Mono County, California

Looking for the best photography in Mono County? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Mono County. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top Photography Spots in and near Mono County

  • Madera County, California

    Backpack to Lower Merced Pass Lake

    4.0
    23 mi / 880 ft gain
    LMPL (let's be honest, the full name is a mouthful) is situated just below the crest of Merced Pass, and can be accessed by hiking south from Yosemite Valley, or north from Chiquito Pass. This is a stunning and much less crowded spot to camp, or a great way to access some of the less climbed moun...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Backpack Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne

    5.0
    48.29 mi / 10610 ft gain
    This is a rugged overnight backpack into the North country of Yosemite dropping in from Tuolumne Meadows into the Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne. The trail begins at an elevation just under 9,000' and drops to a low elevation of 4,500' almost 19 miles later at Pate Valley. Coming up out of Pate Val...
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  • Yosemite Village, California

    Witness Yosemite's Firefall

    5.0
    0.1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Over 5 million visitors flock to Yosemite National Park in California's Sierra Nevada Mountain Range every year to take in the geological splendor. While most visitors get to see the park's waterfalls, very few ever get to witness the Firefall. For two weeks between mid-late February, a small wat...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake

    32 mi / 2400 ft gain
    The hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...
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  • Yosemite Village, California

    Watch the Sunset in El Capitan Meadow

    After entering the park, keep driving the loop until you get onto Northside Drive, and then park once you are right below El Capitan (the 3,000ft granite monolith that is very hard to miss).Once you've parked, grab a blanket, snacks, and a beverage.  With these items in hand, walk over to the eas...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Bridalveil Fall

    3.8
    1.2 mi / 200 ft gain
    Since most things you want to see in Yosemite require a hike, this place is a nice change to see something without having to walk for hours. From the parking lot it is just about a 10 minute walk to the falls.If you scramble up the rocks, you can get a nice view of the falls and the pond. It used...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead

    5.0
    7.51 mi / 300 ft gain
    Before you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're enc...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Photographing Valley View

    4.5
    Valley View is a must stop viewpoint in Yosemite National Park. Most people visit Valley View on their way out of the park as it is the last stop, located along the one-way Northside Drive. Look for a small parking area to your left just before Pohono Bridge. There are only about a dozen parkin...
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  • Bishop, California

    Hike Pine Creek Pass to Lower Pine Lake

    10 mi / 2500 ft gain
    The Pine Creek Pass is usable for day hiking and overnight adventures. If you'd like to spend the night, be sure to pickup a wilderness permit! If you plan to bring a four legged friend, make sure to indicate that on your wilderness permit request. There are several lakes you can stop at througho...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Dewey Point via Tunnel View

    5.0
    9.25 mi / 2979 ft gain
    Dewey Point lies on the western side of the Pohono Trail, across the valley from El Capitan and above Cathedral Rocks. When I was there in September, it was deserted but for a few birds drifting on the thermals above the cliffs. The sunset was stunning. It felt like there was nothing between me a...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Inspiration Point in Yosemite NP

    2.4 mi / 900 ft gain
    Inspiration Point is a granite slab located on the mountainside above Tunnel View. Hiking to this scenic point will provide you with the same views you would get from Tunnel View with less people around. Hiking this trail can also take you to different parts of Yosemite if you're so inclined (Bri...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Photograph Yosemite's Tunnel View

    4.3
    Tunnel View sets you up for an iconic view of some of the major highlights of the Yosemite valley including Bridal Veil Falls, El Capitan and Half Dome in the distance. To access the viewpoint, from Northside Dr., turn right onto Wawona Rd. You'll continue on Wawona Rd. up until you see you parki...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack Yosemite's South Rim

    5.0
    18 mi / 2800 ft gain
    Step 1: Get Wilderness Permit from the Wilderness Office the day before! Permits are free and required. This trail is a Point-to-Point trail so make sure you have a shuttle situation figured out (or you can always hitch hike).  The best option is to get dropped off at Tunnel View so that you don'...
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  • Bishop, California

    BLM Horton Creek Campgrounds

    Great find! Close to Buttermilks and town. Clean vault toilets but bring your own water. The time we went there the pumps were not working. Each site has fire rings, picnic tables and latern hooks. It can get pretty windy and exposed, so bring the appropriate gear. The campground has 49 tent/RV ...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Nordic Ski and Snowshoe to Glacier Point

    5.0
    21 mi
    Known for its breathtaking vistas, towering granite faces, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite National Park truly is one of the world’s most astounding landscapes. Though the park covers nearly 1200 square miles, the vast majority of the ~4 million annual visitors spend almost all their time ar...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Cross-Country Ski to the Ostrander Ski Hut

    Start your trip from the Badger Pass ski area. The Glacier point road is closed past here, and you'll spend your first couple of miles skiing mostly downhill to the Bridalveil Falls trailhead.The Bridelveil Creek trail gains slightly less elevation but is less scenic and longer than the more popu...
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