Address: Tioga Pass Road Yosemite National Park Ca. 95389
Tenaya Lake is located in Yosemite’s high country region between Yosemite Valley and Tuolumne Meadows with an elevation of 8,150 feet. It is a high sierra lake surrounded by granite domes, forests, and vast wilderness. Tenaya Lake is the largest lake in Yosemite’s high country. Tenaya lake is also referred to as “Jewel of the High Country”. It is about an hour and 17 minutes and 49 miles drive from Yosemite Valley to Tenaya Lake via Tioga Pass Road. Tenaya Lake is a popular spot for kayaking, sunbathing, swimming, and boating.
Our drive from Yosemite Valley to Tenaya lake is very scenic, with lots of winding roads and switchbacks but well worth the effort. We pulled over to some of the Vista Points and took some amazing pictures of the gorgeous views. We also stopped over at a few places such as Tuolumne Grove Trailhead to use the public restroom, Tenaya Lake picnic area, Olmstead Point, Lembert Dome, and Tuolumne Meadows. Our stopover at Olmstead Point with an amazing view was one of the highlights of our trip to Tenaya lake. We first pulled over at the Tenaya lake picnic area and stayed there for an hour to eat and relax. This area is slightly rocky with a different view or angle of the lake and the granite domes. After eating we then drove for about 10 minutes and parked on the side of the road at the Tenaya lake beach area close to Murphy Creek Trailhead. There’s also a parking lot and public restroom available by the Trailhead. From the parking area, we carried all our snacks, foldable chairs, drinks, and picnic blanket to the beach area. We all played in the clear, refreshing, cold water which we later got acclimated to the coldness. A few people were swimming in the water, brought their own paddleboards, inflatable kayaks, smaller boats, and explored the amazing Tenaya Lake. We were amazed by the crystal clear water of the Lake with a backdrop of the huge granite domes surrounding the lake. There were a few trailheads to choose from around the area and it’s also the base camp for the hike to Cloud’s Rest which is about a 6-8 hours hike.
Overall, it’s a very big lake with clear, cold, and refreshing water surrounded by picturesque granite domes. We would definitely come back again and stay overnight in the future. It is a great place for the entire family to relax and enjoy the scenery.
Tips: Don’t forget to fill up with gas at the Chevron in Crane Flat which is the only gas station going to the Lake. They have ample parking and public restrooms available on site for visitors near the trailhead. The water is refreshing and cold so try to bring water shoes to protect you from rocks. Go there early to find parking and don’t leave food or drinks out in the open to prevent wildlife from eating your food. The west bank is spectacular while the east bank has a nice beach and picnic areas. Don’t forget to stop by at Olmstead Point which is before Tenaya Lake coming from the Valley. Watch out for bears that may be around the area.
Let me know if you have any questions or what you think about Tenaya lake after your visit in the comments below. And kindly subscribe, comment, and share our family travel blog site with your friends and family. Or even include our travel blog website address when you post your pictures on social media. Have fun and stay safe. Thank you.