The Best Snowshoeing in California

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

Top snowshoeing spots in and near California

Tuolumne County, California

Hike the Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias

4.2

2.5 mi / 500 ft gain

The Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias is one of three sequoia groves in Yosemite National Park. This particular grove has gorgeous forest scenery and provides great solitude compared to the crowded Yosemite Valley. The trail used to be an old road offering a wide path with a gradual descent, makin...
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Sequoia National Park, California

Hike Moro Rock

5.0

Moro Rock is a granite dome with a staircase leading to the 6,725 foot summit, where you can enjoy a spectacular view of the Great Western Divide. From Generals Hwy, you can drive up Crescent Meadow Road to the parking lot at the base of Moro Rock (summer weekends the road is closed for shuttles ...
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Calpine, California

Camp at the Calpine Fire Lookout

5.0

I think all explorers agree there is nothing more serene than being surrounded by nothing but wilderness. If you are one of these said explorers, a trip to Calpine's fire lookout is a must.Calpine is a forest fire lookout tower that was constructed in 1934 and is one of 3 remaining examples of th...
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Kyburz, California

Hike the Grouse, Hemlock, and Smith Lake Trail

5.0

Starting from the Wright's Lake parking area, walk past the service gate to find the loop trail. Follow the loop trail to the signed trail for Twin, Grouse, Island, and Hemlock Lakes heading toward the right. You will begin an approximate 150 foot ascend before coming to a saddle. Another 150 foo...
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Lakeshore, California

Hike to George Lake

5.0

9.2 mi / 1050 ft gain

The hike to George Lake starts out about 4 miles after you turn off 168 onto Kaiser Pass Rd. You'll want to park at the parking lot right before Badger Flat Campground. The parking lot is easy to notice and it is located on the right hand side of the road, two pit toilets and bear lockers are loc...
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Twin Bridges, California

Hike Pyramid Peak via Rocky Canyon

5.0

7.4 mi / 4100 ft gain

Pyramid Peak is the tallest peak in the Crystal Range and the Desolation Wilderness, just west of Lake Tahoe. On a clear day it can be seen from the Bay Area over 150 miles away. Named for its distinct shape, Pyramid a massive heap of glaciated granite slabs and talus, and the Rocky Canyon route ...
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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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South Lake Tahoe, California

Hike the Fallen Leaf Lake Trail

5.0

8.1 mi / 859 ft gain

The Fallen Leaf Lake Trail is located in South Lake Tahoe, California. It is important to note that there is no trail on the east side of the lake. The trail turns into a paved road when you reach the marina after passing the campground. Additionally, lots of small trails jut out from the main tr...
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Soda Springs, California

Hike to the Peter Benson Hut

5.0

11.6 mi / 1800 ft gain

Drive to the top of Donner Summit via the Old Hwy 40 and park at the Donner Summit PCT trailhead, just past the Sugar Bowl Academy Building. Begin hiking up-hill through a somewhat forested area for about 2 miles. Shortly after you pass the trail sign for the Mt. Judah Loop, you will come to a sm...
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Soda Springs, California

Snowshoe to the Peter Grubb Hut

5.0

8 mi

The Peter Grubb Hut is located below Castle Peak in Round Valley, 3 miles north of the Castle Peak trailhead near I-80. Overnight parking is available at the California Sno-Park at the Boreal-Castle Peak exit on I-80. Park on the frontage road east of the Boreal Inn and walk back under the freewa...
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Wrightwood, California

Snow Hike Lightning Ridge

5.1 mi / 900 ft gain

When you hear the report about snow in the San Gabriels, it's time to plan this hike!Only a short 90 minute drive is all that separates nearly a third of California's population from high-altitude snowy adventures. This isn't about Yosemite, but Southern California's very own San Gabriel Mountain...
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Bridgeport, California

Climb Matterhorn Peak via the East Couloir

10 mi / 6000 ft gain

Matterhorn Peak in the northeastern Yosemite Wilderness is an SPS Emblem Peak and many regard it as the beginning of the High Sierra, as there are no peaks higher to the north in the Sierra Nevada.There are many routes to the summit, but the shortest and most direct (though not easiest) begins at...
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Echo Lake, California

Cross-Country Ski or Snowshoe to Ralston Peak

5.0

This loop is best accomplished in 2 days, spending a night at either Ralston, Tamarack, or Cagwin Lake. Although this route is similar to hiking Ralston Peak in the summer, the trails are completely covered by snow so solid navigation skills are necessary. A map is required to find the best possi...
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Shaver Lake, California

Camp at Bretz Mill Campground

4.0

/ 3286 ft gain

Bretz Mill Campground is truly one of a kind - no fee, open year round, first come, first serve. This is a wonderful campground is an oasis for those seeking to picnic, cool off during hot summer days, or explore snowy trails. This is also a great place to spend the night when many campgrounds at...
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Inyo County, California

Winter Summit Mt. Whitney

22 mi / 6500 ft gain

Day 1: We arrived at the Lone Pine Visitors Center at the intersection of HWY 395 and HWY 136 just south of Lone Pine, CA. We issued ourselves our overnight permits to climb Mt. Whitney and picked up our Wag Bags. You can self issue yourself the free permit Nov. 2 through Apr 30. Climbing during ...
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Lone Pine, California

Hike to The Tuttle Creek Ashram

4.3

3 mi / 1500 ft gain

The Tuttle Creek Ashram is an abandoned stone building, "church" or place of enlightenment tucked away in the beautiful Eastern Sierra. Sitting at an elevation around 8000 feet, construction on the beautiful building was first started in 1928. The building took 20 years of hard manual labor to fi...
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