*Tioga Road will open on May 27th, 2022

It still surprises me how many people are completely unaware that there’s much more to Yosemite beyond the valley. The valley is littered with amazing sights such as Tunnel View, Yosemite Falls, Half Dome, and the Mist Trail, but the east side packs just as much of a punch.

I put this list together to hopefully persuade you to include the east side on your trip. Most of this list can be seen in a single day but if possible, you’ll want to set aside at least two days so you can partake in two or three hiking trails. Also, this list was made with families and casual hikers in mind, which is why the more strenuous trails were omitted.

Things to Keep in Mind

It is seasonal. This part of the park is completely inaccessible during winter and early spring. Generally, Park Rangers open it up around late May or early June and close it with the first major snowfall, typically late October or November.

It can be accessed from either side. You can access the east side from the valley by following the signs to highway 120 and turning onto Tioga Road. You can also access the gate via Tioga Pass from the small town of Lee Vining in California.

Now, let’s get started.

1) Drive Tioga Pass

If you’re coming from Lee Vining, this part is built into the trip. Tioga Pass is California’s highest automobile pass in the state and is the access road to Yosemite east.

From the valley, once on Tioga road, keep driving until you’re outside the gate and head down to Lee Vining. While you’re there, be sure to grab some lunch at Whoa Nelly Deli or Bodie Mike’s BBQ.

This drive is simply breathtaking and is a must see. Some notable features along the pass include Nunatak Loop, Saddlebag Lake, Lake Ellery, and the Twenty Lakes Loop trail.

Pro tip: Be sure to take advantage of one of the many pullouts along the pass for some epic views.

2) Gaylor Lakes Trail

Gaylor Lakes is one of the first hiking trails you’ll come across after arriving. In fact, the parking lot for the trailhead is to the immediate right of the gate.

It’s a moderate hike and rather short in length, but the first mile or so is an uphill slog above 10,000 feet. Once at the pass, it drops you back down and it is there where you’ll come across the first lake. Be sure to follow the stream to Upper Gaylor and the Miner’s Cabin above that.

Trail Length: About 3 miles, RT.

3) Elizabeth Lake Trail

This is another hike on the easier side. It has a few ups and downs along the way but it’s mostly flat, short in length, and has an epic payoff at the end. Unicorn Peak (behind the lake) is climbable if you’re up to it.

The official trailhead is located at the back end of Tuolumne Meadows campground. To get there, simply drive through the campground and park by the restrooms. If it is closed, you’ll need to park in the lot out front and hike it to the trailhead. This will add another couple miles round trip.

Trail Length: 5 miles, RT. 7 miles, RT if hiking through the campground.

4) Olmsted Point

Olmsted Point. Half Dome. Yosemite National Park.

Olmsted Point is one of the east side’s most popular attractions due to its easy access and epic view of Half Dome. The lot can comfortably hold around a few dozen vehicles but tour buses do utilize it and take up some precious space.

Try to get here as early as possible to guarantee a parking spot (being here for sunrise is an experience all its own). It will fill up later in the day but people tend to come and go often. So worst case, you may have to circle around a couple times.

Pro tip: If you have extra energy to burn, the granite slope to the rear of the lot and across the road is climb worthy because at the top, epic views of both Half Dome and Tenaya Lake await. Don’t tell anyone that I told you.

5) Lembert Dome & Dog Lake Trail

Looming 800 feet above Tuolumne Meadows is Lembert Dome, one of the most recognizable landmarks on the east side. In case you’re wondering, yes you can hike up there and you’ll get amazing views of Tuolumne Meadows if you do.

On top of that, just behind Lembert, is a small hidden lake named Dog Lake. Why did they name it, “Dog?” I have no idea, but it’s beautiful regardless.

While this hike starts out on flat terrain, it soon turns into an uphill climb that will make you question your desire to complete the hike.

Once you get past that, though, the trail smooths out again (until you reach the dome, anyway). Despite the climb, it is completely doable as a family hike and the views will make it worth it.

Trail Length: 2.8 miles, RT for both Lembert and Dog Lake.

6) Tenaya Lake

Tenaya Lake is the largest and easily accessed of all Yosemite lakes. No hiking required. Simply find a parking spot in the lots at either end of the lake or find a spot along the shoulder.

In the dead of summer, the crowds here can get particularly large but still nowhere near the levels Yosemite Valley receives. To guarantee yourself a good spot on the lake itself, arrive early.

There’s an easy going trail that circles the lake. You won’t have to worry about ups and downs as it’s mostly flat but early on in the season you will encounter high water levels at the lake’s outlet on the west end. Late in the season, however, it’s a non-issue.

7) Pothole Dome

Gazing at Tuolumne Meadows from Pothole Dome. Yosemite.

The easiest of all the domes, Pothole stands on the western end of Tuolumne Meadows and is mild in difficulty. It’s also hard to miss as it’s easily visible from the road.

From the parking lot (10-12 cars max) you’ll find the trail that takes you straight to it. As tempting as it may be to cut straight across, please keep to the trail. This area is part of a years long effort to grow more trees in the meadow.

Once you reach Pothole, simply find a section that looks to be in your comfort zone and go up. There’s no official path from this point. Alternatively, keep on the trail and it’ll eventually take you to beautiful cascades on the Tuolumne River.

Pro tip: Go as high as you can. The views of Tuolumne Meadows and Cathedral Peak are amazing from the top.

8) Mono Pass Trail

Mono Pass. Sardine Lake. Yosemite National Park.

This hike falls under the category of sorta long but still moderate. It’s mostly flat until you reach the fork to Spillway Lake and starts to head up to Mono Pass at 10,599 feet.

Along the trail you’ll pass beautiful river streams, meadows, and shaded pines (until you reach the pass, that is). Once you pass the boundary of Yosemite and reach a rocky shelf, you’ll have an epic view of Sardine Lake and a slither of Mono Lake in the same frame.

Trail Length: 7.8 miles, RT if you go to the Sardine Lake overlook. 7.4 miles if you don’t.
Pro Tip: Shortly after arriving at the pass but before the lake you’ll see an unmarked trail spurring off to the right. Take it. A quarter mile in will reveal old 1800’s Miner cabins.

9) Tuolumne Meadows

Parsons Lodge. Tuolumne Meadows. Yosemite National Park.

Few things beat taking a stroll through the always beautiful, Tuolumne Meadows. It is probably the most tourist heavy attraction on this list but don’t fret, you’ll have plenty of elbow room.

Some notable features of Tuolumne Meadows are; frequent Deer & Bear sightings (mostly in the morning), the Merced River, Pothole Dome, Parsons Memorial Lodge, Soda Springs, and more!

Pro Tip: If you’re here in spring or early summer, bring mosquito repellant. Lots of it. You’re welcome.

10) Cathedral Lakes Trail

Lower Cathedral Lake. Yosemite National Park.

Rounding out the top 10 is the premier hike on the east side and easily one of the top hikes in the entire park; Cathedral Lakes. This one is mega popular among the Instagram crowd and is a regular stop along the JMT (John Muir Trail).

The trail is moderate but the first mile or so will be a steady uphill slog. You have two lakes to see, both worthy of your efforts. Lower Cathedral is the largest of the pair but Upper, in my opinion, wins in the scenery department. Doing both is worthy of the extra effort.

Trail Length: 7 miles, RT if doing one lake. 8 miles if doing both.

Conclusion

There you have it! The things that, in my eyes, are the 10 best things this side of the park has to offer. Many people pass up this up, with most of the love reserved for the valley and Glacier Point. As you can see in the photos above, that would be a mistake.

Tell me in the comments below if you’re planning a trip to the park and have any questions or feel I should’ve added something else. Also, please support the site by sharing this article with your friends and family. Thanks for reading.

Safe travels!

The 10 Best Things To Do On Yosemite’s East Side