great sampling of three amazing parks, all with their own unique qualities. Great staff and programs. I'll be back!
— Review left September 18, 2024
Loved the program and endorse without exception Road Scholar.
— Review left September 15, 2024
This is a wonderful educational event along with hiking through the glorious parks. I highly recommend this program.
— Review left September 9, 2024
Great trip and a great chance to visit three national parks in a span of four or five days. The staff, including instructor Chris Cameron and group leaders Rosemay Cameron and Debbie Sebastian, were helpful and very knowledgeable about the region. Jim is a very experienced and capable driver, which is important when traveling on mountain roads like the Kings Canyon Scenic Byway. I can't say enough about this trip. It is great value for the money.
— Review left September 1, 2024
Wonderful hikes through some of the most beautiful country I've ever seen. Friendly people made this solo traveler feel welcome.
— Review left October 15, 2023
This trip was a Bucket List Item for me, especially the Sequoia National Park portion. I have always wanted to see the General Sherman and General Grant giant sequoias. They were magnificent as were the thousands of giants throughout the park. I have been to Yosemite before, but this tour was absolutely fantastic. The scenery from Tunnel view and the other overlooks were breathtaking. I had only been on the floor of the valley before at the Yosemite Village area. We couldn't get into the King's Canyon area because the road into the canyon has been washed out. Tours through the other two parks made up for it. The two lodge locations we stayed at, ECCO and Hume Lake were exceptionally nice despite not having Wi-Fi or cell phone coverage in the rooms. That was generally available at the main lodges or frequently during the bus trips throughout the parks. The staffs at both locations were exceptional as was the food they provided. I am a single traveler and if you are too, you know it's nice to have someone to share your experiences with. I traveled with about 20 other Road Scholars on this trip. It was my great pleasure to share this trip and my experiences with those fellow travelers. They were all wonderful people. Our two tour guides (Debbie-tour leader and Scott-tour instructor) were extraordinary. I would love to join them on another adventure. They were constantly bombarded with questions and never failed to have the answers. Scott's evening presentation on rattlesnakes (he is a well-known herpetologist) was an excellent lead up to my upcoming adventure in Big Bend National Park in TX. He told me there are 5 types of rattlers endemic in the park. Maybe I should cancel the upcoming trip (LoL). I highly recommend this RS tour to everyone I talk to and hope to get my daughter and her family on this tour in the future. Take the RS tour to the Sierra Nevada parks. You will love it, mountain and Yosemite waterfall views, giant trees. Breathtaking.
— Review left October 14, 2023
I felt I had the best possible experience of the Sierra Nevada parks I could have had in the time available and at the price paid.
— Review left October 13, 2023
It was a wonderful program, just too short. Can't wait to go back.
— Review left October 23, 2022
My first Road Scholar trip was a lot of fun! Enjoyed our botanical saunders with a naturalist, the food at ECCO, the accommodations, other travelers and our guide and, of course, Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Nice being dropped at the entrance to each and picked up later, too!
— Review left October 16, 2022
This is a wonderful program in an amazing place. BUT, there is way too much time spent on the bus! Three parks is too many for one trip when they are so far apart.
— Review left October 14, 2022
I had been looking at your website for some time, till I finally decided to book a trip. It was my first and it wont be my last... Grand Canyon, I will see you soon, God willing.
— Review left September 5, 2022
Great program.
Wear comfortable and sturdy walking/climbing shoes.
Be prepared to walk up to 5 miles per day.
Always carry water with you.
— Review left September 27, 2021
Very interesting program! Prepare for lots of bus time as the parks are not close together. The group leaders are so knowledgable about the parks! The walks were doable for even our most senior folks but if you chose to pass on an activity, there are other things to do. Saw a lot, learned a lot.
— Review left September 20, 2021
abosolutleley wonderfu.
— Review left January 3, 2020

