7-day Yosemite Volunteer Trip
Yosemite National Park is extraordinary!
Yosemite is one of the grandest of our National Parks. Join our trip to camp in the heart of Yosemite Valley as you experience this “temple of nature” with other like-minded volunteers. Under the guidance of expert National Park Service trail crew, help renovate trails and restore fragile natural resources. Experience the splendor, feel the awe, as you help this iconic national park at a time when Public Lands are calling for help! Feel the satisfaction as you travel with PURPOSE! Our group campsite in Yosemite Valley, which is reserved for people who volunteers, is the perfect base for your visit to this iconic UNESCO World Heritage site.
Project activities | Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Yosemite Volunteer Activities
On this trip, you will help the National Park Service trail crew improve and maintain trails in Yosemite Valley. You will restore fragile natural resources impacted by visitor use, while enjoying vistas of the incredible waterfalls and granite walls.
There are a variety of project tasks which means you can be matched with activities which best suit your capabilities. You may use a pick or shovel to contour trail tread to shed water. Or you may cut and move vegetation to camouflage abandoned trails and slow running water. Examples of other activities include removing rocks from the trail tread with rock bars, repairing fences, clipping vegetation to improve trail safety, and/or moving crushed rock or stone to create a dry walking surface.
Is This Trip Right for You?
To participate, you do not need any prior trail maintenance or restoration experience. We will provide you with training so you can safely and productively participate in the projects. Past Yosemite volunteers included a wide range of ages and abilities. You should be able to hike up to two miles a day on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, and carry stones.
Yosemite Valley is a wonderful place to volunteer, and it needs help. ConservationVIP is pleased to offer this exciting opportunity to protect a national treasure.
Itinerary | Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Yosemite Volunteer Trip Itinerary
7 Days of Conservation, Community and Adventure in Yosemite National Park
Day 1: Arrival and Orientation in Yosemite Valley
Join us for a week-long experience in the heart of Yosemite Valley, where meaningful conservation activities meet unforgettable scenery. This immersive trip combines hands-on stewardship projects, comfortable group camping, and time to explore one of the world’s most iconic national parks.
We meet at 2:30 p.m. at a special volunteer-only campground located in Yosemite Valley. This exclusive campground will be our home base for the entire trip.
During orientation, you meet your trip leaders and fellow travelers. The leaders will give you an overview of the conservation projects planned for the week. You will also learn essential safety guidelines and proper tool use.
Hot breakfasts and dinners (with both meat and vegetarian options) are prepared and served by our mobile kitchen and served at camp.
Days 2 – 5: Stewardship Projects
Each morning begins with a hot breakfast, followed by preparation of box lunches using provided ingredients. The group then travels a short distance to the day’s project site in Yosemite. Conservation project hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (with a lunch break).
After a rewarding day of service, we return to camp to enjoy dinner, relax, and take in Yosemite’s legendary night skies.
Day 6: Rest and exploration day
This rest day allows you to relax at camp or explore Yosemite independently. Trip leaders will provide guidance and suggestions for hikes and other activities to help you make the most of your time.
Day 7: Departure
The Yosemite Volunteer Trip concludes after breakfast. You may extend your stay in Yosemite by arranging additional camping or other park lodging independently.
IMPORTANT NOTES about the Itinerary:
- Trip is permit-pending
- Day 1 is the day you should plan to arrive at the meeting point for the trip. This may require departing your hometown one or more days in advance and traveling on an overnight flight.
- Before purchasing your airline tickets, please check with us to ensure the trip has the necessary minimum number of participants required to operate.
- Each trip is unique. Conservation projects vary based on the needs of the park at the time of the trip.
- Although we do our very best to adhere to the itinerary above, it is subject to change for reasons beyond our control, including changes in the local project needs, weather, and terrain conditions.
Price | TRIP REVIEWS | Trip Reports | Safety
Yosemite Volunteer Trip Price
US$1,145 for seven days
Note: Your trip expense may be tax-deductible. To explain how, see our Frequently Asked Questions page and consult your tax advisor for details.)
