Givens Lake

Givens Lake sits in a remote stretch of southern Yosemite Wilderness, part of a lake-studded backcountry network that includes Chain Lakes and Johnson Lake. There's no drive-up access and no crowd here — this is a multi-day backpacking destination reached by committed hikers, most of whom are passing through on a longer loop rather than making Givens Lake their sole destination.

Getting There

The common approach is a "backdoor" route into Yosemite's far southeast corner: starting from Sierra National Forest trailheads near Quartz Mountain or Chiquito Creek, hikers cross Chiquito Pass into the park and pick up the Chain Lakes Trail. From there, a trail junction leads toward Givens Lake, with trip reports describing the final stretch to the shore and campsite as a use route rather than a maintained trail. Backpackers coming from the Wawona side can also connect in via Buck Camp and the Merced Pass trail junctions on a longer loop.

Camp and Conditions

An NPS Stock Site Evaluation map for Givens Lake — part of the park's backcountry pack-stock camp survey — places the established stock site on the lake's southwest side (Camp ID 127), with the access route running about 0.8 mile from a sandy flat to the fire ring, plus limited grazing meadows nearby. Hikers without stock also camp in the same general area under standard Yosemite Wilderness rules. Expect active mosquitoes in early summer, offset somewhat by steady wind through the basin.

Permits

A Yosemite Wilderness permit is required for any overnight stay at Givens Lake; day hikes don't need one. Because routes in this corner of the park can cross into the Sierra National Forest's Ansel Adams Wilderness as well, confirm which trailhead quota applies before you go.