Outbound Collective logo

Yosemite Valley, California

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

Top Photography Spots in and near Yosemite Valley

  • Mariposa County, California

    Camp at Wawona in Yosemite National Park

    Wawona offers over 90 campsites in 3 loops, including 1 group site, 2 horse sites, and RV/ camper access.Every loop has at least 1 bathroom with flush toilets, but keep in mind that there are no showers at this campground.Pets are allowed, but must be kept on leash at all times.Each campground co...
    Read more
  • 37.872112,-119.370472

    Hike to Waterwheel Falls

    17.32 mi
    Waterwheel Falls may be the most unique waterfall in Yosemite. During high waterflow an extraordinary phenomenon appears as the raging water hits a series of ledges creating a plume, this coupled with strong gust blowing upward create cyclical "waterwheel" effect hence the name. On a good day th...
    Read more
  • Mariposa County, California

    Merced Grove

    5.0
    3.32 mi / 600 ft gain
    Merced Grove is technically the smallest and most secluded of the three sequoia groves found in Yosemite National Park, which lends itself to be less crowded offering a peaceful solitude hike. The trailhead is located at the Merced Grove parking lot on Big Oak Flat Road. This trail begins by foll...
    Read more
  • Tuolumne County, California

    Backpack to Nelson Lake

    17 mi / 1000 ft gain
    Head to any Yosemite wilderness station for a map, bear canister, and permit for Nelson Lake. The trail itself starts in the Tuolumne Campground at Elizabeth Lake trailhead. Follow the trail 2.2 miles up to Elizabeth Lake and remember the lake itself is in a no-camping zone, so you must continue ...
    Read more
  • Tuolumne County, California

    Camp at Tuolumne Meadows Campground

    5.0
    Tuolumne Meadows is on Tioga road northeast of Yosemite Valley, at elevation 8,600 feet. Sites are available July-September at $26. Dogs are allowed but be sure to pack the leash!  More info: https://www.nps.gov/yose/plany...
    Read more
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Enjoy a Sunset at Tuolumne Meadows

    5.0
    Tuolumne Meadows at an elevation of 8,619 feet exemplifies the high country of the Sierra Nevada, with its sweeping sub-alpine meadows, granite domes, summer wildflowers and meandering rivers. When the forest opens up park along the side of the road and find a trail. There are also plenty of near...
    Read more
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Backpack to Fletcher Lake and Summit Vogelsang Peak

    19.06 mi
    Before you head out for the trip, you’ll need to get a wilderness permit. You can get one online from the Yosemite website or pick one up at the Tuolumne Meadows Wilderness Center or from the Wilderness Center in Yosemite Valley. Go to Yosemite and take Highway 120 up to Tuolumne Meadows. You ca...
    Read more
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Young Lakes

    4.7
    14.14 mi / 1700 ft gain
    The Young Lakes trail starts from the Lembert Dome parking area and then winds up around 6 miles into the high country past alpine meadows and stunning views of the surrounding mountains. Lower and Middle Young Lakes are beautiful, but you're going to want to push on to Upper Young Lake, where y...
    Read more
  • Wawona, California

    Lembert Dome via Dog Lake Trail

    4.0
    3.98 mi / 750 ft gain
    Lembert Dome may seem impossible to scale when observing it from the trailhead, but it is actually a relatively easy hike up to the summit. It is by far the best way to see and admire Tuolumne Meadows, not to mention the granite top, which is a wonderland to explore. There are a few ways to reac...
    Read more
  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dog Lake Loop

    3.0
    3.71 mi / 740 ft gain
    This 3.7 mile roundtrip hike begins at the center of Tuolumne Meadows (shuttle stop #2) at the Lembert Dome/Glen Aulin trailhead parking lot. There are restrooms and picnic tables at the east side of the lot, there you will also find the trailhead to Dog Lake.  The trail begins at 8,500 ft and c...
    Read more
  • 37.876736,-119.346085

    Glen Aulin

    4.8
    12.19 mi / 600 ft gain
    Start your hike to this waterfall oasis in the heart of the sierra at the parking lot for the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. The Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp sits along the beautifully winding Tuolumne River. White Cascade an 80ft waterfall sits at the edge of camp and provides an excellent swim...
    Read more
  • Madera County, California

    Backpack to Lower Merced Pass Lake

    4.0
    23 mi / 880 ft gain
    LMPL (let's be honest, the full name is a mouthful) is situated just below the crest of Merced Pass, and can be accessed by hiking south from Yosemite Valley, or north from Chiquito Pass. This is a stunning and much less crowded spot to camp, or a great way to access some of the less climbed moun...
    Read more
  • Groveland, California

    Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls

    4.8
    12.55 mi / 2500 ft gain
    Situated in the northwest portion of Yosemite National Park, Hetch Hetchy is is a not often visited treasure of the Central Sierra Nevada. In 1913, in an extremely controversial move, work on the O’Shaughnessy Dam was started to provide water to the growing population of San Francisco. Today, Het...
    Read more
  • Groveland, California

    Wapama Falls

    4.71 mi / 623 ft gain
    Hetch Hetchy has a completely different character than other areas of Yosemite National Park, and the hike to Wapama Falls is an excellent way to explore this relatively remote section of the park. You can only imagine what this valley looked liked before it was dammed and is second to none compa...
    Read more
  • Tuolumne County, California

    Photograph Dana Fork

    Yosemite is filled with some amazing views but rarely do you get to experience these views by yourself.  This hidden treasure is located off of Tioga Pass,  is near some of Yosemite’s most popular hikes, and offers an outstanding sunrise and sunset views without the crowds. Located 2.5 miles Sout...
    Read more
  • Tuolumne County, California

    Mono Pass to Silver Lake Trailhead via Koip Peak Pass

    20.25 mi / 3606 ft gain
    This trip begins in Yosemite National Park and can be completed as an out-and-back or by hiking one-way to the Ansel Adams Wilderness and exiting at Silver Lake on the east side of the mountains. Start at the Mono/Parker Pass trailhead, a few miles past Tuolumne Meadows. Don't forget to make a pe...
    Read more