Price for the Yosemite Volunteer trip includes:
- ConservationVIP’s trip leadership and support staff
- Entrance to the park
- Campground reservations
- All meals from dinner on Day 1 through breakfast on Day 7
- Group tools
- Transportation to and from project sites
- Orientation and training
Price does not include:
- Transportation to/from Yosemite National Park
- Camping gear (you must bring your own tent, sleeping bag and sleeping pad)
- Cost of medical immunizations
- Insurance (emergency medical and evacuation insurance is mandatory for this trip)
- Airline excess baggage charges
- Airport taxes
- Alcoholic beverages or soft drinks
- Gratuities and personal items
Payment and Refund Policy
A deposit of $400 per person is required at the time of signup. Final payment is due 90 days prior to departure. The payment and refund policy can be found here.
Group Size: 10 – 14 plus trip leaders
Trip Reviews for Previous Yosemite Trips
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At 72 I found the work challenging, yet rewarding. The people on my “crew” were incredible and alone made the trip worthwhile. It was a wonderful way to give back to a National Park I love.
The September Yosemite trip was comprised of another great group of folks supported by terrific leaders Tom and Nancy, deliciously fed by Carey and Dawn, and supervised by Eamon of NPS. We worked hard several days and had one unexpected extra day off because of smoke conditions in the area. Lots of fence work, brushing and water diversion projects but also good amount of down time for exploring the spectacular environment of Yosemite.
It was a fantastic trip that met - even exceeded - my expectations. The people were terrific; the group leaders - Tom and Nancy were superb. They really demonstrated exceptional leadership in their calm demeanor, friendly manner, clarity of instruction and overall positive attitude. Cannot recommend both of them highly enough! Eamon, the Park Service rep was excellent - we did meaningful work under his direction and he kept us engaged. Frequently checked with the group to match their needs with ours. Food was plentiful and great; the schedule was right on - a day's work, but not too much. And plenty of time for our own exploration if we wanted. Tasks were suited to our interests and capabilities. It was quite rewarding when tourists came by and thanked us for the work we were doing. Overall excellent. No criticisms and really, I can't think of anything I would change. I am recmmending Conservation VIP to all my friends. Thanks!
This was an excellent trip with fun people . The projects were very interesting and well coordinated , and safe …… The Food was fantastic and speakers at night were educational . Yosemite in the spring is the time to go, because the river is full and the water falls are amazing. There is plenty of down time in the evenings, and last full day, to follow your own path. Our group was very cohesive and supportive. This was my fifth trip to Yosemite with VIP, each trip was interesting and different, and memorable. Mateo
I just returned from a ConservationVIP trip to Yosemite National Park, and I can say without a doubt: this experience changed me forever. It’s hard to put into words what it means to be part of something so meaningful—but I’ll try, because I truly believe everyone deserves to experience something like this at least once in their life.
Our team of eight came together as strangers, but quickly formed a bond through shared challenges, laughter, and purpose. We worked hard every day—restoring trails, moving massive rocks, and caring for sacred land—and every step of the way, we supported each other. There was no competition, no pressure—just kindness, teamwork, and a shared love for the outdoors.
The heart of this trip, for me, was Danielle and Pam. These two women are the kind of people you hope to meet in life: inspiring, patient, funny, wise, and incredibly kind. They led with strength and compassion, and they made every single person feel seen, valued, and cared for. Personally, I felt held by them in a way I didn’t even know I needed. They never judged, only uplifted. They believed in all of us, and that made it easier to believe in ourselves.
Even after long, tough days, we were welcomed back to camp with warm meals (insanely insanely amazing food), good conversation, and the kind of connection that makes you feel deeply human again. It was rustic, yes—but also incredibly nourishing, in every way.
This trip reminded me that when you step outside your comfort zone, open your heart, and say yes to something greater than yourself, magic happens. The kind of magic that stays with you forever.
If you’re feeling the pull to do something real and grounding and unforgettable—this is it. ConservationVIP doesn’t just connect you to nature. It reconnects you to yourself, and to the kind of people who make this world better—like Danielle and Pam.
