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Tuolumne Meadows – The meadows at
Tuolumne are perfect for kids! The Tuolumne River flows over moss-covered
pebbles and sandy stream bottoms. Kids can play for hours, wading and splashing
in shallow pools, building dams or moss gardens in little side streams that
meander off the main river, or just running through the soft grasses in
the meadows. |
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 Soda
Springs – Park at the Soda Springs trailhead on Tioga Road and
head out on the trail through the meadows. On the way you'll cross the Tuolumne
River – stop off to play by the water. At the Soda Springs, watch fizzy water bubbling out of the orange-colored ground (don't drink
the water). |
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Lyell
Fork of the Tuolumne River – Take the trail (Pacific Coast Trail
and John Muir Trail) from the Dog Lake parking lot to the Lyell Fork of
the Tuolumne River. At the bridge are wonderful shallow rock pools and sandy beaches
where kids can play, while the panorama of the surrounding mountains is just
glorious. The trail continues along the river – follow it as long as
you like. Bring a picnic and spend the day. |
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Climb
Pothole Dome – You can see Pothole Dome from Tioga Road, poking
up at the western edge of Tuolumne Meadows. Follow the trail from the road
around to the eastern side of the dome. From there, climb up the gentle
rock slope to the top (200 ft.). The southeastern side is a big wide flat
expanse of rock, some with glacial polish, and easy for kids to walk up.
From the top, you'll have a bird's eye view all around – the meadows
to the east, high mountains to the north and another rock dome, Fairview
Dome, right across the way. |
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Hike to Elizabeth Lake – One of our favorite hikes at Tuolumne, the trail winds up through a shady pine forest, goes along green meadows next to a sparkling creek, arriving at a spectacular lake, nestled at the base of Unicorn Peak. Kids will want to explore the paths around the lake, and may even find a little snow at the eastern shore. The hike is 4.6 miles round trip, the trailhead is located at the Tuolumne Meadows Campground. |
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Visitor
Center – The Visitor Center has exhibits about the plants and wildlife
in Tuolumne, a 3-D relief map of the meadows and mountains, and a good selection
of kids books and maps for sale. |
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Tuolumne Meadows Stables – Explore
the high country on horseback. The stable offers two hour, half day, and
full day rides. Kids need to be 7 years old and 44 inches tall. |
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Bennettville Trail (Tioga Rd) – On Tioga Rd. 2 miles past Tioga Pass, turn off at Saddlebag Lakes to take a short hike to Bennettville, all that remains of an unsuccessful 19th century silver mine. The trail begins at Junction Meadow Campground, and follows up Mine Creek cascading through colorful colorful rocks and meadows. |
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At Bennettville are two weathered pine buildings, a tall bunkhouse, and old assay office, surrounded by weather-worn pine trees. |
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Continue up the trail to lovely Shell Lake, the perfect spot to have a picnic lunch on grassy meadows. |
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Tenaya Lake – Tenaya Lake is a sparkling high
mountain lake, deep blue and icy cold. The eastern shore of Tenaya Lake
has a sandy beach where kids can wade and swim. Or, go out on the water in
an inflatable kayak or raft. Pitch your beach umbrella, spread out a picnic (there
are picnic tables) and spend the afternoon playing by the lake. |
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Olmsted Point – Stop at Olmsted Point for a gorgeous
view of that swirly, scooped-out granite mountain called Cloud Rest and
the back side of Half Dome. This is also a great spot to see slabs of rock
neatly polished by the glaciers, and huge boulders left in the aftermath. |
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Tuolumne Grove – Take a short hike (one mile each
way) through the giant sequoias to the "Tunnel Tree," a huge redwood
that was tunneled out in 1878. As you walk through the softly-shaded, carpeted
forest, light gently filters down through the tree branches high above –
it's simply magical. |
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Staying in Tuolumne Meadows – Tuolumne Meadows campground is closed summer 2024. Cabins and tent camping are available at White Wolf Lodge and Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, June to Sept. |
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Tip: Camping and tent cabins, remember Tuolumne Meadows is at high elevation (8,000 ft) and it's cold at night - bring warm clothing. One June we stayed in a tent cabin (with a wood stove) at White Wolf Lodge, in the morning there was frost on the meadow and it was below freezing. |
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Food – Tuolumne Meadows Store is a grocery, cafe, and very importantly, where you get ice cream (after hikes ice cream is a "must have" for our family). At Crane Flat, west entrance of Tioga Rd., there's also a store and gas station. |
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