Yosemite – Things to do in Tuolumne Meadows
Tuolumne Meadows of Yosemite is a breath of fresh air when visiting this increasingly popular National Park. This area of the park sits at a higher elevation than the Yosemite Valley and covered in snow from October to May. But from June to September, you can explore the area known for the expansive alpine meadow surrounded by granite domes. Though it is not as striking as the waterfalls spilling off of enormous rock faces of the Yosemite Valley, there is a slower pace and opportunity to explore peaceful nature in Tuolumne meadows. In this post, I’ll cover some things to do in Tuolumne Meadows. With the exception of the longer hikes, you can do most of these activities within a day.
Note: The roads to Tuolumne Meadows closes each year due to the snowpack. Check road conditions on the Yosemite website before you go to ensure you will be able to access these wonderful activities.
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Tuolumne Meadows Favorite: Climb Hike Pothole Dome
One of my favorite quick things to do in Tuolumne Meadows is to climb Pothole Dome. Honestly, I cannot think of a time that we DIDN’T climb Pothole Dome. When looking at the large meadow, Pothole Dome is the dome on the left side or further into the park. There is parking along Highway 120 and an easy-to-follow trail to the base of the dome. Please follow the trail that loops around the edge of the meadow as the park is working diligently to rehabilitate and maintain the ecosystem of the meadow.
Go around the dome to where there is access to a reduced incline and it is easier to walk up the dome. I recommend walking at an angle instead of straight up the dome. The granite has texture, so you will be able to create traction. Watch out for sandy, rocky, or wet areas as those areas can become slippery.
At the top of Pothole Dome, you will have a fabulous 360-degree view of the meadows and surrounding areas above the trees. You will not be able to see above the backcountry peaks but you will get a good sense of the area. The top of the dome is spacious and rarely climbed, so each time we’ve gone it was like we had the dome to ourselves.
Cathedral Lakes Hike
This is my favorite mid-sized hike from Tuolumne Meadows that clocks in at 7-8 miles with 1,000 – 1,200ft elevation gain, depending on which of the lakes you visit. With the higher elevation, the Cathedral Lakes hike gets you breathing hard in no time at all. Your reward is alpine lakes next with dramatic granite Cathedral Peak as the backdrop.
I wrote an in-depth blog post about the hike – check it out here, if you’re interested in doing this fantastic hike.
Tenaya Lake
You cannot spend a day in Tuolumne Meadows without taking a short drive to enjoy Tenaya Lake. Tenaya is the easiest breath-taking lake to get to because is it right off of Highway 120. Surrounded on three sides by granite domes, Tenaya is postcard pretty. In the past, we’ve stopped by to enjoy lunch on the rocky road-side shore and cool off tired feet. There is even a sandy beach that you can layout on before going for a dip. This water is snowmelt from the high country, so fair warning, it is chilly
The calm waters are perfect to take a kayak out on. The national park’s service allows any non-motorized boat, so inflatable boats and SUP boards would also be fun.
Explore Tuolumne Meadows to Soda Springs
Funnily enough, I didn’t explore the meadows of Tuolumne Meadows until probably the third or fourth time I visited, but I am glad I did. There are paths that lead across the expansive meadow, with bridges crossing the Tuolumne River, and allowing you access to nature happening at the moment. Think of this gentle walk as a nature discovery across an unusually open landscape. If you want a destination to your walk, head to Soda Springs, which is a natural spring that produces cold, carbonated water. There is a small wood structure that you can walk inside and watch the bubbling in action.
Next to Soda Springs is Parsons Memorial Lodge, one of the earliest stone-style lodges built in the national parks. In 1915, the Sierra Club constructed the lodge in honor of Edward Taylor Parsons. Now, the Parsons Memorial Lodge hosts a summertime series of educational exhibits and classes put on by the National Park Service. While walking around the Lodge, we witnessed some cute deer passing through the area.
The Tuolumne Meadows is also a great place for a jog if you’re into that sort of a thing. With wide paths and little to no elevation gain make it easy, but the elevation does not. At over 8,000ft elevation, you’ll be huffing and puffing in no time.
