Tuolumne Meadows, California

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

Top Hiking Spots in and near Tuolumne Meadows

  • El Portal, California

    Hites Cove Trail

    5.0
    6.8 mi / 791 ft gain
    The Hites Cove Trail is a scenic 7.8-mile round-trip hike nestled within California’s Sierra National Forest, near El Portal. Renowned for its vibrant spring wildflower displays, the trail meanders along the South Fork of the Merced River, culminating at the historic Hite Mine site. Ho...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Relax at Laurel Lakes

    5.0
    0 mi / 0 ft gain
    The Laurel Lakes trip, just south of Mammoth Lakes, is a worthwhile day trip that can easily be made into a hiking/camping trip.To get there, make your way to Laurel Lakes Rd via Sherwin Creek Rd either from Old Mammoth Rd or from the 395. The road to the lakes is not too bad initially but you'll...
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  • Oakhurst, California

    Camp at Nelder Grove Campground in Sierra National Forest

    0 mi / 0 ft gain
    Sites are located along Willow Creek with plenty of shape. Right out of the campground you can hike nearby Bull Buck Trail and discover the giant sequoia trees. This is a first-come first-serve campground so arrive early.Directions: Take Hwy 41 north from Fresno; continue thru Oakhurst to Sky Ran...
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  • Oakhurst, California

    Shadow of the Giants Trail

    4.0
    1.09 mi / 174 ft gain
    The Shadow of the Giants National Recreation trail is an amazing 1.1 mile self-guided hike through the heart of Nelder Grove.  Take Hwy 41 north from Fresno; continue thru Oakhurst to Sky Ranch Road (6S10 or Forest Road 10) travel approx. 5 miles to Nelder Grove, when you reach the camp area tak...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Hot Creek Interpretive Trail

    5.0
    0.37 mi / 69 ft gain
    Hot Creek Interpretive Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a hot springs and good for all skill levels located near Mammoth Lakes, California.
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Backpack to Chain Lakes

    4.4 mi / 864 ft gain
    This trip begins at ~7500 feet at the Box Springs Trailhead This trail is at the end of Forest Route 3N20Y. The trail, which is not regularly maintained and may at times be hard to follow, initially descends slightly to 7300', then stays mostly flat before rising just before the lakes. You will p...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Hike to Deadman Lake

    6 mi / 1700 ft gain
    Start: 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...
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  • Highway 108, California

    Backpack to Blue Canyon Lake

    5.0
    3.6 mi / 1280 ft gain
    Trailhead 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 ...
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  • Bass Lake, California

    Camp at Greys Mountain Campground

    5.0
    / 5293 ft gain
    From Greys Mountain Campground, Sierra National Forest is your oyster! Enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground has vault toilets and (sometimes) potable wate...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Convict Lake Loop

    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 ...
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  • 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 ...
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  • Bass Lake, California

    Climb and Camp at Shuteye Ridge

    5.0
    The Journey to your final destination can get a little tricky once you get on the dirt roads. From the Bay Area it will take you about 3 hours to get into Oakhurst, then another hour to get to the Wilderness Area simply because of the windy and not maintained roads. On that note I would suggest t...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Backpack Chewing Gum Lake

    3.3
    4.5 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Chewing Gum Lakes is located in Emigrant Wilderness, South of Lake Tahoe and North of Yosemite, with stunning valley views and gorgeous granite faces, peaking through the tree lines of the Stanislaus National Forest. Sitting just north of Yosemite allows you to take in a portion of the beauty of ...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Backpack to Bear Lake (Emigrant Wilderness)

    4.2
    8.34 mi / 705 ft gain
    Start by picking up your wilderness permit at the Summit Ranger Station near Pinecrest - (209) 965-3434. There's no quota for this area, so no need for reservations in advance. To reach the trailhead, make your way south from the Ranger Station and turn left onto Crabtree Rd. Drive along this ro...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock

    21.6 mi / 3600 ft gain
    The Lower and Upper Relief Valleys are beautiful alpine valleys cut by Relief Creek in the heart of the Emigrant Wilderness and are an excellent alternative to Yosemite National Park if you're looking for solitude and no crowds. The East Flange Rock juts prominently over Lower Relief and is an ea...
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  • Pinecrest, California

    Climb Granite Dome via Lower & Upper Lewis Lakes

    25 mi / 5000 ft gain
    Granite Dome is the signature peak in the Emigrant Wilderness, with fantastic views north to the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness, east to the Hoover Wilderness (Sawtooth Ridge), and south to Yosemite including, on a clear day, Cathedral Peak and the Cathedral Range.There are several routes up Granite D...
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