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
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Mariposa, California
Panorama Trail
4.816.87 mi / 5184 ft gainThe Panorama Trail is an outstanding hike that takes you from the Yosemite Valley floor up to Glacier Point. Or you can hike it downhill going from Glacier Point to Yosemite Valley. You can camp and make it an overnight trip or do it as a day trip by leaving a car at one end and taking a park sh...Read more -
Tuolumne Meadows, California
Sierra Point via Happy Isle
5.01.44 mi / 1007 ft gainThe unmaintained trail is initially hard to find if you’re not familiar with its location. Here are the instructions: From Happy Isle, start on the JMT trail heading towards Vernal Falls. Shortly after passing a sign indicating the start of the John Muir Trail, you'll come to another sign o...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Vernal Fall Foot Bridge Trail via Mist and John Muir Trail
5.02.4 mi / 761 ft gainVernal Fall Foot Bridge Trail via Mist and John Muir Trail is a loop trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yosemite Valley, California.Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Mist Trail to Vernal Falls
4.93.11 mi / 1319 ft gainThis is one of the most epic short hikes that you can do in Yosemite. Highly recommend it for anyone staying in the valley or visiting with enough time for a 2-3 hour hike. While the distance isn't long, you will stop a lot along the way to take in the beauty and also spend time at the top of the...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Vernal & Nevada Falls via Happy Isles
4.67.23 mi / 2815 ft gainThis popular hike starts near Happy Isles in Yosemite Valley. The first mile of the trail is paved and almost entirely uphill. You will come to the footbridge which tends to be very crowded. About 0.2 miles beyond the footbridge, the Mist Trail and the John Muir Trail diverge. Follow the Mist Tra...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Half Dome via the Mist Trail
4.915.94 mi / 6437 ft gainBe sure to arrive early early in the morning to beat the crowds or if you want to break up the hike, first-come, first served campsites are available at Little Yosemite Valley Campground - make sure to check out the details in that adventure and obtain a wilderness permit. Even if you are just da...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Thru-Hike the John Muir Trail
5.0203.17 mi / 44944 ft gainTo thru hike the JMT is probably one of the sickest trips to do! It's not a heavy commitment like the PCT or AT but it's also no week long vacation from work, backpacking the woods of your local forests either. There's a sweet spot in thru hiking and I believe this trail gives the full taste. You...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Sentinel Meadow Cook's Meadow Loop Trail
4.51.99 mi / 190 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 -
Tuolumne County, California
Grand Canyon of the Tuolumne
5.048.29 mi / 9469 ft gainThis 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...Read more -
Yosemite Village, California
Taft Point via Glacier Point
7.67 mi / 2011 ft gainThe Taft Point Trail via Glacier Point Road is one of Yosemite’s most rewarding short hikes, offering massive granite cliffs, dizzying drop-offs, and unforgettable views of Yosemite Valley, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls—all without the crowds of more popular viewpoints. This relatively easy hike...Read more -
Lee Vining, California
Mono Lake Boardwalk
3.50.69 mi / 30 ft gainMono Lake Boardwalk is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a lake located near Lee Vining, California.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 -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Illilouette Falls in Yosemite National Park
4.55.07 mi / 1375 ft gainThe hike begins at Glacier Point. Find the marker for the Panorama Trail just beyond the viewing steps (to the right, if you’re looking at Half Dome). The first section of the hike will be lined with open views of Half Dome, Vernal Falls and Nevada Falls. It will be hard not to stop to listen ...Read more -
Yosemite Valley, California
Photograph Moonbows at Yosemite Falls
1 miIn spring at Yosemite National Park, a unique phenomenon occurs, called “moonbows.” Seen during the full moon, moonbows are rainbows produced by light reflected off the surface of the moon, and are relatively faint and difficult to detect with the naked eye, but they do appear in long exposure ph...Read more -
Mariposa County, California
Lower Yosemite Falls
4.81.16 mi / 151 ft gainAt 2,425 feet, Yosemite Falls is the highest waterfall in North America. The falls consists of three sections: Upper Falls, Middle Cascades, and Lower Falls. At 320 feet, Lower Yosemite Falls is one of the most popular attractions at Yosemite National Park. This 1-mile loop is a leisurely walk wi...Read more -
Mono County, California
Gem Lake via Rush Creek
5.06.91 mi / 2313 ft gainThis hike starts next to Silver Lake in the June Lake Loop, located just north of Mammoth Lakes, CA off HWY 395. There is a parking lot near the RV park as well as street parking across the road from the trailhead. Once you head out on the hike, you'll start gaining elevation as you hike up tow...Read more