Tenaya Lake Trail

Carved out by the Tenaya Glacier that extended from Tuolumne Meadows down to Yosemite Valley during the last ice age, Tenaya Lake is an alpine lake located along Highway 120/Tioga Pass Road along the gateway to Yosemite’s granite-laden high country. Popular with summertime swimmers and paddlers, Tenaya Lake is the largest easily accessible lake in Yosemite.

The Tenaya Lake Trail runs along the lake’s southern shore under the shade of lodgepole pine. The relatively short and easy trail connects the scenic vistas and rocky coves of the west end to the broad beach and picnic areas of the lake’s east end. This is an excellent, family-friendly hike.

The trail can be accessed from either the main Tenaya Lake parking area on east shore or along the west shore at the Sunrise Lakes/Clouds Rest Trailhead when Highway 120 is open, typically May through November.