North Fork, California
North Fork, California, a top spot for outdoor adventures, offers some of the best trails and outdoor activities. One must-visit is the Willow Creek Trail, known for its scenic beauty. This moderate-difficulty trail boasts a variety of natural features, including lush forests, a sparkling creek, and unique rock formations. Another highlight is the Mammoth Pool, a pristine lake perfect for fishing and boating. Near North Fork, the Sierra Vista Scenic Byway is a must-see. This driving route offers stunning views of the Sierra Nevada mountains, providing ample opportunities for photography. Whether you're a hiker, angler, or simply appreciate the great outdoors, North Fork has something for you.
Top Spots in and near North Fork
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Mariposa County, California
Hike to Alder Creek Falls
10 mi / 1000 ft gainThe trail leads from the parking area across the Mosquito Creek road and heads uphill north through an open pine forest with manzanita growing on dry slopes. The trail provides access to Alder Creek Falls a hidden gem within Yosemite's Wawona wilderness. I did the trail towards the end of Februar...Read more -
Lakeshore, California
Evolution Valley via Florence Lake
4.530.36 mi / 3238 ft gainYou can get to the Evolution Basin a variety of ways, but the easiest is through the Florence Lake Trailhead. Here, you can choose to either take the Florence Lake Ferry across the lake, or save $25 and hike the extra 4 miles around the lake. Personally, I would choose the ferry. About five mile...Read more -
Lakeshore, California
Backpack to Crater Lake, Sierra National Forest
8.4 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 -
Shaver Lake, California
Camp at Voyager Rock Campground
4.0The paved road ends at the Maxson Trailhead parking lot on the SE side of Courtright Reservoir. The adventure starts with a glance to the left, down a rock-strewn dirt track that leads off further into the wilderness. You're wondering, "Is that the trail?" and "Do I dare?"The Dusy-Ershim Trail of...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake
32 mi / 2400 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Nordic Ski and Snowshoe to Glacier Point
5.021 miKnown 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...Read more -
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...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
Winter Backpack to Sentinel Dome in Yosemite
5.019.23 mi / 860 ft gainThe goal for our weekend was to do some winter camping in the Yosemite backcountry; we decided on Sentinel Dome as our destination. The trail is a cakewalk during the summer, but winter turns it into a 10 mile uphill grind from the car. Most people opt to head for the ski hut at Glacier Point, bu...Read more -
Yosemite National Park, California
Dewey Point via Badger Pass Ski Area
5.07.36 mi / 761 ft gainTake the one-hour shuttle ride from the Yosemite Lodge to the Yosemite Ski Area, so that you don't have to worry about driving in the snowy conditions, or finding parking. If you don’t own snowshoes, you can easily rent a pair from the rental shop for the day. Current rates are $24.00 for a full ...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead
5.07.51 mi / 300 ft gainBefore 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...Read more -
Wawona, California
Dewey Point Trail
4.95 mi / 315 ft gainThis approximately 5-mile out-and-back trail is a great hike in Yosemite National Park. This trail starts off of Dewey Point's Meadow Trail, but you can also start from the Dewey Point Ridge trail, which you'll pass first when coming up Glacier Point Road. This trail is not dog friendly, but is a...Read more -
Lakeshore, California
John Muir Trail: Camping at Bear Creek
The trail follows the creek for a few miles as it cascades forming very tempting pools and places to lay out. Try to resist jumping in the first pool you see and setting up camp. Although you really can't go wrong, some of the sweetest and deepest pools come after passing by a few smaller pools. ...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 -
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 -
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 -
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
