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June Lake, California

June Lake, California, offers some of the top trails and outdoor activities for those seeking scenic adventures. A must-visit trail is the Rush Creek Trail, a moderate difficulty hike with stunning views of the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Ansel Adams Wilderness, and the pristine Silver Lake. Another top trail is the Fern Lake Trail, a challenging uphill hike that rewards with views of the beautiful Fern Lake. For a more relaxed outdoor activity, you can enjoy fishing in the crystal-clear waters of June Lake or Gull Lake. Nearby, the Mono Lake Tufa State Natural Reserve is home to unique rock formations and a variety of bird species. These are just a few examples of the best outdoor adventures in and near June Lake.

Top Spots in and near June Lake

  • Twain Harte-Tuolumne City, California

    Mount Dana

    5.0
    4.89 mi / 3120 ft gain
    There's something special about the landscape that Yosemite National Park offers, and the scenery around Mount Dana is no different. The trail begins at the Tioga Gate entrance to Yosemite with the trailhead at the north end of the small parking lot south of the gate. It winds through the ponds,...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Middle Gaylor Lake

    1.46 mi / 764 ft gain
    The main trail to the Middle Gaylor Lake is about 1.5 miles round-trip, but if you’re looking for more adventure, you can hike a little further to Upper Gaylor Lake (which will add a mile to your trip) or continue on to the Great Sierra Mine (which will add 2 miles to your trip). The Gaylor Lake...
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  • Lee Vining, California

    Climb the Third Pillar of Dana

    From Highway 120 (Tioga Road) you can park at the lot just above Tioga Lake. Another mile up the road is the Yosemite entrance, so if you hit that, you've gone too far. Follow the trail around the south side of the lake and into Glacier Canyon. After about 2 miles you'll start scrambling on the N...
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  • Crowley Lake, California

    Emerald Lake

    4.0
    1.76 mi / 417 ft gain
    Emerald lake is a relatively short 1.7 mile out-and-back hike. There is ample parking at the parking lot and trailhead. There is also overflow parking at the upper lot for Duck Lake and Skelton Lake.  The trail has a decent amount of uphill, but you should arrive shortly (<30 mins) at your de...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Duck Lake via Duck Pass Trail

    4.7
    9.29 mi / 1880 ft gain
    The Duck Pass trail in the John Muir Wilderness combines breathtaking views, wildflowers and plenty of icy mountain lakes for swimming into a trail that is moderate in both difficulty and distance. With multiple lakes along the way to pitch your tent and plenty of day hike options from a base cam...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Arrowhead Lake

    5.0
    2.25 mi / 538 ft gain
    If you make your way to the Goldwater Campground there is plenty of parking. The trailhead you take leads to many lakes but the Duck Pass trailhead is the on you want to take. This is a easy trail to follow and walk with very little obstacles. You follow it along for around a mile and you won't ...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Pika Lake via Duck Pass Trail

    9.41 mi / 1880 ft gain
    As many of the other hikes start in this area, you start at the Goldwater Creek Campground where there is plenty of parking and restrooms. You will take the Duck Pass Trailhead for this hike. • I wanted to point out that this is not the easiest hike to do as a day hike. Many people do overnighte...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Skelton Lake Trail

    5.0
    3.2 mi / 804 ft gain
    The hike to Skelton Lake in Mammoth Lakes, CA starts off at the Duck Lake Pass trailhead just past Lake Mary. The hike starts off with quite a few switchbacks as you climb through the John Muir Wilderness. About one mile up the trail, you'll see an option to veer off to Arrowhead Lake. Continue o...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Heart Lake

    5.0
    2.11 mi / 500 ft gain
    You will see a couple of trailheads starting by parking at the Coldwater Creek Campground parking lot. This one is specifically marked Heart Lake. There will be a couple of forks in the trail, but if you stay right and on the more obvious path, you will be up to Heart Lake in no time. (Going left...
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  • Lee Vining, California

    Mono Lake Boardwalk

    2.0
    0.69 mi / 30 ft gain
    Mono Lake Boardwalk is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Lee Vining, California.
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  • Lee Vining, California

    Junction Campground, Mono County

    Junction campground is by far one of my favorite campsites when I am visiting the High Sierra and Tuolumne Meadows. The only downside is, you can only camp certain months; usually from June through October when highway 120 is open.  The Junction campground is far away from the crowds of Yosemite...
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  • Mono County, California

    Hot Creek Geological Site

    4.8
    Hot Creek Geological Site is a must see when you are in the Mammoth Lakes area. It is just West of Highway 395 and only minutes form the town of Mammoth Lakes, which has great food, a ski resort, world class mountain biking, and a brewery. Bishop is about 40 minutes South which is well known for ...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Hot Creek Interpretive Trail

    5.0
    0.37 mi / 69 ft gain
    Hot Creek Interpretive Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a hot springs and good for all skill levels located near Mammoth Lakes, California.
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  • 37.876736,-119.346085

    Glen Aulin

    4.8
    12.19 mi / 600 ft gain
    Start your hike to this waterfall oasis in the heart of the sierra at the parking lot for the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. The Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp sits along the beautifully winding Tuolumne River. White Cascade an 80ft waterfall sits at the edge of camp and provides an excellent swim...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Mt. Conness

    5.0
    19.03 mi / 5400 ft gain
    This trip is best done as a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip making camp at Young Lakes, however it is possible to do it in a single day long haul. Start at the Lembert Dome Parking Lot and take the trail via the Dog Lake route towards Young Lakes. It's about 7 miles to the upper of the three You...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dog Lake Loop

    3.0
    3.71 mi / 740 ft gain
    This 3.7 mile roundtrip hike begins at the center of Tuolumne Meadows (shuttle stop #2) at the Lembert Dome/Glen Aulin trailhead parking lot. There are restrooms and picnic tables at the east side of the lot, there you will also find the trailhead to Dog Lake.  The trail begins at 8,500 ft and c...
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