Johnson Lake

Johnson Lake sits at roughly 8,700 feet in the Yosemite Wilderness south of Wawona, and reaching it takes real backpacking miles — about 12 miles one-way from the Chilnualna Falls Trailhead. There's no day-hike version of this trip. What you get for the effort is a forest-framed lake that sees a fraction of the traffic on Yosemite's more accessible trails, with a small island near the far shore for backpackers who want extra privacy.

The Route

The trail starts with a well-maintained 4.6-mile, 2,300-foot climb to Chilnualna Falls, a popular destination on its own and the last heavily-trafficked stretch of the hike. Beyond the falls, the trail continues east, passing Crescent Lake before reaching Johnson Lake roughly 6.9 miles farther along, with the Royal Arch Lake and Buena Vista Lake junction just past it. This backcountry section is rougher and less distinct than the falls trail, so solid map and navigation skills matter, especially where snow lingers into early summer.

Permits and Practical Notes

• Overnight stays anywhere in Yosemite Wilderness require a wilderness permit; Chilnualna Falls is one of the park's lower-demand trailheads, so permits here are typically easier to land than at busier entry points like those feeding Half Dome or Tuolumne Meadows.
• Mosquitoes are heavy around Johnson Lake and the neighboring lakes through the first half of the season — plan gear and timing accordingly.
• Most backpackers budget two to three days for the round trip, using Crescent Lake or the falls area as a fallback camp if daylight runs out on the way in.