Bass Lake, California
For the best trails and outdoor activities, Bass Lake, California is a top choice. The Willow Creek Trail is a must-visit for hikers, offering scenic views of the lake and surrounding forest. It's a moderate difficulty trail, with some steep inclines and rocky terrain. Along the trail, you'll see unique rock formations and a beautiful waterfall. The lake itself is also a prime spot for water activities like fishing and boating. For a more relaxed outdoor adventure, Angel Falls is a popular attraction. This scenic waterfall is a short hike from the lake and offers stunning views. The Bass Lake area is rich in natural beauty and offers a variety of outdoor activities for all skill levels.
Top Spots in and near Bass Lake
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Lakeshore, California
Backpack to Crater Lake, Sierra National Forest
5.08.4 mi / 2100 ft gainStarting at Lake Florence, this hike starts out with a climb up and keeps this up over the next 3 miles. After about 3 miles of climbing you reach another lake, Dutch Lake which provides shade and a nice place to rest. From there it's a relatively flat 1.2 miles in to your destination. Once at Cr...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Camp at Crane Flat Campground
Crane Flat Campground is located on the Big Oak Flat Road (Highway 120) just west of Crane Flat, about 30 minutes northwest of Yosemite Valley. Sites are open July-October at $26/night. More info at https://www.nps.gov/yose/plany...Read more -
Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
4.32.67 mi / 653 ft gainThe Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of three sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park. This particular grove has gorgeous forest scenery and provides great solitude compared to the crowded Yosemite Valley. The trail used to be an old road offering a wide path with a gradual descent, makin...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Devils Postpile Loop
5.01.28 mi / 243 ft gainDevils Postpile Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Mammoth Lakes, California.Read more -
Madera County, California
Devils Postpile & Rainbow Falls
5.04.53 mi / 509 ft gainIf you do this once the shuttles are running from Mammoth Mountain, you'll want to park at the Mammoth Mountain Inn and took the Reds Meadow Shuttle Bus to the trailhead closest to Devils Postpile. It was a short and easy hike, about 0.5 miles to the base. While many walked past Devils Postpile a...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome
10.04 mi / 1985 ft gainPorcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Backpack to North Dome in Yosemite
5.010.04 mi / 1985 ft gainTo stay overnight in Yosemite without a reserved campsite requires a "Wilderness Permit" to camp, but you can camp anywhere. However, any fires need to be in pre-made fire pits (so rangers can know where to check for fires) Day 1 - Hike in from the Porcupine Trailhead off of Tioga Road in to vie...Read more -
Mariposa County, CaliforniaMount Watkins
6.22 mi / 1089 ft gainThis is a moderate hike out to an overlook of Clouds Rest, Half Dome, and the east end of Yosemite Valley. There is some parking on both sides of the road about 1.5 miles west of Olmsted Point. One side is gravel with parking for ~6 vehicles and offers bear boxes for food while the other is a pa...Read more -
Fresno, California
Tom Macmichael Senior Trail
3.41 mi / 233 ft gainTom Macmichael Senior Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a river located near Fresno, California.Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Olmsted Point
5.00.4 mi / 26 ft gainJust off the side of the highway, look for the pullout for Olmsted Point on your Map. There is a parking area with about 25 parking spots and the lookout point with the tree is right next to there. Come in the summertime and during a new moon to get the best views of the Milky Way. Never crowded,...Read more -
Madera County, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Lake Ediza Junction
NOTE: there are some camping closures in this area. Read here for more details. The Lake Ediza Junction has several great spots to camp. Try to find a spot that will have long afternoon sun as some spots will fall under the shadow of the ridge to the west. There are some sunny campsites along the...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Merced Grove
5.03.32 mi / 682 ft gainMerced Grove is technically the smallest and most secluded of the three sequoia groves found in Yosemite National Park, which lends itself to be less crowded offering a peaceful solitude hike. The trailhead is located at the Merced Grove parking lot on Big Oak Flat Road. This trail begins by foll...Read more -
Madera County, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Thousand Island Lake
5.0This is one of the most recogizable lakes on the John Muir Trail and is known for being one of Ansel Adams' favorite places to photograph. Banner and Ritter Peaks tower over the tree covered islands and make for incredible scenery. This is a good spot to spend the day eating lunch and swimming ou...Read more -
Mammoth Lakes, California
Agnew Meadows to Tuolumne Meadows
5.030.27 mi / 4757 ft gainUnlike most through hikes that require two cars or hitchhiking, you can accomplish this with only one car by using a YART. Another benefit is that by entering in Mammoth, it is usually much easier to get permits as opposed to starting in Yosemite where permits can be harder to get. Then once yo...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Tenaya Lake
4.63.08 mi / 0 ft gainTenaya Lake is located alongside Tioga Road in the park's Tuolumne Meadows region. There is a family-friendly trail that surrounds the lake. Though some spots along the trail on the western shore may require fording the waters, the 2.5-mile trip is an easy hike for all to enjoy. Many others pre...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Sunrise Lakes to Clouds Rest
4.718.93 mi / 4524 ft gainStart out at the Tenaya Lake Trailhead, where you can head directly onto the trail for Clouds Rest or you can branch off after 2.7 miles to Sunrise Lakes. This allows you to break up the hike, spend a night relaxing and help you have an early start back on the trail. Once re-connected to the Clo...Read more
