Happy Trails
Rush Creek Lodge and Evergreen Lodge, are the most conveniently located of all Yosemite lodging areas for access to all three of the most prominent parts of the Park: Yosemite Valley, Tuolumne Meadows and Hetch Hetchy.
| Yosemite Destination | Drive Times (in minutes) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rush Creek Lodge | Evergreen Lodge | Groveland | El Portal | Mariposa | Oakhurst | |
| Hetch Hetchy | 25 | 10 | 55 | 65 | 115 | 120 |
| Yosemite Valley | 30 | 40 | 60 | 10 | 50 | 60 |
| Tuolumne Meadows | 60 | 75 | 95 | 75 | 110 | 120 |
Surrounding area highlights include forest, meadows, rivers, swimming holes, fire roads, and scenic vistas. Visit with our Recreation team for planning advice and more drive times to Yosemite’s major icons as well as our favorite local spots. Below you can view photos and drive times from the lodge to some of our favorite nearby places in the National Forest and Yosemite.
| Minutes Drive from Lodge | Location | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Carlon Falls | 1.5 mile hike to Yosemite waterfall |
| 10 | Merced Grove Trailhead | One mile hike to Giant Sequoias |
| 15 | Tuolumne Grove Trailhead | One mile hike to Giant Sequoias |
| 15 | Rainbow Pools | Popular & beautiful swimming spot |
| 20 | Hetch Hetchy Vista | Great view of Hetch Hetchy Reservoir |
| 35 | Preston Falls Trailhead | Hike along Tuolumne River |
| 40 | Hetch Hetchy Reservoir | Trails, history, waterfalls & fishing |
| 40 | Yosemite Valley | Trails, waterfalls & massive granite |
| 45 | Tunnel View | Best view of Yosemite Valley |
| 60 | Olmstead Point | View of Half Dome & Tenaya Lake |
| 70 | Cathedral Lake Trailhead | 3.5 mile hike to gorgeous lake |
| 75 | Tuolumne Meadows | Heart of Yosemite’s dramatic High Country |
| 90 | Mariposa Grove | World’s largest trees |
| 90 | Glacier Point | Legendary vista point above Yosemite Valley |
For more information on hikes in Yosemite, yosemitehikes.com is a staff go-to for descriptions, distances, difficulties and more.
Staff Favorites
We asked our Recreation Guides who hike for a living what their favorite trails are in Yosemite - these were their answers! (P.S. most of them aren't for the faint of heart!)
ST: Saddlebag Lake to the summit of Mt. Conness.
MR: A very tough question! So I will be choosing two, haha! Glen Aulin has a special place in my heart. It was my first backpacking experience in Yosemite and it did not disappoint! I was accompanied by my good friend, the adventure queen Maure Buckley! My second is Clouds Rest. The diversity in plant life and beautiful scenery was breathtaking! I’d like to do it again and catch the sunrise!
MB: The Young Lakes Trail up in Yosemite’s High Country is one my favorites because it was my first ever solo backpacking trip. That hike proved to me that I was a capable outdoorswoman even by myself during my first season in the park. Along the way it travels through beautiful alpine meadows, and dense forests, and it ends in a magical chain of three lakes.
AS: My favorite hike so far here in Yosemite is the Young Lakes Loop Trail and Ragged Peak in the high country. It can be a long day, but the view is so worth it.
JP: Spillway Lake/Parker Pass/Bloody Canyon
TB: Wapama Falls trail (so far) I have many more to explore.
AE: My favorite trail that I have been on so far in Yosemite is a place called Chilnualna Falls.