01
Best overall pick
Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias
Near Yosemite South Entrance • Giant Sequoia Grove Trail Network • Best For First-Time Visitors
A short drive from Yosemite Lakes, Mariposa Grove delivers iconic big-tree hiking with options from easy loops to half-day outings.
From the main shuttle stop you can wander the Grizzly Giant Loop for a relaxed walk among some of the largest trees on earth, or push farther up the Mariposa Grove Trail for quieter forest and wider views. The graded paths, clear signage, and choice of distances make it easy to match the hike to your group’s energy level. Go early or late in the day for softer light through the sequoias and easier parking at the South Entrance.
02
Best for summer days
Willow Creek and Angel Falls Trail
Bass Lake North Shore • Waterfall And Swimming-Hole Trail • Best Warm-Weather Escape
This rugged creekside route above Bass Lake strings together cascades, granite slabs, and plunge pools popular with locals on hot days.
Starting near the lake, the narrow path climbs along Willow Creek, with short scrambles over rock and roots that keep things interesting but not technical. Angel Falls is the star, but the real charm is in the smaller pools and slabs where you can sit, cool your feet, and listen to the water. Start early, wear sturdy shoes for the granite, and expect to share the scene with a friendly local crowd when temperatures soar.
03
Best creekside hike
Lewis Creek National Recreation Trail
Between Oakhurst And Yosemite South Entrance • Shaded Forest And Waterfall Trail • Best Moderate Half-Day Outing
Lewis Creek offers a pleasantly graded walk through mixed forest to Corlieu and Red Rock Falls, with cool air and constant water sounds.
Trail access is right off Highway 41, making it an easy add-on before or after a day in the park from Yosemite Lakes. You’ll wind through tall pines and oaks along the creek, with short spur paths dropping to viewpoints over the falls and pools. It’s a great choice when valley temperatures spike or when you want a scenic, lower-elevation hike that still feels wild and secluded in stretches.
04
Best foothill views
Buck Ridge Trail at Hensley Lake
Hensley Lake Recreation Area • Rolling Foothill Lakeview Trail • Best Open-Sky Workout
Buck Ridge loops across grassy foothills above Hensley Lake, trading shade for broad views and a quieter, more local feel.
Expect gentle ups and downs on a mix of dirt paths and ranch-style terrain, with oak-dotted hillsides and wide vistas over the water. In spring, wildflowers can blanket the slopes, and even in winter the open landscape has a stark, photogenic quality. Because there’s little cover, this hike is best tackled in the cooler hours, when the light over the lake and surrounding ranchlands is at its best.
05
Best bucket-list hike
Mist Trail to Vernal and Nevada Falls
Yosemite Valley • Iconic Granite-And-Waterfall National Park Hike • Classic Yosemite Day Hike
A reasonable drive from Yosemite Lakes, the Mist Trail delivers the full Yosemite experience with roaring waterfalls, stone steps, and huge valley views.
Even turning around at the Vernal Fall Footbridge gives you a big payoff, but continuing up the mist-soaked stone stairway to Vernal’s lip and on to Nevada Fall feels like stepping into a postcard. The trail is steep, busy, and often wet underfoot, so it rewards early starts, good traction, and a willingness to pace yourself. From a Yosemite Lakes base, it’s the definitive ‘big day out’ that justifies the drive and leaves most hikers planning a return visit.