Family Adventures

Backpacking, Camping & Hiking Trips for Families of all Shapes & Sizes

Lasting Adventures has evolved into the leading provider of Outdoor Family Adventures in the Western US. Whether you’re looking for a short day adventure, a week-long backcountry backpacking trek, or a fun and memorable classic camping/hiking vacation, we are able to help you design an adventure that is sure to please all.

Since 1997 we have been facilitating youth summer camp backpacking programs throughout the West. In this time we have provided memorable and rewarding experiences to thousands of youth. On all of these trips, we teach and promote respect for nature and the world around us in a fun way. In 2010 we added our Guide Service which receives consistent high ratings due to our commitment to safety and customer service. Our Guides are trained as both Backcountry Guides and also as Summer Camp Counselors. In addition to local knowledge, our guides receive training in positive youth development, adventure programming, and facilitating fun! Whether on a day trip or 5-day backpacking trip, it’s our passion to facilitate a family adventure full of lasting memories in which you can leave all the worries to us.

Family Adventure Locations

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National park is where Lasting Adventures began. Home to towering waterfalls, gigantic rock faces, and peaceful meadows, Yosemite has a variety of opportunities for exploring the strength of granite, the power of glaciers, the persistence of life, and the tranquility of the High Sierra.

Olympic National Park

Diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Over nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rainforests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline.

Sequoia - Kings Canyon National Park

These parks are characterized by extremes. Deep gorges lie next to the largest mountains in the contiguous United States. In the foothills, vast caverns, and the world’s largest trees demonstrate the diversity found here. Not as well known as Yosemite, Sequoia and Kings Canyon offer opportunities for remote backpacking trips and camping adventures all along the Western Sierra.

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park is home to wildflower studded meadows, colorful steaming fumaroles, all four types of volcanoes, and plenty of crystal clear lakes. The explosive history here is evident in the landscape. Camping and backpacking trips can take you to the summits of volcanoes and the shores of mountain lakes.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree National Park exists at the junction between two different desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado. Here, in this strange landscape sculpted by strong winds and occasional torrential rains, lives a huge variety of plants and animals to discover. The wilderness experience here is augmented by dark night skies and a rich history. Joshua tree is a great place to explore on foot or by camping in one of the park's many campgrounds.

Family Adventure Trip Options

Our family adventure offerings include day hikes, backcountry backpacking trips, camping/hiking adventures and hiking/lodging packages.

You can choose from our extensive catalog of trips in each park, where you might be grouped with other adventure-seekers, or you can request a private trip.

Trips can be private for just your family, or we can schedule you together with additional clients. When scheduling privately, and as discussed with your family, we can provide an additional Guide for a nominal charge. In some cases we may also assign a Junior Guide who is learning and growing within our program.

Feel free to register you family for any day trip and/or backpacking trip which you find most appealing. As always you can contact us for a consultation in which we can help advise on any custom adventure. In so doing, we will assess your family based on ages, personal fitness level, and past past experiences if any. After selecting which adventure highlights your family would enjoy to experience, we will then work with you to design an itinerary that offers personal rewards through a bit of challenge. This experience is guaranteed to provide memories that will last a lifetime!

Although we can design any trip to best meet the needs and demands of all family members, at the bottom of the page are some sample favorite choices for families. Please feel free to also contact us to design a custom adventure package for your family.

Recent Family Adventure Reviews

We took 2 trips with lasting adventures. We were a party of 9 with 2 families. The first tour we had 2 guides Bella and Trey. They were extremely knowledgeable and gave us an amazing tour. They kept everyone entertained from our 12 year old to young adults and older adults. The pace was just perfect with enough breaks. I would highly recommend this trip to families who are exploring Yosemite for the first time. Second day we took a hike to glacier point and surrounding areas. One of our family member had an asthma attack making us arrive late to our meeting point. Zac was extremely patient and cooperative. He took us to all the highlights with plenty of time for photos and info about the sites. It was an unforgettable experience to view all these sites from top of valley. Would highly recommend this tour to families.

Our family of 5 (all adults) wanted a two day hiking tour that was a great taste of Yosemite where we could see the amazing beauty and all the high points not to miss. Lasting Adventures gave us exactly that! Our guide Dyson was so friendly, knowledgeable and personable, he immediately seemed like one of the family! First day we hiked Yosemite Valley, seeing Vernal Falls, El Capitan, Half Dome, Sub Dome, and more. Second day was even more beautiful in Tuolumne Meadows and stops at Olmsted Point and a climb to Pothole Dome with a gorgeous 360 view at top. Thank you Lasting Adventures for helping easily navigate such a big park, see the most amazing sites and make many lasting family memories!

Our family recently went on the 5 day lodging/hiking tour with Lasting Adventures. Our guide, Meg, did a fantastic job. She was sincerely excited about all that we did and saw, she was enthusiastic, accommodated a variety of dietary restrictions with grace, and was just a great person to be around. We also enjoyed getting to know Logan, Sidney, Mike, and Matt, who also provided support to our group. The itinerary was great, and with two guides each day they were able to offer customization of our hikes. Highly recommend!

