Tuolumne Canyon Trailhead

The Tuolumne River Canyon Trail follows the south bank of the Tuolumne River downstream from Buck Meadows, through the Stanislaus National Forest to the river's confluence with the Clavey. It sits just west of Yosemite's Big Oak Flat entrance along Highway 120, inside the still-recovering scar of the 2013 Rim Fire — an open, sun-exposed canyon above a designated Wild and Scenic river.

Getting to the Trailhead

The route starts on Forest Road 1S01, reached from Ferretti Road off Highway 120. Storm damage has closed vehicle access on this stretch of Lumsden Road, so right now the trail is walk-in only — about a 3.5-mile approach from the Groveland Ranger District access point near Buck Meadows, or a shorter half-mile walk downstream from the Lumsden boat launch when that section is passable. Conditions on this road change with weather and Forest Service repair schedules, so check current Stanislaus National Forest status before you drive out.

What to Expect

Once you're on the trail, it runs along the river to the Clavey River confluence, passing swimming holes and river access points the whole way. Because the corridor burned in 2013, there's little shade — expect standing dead trees, loose rock, and a real flash-flood risk during storms, so this isn't the trail to be on in high wind or heavy rain. There's no water or services anywhere along the route. Hikers wanting more distance sometimes continue onto the Hamby Trail, though the elevation gain makes a car shuttle worth arranging. Spring brings the canyon's best wildflower bloom.

• Location: Stanislaus National Forest, near Buck Meadows, just outside Yosemite's western boundary
• Trailhead: Forest Road 1S01 off Lumsden Road
• Destination: Confluence of the Tuolumne and Clavey Rivers
• Terrain: Open 2013 Rim Fire burn scar; no water or services on route