Contents
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows | Introduction
Want to visit Yosemite National Park but avoid the crowds? Tioga Road and the Tuolumne Meadows area are perfect for you. Tioga Road, located in the northern part of Yosemite, is a scenic 39-mile east-west route passing through forests, meadows, lakes, and Yosemite’s signature massive granite formations. Don’t think that the lack of crowds means there's nothing to see—this area is simply less commercialized than Yosemite Valley in the south. Additionally, it’s covered in snow for most of the year, only open from early June to November, and has fewer well-maintained trails. The stunning scenery and high altitude make it an ideal summer escape from the heat.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows | Itinerary Planning
Tioga Road stretches from Yosemite’s eastern to western entrances, and many visitors come through here as they drive into the park from the east. If you want to travel the entire road and return to Yosemite Valley, even a quick drive-through would take at least half a day, as it’s about a 1.5-hour drive from west to east, meaning a round trip would take around three hours. If you have more time, consider staying a night in Tuolumne Meadows.
The itinerary for Tioga Road can be quite flexible. Whether entering or leaving, make sure to stop at Olmsted Point for panoramic views. The must-see spots for a one-day visit include Tuolumne Meadows and Soda Springs Trail, and if you have time, enjoy a picnic at Tenaya Lake. If you’re staying longer, consider hiking to Lembert Dome or other nearby trails such as Dog Lake.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows | Accommodations
Lodging | Tuolumne Meadows Lodge
Tuolumne Meadows Lodge is located in the Tuolumne Meadows area at an elevation of almost 2,600 meters, making it a great spot for hikers to explore the surrounding attractions. The lodge offers simple tent cabins equipped with beds and wooden floors but without electricity or running water, providing a more authentic camping experience that immerses you in the natural environment.
Camping | Tuolumne Meadows Campground
The Tuolumne Meadows Campground is conveniently located near the Tuolumne Meadows Visitor Center. One of the campground’s main advantages is its proximity to the Tuolumne River, which makes the site itself a beautiful attraction.
Although the campsites are reservation-based, spots are not pre-assigned. Instead, the park staff allocates them. We arrived close to sunset when the camp office was already closed, and a whiteboard at the entrance listed reserved names along with designated campsite numbers. We were lucky enough to be assigned a riverside spot. While the site wasn't in the best condition, the view was breathtaking.
- Camp Comfort: ⭐️⭐️
Our campsite was right by the river, but it had rained recently, leaving the ground muddy. The biggest issue, however, was that 80% of our site was covered in rocks of various sizes, leaving only a small patch to set up our tent. Thankfully, our tent was small enough to fit, but other campsites seemed to be in better shape.
- Camp Space: ⭐️
The campsite was extremely small, and due to the poor terrain, we could barely find room to set up chairs. We're used to the spacious campsites common in California, so this setup felt particularly cramped.
- Facility Cleanliness: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
The facilities were average. The nearby restrooms were very old, and water taps were hard to locate, often deep within other campsites.
- Convenience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
The biggest advantage of this campground is its location—close to many of the attractions on Tioga Road and right by the scenic river, which made up for many of its shortcomings.
- Overall Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Camping in Yosemite is a rare opportunity, and just securing a spot is a huge win. We felt lucky to have a riverside view. While resting by the river, we met an elderly lady from Bakersfield who said she was here just to escape the heat and relax for three days without even visiting any other attractions.
One of the highlights of this campground is the scenic Tuolumne River. Watching the sunset by the river was a beautiful experience, and the evening sky was stunning.
The morning river view was also picturesque. We pulled our chairs up to the riverbank to enjoy a peaceful coffee.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows | Must-See Attractions
Olmsted Point
Olmsted Point is the most famous viewpoint in this area. From here, you can look southeast towards Yosemite Valley and see landmarks like Half Dome in the distance. To the east, you’ll get views of Tenaya Lake. The granite expanse in front of the viewpoint adds to the dramatic scenery.
The point is named after Frederick Law Olmsted, a renowned American landscape architect who designed New York's Central Park and helped establish early conservation policies for Yosemite National Park.
Tenaya Lake
Tenaya Lake is the largest lake along Tioga Road, and its location right by the road makes it a popular spot for visitors to swim. There’s a picnic area at the eastern end where you can access the larger sandy beach, but many people also just jump into the lake from the roadside for a quick dip.
Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows | Recommended Trails
Lembert Dome Trail
There are two routes to climb Lembert Dome, but I recommend starting from the Lembert Dome and Dog Lake Trailhead. This route is slightly longer, but the terrain is gentler, making it easier. The round trip is about 3.4 miles (5.5 km) with an elevation gain of about 850 feet, making it a challenging hike. Be sure to bring enough water.
As you climb the rock of Lembert Dome, you’ll need to find your own path to continue upwards. The closer you get to the summit, the steeper it becomes. Most people don’t climb to the very top, as the wind is strong and the slope is steep, requiring some psychological resilience. Even if you stop along the ridge of Lembert Dome, the panoramic views of Tuolumne Meadows and the surrounding peaks are breathtaking, making the effort worthwhile.
Soda Springs Trail
Soda Springs Trail leads to Soda Springs and Parsons Memorial Lodge. This is one of the easiest trails on Tioga Road, with a round trip of only 1 mile (about 1.6 km), taking about half an hour to complete. Despite its simplicity, the trail crosses open meadows, which can feel quite hot under direct sunlight, so remember to bring water.
The trail is full of wildlife, and you’ll often see marmots sunning themselves on rocks.
After about half a mile, you’ll see red mineral-rich water bubbling from the ground—this is Soda Springs. The spring water is naturally carbonated, giving it a unique color and flavor.
Along the way, you can also visit the historic Parsons Memorial Lodge, a stone building that’s a landmark of the conservation movement, commemorating Edward Taylor Parsons. In the late 19th century, Parsons was an early Sierra Club guide who led hundreds of people on mountain adventures. Today, the lodge serves as an exhibit space for the national park. Nearby, you’ll also see wooden cabins that used to house members of the Sierra Club.
Dog Lake Trail
Dog Lake Trail is 3.6 miles (5.8 km) long, and much of it overlaps with the Lembert Dome Trail, with only about 1 mile being a separate path to Dog Lake. Because it’s connected to Lembert Dome, you can combine both into a 5-mile loop.
Although the Dog Lake Trail is categorized as difficult, the most challenging parts are shared with the Lembert Dome route, so the extra portion leading to Dog Lake is relatively easy. Once you reach Dog Lake, you’ll find it surrounded by dense forests. The lake is serene and clear, and on the day we visited, we only encountered a father and son playing by the water, making for a very peaceful, remote experience.
Further reading
- The Ultimate Yosemite National Park Guide: Must-See Attractions and Itinerary Planning
- Exploring Yosemite Valley: Must-See Spots for a One-Day Visit
- Exploring Tioga Road and Tuolumne Meadows: One-Day Adventure and Summer Camping in Yosemite National Park
- Yosemite’s Iconic Glacier Point: A One-Day Journey Along Glacier Point Road
- The Ahwahnee Experience: Dining and Lodging at Yosemite National Park
- Fall Colors Road Trip: Taking Highway 395 through June Lake and Mono Lake to Yosemite's East Side
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