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Yosemite, California

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

Top Photography Spots in and near Yosemite

  • Wild Willy's Hot Spring, United States

    Wild Willy's Hot Spring

    5.0
    Also known as "Crowley Hot Springs", Wild Willey's is located a short drive from Mammoth Lakes. For more information on the hot springs and the public land restoration, check out the BLM's Website. From Mammoth Lakes, head south on the 395 for 3.5 miles until you make a left at Benton Crossing Rd...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Photograph the Fall Colors of McGee Creek

    5.0
    3 mi / 500 ft gain
    McGee Creek is one of my favorite spots in the Eastern Sierra to photography the fall color. Most people avoid the area because the best views require you to hike and explore but the rewards are worth it. Right close to the parking lot is McGee Creek which is a beautiful creek to photograph offer...
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  • Mammoth Lakes, California

    Hike to Steelhead Lake through McGee Creek Canyon

    5.0
    11.5 mi / 2510 ft gain
    Whether you’re looking for a dayhike near Mammoth Lakes, planning a backpacking trip along the JMT, or have a few extra hours to spare on a cross-California road trip, this is an easy and popular trail choice for killer mountain views.I was delighted to discover that this is one of the most easil...
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  • Lakeshore, California

    Hike to White Bark VIsta

    2.3 mi / 462 ft gain
    A short 1 mile hike in from Kaiser Pass will lead you to the top of a ridge line with incredible views toward the east. There are two pit toilets located at the top of Kaiser Pass. If you have a high clearance, 4x4/AWD vehicle you can probably drive to this location. (I made it up here in a stock...
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  • Arnold, California

    Backpacking to Sword Lake

    5.0
    Getting There Take 108 to Pinecrest Lake to pick up a free backcountry permit at the Summit Ranger Station. (If you reach Strawberry you've gone too far.) Continue past Beardsley Lake to Clark's Fork Road on the left. Cross two bridges and Forest Route 6N06 will take you to the trailhead (County ...
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  • Benton, California

    Photograph Wild Mustangs in Mono County

    Since these are wild horses, tracking them can be difficult. However, they tend to play and graze in a certain field in Mono County, right outside of Mammoth Lakes and Yosemite! From CA-395 turn onto CA-120 towards Mono Lake. Take this road for 21 miles until you reach Dobie Meadows Road, a one l...
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  • Lakeshore, California

    Hike to George Lake

    9.2 mi / 1050 ft gain
    The hike to George Lake starts out about 4 miles after you turn off 168 onto Kaiser Pass Rd. You'll want to park at the parking lot right before Badger Flat Campground. The parking lot is easy to notice and it is located on the right hand side of the road, two pit toilets and bear lockers are loc...
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  • Mono County, California

    Explore Crowley Lake Columns

    4.0
    Starting from Mammoth Lakes you head South on Highway 395 until you get to Benton Crossing Rd. (Green Church on the corner) and make a left.From Bishop you head North for about 30-40 miles until you hit Benton Crossing Rd. and make a right.From here, continue West and bending South for close to 2...
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  • Coleville, California

    Hike to Tamarack Lake, Carson-Iceberg Wilderness

    4.0
    10 mi / 2000 ft gain
    The trailhead begins at the end of Golden Gate Rd in Coleville, Ca on highway 396. There are very limited signs, so maps are necessary! Depending on how fast of a hiker you are, you can most likely reach the lake in 6 hours with minimal breaks. If you cannot start in the morning, there are beauti...
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  • Lakeshore, California

    Evolution Valley via Florence Lake

    4.5
    30.36 mi / 3238 ft gain
    You can get to the Evolution Basin a variety of ways, but the easiest is through the Florence Lake Trailhead. Here, you can choose to either take the Florence Lake Ferry across the lake, or save $25 and hike the extra 4 miles around the lake. Personally, I would choose the ferry. About five mile...
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  • Shaver Lake, California

    Balsam Forebay

    4.0
    1.05 mi / 62 ft gain
    Access to the forebay starts at the trail head from the parking lot 6,700 ft up, also from the parking lot there is access to two different sets of boulder patches separate from the ones encountered along the hike in.  Hike Start the 1 mile out and back hike from the parking lot following the t...
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  • Sonora, California

    Bouldering at Columbia College

    Get your hands on some limestone bouldering at this spot. There's actually two locations for bouldering in this area, Columbia College and Columbia State Park (about less than a 10 min. drive from Columbia College), but I made this specific adventure for climbing on the college. GPS Coordinates f...
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  • Tuolumne County, California

    Hike the South Grove Trail in Big Trees SP

    3.7
    5 mi / 560 ft gain
    The South Grove Trail of Calaveras Big Trees State Park sees far less traffic than the North Grove due to its increased mileage and distance from the park entrance. The trail starts at the South Grove Trail head which is located nine miles east of the entrance on the main park road. The trailhead...
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