Take in the View at Olmstead Point
Just beyond Tenaya Lake, heading toward the Yosemite Valley on Highway 120, there is an easily accessed viewpoint of Half Dome, Cloud’s Rest, the Tenaya Lake domes. This viewpoint is Olmstead Point and is definitely worth a stop if you are driving by. If you would like to enjoy the view without the crowds, carefully cross the street to the uphill side and climb the dome. You should be able to reach the top of the dome in 10 minutes. The view will be the same, but with fewer people and you’ll feel more regal having earned the view.
May Lake and Mt. Hoffmann Hike
Beyond Tenaya Lake and a little further than Olmstead Point, there is a small road that leads to a parking lot that is the beginning of the May Lake hike. If you’re coming from the Yosemite Valley, it feels like you’re in the middle of nowhere. However, Tuolumne Meadows is right around the corner. You can make this hike easy 2.5 roundtrip/500 ft elevation gain route by only going May Lake and soaking in another alpine lake huddled at the bottom of another dramatic granite peak. This is a lovely campground that is often used by backpackers.
To make this hike challenging, you can add Mt. Hoffman to the mix. This will add another 3.5 miles and a 1,380 to 1,500 ft elevation gain for spectacular views of Yosemite and the high sierra. The grade becomes very steep at times on loose gravel. Not only is it tricky to climb, but I also lost sight of the trail at a couple of moments. Nothing dangerous, but challenging to those of us without a climbing background. That said, I wouldn’t recommend it to everyone, but if you are physically up for a challenge, I loved the view and the photos from the top.
Because there is much to say about the May Lake/Mt. Hoffman Hike, I wrote an entire blog post about it. Check it out here!
Explore the Mono Pass Hike
Near the edge of the park, there is another hike worth mentioning – Mono Pass. This hike takes you from the cartoonish beauty of Yosemite National Park to the stark dryness of the Eastern Sierras with a view of Mono Lake in the distance. I didn’t complete this 7.4-mile roundtrip hike but wanted to share a few photos from doing part of the trail. If you do this hike, you’ll start in a thick forest and follow a stream and to stunning meadows. As one of the highest elevation hikes, you might be breathing hard, despite only gaining around 900ft during this hike. Perhaps next time, I’ll finish the hike.
Lembert Dome
The dome on the right side of the meadow is also Lambert Dome, which you can also climb. This 2.8-mile hike to the top of the dome, which sits at a slightly higher elevation than Pothole Dome. I have yet to do this mini-hike as we often opt for Pothole Dome. If you’ve gone to both, let me know in the comments which one you liked better!
Activities in the Yosemite Valley
Looking for things to do in the Yosemite Valley? Here are a couple of ideas to get your imagination going:
- Raft the Merced River in the Yosemite Valley
- Rent or bring bikes to ride around the Yosemite Valley
- Walk over to the bottom of Yosemite Falls
- Hike to the bottom (or top) of Vernal Falls
- Hike to Inspiration Point at sunrise or sunset
- Glacier Point Road – Hike the Taft Point and Sentinel Dome Loop
- Glacier Point Road – Hike to Illilouette Falls
Overall Thoughts: Things to do in Tuolumne Meadows
Though I love the Yosemite Valley, the overwhelming crowds have made it uncomfortable to maneuver do spend the day there. Tuolumne Meadows, on the other hand, has a fraction of the visitors with many not embarking on any of the longer hikes. It is spacious and beautiful in all of its alpine high country glory. I hope that this list of things to do in Tuolumne Meadows encourages you to explore the lesser-visited parts of Yosemite and the surrounding National Forests.
What are your favorite things to do in Tuolumne Meadows? I love the area because it is typically far less crowded than the Yosemite Valley with a more relaxed, discovery pace. Let me and other travelers know in the comments what I should look forward to in the future!
Happy Travels,
Hanna
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Hello Earle,
Thanks so much for your comment! Have you gone to Yosemite before? What about Tuolumne Meadows? I’d love to hear what your favorite activity was.
Happy Travels,
Hanna