Packing List For Yosemite National Park

Planning a family vacation to Yosemite National Park this summer? Don’t forget any of the essentials, it’s a long drive to the nearest town! Here is my packing list I use when planning an outdoors family vacation.

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Day pack

A good day pack should be light weight, sturdy, comfortable and feature plenty of pockets. Bonus points if it is waterproof!

I love Osprey as a brand because although their packs are expensive, they come with a a lifetime guarantee – Osprey will repair or replace your back pack free of charge, whether you bought it 20 years ago or yesterday. It’s a “buy once and done” philosophy I am on board with. The Osprey Daylite is my pick for short family hikes as it is small, lightweight and simple.

Hiking shoes

Depending on the age of your kids, you may only be attempting easy paths. But even on the simple trails, you might have to cross a small stream or climb over some rocks. You will need a sturdy, comfortable – and preferably waterproof – pair of shoes for everyone as sore feet will quickly spoil your trip.

Sports Basement or REI are great stores for outdoor equipment. As for brands, Keen is my favorite for the whole family. Their toddler shoes are very flexible and still look good after a year of continuous wear.

Water bottles

I have tried a lot of different bottles for my kids but I always go back to Green Sprouts. These bottles have been through the dishwasher hundreds of times and still don’t leak. The weakest point is the silicone straw but you can get a replacement pack for when they break (especially if you have a chewer).

For the adults, something that will keep your drink cool (or hot) is a bonus, and of course, should not leak all over your pack. YETI will keep your drinks cold (or hot) and stylish.

Snacks

Trail mix is good for a pick-me-up, as are cereal bars.

Waterproof jacket

The weather can change quickly and it is always good to be prepared. A light-weight waterproof can be layered for cooler weather or thrown on in the event of a sudden spring downpour. Columbia is a good, affordable brand, I especially like their Pardon My Trench coat, which looks as good in the big city as the great outdoors. Check out Columbia’s cute kid’s jacket and their men’s waterproof to outfit the whole family.

Baby carrier

If your child is three or under, you will find they get tired quickly on a hike and want to be carried. A back carrier or a stroller is essential for a National Park vacation with toddlers or babies. While you can find trails suitable for a stroller, it is a good idea to have a carrier so you are not limited to where you can explore.

For babies, I prefer a stretchy wrap, as I found these type more comfortable. Boba is the original and has thousands of great reviews on Amazon. For toddlers, a back carrier is the way to go. I still use a soft structured carrier like the LILLEBaby (actually it is a Connecta, which I love, if you’re reading this in the UK check them out!) but if you plan on doing a LOT of toddler carrying, you may be better investing in a frame carrier.

I have never actually tested any out so can’t recommend any personally – I will defer to Wirecutter who have a very thorough review.

Hats

It is essential to protect yourself from the sun. For kids I really like hats with chin straps like this one from iPlay. All my friends have this brand sun hat, we love them! For the adults, a wide-brimmed hat that can be crushed down for packing like this one from Siggi is perfect (and affordable).

Sunscreen

Kids often have sensitive skin and I have found mine do react to many brands. Banana Boat Kids Factor 50 spray is light, easily absorbed and has caused us no problems so we use this for the whole family when outdoors.

It’s also reef safe so you can take it to the beach as well as Yosemite.

Bug spray

I have always had the best results from bug sprays containing DEET, which is safe to use on children over two months old. Natural alternatives containing essential oils such as citronella are available but won’t be as effective.

I didn’t find mosquitoes too much of a problem during the day in Yosemite but if you are camping or planning to be outside at dusk it would be a good idea to have some on you.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has the following recommendations for parents using insect repellants on children:

• Do not buy “two-in-one” repellant and sunscreen because sunscreen needs to be applied more frequently than repellant
• Do not use products with oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol, or PMD) on under three-year-olds as it can irritate their eyes. Not to be confused with lemon eucalyptus oil, which is safer for children but not as effective
• Do not use repellant under clothes, use on bare skin only
• Do not spray onto the face directly, spray on your hands then apply to the face
• Avoid multiple applications
• Once indoors, wash it off with soap and water

It’s your call on whether to use a product with DEET or a spray with essential oils. While DEET has been used for years and has been proven to be safe and effective, it does smell pretty awful and there is a chance your child’s skin might have a reaction. I do use it at times when bugs are really a problem and anywhere ticks might be active. Make sure you read the ingredients of whatever you buy – for kids aged under 10, buy something with a 10% concentration of DEET.

I have a spray but it does get everywhere – wipes might be a better buy for children. If you use a spray, stand away from your kids and spray it into your hand, then rub it onto their exposed skin.

These wipes from Cutter are family-safe at 7% and if you prefer a natural alternative, try this Babyganics repellant instead.

First Aid kit

Kids inevitably get grazes, bruises and splinters when playing outdoors so have a simple first aid kit with you. I always take some antiseptic ointment, band aids, a cold pack, children’s Tylenol, children’s anti-histamines (plus adult versions) and tweezers in mine, which seems to cover most emergencies. 

Camera

Smartphones take beautiful pictures now and I do use mine a lot! If you want to up your game though, I do think a DSLR is worth the cost and effort. The new generation of mirrorless cameras are a lot lighter if weight is off-putting and you don’t actually need a lot of extra equipment to take great photos – for example, I hardly ever use my tripod but with the in-built anti-vibration technology I can still take non-blurry photos with long exposure times.

Sony and Olympus make outstanding mirrorless cameras, so check out the Sony Alpha a6000 and the Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mk II if you are looking for a sturdy, light-weight camera to capture those amazing views.

If you prefer to stick to the smartphone, invest in a selfie stick or tripod for group pictures and a set of lenses from Olloclip or Moment.

Pocket microscope

There are a lot of interesting things to pick up and look at out on a trail, so take this small but powerful LED microscope with you to get a closer look at the flowers, rocks and bugs you find. It’s also helpful if your child is keeping a travel journal and wants to draw pictures of the things they see on their trip.

National Park Annual Pass

You can buy your pass as you drive through the gates but if you want to buy in advance, you can order one online. Even if you don’t buy one in advance, it’s a good idea to check the different prices, options and discounts available so you can move through the entrance a bit quicker.

What to read

Anything by John Muir, of course! I really enjoyed “Anywhere that is wild” the naturalist’s account of his walk from San Francisco to Yosemite. His unapologetic enthusiasm for the natural beauty of California is inspiring and it is fun to follow in his footsteps, even if it is by car.

Also check out my post for stroller-friendly trails in Yosemite, plus accommodation recommendations for families. Have a great trip!