Outbound Collective logo

Madera County, California

Madera County, California is a great place for exploring and discovering nature. With its stunning landscape and abundant wildlife, this is an area that will captivate and inspire. Whether you want to take a leisurely stroll, embark on a daring expedition, or simply enjoy the sights, there's something here for everyone. Come see why Madera County, California is the perfect destination for anyone looking for a unique and memorable escape.

Top Spots in and near Madera County

  • Mono County, California

    Obsidian Dome Trail

    3.0
    1 mi / 75 ft gain
    Obsidian Dome Trail is an out-and-back trail that provides a good opportunity to view wildlife located near June Lake, California.
    Read more
  • Tuolumne County, California

    Lyell Loop

    35.88 mi / 5541 ft gain
    Start the hike at the Mono pass trail. You'll eventually take the fork towards Parker Pass a couple miles in. We tackled the trail in late spring, and it quickly became clear that there was still enough snow to make our lives difficult. As we climbed out of the Parker drainage, the trail essenti...
    Read more
  • Tuolumne County, California

    Mono Pass to Silver Lake Trailhead via Koip Peak Pass

    20.25 mi / 3606 ft gain
    This trip begins in Yosemite National Park and can be completed as an out-and-back or by hiking one-way to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and exiting at Silver Lake on the east side of the mountains. Start at the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead, a few miles past Tuolumne Meadows. Don't forget to make a pe...
    Read more
  • Bishop, California

    Camp at Oh Ridge Campground on June Lake

    5.0
    Nestled along the shores of picturesque June Lake, is the Oh Ridge campground. Oh Ridge has access to the beach of June Lake via Pine Cliff Road, and the town of June lake as well as Gull Lake, Silver Lake, and Grant Lake are all within a short driving distance along the June Lake Loop.  Mammoth ...
    Read more
  • June Lake, California

    Parker Lake Trail

    5.0
    3.55 mi / 584 ft gain
    Parker Lake is tucked beneath the giant mountains of Mount Wood, Mount Lewis, and Parker Peak. I hiked the Parker Lake trail during peak foliage season and I was blown away by the amazing fall colors. The trail starts off with a steady and rocky climb. After you pass the elevation gain, the trail...
    Read more
  • Lee Vining, California

    Hike to Upper Sardine Lake

    Directions (from south of June Lake): 395 northTurn right onto the 158Keep right at fork onto Parker Lake Rd and go about 0.5 milesTurn right at first right and head all the way to the top until you hit a parking lot/camping ground/trail head From North of June Lake: 395 southTurn left at 158Keep...
    Read more
  • Mono County, California

    Snowshoe the Obsidian Dome Trail

    6 mi / 300 ft gain
    The Obsidian Dome Trailhead provides access to a large network of winter hiking trails through Inyo National Forest. These are marked trails that are groomed on an intermittent basis by the National Forest Service. To find the trailhead and parking area, drive north on highway 395 from Mammoth La...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • 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,...
    Read more
  • Mono County, California

    Fishing at Convict Lake

    4.3
    Many people come to Convict lake for the fishing. Convict is located only 2 miles off the main highway in the Eastern Sierras. The lake is clear and pristine with beautiful views. There are various ways to fish here; some rent out boats or bring their own and cruise around the lake fishing. O...
    Read more
  • Mono County, California

    Summit Mount Baldwin (12,614')

    15 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Directions The hike for Mount Baldwin starts at the Convict Lake trailhead. The turn off for Convict lake is about 4.5 miles south of the Mammoth Lakes exit along the 395 and roughly 35 miles North of Bishop, CA. Take this exit and follow the road West towards the mountains. Turn right at the ...
    Read more
  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Convict Lake

    4.9
    2.46 mi / 56 ft gain
    In 1871, a group of inmates escaped from a prison and were ambushed near the lake by a posse who had tracked them down. The inmates escaped the shoot out after killing two of the men in the posse and the lake now had a name – Convict Lake. You won’t witness a wild west shootout here, but if you ...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • Groveland, California

    Rainbow Pool

    4.5
    Finding Rainbow Pool is a little tricky, since it is off the side of a highway, but when you find it there is parking and bathrooms. There is a easy walkway to get down to the pool itself, and trails to climb to the top to slide or jump off the rocks. Many people tend to fish up top underneath th...
    Read more
  • 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...
    Read more
  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Photograph the Fall Colors of McGee Creek

    5.0
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    McGee Creek is one of my favorite spots in the Eastern Sierra to photography the fall color. Most people avoid the area because the best views require you to hike and explore but the rewards are worth it. Right close to the parking lot is McGee Creek which is a beautiful creek to photograph offer...
    Read more