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The Best Backpacking in Wawona

Looking for the best backpacking in Wawona? We've got you covered with the top trails, trips, hiking, backpacking, camping and more around Wawona. The detailed guides, photos, and reviews are all submitted by the Outbound community.

Top backpacking spots in and near Wawona

  • Wawona, California

    Buena Vista, Royal Arch, and Crescent Lakes Loop

    26.49 mi / 5837 ft gain
    Buena Vista, Royal Arch, and Crescent Lakes Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Wawona, California

    Chilnualna Falls Trail

    7.83 mi / 2339 ft gain
    Chilnualna Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Wawona, California

    Wawona to Half Dome to Yosemite Valley

    33.37 mi / 8986 ft gain
    Wawona to Half Dome to Yosemite Valley is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Fish Camp, California.
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  • Yosemite National Park, California

    Backpack to Crescent Lake

    20 mi / 4100 ft gain
    Crescent Lake is another beautiful spot a long the Beuna Vista loop. Starting at the Chilnualna Trailhead in Wawona, you start your journey climbing about 4.6 miles and 2,300 feet to the top of Chilnualna Falls (always a good place to rest). Beyond the falls, continue a long the trail and always ...
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  • Yosemite National Park, California

    Buena Vista Lake via Chilnualna Falls Trailhead

    24.64 mi / 5453 ft gain
    Hiking and camping at Buena Vista Lake is a beautiful way to see the south side of Yosemite… the name says it all. With beautiful 360 degree views from Buena Vista Peak you get to look at the backside of Half Dome, up to Clouds Rest and all the domes and peaks in-between. You can reach the trail...
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  • Yosemite National Park, California

    Backpack to Johnson Lake

    24 mi / 4500 ft gain
    Your trek begins at the Chilnualna Falls trailhead in Wawona near the South Gate in Yosemite. The first suggestion I have is to check the weather in the area to make sure you won't be slowed down by rain or snow. It's about 12 miles from the trailhead to the lake and if you are a swift hiker and ...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Hike to Alder Creek Falls

    10 mi / 1000 ft gain
    The trail leads from the parking area across the Mosquito Creek road and heads uphill north through an open pine forest with manzanita growing on dry slopes. The trail provides access to Alder Creek Falls a hidden gem within Yosemite's Wawona wilderness. I did the trail towards the end of Februar...
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  • Madera County, California

    Crescent Lake to Buena Vista Lake

    5.29 mi / 1099 ft gain
    Crescent Lake to Buena Vista Lake is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • Oakhurst, California

    Camp at Fresno Dome Campground

    / 6433 ft gain
    A great day hike from this campground is to the top of nearby Fresno Dome. Fresno Dome is a great location to picnic, watch the sunset, star gaze, or simply to relax and breathe some fresh air. The trailhead is conveniently in the campground.  Fresno Dome Campground operates on a first-come, firs...
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Nordic Ski and Snowshoe to Glacier Point

    5.0
    21 mi
    Known for its breathtaking vistas, towering granite faces, and thundering waterfalls, Yosemite National Park truly is one of the world’s most astounding landscapes. Though the park covers nearly 1200 square miles, the vast majority of the ~4 million annual visitors spend almost all their time ar...
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  • Yosemite National Park, California

    Winter Backpack to Sentinel Dome in Yosemite

    5.0
    19.23 mi / 860 ft gain
    The goal for our weekend was to do some winter camping in the Yosemite backcountry; we decided on Sentinel Dome as our destination. The trail is a cakewalk during the summer, but winter turns it into a 10 mile uphill grind from the car. Most people opt to head for the ski hut at Glacier Point, bu...
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  • Wawona, California

    Buena Vista Crest Trail to Royal Arch Lake

    30.03 mi / 3606 ft gain
    Buena Vista Crest Trail to Royal Arch Lake is a loop trail where you may see beautiful wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.
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  • YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK, California

    Dewey Point via McGurk Meadow Trailhead

    5.0
    7.51 mi / 300 ft gain
    Before you start, be sure to visit the Yosemite Valley Visitor Center and grab an overnight permit. More info on this at nps.gov. This trail meanders through beautiful, dense meadows full of wildlife - watch for bears! When you're not hiking among the wildflowers and babbling brooks, you're enc...
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  • Mariposa County, California

    Backpack to Lower Ottoway Lake

    32 mi / 2400 ft gain
    The hike begins at Mono Meadows trailhead along Glacier Point Road, first descending 2.8 steep miles to Illilouette Creek. Above the Illilouette Junction, take in views of the Valley's granite domes before beginning the post-burn forested slog. The trail covers an additional 10 miles of relativel...
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  • Bass Lake, California

    Camp at Greys Mountain Campground

    / 5293 ft gain
    From Greys Mountain Campground, Sierra National Forest is your oyster! Enjoy hiking, swimming, fishing, mountain biking, boating, paddle boarding, kayaking, canoeing, and more. Each site is equipped with a picnic table and a fire ring. The campground has vault toilets and (sometimes) potable wate...
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  • Madera County, California

    Backpack to Lower Merced Pass Lake

    4.0
    23 mi / 880 ft gain
    LMPL (let's be honest, the full name is a mouthful) is situated just below the crest of Merced Pass, and can be accessed by hiking south from Yosemite Valley, or north from Chiquito Pass. This is a stunning and much less crowded spot to camp, or a great way to access some of the less climbed moun...
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