Yosemite Valley, California
Yosemite Valley, California is a must-visit destination for outdoor adventurers. With its scenic views and top outdoor activities, it's no wonder why it's a popular destination. From hiking and biking to rock climbing and camping, there are plenty of activities to choose from. For those looking for something a bit more adventurous, there are breathtaking trails and activities to explore, such as Glacier Point, Half Dome, and Yosemite Falls. There are also plenty of other attractions to explore in and near the area, such as the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, Yosemite Valley Chapel, and the Yosemite Museum. Whether you're looking for a peaceful escape or an exciting adventure, Yosemite Valley, California has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Yosemite Valley
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YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Fletcher Lake and Vogelsang Peak
19.03 mi / 2887 ft gainBefore 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
Tuolumne Meadows
5.0Tuolumne 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 ne...Read more -
Wawona, California
Young Lakes
4.714.14 mi / 2710 ft gainThe 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
4.53.98 mi / 889 ft gainLembert 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 -
Wawona, California
Waterwheel Falls
17.34 mi / 2520 ft gainWaterwheel 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 -
Tuolumne County, California
Rock Climb Lembert Dome, Yosemite NP
Lembert Dome stands out clearly as it is right along the road with a fairly large parking lot, about 1/4 mile past the Toulumne Store. There are multiple routes on this dome and for detail on all climbs, pick up the Tuolumne Free Climbs climbing guide. The area around this dome is gorogeous with ...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Mt. Conness
5.019.03 mi / 5243 ft gainThis trip is best done as a 3 day, 2 night backpacking trip making camp at Young Lakes, however it is possible to do it in a single day long haul. Start at the Lembert Dome Parking Lot and take the trail via the Dog Lake route towards Young Lakes. It's about 7 miles to the upper of the three You...Read more -
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California
Dog Lake Loop
3.03.71 mi / 627 ft gainThis 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
4.812.19 mi / 1532 ft gainStart 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
4.023 mi / 880 ft gainLMPL (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 -
Fish Camp, California
Wawona Point via Mariposa Grove
6.86 mi / 1486 ft gainThere is easy parking in the Mariposa Grove parking lot. There are a variety of trails through the grove; you can follow the NPS guide maps to see each of the iconic trees. These include tunnel trees you can walk through as well as overturned trees showing the immense root systems. From the park...Read more -
El Portal, CaliforniaHites Cove Trail
5.06.8 mi / 791 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Groveland, California
Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls
4.812.55 mi / 2388 ft gainSituated 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 gainHetch 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
Lyell Loop
35.88 mi / 5541 ft gainStart the hike at the Mono pass trail. You'll eventually take the fork towards Parker Pass a couple miles in. We tackled the trail in late spring, and it quickly became clear that there was still enough snow to make our lives difficult. As we climbed out of the Parker drainage, the trail essenti...Read more
