The Best Backpacking in Madera County

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...

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...

Willow Placer Campground is conveniently near to Yosemite's Wawona entrance, Mono Hot Springs, and a wide trail system in Sierra National Forest. The campground is open year round, and operates on a first-come first-serve basis. The campground is owned by Bureau of Land Management. There is a $1...

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...

Crescent Lake to Buena Vista Lake is a point-to-point trail where you may see wildflowers located near Yosemite Valley, California.

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 ...

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...

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 ...

Buena Vista, Royal Arch, and Crescent Lakes Loop is a loop trail that takes you by a lake located near Yosemite Valley, California.

Chilnualna Falls Trail is an out-and-back trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Yosemite Valley, California.

Wawona to Half Dome to Yosemite Valley is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a waterfall located near Fish Camp, California.

Rainbow Lake to Slab Lakes is a point-to-point trail that takes you by a lake located near June Lake, California.

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...

West Kaiser Campground operates on a first come, first serve basis and is free. The campground has 10 sites with picnic tables, fire rings, and bear boxes. There is not potable water, so bring as much as you need to drink and cook. West Kaiser is open from June - December, weather dependent.  The...

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...

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...