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Yosemite, California

Looking for the best hiking 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 Hiking Spots in and near Yosemite

  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • 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...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Mt. Conness

    5.0
    19.03 mi / 5400 ft gain
    This 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...
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  • 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...
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  • Yosemite Village, California

    Witness Yosemite's Firefall

    5.0
    0.1 mi / 0 ft gain
    Over 5 million visitors flock to Yosemite National Park in California's Sierra Nevada Mountain Range every year to take in the geological splendor. While most visitors get to see the park's waterfalls, very few ever get to witness the Firefall. For two weeks between mid-late February, a small wat...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Taft Point

    4.9
    2.35 mi / 200 ft gain
    Taft Point is such an amazing and different view of the Yosemite Valley. If you're lucky and you time it right, you'll also experience complete solitude. While driving Glacier Point Road, just a few minutes before arriving at Glacier Point, you'll see a parking lot for the Taft Point Trailhead. ...
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  • 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...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Sentinel Dome Trail

    5.0
    2.15 mi / 400 ft gain
    One of the most popular places in Yosemite for sunset is Glacier Point, but by walking one mile from the trailhead, the crowds quickly dissipate. Sentinel Dome is great for all ages since the trail is short and not too steep. Park at the Sentinel Dome trailhead, about 3 miles from the end of Glac...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Sentinel Dome and Taft Point Loop

    5.0
    5.17 mi / 1076 ft gain
    SENTINEL DOME & TAFT POINT TRAILHEAD: About an hour drive from Yosemite Valley campgrounds. This trailhead is an intersection of the starting point of the Taft Point trail and Sentinel Dome trail. It is a short walk (and visible) from the parking lot. In doing both trails, it would be an esti...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Bridalveil Fall

    3.8
    1.2 mi / 200 ft gain
    Since most things you want to see in Yosemite require a hike, this place is a nice change to see something without having to walk for hours. From the parking lot it is just about a 10 minute walk to the falls.If you scramble up the rocks, you can get a nice view of the falls and the pond. It used...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake

    32 mi / 2400 ft gain
    The hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Dewey Point via Tunnel View

    5.0
    9.25 mi / 2979 ft gain
    Dewey Point lies on the western side of the Pohono Trail, across the valley from El Capitan and above Cathedral Rocks. When I was there in September, it was deserted but for a few birds drifting on the thermals above the cliffs. The sunset was stunning. It felt like there was nothing between me a...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack Yosemite's South Rim

    5.0
    18 mi / 2800 ft gain
    Step 1: Get Wilderness Permit from the Wilderness Office the day before! Permits are free and required. This trail is a Point-to-Point trail so make sure you have a shuttle situation figured out (or you can always hitch hike).  The best option is to get dropped off at Tunnel View so that you don'...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Inspiration Point in Yosemite NP

    2.4 mi / 900 ft gain
    Inspiration Point is a granite slab located on the mountainside above Tunnel View. Hiking to this scenic point will provide you with the same views you would get from Tunnel View with less people around. Hiking this trail can also take you to different parts of Yosemite if you're so inclined (Bri...
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