Giant Sequoia Hike & Riverside Cookout Tour All-Inclusive

Walk through a tunnel tree, crawl through a fallen giant, cook by the river

A small-group hike through Giant Sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park with a naturalist guide, 2.5 miles round trip with 400 feet of elevation gain, followed by a riverside cookout on the South Fork of the Tuolumne River. The tour includes hotel pickup, park reservation and entrance fees, and a picnic BBQ; groups stay under 10 people. The hike passes through a tunnel carved into a living tree and lets you crawl through a fallen giant while learning the ecology and history of the species.

The Experience

The hike starts at a historic stagecoach road and climbs through groves of 1,000-year-old Giant Sequoias—the largest tree species on Earth by volume. You'll walk in their shadows, step through a tunnel cut into a living tree, and crawl through a fallen giant to feel the scale of these trees from the inside. A naturalist guide explains the ecology and history as you move through the forest. The 2.5-mile round trip gains 400 feet of elevation at 6,000 feet, so the pace is moderate and steady.

After the hike, the group heads to a relaxing beach on the South Fork of the Tuolumne River. You can swim in the river, then gather for a BBQ picnic cooked on-site. The riverside setting gives the day a natural rhythm: the work of the hike, then the ease of water and food. Transport from your hotel, park reservation and entrance fees are all arranged in advance, so the logistics don't fall on you.

The group stays small—9 people or fewer—which means the guide can move at a pace that works and answer questions without rushing. Echo Adventures, the operator, is worker-owned and certified B-Corporation, so the money and the practices behind the tour are built on sustainability and fair labor.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup and return transport.
• Yosemite National Park day reservation and entrance fees.
• a naturalist guide leading the hike.
• a riverside BBQ picnic lunch on the South Fork of the Tuolumne River.

Good to know

Moderate physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Echo Adventure Cooperative, Inc

Is this one for you?The hike gains 400 feet of elevation at 6,000 feet, so it suits someone comfortable with a moderate uphill walk and ready for the physical work of crawling through a fallen tree—the payoff is the river swim and cookout afterward, which gives the day a complete arc instead of just a hike and a drive home.

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Top questions

What is the Giant Sequoia hike actually like to walk?

The hike is 2.5 miles round trip through groves of 1,000-year-old Giant Sequoias, gaining 400 feet of elevation. You walk under the canopy of the largest trees by volume on Earth, step through a tunnel carved into a living tree, and crawl through a fallen giant to experience their scale from inside. A naturalist guide explains the ecology and history as you move through the forest.

How much time does the whole day take?

The tour runs 6 hours total, including the hike, the riverside beach time and the cookout. The hike itself is the main activity; the river portion is a relaxing finish to the day.

What's included in the price?

Hotel pickup, transport to and from the trailhead, Yosemite National Park day reservation and entrance fees, the naturalist guide, and a riverside BBQ picnic lunch are all included. You don't arrange the park reservation or pay the entrance fee separately.

Is this hike suitable for someone who is not very fit?

The operator notes that at least a moderate level of physical fitness is recommended. The 2.5-mile hike with 400 feet of elevation gain at 6,000 feet elevation is steady but not strenuous; the pace is set by the small group and the guide.

Can I swim in the river, or is it just for wading?

The South Fork of the Tuolumne River beach is described as a place for swimming, so you can go in the water if you want to. Bring a change of clothes or a towel if you plan to swim before the cookout.

What should I bring or wear for this hike?

Wear hiking boots or sturdy shoes with good grip, layers you can shed as you warm up, and sun protection. Bring water and snacks if you want them beyond what's provided at the cookout. The hike involves crawling through a fallen tree, so wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty.