Tenaya Lake

Yosemite Valley, CA
4.6
5 Reviews
Tenaya Lake
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Details

Distance
3.08 miles
Route Type
Loop

Features

Family Friendly
Lake
Bathrooms
Easy Parking
Beach
Swimming Hole
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About this place

Added by Sarah Gooch

Tenaya Lake is one of the most picturesque and easily-accessible lakes in Yosemite National Park, making it a popular destination for swimming, kayaking, and exploring.

Tenaya Lake is located alongside Tioga Road in the park's Tuolumne Meadows region. There is a family-friendly trail that surrounds the lake. Though some spots along the trail on the western shore may require fording the waters, the 2.5-mile trip is an easy hike for all to enjoy. Many others prefer to find a sunny spot along the shore to relax and enjoy the views and the clear waters.

Parking is available at small lots at both ends of the lake, but feel free to park on the shoulder of Tioga Road to begin your adventure anywhere along the shore. The most scenic views, in my opinion, can be find near the west end of the lake, where the reflections of the granite domes provide the perfect photo opportunity.

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Leave No Trace

Always practice Leave No Trace ethics on your adventures and be sure to follow local regulations. Please explore responsibly.
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Sami Smith
10/8/2020
Beautiful lake
This lake is absolutely beautiful! My friend and I hung out for a while after our sunrise hike to clouds rest. It is a ...
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Aaron Eddy
8/2/2017
I'm from the Land of 10,000 Lakes
Lake Tenaya is one of the most beautiful lakes I've ever seen! One of the beaches is pretty narrow and crowded but if you're ...
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Jonathon Reed
11/1/2016
Beautiful, but go farther!
Tenaya Lake is a great spot in Yosemite, but it seems a shame to only stop on the side of the highway. Take some ...
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Emily Noyd
9/15/2016
Busy and beautiful
Weekends at Tenaya Lake can be very crowded, but it's my personal favorite spot to swim after climbing in Tuolumne. Weekdays provide a little ...
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Joy Schmidt
2/23/2016
So Peaceful
Tenaya Lake is so quiet and beautiful. I felt like I was on top of the world in the high sierra.
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