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
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Yosemite Valley, California
Half Dome via the Mist Trail
4.815.94 mi / 4800 ft gainBe sure to arrive early early in the morning to beat the crowds or if you want to break up the hike, first-come, first served campsites are available at Little Yosemite Valley Campground - make sure to check out the details in that adventure and obtain a wilderness permit. Even if you are just da...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Thru-Hike the John Muir Trail
5.0203.17 mi / 44944 ft gainTo thru hike the JMT is probably one of the sickest trips to do! It's not a heavy commitment like the PCT or AT but it's also no week long vacation from work, backpacking the woods of your local forests either. There's a sweet spot in thru hiking and I believe this trail gives the full taste. You...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Photograph Stoneman Bridge in Yosemite NP
4.5This location turned out to be one of our favorite unplanned stops in the Yosemite Valley to photograph and explore.Stoneman Bridge was constructed in 1933 and spans 72 feet long. The Merced River flows under this classic stone bridge providing very photogenic reflections, with Half Dome in the b...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Backpack to Clouds Rest from Glacier Point
4.023.85 mi / 6942 ft gainStart from Glacier Point around 7,200 feet leaving on the Panoramic Trail. Head down 2 miles to Illilouette Falls (5,800 feet). Once you cross the bridge at Illilouette Falls you go up Panorama Point and head back down to Nevada Falls (5,971 feet). Once you reach Nevada Falls fill up on as much w...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Photograph Yosemite's Half Dome at Glacier Point
4.7Glacier Point gives you a classic view of Half Dome and Yosemite Valley. You can get a different perspective of Half Dome if you jump on any of the trails heading out of Glacier Point. Illilouette Falls trail gives you a different view of Half Dome. This trail is around 4-5 miles round trip fro...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Stargaze and Photograph the Night Sky at Glacier Point
5.0The summer months of June, July, and August tend to provide the best views of the stars, and particularly in August during the meteor showers. Amateur astronomers often gather on Saturdays during the summer, and provide first hand knowledge and guidance. Glacier Point can accommodate hundreds of ...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Reverse Summit of Glacier Point in Yosemite National Park
4.517 mi / 6100 ft gainYosemite's Panorama Trail is undoubtedly one of the most scenic and worthwhile trails in the entire national park. The stretch that reaches from the valley floor to the top of Glacier Point involves 8.5 miles and a monumental amount of elevation gain. If you want to see the entire stretch of trai...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Illilouette Falls in Yosemite National Park
4.55.07 mi / 1400 ft gainThe hike begins at Glacier Point. Find the marker for the Panorama Trail just beyond the viewing steps (to the right, if you’re looking at Half Dome). The first section of the hike will be lined with open views of Half Dome, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. It will be hard not to stop to listen ...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
10 Lakes Basin in Yosemite
5.013.38 mi / 2200 ft gainBeginning at the Ten Lakes trailhead, the trail to the lakes is a moderately strenuous uphill grind to Ten Lakes pass, followed by a quick downhill into the lake basin. We met a woman at the top who made sure we didn’t miss the short side trail to a vista point on the pass that offered a sweeping...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Grant Lake via Ten Lakes Trailhead
4.012.24 mi / 2000 ft gainThe trail begins at the Ten Lakes trailhead (7600 ft) right beside Yosemite Creek. The first 4 miles start you on the ascent through the wooded forest, however there are portions of the trail that will take you through granite rock valleys marked with only cairns so keep your eyes peeled througho...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Sentinel Meadow Cook's Meadow Loop Trail
4.51.99 mi / 85 ft gainThis short, easy walk provides some of the best views of several iconic Yosemite landmarks from the valley floor. If you complete the entire loop, expect to see Yosemite Falls from the Swinging Bridge, Half Dome from Sentinel Bridge (a popular spot at sunset), and the historic Yosemite Chapel. ...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Sentinel Dome Trail
5.02.15 mi / 400 ft gainOne of the most popular places in Yosemite for sunset is Glacier Point, but by walking one mile from the trailhead, the crowds quickly dissipate. Sentinel Dome is great for all ages since the trail is short and not too steep. Park at the Sentinel Dome trailhead, about 3 miles from the end of Glac...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop
5.05.17 mi / 1076 ft gainSENTINEL DOME & TAFT POINT TRAILHEAD: About an hour drive from Yosemite Valley campgrounds. This trailhead is an intersection of the starting point of the Taft Point trail and Sentinel Dome trail. It is a short walk (and visible) from the parking lot. In doing both trails, it would be an esti...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Taft Point
4.92.35 mi / 200 ft gainTaft Point is such an amazing and different view of the Yosemite Valley. If you're lucky and you time it right, you'll also experience complete solitude. While driving Glacier Point Road, just a few minutes before arriving at Glacier Point, you'll see a parking lot for the Taft Point Trailhead. ...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Photograph Moonbows at Yosemite Falls
1 miIn spring at Yosemite National Park, a unique phenomenon occurs, called “moonbows.” Seen during the full moon, moonbows are rainbows produced by light reflected off the surface of the moon, and are relatively faint and difficult to detect with the naked eye, but they do appear in long exposure ph...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Lower Yosemite Falls
4.81.16 miAt 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America. The falls consists of three sections: Upper Falls, Middle Cascades, and Lower Falls. At 320 feet, Lower Yosemite Falls is one of the most popular attractions at Yosemite National Park. This 1-mile loop is a leisurely walk wi...Read more
