Custom Experiences
Experience the majesty of Yosemite like never before.
Love backpacking, camping, or a special weekend in a tranquil lodge? Tell us how you like to travel, what you hope to discover in Yosemite, and how you want to feel when you leave.
Whether it’s a rejuvenating wellness getaway, an epic trek amongst backcountry peaks, or a private yoga program for your adventurous students, we’ll help you plan the perfect Yosemite experience!
Let’s start planning your dream Yosemite trip.
Fill out our Trip Information Survey below so we can get a clear idea of what kind of trip or retreat you are interested in creating. Need more info? Scroll down to read about the nuts & bolts or gain inspiration around building a customized trip or retreat with us!
Step 1: Choose Your Retreat Style
-
Backpackers' Bliss
Trek through Yosemite’s backcountry, fully immersed in nature, then spend the night under the stars in a remote, high-country camp.
-
Rustic Comfort
Relish in nature for the day with an adventure hike in Yosemite and a soothing flow practice outdoors, then slip into your cozy lodgings for the night.
-
Serene Escape
Experience Yosemite’s magical sites, enjoy a tailored wellness excursion, a delicious chef-inspired meal, and a peaceful night’s rest in a nearby lodge.
Step 2: Choose Your Accommodations
BACKPACKERS’ BLISS:
Into the Wild: Backcountry Edition
For the backpacker who craves solitude in the great outdoors with nothing but the pack on their back, trekking into the remote wilderness of Yosemite and camping out in pure nature may be the trip for you.
BACKPACKERS’ BLISS:
Campground Edition
For the adventurer who prefers to immerse in nature in or around Yosemite via a designated campsite with amenities (like showers, bathrooms, limited cell service), and proximity to other travelers in the Park.
*access limited to certain campgrounds
RUSTIC COMFORT: Local Lodge
For the nature-lover who craves comfort, lodges like the Yosemite Bug Rustic Mountain Resort or AutoCamp Yosemite both offer a variety of accommodations that speckle the foothills. Both are located about 30 miles from the west entrance in Midpines.
Pictured: AutoCamp Yosemite
SERENE ESCAPE: Riverfront Homes or Ranch-Style B&Bs
For the tranquil traveler who enjoys a luxurious home-away-from-home, locations like the Yosemite Moonstone Retreat and Red Tail Ranch offer privacy, extensive amenities, and central locations to Yosemite National Park.
Pictured: Yosemite Moonstone Retreat
Step 3: Customize Your Experience
Choose one or more of the activities below, and we’ll help you design your one-of-a-kind trip!
*Pricing varies based on the duration of stay and a la carte activities.
Not seeing an activity here? Ask our team and we can coordinate with our vast network of local connections to create your dream itinerary.
-
Choose from carefully-curated yoga classes, meditation sessions, spa services, sound bath experiences, Ayurvedic counseling, or reflective journaling—all to fit your needs and desires!
-
Explore Yosemite’s epic sights and iconic trails in the capable hands of our seasoned, professional guides (see our Guided Tours page for inspiration!)
Naturalist-led walks, short & sweet day hikes, multi-stop scenic tours, and full day adventure treks are just a few ways you can incorporate some hiking magic into your next Yosemite visit.
-
Merge art with Yosemite’s majestic nature and choose from a creative writing, watercolor painting, or photography workshops with a local professional.
-
Become fearless in the wilderness and learn how to navigate, practice Leave No Trace principles, the art of back-country cooking, and how to pack your pack like a pro!
-
Perfect for companies bringing their employees and teams on an epic retreat, we can build in activities & outings to foster team building that are focused on cultivating trust, conscious leadership, strategic planning, all from a holistic health & wellness lens!
-
We have a large network of professionals that love to come speak or perform to share their expertise, and we love nothing more than collaborating to bring together diverse voices all unified by our love of Yosemite.
We’ve featured several incredible speakers & performers on past Custom Experiences, which is always an activity beloved by all:
Professional naturalists & park ecologists/biologists
Cultural and indigenous historians & local tribal members
Clinical Ayurvedic Specialists & wellness practitioners
Professional photographers, artists, and musicians
Want to speak to a human being?
Schedule a quick 15-minute call to speak with one of our team members and get your questions answered! Upon scheduling, you’ll receive a personal email from us confirming the appointment (check your junk & spam!)
Balanced Rock specializes in creating one-of-a-kind trips & retreats through a lens of connection, nature, and wellness. Bring your group or students to Yosemite for an unforgettable offering led by you, and immersed in nature!
Things to Know Before Your Experience
What’s Included
Access to Yosemite National Park for the duration of your trip
Permits & day use reservations for your stay
Guidance from our multi-talented facilitator team (wilderness guides, yoga instructors, retreat hosts, personal chefs, & more!)
Meals from healthy, locally-sourced food (individual dietary preferences honored)
Group gear (e.g., campsite kitchen supplies, emergency comms system, shared tents, yoga mats/props)
What’s Not Included
Travel to and from the trailhead, campsite, or retreat location (we can offer recommendations)
Park entrance fee for personal vehicle(s)
Lodging before or after the program begins/ends (we can offer recommendations)
Personal supplies (e.g., pack, tent, sleeping bag, sleeping pad, proper clothing and footwear, headwear/sun protection, personal toiletries)
“This was such a beautiful and healing and joyous trip! I am so thankful for my time in Yosemite. The peace and rest I found there are truly indescribable.”
Balanced Rock Foundation is a nonprofit 501(c)(3). Copyright 2022 Balanced Rock Foundation.
Header Photo Credit: Patrick Bremser