Sonora, California
Sonora, California is a top spot for outdoor adventures, boasting some of the best trails and outdoor activities. The must-visit Dragoon Gulch Trail is a scenic 2.5-mile loop with moderate difficulty. It offers views of oak woodlands, unique rock formations, and a seasonal creek. For a more challenging hike, the Table Mountain Trail offers a steep climb with rewarding views of the Sierra Nevada and a stunning waterfall. The nearby New Melones Lake is perfect for boating, fishing, and camping. Yosemite National Park, a short drive from Sonora, offers world-renowned hiking trails, towering cliffs, and the iconic Half Dome. These outdoor attractions make Sonora a top destination for hiking, camping, and fishing.
Top Spots in and near Sonora
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Mariposa County, California
Hike to Union Point via Four Mile Trail
6 mi / 2332 ft gainFour Mile Trail is steep, but hikers efforts are more than rewarded. Union Point sits above Yosemite Valley at 6,332 feet - offering sweeping views of El Capitan and the valley entrance to the left, and North Dome / Half Dome & Clouds Rest to the right. You can also see Yosemite Falls straigh...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Photograph Yosemite Falls at Swinging Bridge
5.0This is a drive up and shoot adventure in winter. The spot is at Swinging Bridge area. This area is also a picnic area and hiking trail but, in my opinion, the best spot to capture Yosemite Falls is a few steps walk after you park the car. One of not so many places that you still can go in winte...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 -
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 -
Highway 108, California
Backpack to Blue Canyon Lake
5.03.6 mi / 1280 ft gainTrailhead Coordinates: 38º 19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8897ftThe trail is kind of tricky to find. It is West of the PCT trailhead at Sonora Pass and it is not marked. You park along the side of Hwy 108 and scramble down an embankment where a creek flows at the bottom. Cross this creek and you ...Read more -
Highway 108, California
Hike to Deadman Lake
6 mi / 1700 ft gainStart: 38º19'08.46"N 119º39'49.26"W Elev 8879ftPark along Hwy 108, head down the bank and across the stream at the bottom. There you will find the start of the trail.This is a challenging hike without much of an actual trail to follow for the majority of it. The hike is very steep in certain are...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 North Dome in Yosemite
5.08.8 miTo stay overnight in Yosemite without a reserved campsite requires a "Wilderness Permit" to camp, but you can camp anywhere. However, any fires need to be in pre-made fire pits (so rangers can know where to check for fires) Day 1 - Hike in from the Porcupine Trailhead off of Tioga Road in to vie...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Porcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome
10.04 mi / 2089 ft gainPorcupine Creek Trail to Indian Ridge Natural Arch to North Dome is an out-and-back trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.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
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 -
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 -
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