I’m so glad I made this trip to Yosemite. It was a great trip and I felt accomplished at the end of the week. The camping was a real treat, food was great and hikes to the work site were breath taking. The co-leaders were just right for a group which was mostly experienced, with some inexperienced new comers.
Yosemite is a gem and deserves all that are able to volunteer should volunteer. The beauty, awe inspiring views, wildlife should be witnessed and cherished for future generations. Pam and Danielle were wonderful trip leaders, very organized and personable. The work in the park that we help with the NPS staff was challenging but satisfying. I felt after each work day that I contributed what I expected to provide. All of the volunteers were synchronized with each other and the work that needed to be done. The camp site was perfect. The catering staff was an unexpected bonus. The menu was varied and wonderful to see and eat.
Yosemite National Park is great in many ways, and made even better from my volunteer experience with Conservation VIP! Shelley and Norman of CVIP lead the group… their experience and knowledge of the park helped us in many ways… we enjoyed the park even more because of them. The food was wonderful and plentiful… thanks to Dawn and Kearney who cook for the CVIP volunteer groups at Yosemite as their vacation! The volunteer work was meaningful and rewarding… maintaining trails to brush back vegetation and improving tread plus making and installing cedar posts. The group camp site for us volunteers put us in the heart of the Yosemite valley, so it was easy to access amazing sites during our “off duty” times. I have been on many volunteer trips, but this one was very special because of the people on the trip… we shared great stories, worked very hard and cooperatively, helped each other when struggles arose, and laughed the hardest and more often than any other trip I have ever been on. I come on these trips to help out environmental causes, but I always ending up improving my mental and emotional health too.
Gear List for Yosemite Volunteer Trip
The key to staying comfortable as an active Yosemite volunteer is layering. To get maximum comfort with minimum weight, you need versatile layers that mix and match to create the right amount of insulation, ventilation and weather protection. The Yosemite gear list has been created to help you in choosing your equipment for the trip. View the Gear List.
Trip Reports
Please click the links below to read Trip Reports from ConservationVIP’s Yosemite Volunteer Trips.
September 2025
May 2025
September 2024
May 2024
May 2023
September 2022
May 2022
September 2021
August 2021
September 2019
May 2019
September 2018
May 2018
September 2017
May 2017
September 2016
May 2016
September 2015
May 2015
September 2014
May 2014
September 2013
May 2013
September 2012
May 2012
September 2011
Also, visit the Impact Summary page and see the difference you make!
Safety is our Priority
ConservationVIP® has always focused on our volunteers’ safety. Traveling with safety concerns requires some extra planning and flexibility both for trip leaders and trip participants!
Match Your Abilities with the Trip
In order to safely enjoy the trip, choose a trip which suits your abilities. For this trip, you should be able to hike up to two miles a day on mountainous terrain with some steep ascents and uneven trails, move soil or rock with a shovel, pull unwanted vegetation, and carry stones.
Follow Trip Leader’s Instructions
In addition, to prevent injury or illness on the trip, you will need to follow the trip leader’s instructions. For example, the leader will provide instructions about how to safely carry and use tools. The leaders will provide site-specific procedures and other safety instructions on the trip.
Medical Advice
Please check with your doctor to see if any immunizations are recommended for you or if the trip may involve any health issues for you.
Yosemite Valley is 4,000 feet above sea level, which can pose a challenge for some.
Comply with other Travel Restrictions
Finally, you will also have to comply with any restrictions imposed by the State of California and the National Park Service at the time of travel. We cannot predict what those regulations may be at the time of the trip.
About Yosemite National Park
One of the first wilderness parks in the United States, Yosemite is famous for its granite cliffs and waterfalls, giant sequoia groves and spectacular vistas and hikes. It is home to hundreds of wildlife species and over a thousand plant species. Yosemite National Park displays the grandeur and glory of nature’s finest work.
“It is by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature
I was ever permitted to enter.” —John Muir
In 2007, ConservationVIP® supported the creation of a “Sister Park” partnership between Yosemite National Park in California and Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia, Chile. Sister parks encourage parks, communities and volunteers to work together to protect important natural resources and environments.