"We were a group of 7 family members (ages 22-65 years old), and for all of us it was our first hiking/backpacking/camping experience. We all had such an amazing yet challenging experience! Our guides’ spirit, cooking, and knowledge were great!”

Great backpacking trip to the Ozette coast in Washington state! Our guide was amazing and our family had a great time.

What We Provide

Experienced Park Guide(s) also co-trained in positive youth development and adventure programming.
A commitment to customer service and safety
All required gear (backpacks, tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, eating and cooking gear, etc.)
Trail knowledge of your desired park including remote campsites, awesome viewpoints, backcountry lakes and waterfalls, etc.
Local historical knowledge, stories, and anecdotes presented in an age-appropriate manner.
Games, stories, fun!
Tasty meals designed in unison with you. (We are also able to accommodate most all dietary restrictions.)
Memories to Last a Lifetime

Family Adventure Quick Picks

During this five-day Yosemite Backpacking trip you’ll experience some of the park's most pristine wilderness locations, and the most epic sunset spots!

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Amazing Sunsets

Yosemite National Park

5 Days |

18-22 Miles

Highlights:

Explore the Ozette Coast on this incredible, once-in-a-lifetime Olympic National Park backpacking adventure!

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The Ozette Coast

Olympic National Park

3 Days |

14 Miles

Highlights:

For waterfall lovers that can handle an uphill climb, the Mist Trail & Nevada Fall Loop Day Hike is for you! This Yosemite Hiking tour follows the park's most popular trail.

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Mist Trail / Nevada Fall Loop

Yosemite National Park

Day Hike |

7.2 Miles

Highlights:

The Lover's Lane trail follows the Sol Duc river upstream, connecting to Sol Duc campground, Sol Duc Falls and the resort/ hot spring.

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Sol Duc Lovers Lane Loop Day Hike

Olympic National Park

Day Hike |

6 Miles

Highlights:

Summit two of the park's most iconic peaks over the course of three nights in the backcountry on this Yosemite Backpacking Trip, while camping and exploring the park’s stunning alpine lakes!

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Alpine Lakes and Summits

Yosemite National Park

5 Days |

22.5 Miles

Highlights:

The Rialto Beach Tide Pooling tour highlights the coastal area of the Olympic Peninsula and the Pacific Ocean. These great Olympic hiking tours are well suited for families and hikers of all abilities who are interested in learning about the coastal section of Olympic National Park.

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Rialto Beach Tide Pooling Hike

Olympic National Park

Day Hike |

4-8 Miles

Highlights:

If you’re looking to avoid the crowds and experience some of Yosemite’s most spectacular backcountry scenery, this is the Yosemite Backpacking trip for you!

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Tuolumne Meadows to Half Dome

Yosemite National Park

6 Days |

37 Miles

Highlights:

The Yosemite Valley Hiking Tour highlights a variety of iconic and popular features in Yosemite Valley as well as some of the lesser known gems.

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Yosemite Valley Hiking Tour

Yosemite National Park

Day Hike |

6-10 Miles

Highlights:

The Giant Sequoia Grove day hike highlights the iconic ‘big trees’ of the Sierra Nevada.

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Giant Sequoia Grove Hike

Yosemite National Park

Day Hike |

3-7 Miles

Highlights:

This family-friendly Yosemite backpacking trip includes some of the most iconic Yosemite vistas, coupled with fun and relatively mellow hiking.

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May Lake to Snow Creek

Yosemite National Park

4 Days |

15-18 Miles

Highlights:

Our North Dome tour takes visitors to the peak of North Dome, directly across Tenaya Canyon from Half Dome with an awe-inspiring view of the northwest face. A favorite Yosemite Hiking Tour for guides and guests alike.

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North Dome Day Hike

Yosemite National Park

Day Hike |

8-10 Miles

Highlights:

This challenging 14.5-mile day hike is a favorite for guests and guides alike, making it among our most popular Yosemite hiking tours.

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Clouds Rest Hike

Yosemite National Park

Day Hike |

14.5 Miles

Highlights:

The strenuous Yosemite Falls hike takes you up a number switchbacks beside incredible outlooks and waterfalls to award you with the famous lookout at the top of the falls. A Yosemite hiking tours classic!

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Yosemite Falls Day Hike

Yosemite National Park

Day Hike |

9.5

Highlights:

Trips by Destination

Trips by Type

Specialty Adventures

Camping Programs

Lodge-Based Programs

Family Adventures

Backpacking, Camping & Hiking Trips for Families of all Shapes & Sizes

Family Adventure Locations

Family Adventure Trip Options

Recent Family Adventure Reviews

What We Provide

Family Adventure Quick Picks

5 Days |

18-22 Miles

3 Days |

14 Miles

Day Hike |

7.2 Miles

Day Hike |

6 Miles

5 Days |

22.5 Miles

Day Hike |

4-8 Miles

6 Days |

37 Miles

Day Hike |

6-10 Miles

Day Hike |

3-7 Miles

4 Days |

15-18 Miles

Day Hike |

8-10 Miles

Day Hike |

14.5 Miles

Day Hike |

9.5

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Guide Service

Youth Trips

Trips by Destination

Trips by Type

Camping Programs

Lodge-Based Programs

General Resources

National Park Resources

Yosemite National Park

Olympic National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park