Whether pitching your tent in a forest clearing or unpacking your suitcase in a comfy hotel, arriving in Northern Yosemite always feels like a mountain homecoming. The scent of pine prevails, and the surrounding peaks beckon. Famed naturalist John Muir had it just right when he said of the Sierra: “the mountains are calling, and I must go.” Indeed, there’s a sense of rugged optimism here and a soul-stirring beauty that’s impossible to ignore.
Where To Stay
Embarking on a much-anticipated trip always includes some planning. Distances, travel times and most important of all — finding that beloved base camp. In Northern Yosemite, there are plenty of lodging options with a range of amenities and price points.
Important Note: Part of Northern Yosemite’s allure is its ephemeral access. Tioga Road typically closes from November through May due to snow, meaning this itinerary is created for the summer to fall seasons. There are exceptions some years, so be sure to check the current road status and plan your getaway accordingly.
Whether you’re a group of friends, a multi-generational family, or a romantic couple looking to cuddle by the fire, cabin rentals in Northern Yosemite offer a bevy of on-point amenities such as well-appointed kitchens, breezy decks beckoning for morning coffee and, yes, fireplaces. Be sure to check cabin rentals in Northern Mariposa County as well — some offer surprisingly close access to the Big Oak Flat Entrance to Yosemite.
Camping in Northern Yosemite is the stuff of legend. With forest-swaddled campgrounds that range in size from 52 to 304 sites, and elevations ranging from 4,900 ft to 8,600 ft, it’s not hyperbole to say that you are indeed closer to the clouds.
Outside Yosemite National Park — but within easy striking distance — visitors will find some worthy hotel & motel options in Northern Mariposa County. The Yosemite Westgate Lodge in Buck Meadows is just 12 miles from the Big Oak Flat Entrance to the Park and offers well-appointed rooms, seasonal pool/hot tub and guest laundry. Its sister property — the Buck Meadows Lodge — is located next door and offers clean and affordable rooms for the budget-minded traveler. The on-site Lucky Buck Cafe is a great spot to fuel up on classic American fare (vegan options available), while guests can fuel up in another important way at the adjacent EV chargers (unaffiliated with the hotel).
From vaulted ceilings to picture windows, mushroom zucchini quiche to home-baked chocolate chip cookies, the esteemed Blackberry Inn Yosemite Bed & Breakfast is not your ordinary B&B. This luxurious property sits on 36 acres overlooking the Stanislaus National Forest (as well as the Inn’s Arabian horses), and is located just 12 miles from Yosemite National Park.
Day One: Arrival/Hetch Hetchy Reservoir
Photo: Scott Marengo
Your first day in Yosemite will without a doubt be filled with anticipation, and exploring a nearby star attraction such as Hetch Hetchy lets you immerse yourself in the Park’s brilliance from the get-go.
Tucked between granite walls at the end of an out & back road, Hetch Hetchy Reservoir feels like a secret reveal. The pali-like prominence of Kolana Rock as it stands guard over the wind-riffled waters of the reservoir is breathtaking while walking along the O’Shaughnessy Dam offers a tale of two views: to the east, an expanse of pristine snowmelt winding its way towards the Yosemite High County; and to the west, a vertigo-inducing gaze down into the Tuolumne River canyon. The shadow-stretching sunsets here are unlike any other, and the informational placards detail the region’s history as well as the construction of the dam.
There is no swimming or boating on Hetch Hetchy Reservoir (it’s the water source for the city of San Francisco), but hiking the Wapama Fall Trail is postcard-pretty as it crosses several wooden footbridges along the north shore. This 5-mile (8 km) round-trip hike brings visitors to 1,400 ft Wapama Fall. Considered a year-round cascade, flow levels do diminish come mid-summer but the views across to Kolana Rock make it worthwhile year-round.
Pro Tip: If you’re staying outside the Park (or in Foresta), inquire with your lodging facility about an early check-in (or dropping your bags early) before heading to Hetch Hetchy. If you’re staying inside the Park, visiting Hetch Hetchy first makes a lot of sense — it’s on the way up and has its own Entrance Gate where you can pay your fees or present a pass.
Extra Credit: Just one mile from Highway 120 along Evergreen Road, the flat (2.8 miles round-trip) Carlon Falls Trail checks a lot of boxes. Your hike begins in Stanislaus National Forest but actually takes you into Yosemite National Park where a rolling cascade lay hidden among the pines. By summer the flow is reduced, but a number of swimming holes appear. Silver linings, indeed.
Day Two: Tioga Road/Tuolumne Meadows
Day two takes you up, up and away along Tioga Road/Highway 120 to the high country of Northern Yosemite. As evidenced by the stunning Yosemite photographs of Ansel Adams, the views here have a certain…umami…(yes, things just got all synesthetic). There are plenty of things to do along Tioga Road, from day hikes to swimming and meadow picnics.
With 24 trailheads between Crane Flat and Tioga Pass, Tioga Road offers a Sierra superabundance of treks that range in distance and difficulty but have one thing in common: undeniable natural beauty. The hike to May Lake is charmed by forest and granite alike as your destination sits at the base of Mt. Hoffmann (10,772 ft). It’s 2.4 miles (3.9 km) out & back with a modest 485-foot (148 m) elevation gain. From the trailhead at Tioga Road, the easy hike to Lukens Lake (8,230 ft) offers brilliant wildflowers late June through early August (bloom times vary from year to year). With its modest elevation gain, this 1.6-mile (2.6 km) round-trip trail is a good choice for kids. Note: bring mosquito repellent for crossing Lukens Meadow adjacent to the lake.
