Tuolumne County, California
Tuolumne County, California is a great destination for outdoor activities and attractions. With its breathtaking views, abundance of outdoor leisure activities, and plethora of activities to explore, it caters to a diverse range of visitors. From hiking and biking to kayaking and skiing, there are plenty of ways to explore the area. The best trails and outdoor activities in the area include Yosemite National Park, Pinecrest Lake, and the Stanislaus National Forest. For a more laid-back experience, Tuolumne County also provides excellent fishing spots, and wineries. Whether you're looking for an exciting vacation or a relaxing retreat, the Tuolumne County has something for everyone.
Top Spots in and near Tuolumne County
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Arnold, California
Climb Lookout Peak in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness
5.04 mi / 1900 ft gainLookout Peak in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness off Highway 4 provides solitude and wonderful views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada including the Mokelumnee and Emigrant Wildernesses. Even on summer weekends you'll likely have the peak and surrounding area all to yourself.Lookout Peak can be done ...Read more -
Arnold, California
Climb Peep Sight Peak in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness
7 mi / 1800 ft gainPeep Sight Peak in the Carson-Iceberg Wilderness off Highway 4 provides solitude and wonderful views of the surrounding Sierra Nevada including the Mokelumnee and Emigrant Wildernesses. Even on summer weekends you'll likely have the peak and surrounding area all to yourself. Peep Sight Peak can b...Read more -
Pinecrest, California
Camp at Baker Campground
5.0/ 6224 ft gainBaker Campground is a first come, first serve campground. Each site is equipped with a fire ring, picnic table, and bear boxes. The cost for a single family site is $20 per night and a double family site is $40 per night. The campground provides bathrooms and potable water. The campground is typi...Read more -
Pinecrest, California
Lower & Upper Relief Valleys and the East Flange Rock
21.6 mi / 3600 ft gainThe 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...Read more -
Pinecrest, California
Climb Granite Dome via Lower & Upper Lewis Lakes
25 mi / 5000 ft gainGranite 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...Read more -
Groveland, California
Drive the Yosemite Valley Loop
4.3Upon entering Yosemite Valley National Park I made it a point to see Half Dome, El Capitan, and Washington Column and several other famous Yosemite formations. What I didn't realize was as soon as I entered The Village was that all could be seen within a 15 minute loop around the valley floor. Th...Read more -
Pioneer, California
Camping at The Pots
4.2This fantastic camping or chilling spot has beautiful granite pools and slides of all sizes. The area consists of a river flowing over a granite slab creating pools some of which are over ten feet deep. The water cascades down the granite in small water falls. The area is located next to Silver L...Read more -
Pioneer, California
Hike to Granite Lake
Take the road to Kit Carson Lodge. When the road turns to dirt, take this one-lane dirt road as far as you can go. The road terminates into a round parking area, however, as of the writing of this post, there was a large tree blocking the road about 250 ft before the end.The Trailhead is clearly ...Read more -
Arnold, California
Hiking Disaster Creek
While this is not a terribly scenic hike, the trees, creek, and terrain are very beautiful, and the entire area is quiet and peaceful. You're likely not to pass a single other person on the hike, which is great for letting dogs off-leash.The trail starts off with a series of switchbacks, which ga...Read more -
Arnold, California
Upper Gardner Meadow via Highland Lakes Trail
3.96 mi / 364 ft gainUpper Gardner Meadow via Highland Lakes Trail is an out-and-back trail where you may see wildflowers located near Markleeville, California.Read more -
Markleeville, California
Backpack to Grouse Lake
4.711.43 mi / 2283 ft gainIt is a 6 mile hike to Grouse Lake. You begin at the trailhead which is right by Damsite Campground at Upper Blue Lake. Park in the dirt parking area and then cross the metal footbridge, and you will see the trailhead marker on your left. The trail takes you into the Mokelumne Wilderness. Follow...Read more -
Groveland, California
Rainbow Pool
4.5Finding Rainbow Pool is a little tricky, since it is off the side of a highway, but when you find it there is parking and bathrooms. There is a easy walkway to get down to the pool itself, and trails to climb to the top to slide or jump off the rocks. Many people tend to fish up top underneath th...Read more -
Amador County, California
Hike to Thunder Mountain at Carson Pass
7 miThe trailhead begins on Rt 88 just past Kirkwood Resort or Silver Lake - depending on which way you are headed. There is plenty of parking but no other amenities. The trail begins at 7,900 ft and climbs steadily up Two Sentinels then along the ridge to Martins Point, ending at the 9,408ft summit ...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 -
Groveland, California
Hetch Hetchy to Rancheria Falls
4.812.55 mi / 2500 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 -
Alpine County, California
Hike The Sisters in the Mokelumnee Wilderness
8 mi / 2500 ft gainThe Sisters offer a great day hike with fun scrambling and beautiful views of the Northern Sierra, Lake Tahoe, the Mokelumnee Wilderness, and the Carson River Canyon.The trail to The Sisters begins at Woods Lake (38.6855° N, 120.0095° W), at the end of Woods Lake Road off Highway 88, 1.5 miles we...Read more
