01
Best overall pick
Hetch Hetchy to Wapama Falls Trail
Hetch Hetchy, Yosemite National Park • Granite-Walled Reservoir And Waterfall Hike • Scenic All-Day Outing
A classic Yosemite hike tracing the shoreline of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir to a powerful waterfall deep in the canyon.
From the O’Shaughnessy Dam, the trail rolls along the north shore of Hetch Hetchy with constant views of sheer granite walls and the blue reservoir below. Several short tunnels and a stout suspension bridge add some fun variety before you reach Wapama Falls, where spray can drench the bridge in peak runoff. Go early in the day for cooler temperatures and easier parking at this lower-elevation corner of the park.
02
Shadiest river escape
Carlon Falls Trail
Highway 120 Corridor Near Buck Meadows • Shaded Riverside Trail • Best For A Hot Afternoon
An approachable out-and-back along the South Fork of the Tuolumne River to a lively cascade and swimming holes.
The Carlon Falls Trail follows an old roadbed that narrows to singletrack as it winds through mixed forest along the river. Small pools and granite slabs appear well before the main falls, giving you options to stop, snack, or cool off without committing to the full distance. It’s a great choice if you want a rewarding hike close to the highway without the crowds of Yosemite Valley.
03
Best family-friendly walk
Tuolumne Grove of Giant Sequoias
Big Oak Flat Road, Yosemite National Park • Historic Sequoia Grove Walk • Family-Friendly Forest Stroll
A short but steady walk down to a peaceful grove of giant sequoias tucked just off the main park road.
Starting from a small trailhead off Big Oak Flat Road, the path descends a former paved road into a quiet basin of towering sequoias. The loop through the grove passes interpretive signs and a few especially massive trees, including one with a historic stagecoach tunnel cut through its trunk. The climb back out is uphill all the way, so pace it like a real hike despite the modest mileage.
04
Big-view summit
Smith Peak Trail
Near Hetch Hetchy Road • Steep Summit Trail With Expansive Vistas • Workout With A Payoff
A strenuous climb to a fire lookout site with sweeping views over Hetch Hetchy and the surrounding high country.
The Smith Peak Trail leaves forest roads and quickly feels remote as it winds through pine, oak, and chaparral on the way to the summit ridge. The final stretch is steep and rocky, but the payoff is a broad panorama that takes in Hetch Hetchy Reservoir, the Clark Range, and distant Sierra peaks. Start early in warm weather and bring plenty of water—there’s little shade on the upper slopes.
05
High-country classic
Cathedral Lakes Trail
Tioga Road Near Tuolumne Meadows • High-Country Granite And Alpine Lakes Route • Best Summer High-Elevation Escape
A quintessential Yosemite high-country hike to mirror-like lakes backed by the spire of Cathedral Peak.
From the trailhead along Tioga Road, the path climbs steadily through lodgepole pine forest before breaking into open granite slabs and meadows. Upper and Lower Cathedral Lakes both offer airy views, broad rock benches, and plenty of quiet corners to settle in for lunch. This hike sits at higher elevation than Buck Meadows, so it’s ideal on hot summer days but typically only accessible when Tioga Road is open.