Have you ever been to a beach at 8,150 feet? Tenaya Lake offers the rare opportunity to catch some rays at one of Yosemite’s most lauded destinations. Swimming, kayaking and fishing round out the activity list as the sapphire waters reflect an occasional summer cloud passing overhead. If you feel like stretching your legs, the Tenaya Lake Trail runs along the southern shore (opposite side from Tioga Road) with the smooth granite slopes of Tenaya Peak (10,306 ft) soaring above.
Speaking of rare air, Tuolumne Meadows (elevation 8,600 ft) beckons as one of the largest high-elevation meadows in the Sierra Nevada. Sunsets pixelate into a hazy dreamscape as the Tuolumne River winds its way through the meadow’s golden-hued grace, while the upswell of granite that comprises Lembert and Pothole Domes add to Tuolumne Meadows’ otherworldly charm. Here, you can snap unforgettable pics, enjoy a picnic, climb one of the aforementioned domes, or simply soak up the high country vibes.
Pro Tip: Avoid a Sierra Slip-Up and don’t leave food or scented products (such as chapstick, lotions, etc) in your car. Bears are common in Northern Yosemite and will find a way inside your vehicle if tempted.
Extra Credit: Check out the High Sierra Camps for an unforgettable entry into Yosemite backpacking. Food and shelter are provided, so you can travel light as you venture the 6-10 miles between camps on this cloud-kissing loop.
Day Three: Bough Down
The terms massive and ancient come to mind as you grove-hop two of Yosemite’s “secret” giant sequoia forests. Situated just a few miles from one another, a primordial calm infuses the oxygen-rich air and there’s plenty of room to “bough down” in this cathedral of ethereal trees.
Home to 20 mature giant sequoias, the Merced Grove is the smallest in Yosemite but then again nothing feels small when you’re standing at the base of these leafy leviathans. The 3 mile (4.8 km) round-trip trail descends from the trailhead 520 feet so be prepared for the climb back to the car. None of the trees are named here (like they are at Mariposa Grove) so feel free to make up your own!
Located 10 minutes to the east along Highway 120/Tioga Road, our second installment of big trees can be found at Tuolumne Grove. The first mile of this 2.5 mile (4 km) out & back trail descends the historic Old Big Oak Flat Road, which was completed in 1874 and brought early tourists into Yosemite Valley. Visitors then reach the grove itself, with such arboreal bigwigs as Big Red and the Dead Giant Tunnel Tree — a lightning scarred behemoth that was an original tourist attraction. There are three picnic tables in Tuolumne Grove, but be sure to bring your own drinking water and remember the 500-foot climb back to the parking lot! Fun Fact: The Old Big Oak Flat Road was actually the second road into Yosemite Valley. The Coulterville Road was completed 29 days earlier in 1874 and passed through today’s Foresta. Both were toll roads, but the Coulterville Road was less profitable proving that first isn’t always best.
Pro Tip: Use your phone’s panorama feature vertically (vs. horizontally) to capture the height of these towering specimens and put your fav friend or family member in the pic to provide a mind-blowing sense of scale.
Extra Credit: Check out the historic McCauley and Meyer Barns in nearby Foresta. Relatively few people visit this enclave, and those who do are amazed that there are still private cabins so close to the Yosemite Valley.
Day Four: Getaway Day/Gold Rush Gems
Dollar to donuts that on departure day you’ll be heading west through the Sierra foothills before connecting with your highway home. And if you are, be sure to check out Yosemite’s premier gateway towns where Gold Rush history and friendly locals await.
Photo: Sylvia Matzkowiak
Located at the junction of All-Season Highway 140 and the Golden Chain Highway 49 sits a Gold Rush pueblo rich in history and culture: the town of Mariposa, CA. From the elevated sidewalks of main street to hidden finds on its shady backstreets, there are plenty of things to do such as dining, shopping and museum-hopping. Local events such the free summer Music on the Green concert series and the Mariposa County Fair highlight the town’s brand of friendly hospitality.
Located 25 miles north of Mariposa on Highway 49 sits a county secret: Coulterville, CA. This outpost radiates Old West vibes with over two dozen historical buildings lining the main drag. Take a pic alongside the Whistling Billy steam engine outside the Northern Mariposa County History Museum, or check out the Sun Sun Wo Mercantile — a vestige of the Gold Rush when the biggest population of Chinese miners in the Mother Lode called the area home. For your getaway brunch/lunch try the Coulter Cafe & General Store. Whether it’s the friendly and knowledgeable staff (they have a Visitor Center counter inside) or the mouth-watering cuisine, this spot is ideal for back patio noshing.
Pro Tip: Always contact museums, shops and restaurants directly to confirm hours of operation. Hours often change based on time of year and travel season.
Extra Credit: Bring home the ultimate one-of-a-kind souvenir from your trip by visiting a local Yosemite Mariposa County art gallery.
More Resources
- Yosemite National Park encompasses over 1,200 square miles and is best explored in smaller sections. Check out our Regions page to help focus your travels.
- For a full menu of Yosemite Mariposa County dining options see our Eat & Drink section.
- Check out our Itineraries page for other carefully curated trips in Yosemite Mariposa County.