Tuolumne Meadows
A high alpine meadow at about 2,600 m, with the Tuolumne River winding through it and granite domes all around. It is the starting point for high-country hikes in the Sierra Nevada.
The meadow lies along the middle section of Tioga Road (Highway 120), about a 1.5-hour drive from the valley floor. It is cooler and less crowded than the valley. You can stroll the flat trail along the river to Soda Springs, climb Lembert Dome beside the meadow for a panoramic view (about 4.5 km round trip), or take the Cathedral Lakes trail (about 11 km round trip). Elk and marmots are commonly seen in the meadow. Tioga Road is closed in winter, and its opening dates change each year with the snowpack, so check NPS announcements before setting out.
Opening hours
While Tioga Road is open
Nearby sights
- Tenaya Lake
- Olmsted Point
- Half Dome
- Yosemite National Park
- Mirror Lake
- Mist Trail: Vernal & Nevada Falls
- The Ahwahnee
- Glacier Point