May Lake Trail

May Lake sits at roughly 9,270 feet in Yosemite's high country, a short walk from a trailhead just off Tioga Road. The 2.4-mile round trip gains only about 485 feet, making it one of the easiest subalpine lake hikes in the park — most people finish in 1 to 2 hours. The lake sits in a granite bowl below Mount Hoffmann, Yosemite's geographic center point, and its still-morning reflection is the main reason people make the drive out.

The Hike

From the May Lake parking area, the trail climbs steadily but gently through lodgepole pine forest before opening onto the lakeshore. It's rated easy to moderate — workable for families and anyone still acclimating to elevation — though the trailhead itself starts around 8,700 feet, so pace yourself even on a short outing.

Getting There

The trailhead is reached via a signed spur, May Lake Road, which turns off Tioga Road about 26 miles east of Crane Flat and a few miles short of Tuolumne Meadows. Tioga Road is seasonal: it typically opens in late May or June once plowing clears it, and closes for the year after the first significant snowfall — so this hike is only reachable in summer and early fall. Overnight parking at the trailhead ends October 15 each year.

May Lake High Sierra Camp

A backcountry camp sits on the lakeshore and has long been considered the easiest of Yosemite's High Sierra Camps to reach on foot. Operating status and reservations shift year to year, so check current availability directly with the park concessioner before planning an overnight stay.